What I'm Thankful for...Big Ten Football Edition

The day after stuffing my face with good food and spending quality time with family, I decided to compile a list of the things I'm most thankful for this Big Ten season.

I'm thankful for...

-Northwestern getting an eight win season: Pat Fitzgerald is a tremendous coach and sometimes doesn't get the respect or the media coverage he and the Wildcats deserve. But Fitzgerald has done a fantastic job, leading the Wildcats to 17 wins in the past two seasons, 10 of those wins coming in Big Ten play.

-Bill Lynch's tirades: He provided me entertainment throughout the season. Especially this one against Michigan.


-Illinois's Struggles: Maybe it's because I'm a Cubs fan and I'm sick of hearing White Sox fans talk about a World Series victory from four years ago. I feel the same way with Illinois. I'm tired of hearing about your Rose Bowl berth a couple years back.

-"In Kirk We Trust": Kirk Ferentz is just an absolutely amazing coach. He has been through player troubles and the media criticism a couple years ago to lead this team to back-to-back succesful seasons (9 wins last year and 10 so far this year). Despite not having any highly touted recruits out of High School, he makes the most of what he has. He led the Hawkeyes to a 9-0 start, their best start ever in school history.

-Purdue and Danny Hope: At the beginning of the season, I didn't think Purdue would get more than two wins. But with a new coach and a lot of new players, they surprised me a lot this year. Despite struggles and losing a lot of close games, they had a pretty damn good year. They knocked off Ohio State and the future looks bright for Danny Hope and the Boilers.

-Iowa's wild and crazy season: Two consecutive blocked Field Goals against Northern Iowa, a blocked punt by Adrian Clayborn in Happy Valley, Stanzi to McNutt against Michigan State, Tyler Sash's 90+yard interception that ricocheted off of five or 6 players, a redshirt freshman QB taking Ohio State down to the wire at the "Horseshoe." It's been an incredible ride and I am so thankful that I was able to experience it.

One pick and One tweet

Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. Here's my pick for the lone game this week and tweet for for ya, as well.

Friday Game:
Illinois vs. Cincinnati
Game Time: 11 a.m.
Prediction: The Bearcats head into this game undefeated and poised for a BCS Bowl Berth. Defeating Ron Zook and the Illness shouldn't prove to be too difficult. Bearcats down the Illini, 30-10.


Tweet:
Minnesota head coach Tim Brewster appears to be trying to gain support for his club through twitter.

"Help the Gophers get to the Alamo Bowl...Vote for Minnesota on the Alamo Fan Poll http://bit.ly/1nLIjn"

It looks like Brewster's tweeting is working thus far. Minnesota leads the fan poll with 53% of the vote. Michigan State is behind the Gophers with 33%

Two more games to pick...Could Penn St slip up again?

Penn State vs. Illinois

Game Time: 2:30 p.m. on ABC

What to watch for: Penn State will look to rebound after losing at home last week to the Hawkeyes. Look to see if Juice Williams can do anything at all at QB. His play was absolutely abysmal last week.

Prediction: Doesn't matter whether its Juice or Eddie McGee, the Illini are done. Penn State gets back on track with a road win, 27-10

Ohio State vs. Indiana

Game Time: 7 p.m. on Big Ten Network

What to watch for: Indiana really impressed me last week, despite losing to the Wolverines in a close one. The Hoosiers will have another tough test trying to keep up with the Buckeyes

Prediction: Indiana will keep it close for a half. But the Buckeyes will pull away from this one after halftime. Ohio State wins it 30-14

Sizing up the triad of afternoon action

Illinois (1-1) vs. Ohio State (2-1)
Game Time: 2:30 p.m. on ABC
What to watch for: Let's see how Illinois plays coming off of their bye week. Haven't heard much from Juice Williams and "Rejus" Benn yet have we?
Prediction: It's a big game for the Illini, a big game I don't think they are ready for. Buckeyes win it at home, 24-10


Notre Dame (2-1) vs. Purdue (1-2)
Game Time: 7 p.m. on ESPN
What to watch for: Still can't quite figure out Purdue. They play tough on the road against Oregon and then they lose to Northern Illinois? Joey Elliott and Ralph Bolden need to have a good game if the Boilers are going to stay in this one.
Prediction: I think Purdue will keep it close, but Notre Dame is simply the better team. Irish win it 30-20


Iowa (3-0) vs. Penn State (3-0)
Game Time: 7 p.m. on ABC
What to watch for: The Lions will be looking for revenge and will give Iowa a tough atmosphere at home (watch for the whiteout). The game will hinge on the Iowa defense and whether or not Hawkeye QB Ricky Stanzi is able to step up and play well.
Prediction: Call me biased but I really think the Hawkeyes are gonna win this one again. Penn State hasn't played anyone good thus far, and they haven't looked particularly good either. Sean Lee might miss this game which is a crucial blow for the Nittany Lions. I think the Hawkeye "D" plays extremely well and the offense does just enough to win this one. Hawkeyes win it, 20-17

Picks for the week 2 afternoon and evening games

Notre Dame (1-0) vs. Michigan (1-0)

Game Time: 2:30 p.m. on ABC

Who to watch for: Jimmy Claussen, look for the Irish QB to have a big day

Prediction: Notre Dame takes down Rich Rod (right) and the Wolverines at the Big House, 28-20

Photo credit: http://thedugoutsportsshow.com/?p=658

Illinois St. (0-1) vs. Illinois (0-1)

Game Time: 6 p.m. on the Big Ten Network

Who to watch for: Illini stud receiver Arrelious Benn had a quiet game last weekend against Mizzou (1 catch for 9 yards), and he says he is "day to day" with an ankle injury. If he plays a significant amount, look for Rejus to have a big day against he Redbirds.

Prediction: Zook gets his team back on track with a big win. Illinois 38, Illinois State 7

Air Force (1-0) vs. Minnesota (1-0)

Game Time: 6 p.m. on the Big Ten Network

Who to watch for: The Air Force rushing attack. The Falcons rushed the ball 68 times (thats right, 68 times!) and used 14 different rushers against Nicholls State last weekend in a 72-0 rout.

Prediction: This is going to be a close game for the Gophers as their kick of their home schedule at brand new TCF Bank Stadium. Minnesota will scratch and claw their way to another victory, possibly in overtime again. Minnesota wins a tight one, 20-17.

USC (1-0) vs. Ohio State (1-0)

Game Time: 7 p.m. on ESPN

Who to watch for: USC freshman QB Matt Barkley. Let's see how the kid handles playing at the 'Shoe. My guess is Pete Carroll will have him ready to go.

Prediction: The so-called "game of the week" is getting way too much hype. The fact of the matter is, Pete Carroll is the best big game coach in college football, and USC is a way better team. USC wins in a blowout, 38-14.

Purdue (1-0) vs. Oregon (0-1)

Game Time: 9:15 p.m. on FSN

Who to watch for: Purdue running back Ralph Bolden. Is he a one hit wonder or is this guy for real? We will find out Saturday night. Another thing to watch for is how Oregon responds to the loss of running back LaGarrette Blount.

Prediction: *UPSET ALERT* I like the Boilers in this one, don't ask me why, because I think the Ducks are the better team. But I think Purdue is playing these guys at the right time. Boilers win it 45-38.