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

10 Big Things from Week 4

Time for everyone's favorite segment...10 BIG THINGS!

10. Duane Bennett: The Gopher RB took some pressure off of QB Adam Weber and star wideout Eric Decker by rushing for 89 yards on 21 carries. The sophomore ran for three touchdowns.

9. Juice Williams: Will the real Juice Williams please stand up? Voted as the first team All-Big Ten quarterback this preseason, the senior had an awful performance against the Buckeyes. Williams threw for only 79 yards and tossed two interceptions

8. Michigan State struggles yet again: At this point, Sparty fans are probably counting down the days until the start of basketball season. Michigan State struggled for the third straight week, turning the ball over four times. Sparty has turned the ball over six times in the last two games.

7. Iowa has Big Ten Players of the Week...again: The streak continues. The Hawkeyes have had at least one Big Ten Player of the Week in each of the first four weeks. This week it was senior linebacker Pat Angerer and junior defensive lineman Adrian Clayborn. Binns was named defensive player of the week for recording a safety and Clayborn was named sp

ecial teams player of the week for returning a punt for a touchdown.

6. Bad Call in IU-Michigan game: It appeared that Hoosier receiver Demarlo Belcher and the Wolverine defender both had possession of the ball as they hit the ground, which would be ruled as dual possession, giving the ball to the Hoosiers. However, the call on the field was ruled an interception and the play stood even after an official review. This call cost the Hoosiers a chance to mount a comeback drive against Michigan.

5. John Clay: The Badger running back rushed for 142 yards and a touchdown in the

win over Michigan State

4. Bill Lynch's sideline tirade: The Hoosier head man (right) had a good one on Saturday. After the dual-possession/interception play occurred, Lynch sprinted down the sidelines, tossing his headset down and chucking his gum (the flavor was probably gone anyways...)

(Photo credit: espn.com)

3. Tate Forcier: The freshman QB lead the Wolverine comeback over the Hoosiers, throwing for 184 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for a score.

2. Scott Tolzien: The Wisconsin signal caller is for real. The junior threw for 243 yards and four touchdowns in the 38-30 win over Michigan State.

1. Iowa Hawkeyes upset Joe Pa: The Hawkeyes defeated the Nittany Lions for the seventh time in the last eight meetings. The win moved Iowa into the top 25, putting them at 13th in the AP poll and 17th in the Coaches poll

1A. Football in the Heartland blogger beating ESPN Big Ten blogger in pick'em: That's right, I don't want to brag or anything, but I am up four games on ESPN Big Ten blogger Adam Rittenberg in picking Big Ten games.

Let's start the Big Ten schedule: Week 4 Picks

Indiana (3-0) vs. Michigan (3-0)

Game Time: 11 a.m. on ESPN2

What to watch for: The Hoosiers get a tough test right away in the Big Ten, facing off against Rich Rod. This game will tell us if Indiana is for real

Prediction: I'm not buying Indiana being a good team, I don't see them winning more than one or two Big Ten games at most. Michigan and Tate Forcier take down the Hoosiers in the Big House, 30-14.

Michigan State (1-2) vs. Wisconsin (3-0)

Game Time: 11 a.m. on ESPN

What to watch for: This is a very interesting game, and a crucial game for Sparty if they want to right the ship. Badger QB Scott Tolzien (right) has been kind of an under the radar quarterback, but he's played extremely well thus far. He's completed 69% of his passes for 641 yards.

Prediction: This is a tough one, I like both of these teams and I think Sparty is better than their record. Unfortunately for MSU, I like Wisconsin in this game. Camp Randall is going to be jumping around all day long. Badgers win it in a close one, 20-17

(Tolzien photo credit: www.badgernation.com)

Minnesota (2-1) vs. Northwestern (2-1)

Game Time: 11 a.m. on Big Ten Network

What to watch for: There's alot of offense to watch here. Northwestern QB Mike Kafka is 2nd in the Big Ten in passing yards per game and is coming off being named the Big Ten co-offensive player of the week. Gopher wideout Eric Decker is 4th in the NCAA in receiving yards, and Gopher QB Adam Weber is third in the Big Ten in passing yards per game.

Prediction: Lots and lots of offense in this game, it will be fun to watch. I'm thinking the Gophers win this one in a shootout, 40-33

I'll be back later to give you my predictions for the three afternoon/evening games

10 Big Things from Week 3

Another week, another 10 Big Things

10. Sean Lee injured: The Nittany Lions start linebacker sprained his knee in the first half of the game against Temple. He is curretly listed as "possible" on the depth chart for this weeks game against Iowa. If Lee is unable to play, it could be detrimental for the Lions (And great for my Hawkeyes!)

9. Big Ten loses to a MAC school for the second straight week: It was bad enough when Central Michigan defeated Sparty, now Northern Illinois dominated Purdue. Whats next?!

8. Tyler Sash (right): Making his second appearance on the 10 Big Things. Sash had another interception this past weekend, giving him four picks already this season.

(Photo Credit: Hawkeyesports.com)

7. Ralph Bolden: The sophomore runner caught four passes for 62 yards and ran for another 64 yards to continue his string of good play for the Boilers.

6. Wolverine center David Molk: The big fella suffered a broken bone in his foot on Saturday that will require surgery. The anchor of the Michigan line will be out for 4-6 weeks.

5. Greg Jones: The Sparty LB continues to show why he was named Big Ten preseason player of the year. Jones is 3rd in the NCAA in tackles with 38.

4. Hawkeyes continue streak of player of week winners: Iowa punter Ryan Donahue was named co-Big Ten special teams player of the week this week. Iowa has produced a player of the week in each of the first three weeks this season. Jeremiha Hunter was co-special teams player of the week in week 1 and Tyler Sash was co-defensive player of the week in week 2.

3. Indiana undefeated: I have to give Indiana a little bit of credit, they are a little bit better than I thought they would be. I figured they would slip up agaist at least one of these non-conference teams, so I give credit to Bill Lynch and the Hoosiers. However, this doesn't mean they will be sucessful in the Big Ten by any stretch of the imagination

2. Ohio State rights the ship: Great job by the Buckeyes to get back on track and easily defeat Toledo this past week. That's big for them going into the Big Ten schedule. Although Terelle Pryor did throw two picks, which is a bit disheartening.

1. ESPN College GameDay heading to Big Ten Country: College GameDay is going to Happy Valley this coming Saturday for the Iowa-Penn State game. Get fired up Big Ten Fans. I know I am. I'm hoping to see Corso throw on a Herky Hawkeye mask, but I won't count on it.

News around the Big Ten

Time for some news, notes, and the occasional nugget from other newspapers and blogs

Ken Gordon of the Columbus Dispatch writes that Jim Tressel will continue his play-calling duties despite fan frustration.

Jeff Rabjohns of the Indianapolis Star writes about former Purdue linebacker Kevin Sumlin and how he has revived the Houston program

Terry Hutchens of the Indianapolis Star writes about Indiana's 2-0 start. But are they for real?

Kent Youngblood of the Minneapolis Star Tribune writes that the Gophers need to be more consistent on offense if they want to upset #8 California.

Andrew Logue of the Des Moines Register writes about the Stoops family's return to Iowa City this weekend.

Adam Rittenberg of ESPN writes that Wisconsin is still struggling with the flu

Rich Rodriguez posted on his twitter: "Just launched our new football website, check it out @ http://insidemichiganfootball.com/. Let me know what you think"

Brian McLaughlin of the Sporting News writes that Penn State landed the top fullback recruit in the country.

The Second Installment of Tweets around the Big Ten

It's time for the more SWEEEET TWEEEETS. Our second installment is the postgame tweets from a couple of coaches and players...enjoy

Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald (@coachfitz51): "CATS WIN! Glad to be 2-0!"

Penn State assistant coach Tom Bradley (@TomBradleyGOPSF): "Good win today.Sean Lee had another great game.Start on Temple tomorrow very early in am"

Indiana RB Bryan Payton (@bdpayton): "we earned an AWESOME WIN today! This win will make us even closer and pay off as the season goes on."

Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema (@BretBielema): "Was a great enviroment in the Camp today. Was very proud of the way our guys battled through a tough week... Like the attitude of this team"

Penn State assistant Jay Paterno (@JayPaterno): "Happy to be 2-0...but not satisfied. Still some things to tighten up before next week"

Big Weekend for Big Ten: My Week 2 Picks for the 11 a.m. games

It's time for another week of picks. Last week the Big Ten went 10-1 and I went 11-0 with my picks. I plan to stay undefeated this week with my picks, but if I do, then the Big Ten certainly will not have a 10-1 record this week. Lets take a look at the games...

Western Michigan (0-1) vs. Indiana (1-0)
Game Time: 11 a.m. on the Big Ten Network
Who to watch For: Western Michigan QB Tim Hiller completed 22 passes for 259 yards against Michigan last week, throwing one touchdown and two interceptions. Hiller ranks 13th all time in MAC history in career passing yards and 6th in career passing touchdowns.
Prediction: Indiana will pick up win number two, which is good because wins are going to be hard to come by for the Hoosiers as the season progresses. Indiana 17, Western Michigan 10

Central Michigan (0-1) vs. Michigan St. (1-0)
Game Time: 11 a.m. on ESPN2
Who to watch for: CMU QB Dan LeFevour has passed for 9,575 yards, thrown 74 touchdowns, and rushed for 2,253 in his career as a Chippewa.
Prediction: Michigan St. will continue to use both Kirk Cousins and Keith Nichol at QB, and the MSU defense will be too much for the Chippewas. Michigan State 30, Central Michigan 14

Eastern Michigan (0-1) vs. Northwestern (1-0)
Game Time: 11 a.m. on the Big Ten Network
Who to watch for: Northwestern's Corey Wootton is on the watch list for several defensive awards this season. The defensive end only played a quarter in week 1 vs. Towson after sitting out much of spring practice nursing the Torn ACL he suffered in the Alamo Bowl last season. Look to see if he gets more time this weekend.
Prediction: Wildcats QB Mike Kafka has a big day and Northwestern trounces EMU, 40-10.

Syracuse (0-1) vs. Penn St (1-0)
Game Time: 11 a.m. on the Big Ten Network
Who to watch for: Daryll Clark and Greg Paulus. Look for Clark to have another big day at QB for the Lions, but I expect Paulus to have a pretty good game in his second career start with the Orange.
Prediction: This will be a close game for one or two quarters, but the Lions pull away in the second half. Penn State 37, Syracuse 17.

Iowa (1-0) vs. Iowa State (1-0)
Game Time: 11 a.m. on FSN (Mediacom in Iowa)
Who to watch for: Derrell Johnson-Koulianos was almost non-existent in Iowa's near stumble against FCS foe Northern Iowa. Last year, "DJK" was one of Ricky Stanzi's go-to receivers, having 44 catches for 639 yards. But last week, he made only one catch for 22 yards and only saw the field for a couple of plays.
Prediction: First Rivalry game of the season, the Battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy. Although the Hawkeyes never seem to play well at Iowa State, I see Iowa winning a close one to get them to 2-0. Hawkeyes win this one 24-17.

Fresno State (1-0) vs. Wisconsin (1-0)
Game Time: 11 a.m. on ESPN
Who to watch for: Fresno State running back Ryan Matthews ran for 106 yards last week against UC-Davis. The junior has run for over 1,500 yards in his career.
Prediction: *UPSET ALERT* Wisconsin almost blew it last week at home against Northern Illinois, look for Fresno State to pull off the upset at Camp Randall this week. Fresno State wins it on the road, 36-27

Big Ten football kicks off tomorrow

That means its time for a game prediction and what to watch for...

Game: Eastern Kentucky vs. Indiana
Time: 7:00 p.m. central
TV: Big Ten Network

Eastern Kentucky Colonels Breakdown:
Eastern Kentucky is the defending Ohio Valley Conference champions, going 8-4 last season. The Colonels have 31 consecutive winning seasons, second only to Florida State (32) for the most consecutive winning seasons.
Players to watch for:
- Cody Watts: The wide receiver turned quarterback takes over the reigns for Allan Holland, last years OVC player of the year. Watts went 11 for 13 passing last season for 145 yards, while also having 24 receptions for 402 yards as a wideout.
-Derek Hardman: the 6'6", 300 lb offfensive lineman is a FCS (formerly 1-AA) preseason All-American.

Indiana Hoosiers Breakdown:
The Hoosiers look to show off their newly renovated Memorial Stadium and look to rebound from a poor showing in 2008 where they finished 3-9. Indiana is moving to the "pistol" offense, in which the quarterback lines up four yards behind the center and the running back lines up one yard behind the quarterback.
Players to watch for:
Ben Chappell: With Kellen Lewis gone for good, Chappell takes over as the full-time starter. The Junior threw for just over 1,000 yards last season with 4 touchdowns and 3 interceptions.
Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton: The defensive ends are two of the best in the country. Kirlew and Middleton have a combined 36.5 sacks, the highest for any duo in the country.

Prediction: It's going to be another tough season for Bill Lynch and the Hoosiers, but look for IU to pull this one out.

Indiana 24 ----Eastern Kentucky 13