Outback Bowl Preview

Northwestern vs. Auburn
When: Jan. 1 at 11 a.m. (central) on ESPN
Where: Tampa, Fla.

What to watch for: I really think the Outback bowl got this one right. Northwestern deserved to be in this game over Wisconsin, and the comittee went with the better team as opposed to possibly taking a worse team with a better fan base. The Wildcats come into this game as one of the hottest teams in the Big Ten.

Northwestern won its final three regular season games, two of them against ranked opponents (Iowa and Wisconsin). Led by QB Mike Kafka, the Wildcats boast one of the best passing offenses in the Big Ten.

This will be a big test for Gene Chizik's Auburn Tigers, who rank eighth in the SEC in pass defense. Auburn comes into this match-up with a two game losing streak.

Prediction: I like the Big Ten to pick up its first bowl win of the season in this one. Pat Fitzgerald is going to have his team ready to go, and Mike Kafka is going to have a big, BIG game for the Wildcats. Northwestern picks up its first bowl victory since 1949 by beating the Tigers, 31-27.

Vs.

Photo Credit: espn.com

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.

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

BTOC: Big Team on Campus

We're heading for Week 4 of Big Ten play, and that means it time to toss around some rankings. Now I don't use any high tech mathematical formulas or computers to figure out the top teams in the Big Ten. Just my brain, and my mind...and I'm using my head too. So here we go, lets size up the Big Ten rankings thru three weeks of play. Who's the BIG TEAM ON CAMPUS?

1. Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0)

2. Ohio State Buckeyes (2-1)

3. Iowa Hawkeyes (3-0)

4. Michigan Wolverines (3-0)

5. Wisconsin Badgers (3-0)

6. Michigan State Spartans (1-2): I think they are much better team than how they've been playing

7. Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-1)

8. Northwestern Wildcats (2-1)

9. Illinois Illini (1-1)

10. Indiana Hoosiers (3-0): Lets see how they do in Big Ten play

11. Purdue Boilermakers (1-2)

Agree? Disagree? Discuss....

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

Part 1 of my Week 1 predictions

Only about 7 hours away from kickoff of the Big Ten season. I couldn't be more excited to head over to Kinnick Stadium for the Hawkeye games, then get back to my apartment and watch football all day. This is definitely the time of year when I'm up until the wee hours of the morning on Sunday working on the homework I probably should have at least started on Saturday. But I digress, here's the breakdowns for three of the 11 a.m. Big Ten games on Saturday. More to come later today and tomorrow, plus a special twitter related feature that I'm hoping to have every Friday. Stay tuned....

Towson vs. Northwestern

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

Towson Tigers Breakdown (3-9 record last season)

Player to watch:

-Brady Smith (DE): The Boston College transfer started in 12 games for the Golden Eagles in 2007. Had six tackles and four sacks in the Towson spring game.

Northwestern Wildcats Breakdown

Players to watch:

-Mike Kakfa (QB): Kafka takes over full-time for the departed C.J. Bacher, but he has a good bit of experience. He's played in parts of the last three seasons, throwing for 330 yards and rushing for 321 last season. He's also on the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award watch list.

-Corey Wootton (DE): The 6'7", 280 lb defensive end (right) is playboy preseason All-American and is on the Bednarik, Nagurski, Hendricks, Lott, and Lombardi award watch lists.

Prediction: Wilcats top the Tigers. Northwestern 38 ---Towson 7
(Wootton photo credit: espn.com)

Montana State vs. Michigan State

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

Montana State Bobcats Breakdown

Player to watch:
-Dane Fletcher (DE): Fletcher is on the Buchanan watch list for the best defensive player in FCS (formerly 1-AA).

Michigan State Spartans Breakdown:

Players to watch:

-Greg Jones (LB): The Big Ten preseason defensive player of the year had 127 tackles (80 solo) and 2 sacks last season
-The Quarterbacks: Kirk Cousins will be starting the game but Keith Nichol will also see action as well. Cousins threw for 310 yards last year backing up Brian Hoyer. Nichol transferred from Oklahoma after the 2007 season.
Prediction: Sparty wins this one big. Michigan State 40---Montana State 10

Navy vs. Ohio State
Game Time: 11 a.m. on ESPN
Navy Midshipmen Breakdown: (8-5 last season)
Player to watch:
-Ricky Dobbs (QB): Dobbs leads the Midshipmen isn't going to do much throwing, but he will run the heck out of the ball. Dobbs ran for 498 yards last season.

Ohio State Buckeyes Breakdown:
Player to watch:
-Terelle Pryor: Big Ten fans know what Pryor brings to the table for the Buckeyes. The preseason Big Ten player of the year looks to lead his Buckeye squad to the promised land in his second season under center. Pryor threw for over 1,300 yards last year and rushed for another 631. Look for Pryor to have a huge season for Jim Tressel and OSU.
Prediction: Navy will run the ball, ALOT. And then they will run some more. But they will be no match for the Buckeyes.
Ohio State 45----Navy 7