Brett Ludwiczak
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MC&J: The spotlight shines brightly on Ohio State-Oregon in Week 7 Big Ten action
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images
Plus, Will Penn State stay undefeated when they take on USC? Picks for the week’s B1G games.
Last week ATS: 7-8 (3-4 National, 4-4 B1G)
Season ATS: 55-55 (18-21 National, 37-34 B1G)
My picks for a stacked national slate this weekend can be found here.
Northwestern v. Maryland (-9.5) - Friday 8:00 p.m. ET - FOX
Northwestern had a bit of an offensive explosion last week in their 41-24 loss to Indiana. Entering the game against the Hoosiers, the Wildcats had scored 45 points in the first four games of the season, so scoring 24 points in one game wasn’t expected. Quarterback Jack Lausch has founded a trusted target in Bryce Kirtz, with the receiver hauling in 10 passes for 128 yards in last week’s loss.
Prior to Northwestern playing the Hoosiers, Maryland battled Indiana in Bloomington, falling 42-28 two weeks ago. Last week Mike Locksley team had a bye to try and assess their 0-2 start to their Big Ten campaign. Quarterback Billy Edward’s Jr. has been a fun watch this year, throwing for at least 250 yards in each game.
Even though Northwestern has a stout defense, they do struggle against the pass, which is the strength of the Terrapins. I like a fresh Maryland squad to kickoff back-to-back games in College Park with a double digit win.
Maryland 27, Northwestern 13
Washington v. Iowa (-2.5) - 12:00 p.m. ET - FOX
If you like points, this game isn’t for you. Washington has scored 30 points just once this season, while we all know how the Hawkeyes operate. At least offensive coordinator Tim Lester has Iowa making progress when they have the football. Running back Kaleb Johnson is likely going to be running angry after Ohio State held him in check last week.
The Michigan game felt a bit like Washington’s Super Bowl. The Huskies were able to extract a little bit of revenge on the Wolverines for the loss in the title game in January. Will Rogers has limited mistakes so far this season, tossing only one interception.
It’s not easy to win in Iowa City. Washington expended a lot of energy in Saturday night’s victory over Michigan. Also, the Huskies might not be used to such an early kick, so they might come out sluggish. The Hawkeyes are grittier than Washington in this one.
Iowa 24, Washington 14
Wisconsin v. Rutgers (-2.5) - 12:00 p.m. ET - Big Ten Network
I’m not putting much stock in last week’s 52-6 win by Wisconsin over Purdue since the Boilermakers have made it a habit of getting smoked this year. I still don’t think Luke Fickell and Phil Longo have a clue on what they are doing with the Badgers. Their job became even tougher when Tyler Van Dyke was injured early in the Alabama game. Quarterback Braedyn Locke can make plays against bad defenses, the problem is Rutgers has a really good defense.
Our hopes of an undefeated regular season from Rutgers were dashed when the Scarlet Knights lost 14-7 at Nebraska last week. Athan Kaliakmanis looked more like the quarterback we saw at Minnesota, which isn’t a good thing. At least the defense of Rutgers kept fighting until the end, not giving up much to Dylan Raiola and the Cornhuskers.
These are two programs that are heading in opposite directions. I expect Rutgers to bounce back after a loss on the road to a tough team, while Wisconsin might be overconfident coming in after beating up on a hapless Purdue squad.
Rutgers 28, Wisconsin 17
No. 4 Penn State (-4.5) v. USC - 3:30 p.m. ET - CBS
I bet James Franklin wishes he was coaching on the other side in this game. When the USC job came open a couple years ago, Franklin was a hot candidate for the job. Instead, the Trojans went with Lincoln Riley. To me, Franklin in Los Angeles seems like a weird fit just because he is so strange.
The Nittany Lions are still undefeated this year, but they haven’t been all that convincing lately. It seems like Penn State doesn’t trust quarterback Drew Allar to throw the ball down the field, which is odd since we have seen glimpses of how good he can be. It almost feels like the Nittany Lions are doing some bizarro Tresselball.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25670189/2176115750.jpg "COLLEGE FOOTBALL: OCT 05 UCLA at Penn State")
Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
To start the season it looked like USC might be in for a big year after beating LSU in Las Vegas. Losses on the road to Michigan and Minnesota have derailed the playoff hopes of the Trojans. Unlike when USC came back to Los Angeles after the Michigan game and beat Wisconsin, Penn State is going to make the mistakes in the second half the Badgers did.
Miller Moss some plays but the Nittany Lions tighten up in crunch time, which is something the Trojans have failed to do consistently after Riley took the job.
Penn State 31, USC 20
Purdue v. No. 23 Illinois (-19.5) - 3:30 p.m. ET - FS1
Over the last four games, Purdue has been outscored 184-44 and fired offensive coordinator Graham Harrell. Do you really think they are going to magically fix things against an Illinois team that is steady under Bret Bielema and is coming off a bye? I don’t. The Fighting Illini should be able to name their score in this one.
Illinois 38, Purdue 14
Minnesota (-5.5) v. UCLA - 9:00 p.m. ET - Big Ten Network
Speaking of bad teams, we are now on to UCLA. The only win for the Bruins this year came against Hawai’i in the season opener, and they had to work hard to get that one. Last week Justyn Martin started against Penn State in the 27-11. No starter has been named yet by Deshaun Foster for this week’s game, but it’s not like it matters all that much because both Martin and Ethan Garbers are pretty mediocre. If that wasn’t bad enough, the Bruins can’t run the ball to save their life.
Running the football has been P.J. Fleck’s bread and butter this. Well that and being really weird are staples of Fleck. Darius Taylor bounced back from a couple tough outings with 144 yards last week. The Golden Gophers complete the sweep of Los Angeles with a win over the Bruins.
Minnesota 23, UCLA 10
No. 2 Ohio State (-3.5) v. No. 3 Oregon - 7:30 p.m. ET - NBC
I’m so excited for this game that I went all the way to Oregon for it and I’m not even going to the game. Just don’t tell my dad and uncle that live in Medford that they are playing second fiddle to my Buckeyes. I still want them to feed me while I’m out here!
Honestly though, this game has Game of the Year potential, and we could see it two more times this season! This could be an even better watch than those showdowns between Washington and Oregon last year. Chip Kelly and Carlos Locklyn returning to Eugene, veteran transfer quarterbacks on both sides, dynamic playmakers all over the field on both teams, and even the weather will probably be perfect for the game. What more could you ask for?
If you want a more in-depth breakdown of the game, check out the game preview. In most cases I try to bet with my head and not my heart. That won’t be the case for this game. I just feel like the Buckeyes are a little deeper and tougher, plus I’m sure the 2021 loss to the Ducks is eating at Ryan Day since he was outcoached in the game.
He redeems himself on Saturday night by beating Oregon in the first matchup between top-five teams at Autzen Stadium.
Ohio State 31, Oregon 24
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Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images
Plus, Will Penn State stay undefeated when they take on USC? Picks for the week’s B1G games.
Last week ATS: 7-8 (3-4 National, 4-4 B1G)
Season ATS: 55-55 (18-21 National, 37-34 B1G)
My picks for a stacked national slate this weekend can be found here.
Big Ten games (All games Saturday unless otherwise noted)
Northwestern v. Maryland (-9.5) - Friday 8:00 p.m. ET - FOX
Northwestern had a bit of an offensive explosion last week in their 41-24 loss to Indiana. Entering the game against the Hoosiers, the Wildcats had scored 45 points in the first four games of the season, so scoring 24 points in one game wasn’t expected. Quarterback Jack Lausch has founded a trusted target in Bryce Kirtz, with the receiver hauling in 10 passes for 128 yards in last week’s loss.
Prior to Northwestern playing the Hoosiers, Maryland battled Indiana in Bloomington, falling 42-28 two weeks ago. Last week Mike Locksley team had a bye to try and assess their 0-2 start to their Big Ten campaign. Quarterback Billy Edward’s Jr. has been a fun watch this year, throwing for at least 250 yards in each game.
Even though Northwestern has a stout defense, they do struggle against the pass, which is the strength of the Terrapins. I like a fresh Maryland squad to kickoff back-to-back games in College Park with a double digit win.
Maryland 27, Northwestern 13
Washington v. Iowa (-2.5) - 12:00 p.m. ET - FOX
If you like points, this game isn’t for you. Washington has scored 30 points just once this season, while we all know how the Hawkeyes operate. At least offensive coordinator Tim Lester has Iowa making progress when they have the football. Running back Kaleb Johnson is likely going to be running angry after Ohio State held him in check last week.
The Michigan game felt a bit like Washington’s Super Bowl. The Huskies were able to extract a little bit of revenge on the Wolverines for the loss in the title game in January. Will Rogers has limited mistakes so far this season, tossing only one interception.
It’s not easy to win in Iowa City. Washington expended a lot of energy in Saturday night’s victory over Michigan. Also, the Huskies might not be used to such an early kick, so they might come out sluggish. The Hawkeyes are grittier than Washington in this one.
Iowa 24, Washington 14
Wisconsin v. Rutgers (-2.5) - 12:00 p.m. ET - Big Ten Network
I’m not putting much stock in last week’s 52-6 win by Wisconsin over Purdue since the Boilermakers have made it a habit of getting smoked this year. I still don’t think Luke Fickell and Phil Longo have a clue on what they are doing with the Badgers. Their job became even tougher when Tyler Van Dyke was injured early in the Alabama game. Quarterback Braedyn Locke can make plays against bad defenses, the problem is Rutgers has a really good defense.
Our hopes of an undefeated regular season from Rutgers were dashed when the Scarlet Knights lost 14-7 at Nebraska last week. Athan Kaliakmanis looked more like the quarterback we saw at Minnesota, which isn’t a good thing. At least the defense of Rutgers kept fighting until the end, not giving up much to Dylan Raiola and the Cornhuskers.
These are two programs that are heading in opposite directions. I expect Rutgers to bounce back after a loss on the road to a tough team, while Wisconsin might be overconfident coming in after beating up on a hapless Purdue squad.
Rutgers 28, Wisconsin 17
No. 4 Penn State (-4.5) v. USC - 3:30 p.m. ET - CBS
I bet James Franklin wishes he was coaching on the other side in this game. When the USC job came open a couple years ago, Franklin was a hot candidate for the job. Instead, the Trojans went with Lincoln Riley. To me, Franklin in Los Angeles seems like a weird fit just because he is so strange.
The Nittany Lions are still undefeated this year, but they haven’t been all that convincing lately. It seems like Penn State doesn’t trust quarterback Drew Allar to throw the ball down the field, which is odd since we have seen glimpses of how good he can be. It almost feels like the Nittany Lions are doing some bizarro Tresselball.
To start the season it looked like USC might be in for a big year after beating LSU in Las Vegas. Losses on the road to Michigan and Minnesota have derailed the playoff hopes of the Trojans. Unlike when USC came back to Los Angeles after the Michigan game and beat Wisconsin, Penn State is going to make the mistakes in the second half the Badgers did.
Miller Moss some plays but the Nittany Lions tighten up in crunch time, which is something the Trojans have failed to do consistently after Riley took the job.
Penn State 31, USC 20
Purdue v. No. 23 Illinois (-19.5) - 3:30 p.m. ET - FS1
Over the last four games, Purdue has been outscored 184-44 and fired offensive coordinator Graham Harrell. Do you really think they are going to magically fix things against an Illinois team that is steady under Bret Bielema and is coming off a bye? I don’t. The Fighting Illini should be able to name their score in this one.
Illinois 38, Purdue 14
Minnesota (-5.5) v. UCLA - 9:00 p.m. ET - Big Ten Network
Speaking of bad teams, we are now on to UCLA. The only win for the Bruins this year came against Hawai’i in the season opener, and they had to work hard to get that one. Last week Justyn Martin started against Penn State in the 27-11. No starter has been named yet by Deshaun Foster for this week’s game, but it’s not like it matters all that much because both Martin and Ethan Garbers are pretty mediocre. If that wasn’t bad enough, the Bruins can’t run the ball to save their life.
Running the football has been P.J. Fleck’s bread and butter this. Well that and being really weird are staples of Fleck. Darius Taylor bounced back from a couple tough outings with 144 yards last week. The Golden Gophers complete the sweep of Los Angeles with a win over the Bruins.
Minnesota 23, UCLA 10
No. 2 Ohio State (-3.5) v. No. 3 Oregon - 7:30 p.m. ET - NBC
I’m so excited for this game that I went all the way to Oregon for it and I’m not even going to the game. Just don’t tell my dad and uncle that live in Medford that they are playing second fiddle to my Buckeyes. I still want them to feed me while I’m out here!
Honestly though, this game has Game of the Year potential, and we could see it two more times this season! This could be an even better watch than those showdowns between Washington and Oregon last year. Chip Kelly and Carlos Locklyn returning to Eugene, veteran transfer quarterbacks on both sides, dynamic playmakers all over the field on both teams, and even the weather will probably be perfect for the game. What more could you ask for?
If you want a more in-depth breakdown of the game, check out the game preview. In most cases I try to bet with my head and not my heart. That won’t be the case for this game. I just feel like the Buckeyes are a little deeper and tougher, plus I’m sure the 2021 loss to the Ducks is eating at Ryan Day since he was outcoached in the game.
He redeems himself on Saturday night by beating Oregon in the first matchup between top-five teams at Autzen Stadium.
Ohio State 31, Oregon 24
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