September 25th, 2011 at 8:46 PM ^
OSU at -3 is a bit surprising. I think they win comfotably even without the players suspended for tats.
September 25th, 2011 at 9:10 PM ^
Was MSU that much overrated to start the season? I just assumed that they would be favored over OSU, what with OSU missing those players and their quarterback situation. Then again, I haven't watched Sparty this year and, from what I hear, their O-line is swiss cheese.
September 25th, 2011 at 9:12 PM ^
I think OSU beats them by 2 scores. This to me is the bet of the week.
September 25th, 2011 at 9:59 PM ^
I'm not sure. While the O-line might be one of the worst in the B1G right now, their D is actually playing pretty well. From a yardage standpoint, they are actually number 1 in the nation. This does come with the caveat that they have played one of the worst MAC teams, probably the worst FBS team, and a mediocre FCS team. But still, pretty decent. I'm taking the under in this game no matter what it is.
September 25th, 2011 at 9:37 PM ^
Damn Gateway timeout. I think OSU's defense will hang in long enough to get their offense going. Miller is obviously the wild card. His mobility should allow him to make a few plays to keep the chains moving.
September 25th, 2011 at 10:31 PM ^
can run but he can't throw. That's their weakness. If a team can stack the box and maintain decent man coverage it may be too much for Miller.
September 25th, 2011 at 10:35 PM ^
Many people will say that about us. MSU has played no one up to this point and got beat pretty soundly by ND. I will take defense and a running game any day of the week, especially at home.
September 25th, 2011 at 10:50 PM ^
but Denard is a seasoned Junior and Miller is not. And although MSU hasn't played anyone I still think they have a decent defense. Will they be the ones to successfully apply pressure and force Miller into bad throws? Maybe not but someone will. Hopefully that will be UM but a lot can happen between now and Nov. 26th.
September 25th, 2011 at 10:53 PM ^
!!! Damn dbl post
September 25th, 2011 at 10:57 PM ^
this is a first for me. You hit the save then IE doesn't spin and you sit there thinking did I hit it or not? Nothing happens so you hit it again. Voila insta tard.
September 27th, 2011 at 1:17 AM ^
IE 10 is coming out...[shudders]
September 26th, 2011 at 1:53 PM ^
I have confidence in our coaching staff fixing denard's issues in the passing game. the next two games will be a good time to figure it out.
September 25th, 2011 at 9:37 PM ^
MSU's line was kind of shaky, but people thought with their senior leadership on offense they could survive it.
Due to injuries MSU is now converting DTs from their active rotation over to offensive line. It would be like us being so thin we swapped Campbell back or moved Ash. They're done for the season by all accounts as B1G defenses are just going to dismantle them with blitz schemes.
September 25th, 2011 at 8:49 PM ^
Has any one player swung as many lines as Dan Persa being out? If somehow Persa comes out to play (anything resembling Persa-like) for B1G season, that Illinois -7 line looks like easy money.
September 25th, 2011 at 9:25 PM ^
Hadn't seen that. Health has got to be part of this line then, a healthy Persa should shred UofI. Carder had his way with their defense (30/48 306yds, 2TD/1 INT), and he's not nearly the same caliber QB as Dan Persa is.
September 26th, 2011 at 3:34 AM ^
Out ~40 weeks since the injury, but week 41 he magically heals?
Maybe he was ready to go in week 1 of the season, but Fitzgerald held him out until the B1G. That seems more likely than being unable to play last week but is back abruptly in week 41.
September 26th, 2011 at 8:39 AM ^
my buddy who played for NW, saw persa a few wks back when he was working out and said his injured leg was half the size of his healthy one. Part of the reason he was held out for so long, was because he tried doing to much on it and reinjured it i guess.
He said he would be shocked if he makes it through the BIG season
September 26th, 2011 at 8:52 AM ^
I doubt it, and that's what I was saying. If someone let Persa borrow a leg there's no way that line is -7. NU would probably even be favored.
September 26th, 2011 at 9:47 AM ^
ya.. ill be interested to see if he does start. How long he last's or if there are signs of his injury still lingering in his speed etc..
September 25th, 2011 at 8:49 PM ^
I bet our game goes off the board by Tuesday morning. I'm hearing that Coack Kill has taken an indefinite leave of absence. Sorry, I don't have a link.
September 25th, 2011 at 8:50 PM ^
Pretty fair line for us. Minnesota is a terrible, terrible football team. But they played a votes-recieving USC team even, so I guess don't take anythign for granted.
September 25th, 2011 at 10:41 PM ^
but man did they look bad against NDSU.
September 25th, 2011 at 8:56 PM ^
MICHIGAN / MINNESOTA - No surprise there. Since the Gophers lost to New Mexico State and North Dakota State, we better pound them....and by more than 20.
ILLINOIS / NORTHWESTERN - Can't comment. Have no idea which Northwestern team will show up and Illinois barely got by by Western. Why are they playing now? I thought they always ended their seasons with each other since it's a rivalry game.
WISCONSIN / NEBRASKA - Pretty generous to have the Badgers at -9. They beat up 4 of the worst teams in college football. They haven't been tested at all. I would have put Wisconsin at -4.
OHIO STATE / MICHIGAN STATE - Agree with OSU being the favorite. I see them winning by at least a touchdown.
ALABAMA / FLORIDA - Can't comment but I'm looking forward to watching.
September 25th, 2011 at 9:08 PM ^
I expected UM to be favored by 23 or 24. Minnesota is terrible and potentially having the head coach out? Not good. 20 isn't a bad starting point, but I expect it to edge upward as fans genearlly like UM and favorites.
Wisconsin hasn't played anyone, but nebraskas defense hasn't been good. They've won games by putting up 40 points and they've need most of them. Wisc by 10 seems about right to me.
Not sure what I think about OSU/MSU. I don't anticipate Miller playing well, so I doubt OSU gets many points, but at home and with the MSU o-line, I think it'll be interesting. I'd probably take MSU with the line right now.
I expect Alabama to dominate ... the defense is beastly.
September 25th, 2011 at 9:39 PM ^
I just hope Kill's absence (get better, btw, coach) doesn't turn into a rallying cry of "win one for Coach Kill" for the Minnesota players. Not that I think this would lead Minny to victory (they are simply too bad for that) but it could result in a too-close-for-comfort win by UM.
September 25th, 2011 at 9:56 PM ^
Given all that Minnesota is going through, it's also possible that Hoke & co. will go a little easy on them once the game is decided. Just something to keep in mind if you're betting this one.
September 26th, 2011 at 12:02 AM ^
Exactly my feeling. 20 point spreads are for baby seals and the like. If UM is up comfortably in the 4th, Hoke won't run up the score.
September 26th, 2011 at 3:38 AM ^
in the bag.
When was the last time we saw a 20 point comeback in football?
September 26th, 2011 at 9:29 AM ^
I actually think Minny might feel motivated to win against Michigan. They may want to prove something to thier coach. I think Michigan must weather a storm to begin with, but they should pull away.
September 25th, 2011 at 9:05 PM ^
Bama seems a little underrated at just -6. Florida is good, but Alabama has looked just as good as LSU, and has played almost as good a schedule. The Illinois-NW game will be interesting to watch, and will have some major implications on our schedule.
September 25th, 2011 at 9:42 PM ^
I'm not even convinced that Florida is really all that good. They have beaten two horrible non-conference teams (UAB and FAU are both winless) and the bottom two teams in the SEC East which is the weaker of the two divisions this year. UT will squeak into a bowl game but I think UK might not make one this season. I think Bama wins this game by at least 10 points.
September 26th, 2011 at 9:15 AM ^
I'm not sure how good Florida really is against quality competition. I think Alabama will win by more than 2 touchdowns. Their matchup with LSU is going to be the game of the year I think.
As for Michigan versus Minnesota, I think they 20 point spread is fine but I'm not sure we'll cover... though I'm basing this on past years and past coaches. Hoke seems to like winning by a lot... and I like that. Give me a boring game every week if it means we win!
September 25th, 2011 at 9:08 PM ^
seems like a trap.
September 26th, 2011 at 9:31 AM ^
Thanks Akbar.
September 26th, 2011 at 2:11 PM ^
It's in reference to Admiral Akbar from Star Wars. Who's most famous line is "It's a trap!"
September 25th, 2011 at 9:30 PM ^
September 25th, 2011 at 9:30 PM ^
Not totally sure if this is true or not, but I seem to remember hearing or reading that home field in general give a 3 point edge to the home team. Therefore, if this is at all true, doesn't that mean the odds are basically favoring Ohio only because they're at home and if the game were played anywhere else it'd be a pick 'em. Correct me if necessary
September 25th, 2011 at 9:34 PM ^
I'm no jamiemac, but I do think that's correct. At least, it's what I've always heard.
September 25th, 2011 at 9:38 PM ^
Sparty all hinders on one thing...the OSU run defense will tell you who wins this game. Without a Play Action game Cousins will struggle. However, I do think the Sparty D is good enough to give Ohio trouble.
If Ohio can keep Braxton out of 3rd and long then they should be able to control the game in Tressell type fashion somewhere in the 17-10 range is my guess right now.
As for us...I really hate that spread in our favor. I like where the D is going but I still have a few worries about the passing game....I truly hope the short to medium passing game is used this year. Denard throwing 10 to 15 yd passes is a great way to get him in some kind of comfort zone.
September 25th, 2011 at 9:51 PM ^
Does anyone else crack a smile when they hear the words, "sudden change?"
Gotta love the influence Bo still has on Hoke/the program.
"Sudden change boys! Sudden change!"
*Defense runs out on the field with an unmatched vigor*
September 25th, 2011 at 10:10 PM ^
Isn't Illinois-NW an end-of-the-season game? Why are they playing now?
September 26th, 2011 at 12:47 AM ^
scheduling format couldn't please all the people, all the time. Took a bit of digging, but found this:
But while the Michigan-Ohio State game will be played on the last week of the season every year, the NU-Illinois game will be subject to random placement throughout the season.
Found one site that indicated that NU & Illini *will* meet on the final weekend in 2012/2013/2014, though.
September 25th, 2011 at 10:17 PM ^
it will take the defense a couple possesions to get use to Gray trying to scramble and how he operates. There team has to much uncertainty and not enough talent. I think that we win 42-10.
September 26th, 2011 at 9:33 AM ^
I am betting that Minny starts the freshman (forget name) he looked better than Gray, yes Gray can run, but he seemed horrible as a passer.
September 25th, 2011 at 10:30 PM ^
I watched the Minnesota North Dakota State game and Minnesota looked terrible on offense and defense
September 25th, 2011 at 10:35 PM ^
in all games except Wiscy-Nebraska. That game will be decided by a TD or less.
September 25th, 2011 at 10:43 PM ^
I usually don't feel too bad for any opponent, but those poor kids have to worry about their coach. Considering that they don't have many players who could crack Michigan's starting lineup, this game could get ugly quick.