Each week of the 2009 football season, I will be examining all of the games that a Big Ten team plays in. All kickoff times are ET and all poll numbers are from the coaches poll as provided by ESPN. Week 2 is as follows:
Overview of Week 1
In my post from last week, I obviously missed quite a few picks. Purdue, Indiana, and Michigan managed to pull off wins, while Iowa and Minnesota barely made it past their opponents. While some of my picks were quite far from reality, other picks – such as the closeness of the OSU v. Navy game – were right on the money (take that, Vegas). Overall, the entire Big Ten did extremely well last week, going 10-1 and easily outscoring their opponents.
Indiana University vs. Western Michigan
Last week, I bet against Indiana and for Western Michigan, both were a mistake. Though the Hoosiers barely beat their opponents last week, they played a well balanced game and took control after the first half ended. That said, they also turned the ball over 3 times, which they need to get under control. Western Michigan was pounded by the University of Michigan, much to the determent of my picks. They played sloppy and looked like a high school team against the Wolverines. I expect Indiana to easily win this game. Indiana 28, Western Michigan 10. This game will be televised on BTN at 12 p.m. Saturday.
Michigan State University vs. Central Michigan
Last week, the Spartans massacred their opponents and earned themselves some votes in the coaches poll. They have enough, in fact, that they are the 26th best team in the country. Central Michigan is not much of a team, and they showed that in their loss last week. The Spartans clearly want to break into the Poll, and so you can expect them to dominate this game. MSU 48, Central Michigan 7. This game will be televised on ESPN and ESPN2 at 12 p.m. Saturday.
Northwestern University vs. Eastern Michigan
Wow, it really seems as though the Big Ten likes playing against teams from various geographic locations in Michigan. Northwestern won their game last week in a commanding 47-14 route. They are looking to use that momentum and drive themselves forward, hoping to be a player in the Big Ten this year. Eastern Michigan, who lost to Army last week, is hoping to be the only non-conference Michigan team that will win this week. I think that Northwestern is going to struggle and turn the ball over, and Eastern Michigan will take advantage for a close win. Northwestern 14, Eastern Michigan 17. This game will be televised on BTN at 12 p.m. Saturday.
Article comments
1 - Matthew T. Sussman
EMU over Northwestern would totally shock the innards out of me. Furthermore, Western and Central cannot be as bad as their performances were last week.
2 - Barga
So, I am damned if I pick them and damned if I dont?
3 - Matthew T. Sussman
You're damned if you judge Week 2 primarily by Week 1.
Hiller and LeFevour are without a doubt the two best quarterbacks in the state of Michigan. And to say "Central Michigan is not much of a team" is just plain wrong. They have NFL talent on both sides of the ball. Writing off WMU at Indiana is also questionable. The Vegas line has IU a one-point favorite.
EMU has a pretty good quarterback too, but they have two FCS wins over nonconference opponents in the last 10 years: Lousiana-Lafayette and UConn, when they were still an independent tomato can. They've never beaten a BCS team.
4 - Barga
Northwestern is not much of a BCS team
ALl teams have NFL talent