Each week of the 2009 college 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 3 is as follows:
Overview of Week 2
In my post from last week, I messed up on only a few picks. While I was wrong on my pick of OSU over USC, I was closer than the Vegas spread, which makes me feel good. I also picked Michigan State over Central Michigan, and that cost me. However, I, along with those of you who took the poll, correctly picked Michigan over Notre Dame. Overall, the entire Big Ten did extremely well last week, going 8-3, and easily outscoring their opponents.
Indiana @ Akron
The first Big Ten game this week will feature Indiana hosting Akron. Akron, who started the season off with a loss to Penn State, dominated Morgan State last week, shutting them out 41-0. Indiana, on the other hand, barely squeezed by Western Michigan, with a four-point margin. Two weeks ago, it was a 6-point margin over Eastern Kentucky. The main reason that Akron won their game was that they forced two turnovers, while Indiana, in their last game, gave the ball away three times. Watch for Akron to continue to pressure and force turnovers, and I expect that to be the deciding factor. Indiana 10, Akron 24. This game will be televised on ESPN U at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
Michigan State University @ Notre Dame
With both teams coming into this game having just suffered a loss, you can expect both Notre Dame and MSU to fight hard for the victory. Michigan State had their game wrapped up, but some poor clock management, and a failure to grab the onside kick, cost them the game. Notre Dame was in a shootout with Michigan, and loss an equally tough game. Poor clock management, and an amazing last minute drive by UM, cost them the game. Frankly, I see both teams as being the same caliber, and thus think that home field will win it. MSU 17, Notre Dame 20. This game will be televised on NBC at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
Article comments
1 - Matthew T. Sussman
Re: Ohio State's loss: "Even with good coaching..."
Ha. No.
2 - Barga
i Read that article and think that it is bullshit. Tressel called a great game, it is not his fault that the QB nods to the reciever saying corner blitz (thus knowing he is open), looks straight at the open reciever (with the closest USC person on the other side of the pitch), and then throws an intentional grounding
3 - Matthew T. Sussman
You are correct, it was not Tressel's fault that Pryor intentionally grounded the ball in the final minute. How about the rest of the game and the calls?
4 - Robert M. Barga
What else was a problem, save the 4th and 1s