Mike: I’m really grumpy over this week’s game. Other than the COVID season, I haven’t missed a home game since 1998 until this week. Friday night is for high school football, and that’s where I’ll be. I’ll watch the game on the correct day for college football: Saturday.
Jarek: I’m more disappointed that Nebraska’s 400th consecutive sellout is on a Friday night. Seriously?! The B1G Conference can go screw itself for this one.
Andy: I began watching the Chasing 3 series this morning and saw Matt Rhule finish his very Coach Eric Taylor UTEP pre-game speech with “I can’t wait to watch you guys play.”
I am officially ready for Big 10 conference games.
Southern Cal (-5.5) at Michigan
Mike: It’s matchups like this that drove CBS and NBC to invest in the Big Ten. And while Southern Cal has to face a gauntlet like Nebraska did in their first B1G season, this Michigan has more weaknesses than the 2011 Russell Wilson-led Wisconsin Badgers. This game is going to remind older folks of 1990s era Irrelevant Yawner Bowls…except it’s being played in the Big House and not the Rose Bowl. Condoms 38, Weasels 23
Jarek: Hopefully Mr. Stallions did some scouting for Michigan by finding them a quarterback. If not, this is another long day for Michigan against a really good opponent. Trojan Horse 30 Meeechigan 13
Nate M: I don’t think it’s going to be close. Michigan has some soul searching to do and USC’s defense could be legit. USC wins by 18. UNLESS, Michigan is able to sustain some drives.
Andy: Before this season, I truly believed this there would be a significant drop-off for Michigan. Losing 9-10 offensive starters, multiple draft picks on defense and the core of the staff isn’t something you can shrug off and reload. And it’s showing after a Texas blowout and a struggle with Arkansas St. Meanwhile the Trojans early returns see a team which has replaced Caleb Williams successfully and toughened up defensively. Fightin’ Rubbers 27 Rodents 14
Patrick: University of Southern California 24 University of Michigan 23
Rutgers (+3.5) at Virginia Tech
Mike: Wait… the Hokies are favored despite losing to Vandy? No, no, no, no, no. Sparty Wanna-Bees 34, Turkeys 24
Jarek: I’m with you on this one Mike. Rutgers in my opinion is the better team. Buttgers 27 Hokey Pokey 20
Nate M: Rutgers wins by 3 just because of where the line is.
Andy: This is one of those inexplicable games where the line and the projections are favoring a team which lost this game by 19 last season and appears to be having more trouble with low-end games. I’m just picturing Tony Soprano chuckling chomping on a stogie, so I’m not gonna argue with the bookies. Va Tech 22 Rutgers 18
Patrick: Rutgers University 23 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 10
Floyd of Rosedale
Iowa (-2.5) at Minnesota
Mike: Iowa’s defense has regressed major-league, though Iowa’s Kalab Johnson has resurrected a moribund offense as the Hawkeyes try to recover in the post-nepotism era. But games like this seem to be where PJ Fleck pulls one out of his hat. Goofers 17, Squawkeyes 16
Jarek: Ah yes, the Floyd of Rosedale matchup. Iowa has already matched their point total from last season, while Peej looks surprised that his seat heater has turned on. I think PJ is gone if he has another terrible season, and here is where it starts to get hot. Squawks 17 Row the boat 10
Nate M: If Minnesota wins this game then I think you’ll start hearing rumblings of it might be Kirk’s time. I think Iowa wins by 10.
Andy: The safest thing to do with this rivalry is bet the unders until it’s ever time not to bet the unders. A good side-bet prop would be a straight-up wager on whose superpower is greater – PJ’s ego or Kirk’s eternally shitty mood? There’s a question for the ages. The winner? I dunno, let’s say Iowa 17 Minny 15 (But don’t torture yourself by actually watching this turtle race.)
Patrick: University of Minnesota 5 University of Iowa 3
Purdue (+4.5) at Oregon State
Mike: Notre Dame derailed Purdue last week, while the Oregon Ducks caused a massive dam failure. Each team needs a bounce-back in the worst way, but this line surprised me. Beavs 38, Boilers 24
Jarek: Purdue got straight up curb stomped last week, while Oregon State… only got stomped. Purdue looked like one of the worst teams in the B1G, and I don’t think they prove otherwise here. Dam Builders 34 Purdon’t 20
Nate M: Can Purdue recover from the Notre Dame beat down? I think not but Oregon State isn’t great either. I’m thinking Oregon State by 7.
Patrick: Oregon State University 32 Purdue University 17
Andy: The Huskers knew their place in the B1G television pecking order with years of 11am kickoffs, but there is a lower floor in that building – Network: The CW. As far as the game, Oregon St. seems a little less crappy and Purdue…yeesh. They just got straight-up New Mexico-style little-kidded. Beavers (giggle) 28 Purdon’t 20
Illinois (+8.5) at Nebraska
Jarek: Friday night and I will be bringing an enemy to the game, as my brother-in-law who taught at Illinois is going with me. Should be a fun game, and a good measuring stick to see just how good Nebraska can be. The spread seems a little high, but I said that the last two weeks. Big Red 31 Illini 20
Nate M: The key to the game is going to be whether Illinois can run the ball. Last year in the matchup, Illinois can 21 rushing yards on 19 carries. Can Nebraska repeat that? I don’t feel great about this game however I am picking Nebraska to figure a way out in a close win. 20-14.
Mike: The Blackshirts have shown themselves to be legit thus far, but I’m not sure I’ve seen enough from Nebraska’s new offense to say the same. Do I think there’s more that we haven’t seen? Yes, if only because I think Illinois will give NU more of a battle than we saw the first three weeks. The Illini were challenged by Kansas a couple of weeks ago; Colorado folded faster than a Spirit of Halloween store on November 1. I don’t think a Bert-coached team tosses in the towel as quickly as a Deion Sanders-team. Huskers 24, Illini 20
Patrick: University of Nebraska 23 University of Illinois 10
Andy: Illinois is improved, but, brother, so are we. A defense which held them to 7 last season certainly hasn’t gotten any worse. And an offense which scored 20 last season has upgraded both in talent and depth as well as winning the turnover battles. I’ve been picking favorites today and I’m not stopping now. Huskers 30 Illini 17
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