Before I get to the picks for this week, allow me to direct you over to Jeff Rice’s column in today’s Centre Daily Times.
Nail, meet hammer.
All this talk this week that certain players from Penn State aren’t getting just due from the beat writers is total bubkiss. Rice points that out.
What I will continue to point out in defense of my journalist brothers and sisters is this. It ain’t our job to promote the players. Like I said earlier this week we have guys we definitely root for. For me, it’s a guy like Clark, I will always be willing to admit that.
If Joe is concerned that his players aren’t getting promoted, look no further than the school itself. Paterno and gang have never promoted players vying for awards properly. Ever.
Before every season members of the FWAA get all kinds of propaganda from schools that have award candidates. Tennessee sent out a media guide just for Eric Berry this season. Illinois sent out a DVD of Juice Williams and Arrelious Benn. Oklahoma sent stuff out for players, Notre Dame too.
Penn State as recently as 2002, when Larry Johnson was a finalist, didn’t do much to help his cause. Same for Mike Robinson in 2005.
Create a notepad, give me a DVD, promote the guys. Do something. But don’t blame the media for lack of credit bestowed among players. That’s just not fair.
PICKS
LAST WEEK: 4-1, thanks Northwestern for the comeback, ruining a perfect week. Almost hit exactly on Ohio State-Minn. Had 37-7, was 38-7.
ON THE SEASON: 47-14
NEW MEXICO STATE vs. OHIO STATE, Noon, Big Ten Network
Buckeyes are rolling, should not let down headed into Penn State in a week. I think Pryor has another huge game and the Buckeyes need to do something to fix the running game as a whole.
The Pick: Ohio State 35, New Mexico State 10
PURDUE at WISCONSIN, Noon, ESPN2
Badgers have to curtail the bit of a tailspin, Purdue is fighting for bowl eligibility…and that won’t be easy. I still like the Badgers running game here, especially at home. Purdue beat Illinois last week, proving nothing after that Ohio State win, so I am still not sure what we can expect from them.
The Pick: Wisconsin 24, Purdue 12
MICHIGAN at ILLINOIS, 3:30, ABC
If Illinois was ever going to break its slump, this would be the week. And that’s not meant as a disrespect to Michigan, they are definitely the better team, but how much did getting crushed at home by Penn State take out of the Wolverines?
I’ll say not much. Nice rebound this week. Does Illinois have a quarterback yet? Do they have a head coach?
The Pick: Michigan 27, Illinois 9
MICHIGAN STATE at MINNESOTA, 8 pm, Big Ten Network
Feel awful for the Spartans because they had that game against Iowa last week. Going to Minnesota to close October, at night, outside, that’s not going to be good. Weather for the game calls for 37-degrees, will feel like 31. No thanks.
Michigan State showed me something battling last week and I still believe they are on the rise toward the end of the season. But Minnesota at home should be tough.
The Pick: Michigan State 24, Minnesota 20
PENN STATE at NORTHWESTERN, 4:30, ESPN
I would call this a trap game if Penn State hadn’t beaten Ohio State last year. Then they might be looking ahead too much. Northwestern cannot run the ball, I am not sure anyone up front can block Jared Odrick and Daryll Clark will continue his hot streak with Derek Moye and Chaz Powell.
It’s expected Stephfon Green returns next week, so Brandon Beachum is your No. 2 tailback again. I think my final score will look closer than the game really indicates.
The Pick: Penn State 37, Northwestern 20
MAIN EVENT
INDIANA at IOWA, Noon, ESPN
You get the feeling the Hawkeyes are living a bit of a charmed life right now, and if this game were on the road I might be a little more suspect.
I think Indiana is definitely a live underdog in this game, but again, Iowa City is becoming so impossible to play in if you are the opponent.
How will Iowa compete without Adam Robinson? Or Dace Richardson? Colin Sandeman is likely out too. Iowa has a chance to prove something here, but I am beginning to believe they cannot survive much longer.
The Pick: Iowa 27, IU 20
