Big Ten Previews and Predictions: Week Three

Last week, the Big Ten posted a 8-3 record including a marquee win for then unranked Michigan, who knocked off No. 18 Notre Dame in thrilling fashion in the Big House.

I did slightly worse picking, going 7-4 and missing the Buckeyes heartbreaking loss to USC,  Michigan State's meltdown against Central Michigan, Minnesota's come from behind victory over Air Force, and Indiana's win over Western Michigan.

This week the Big Ten once again has a few marquee games on tap. Minnesota will host No. 8 Cal, the Spartans travel to South Bend to take on the Irish, and Iowa will host Pac-10 foe Arizona for a "Black-Out" at Kinnick.

On to this weeks previews and picks...


Temple at No. 5 Penn State—12:00 PM ET  Big Ten Network

The Nittany Lions will use this opportunity to try to solidify an offensive line that has been mediocre at best through the first two games. Creating running lanes for backs Evan Royster and Stephfon Green is a must for an offense that has become pretty one dimensional.

Fast Facts: Penn State leads the all-time series 34-3-1; Evan Royster and Stephfon Green have combined for only 138 rushing yards in the first two games; Daryll Clark has thrown at least two touchdown passes in his last five games dating back to last season, including their Rose Bowl loss to USC, the nation's third-best such streak.

Prediction: Penn State 42, Temple 6


No. 8 California at Minnesota—12:00 PM ET  ESPN

California has won nine in a row at home by an average of 20.5 points. The good news for Gopher fans is that this game is in Minneapolis and the Bears have dropped four straight and eight of nine on the road. If the Gophers hope to make it five straight road losses for the Bears, the offense must find some new playmakers to take the pressure off Adam Weber and Eric Decker.

Fast Facts: California leads the all-time series 3-2; Senior linebacker Nate Triplett has had back-to-back career-high tackle marks in the first two games of the season; Junior placekicker Eric Ellestad scored the first points in TCF Bank Stadium history last week with a 35-yard field goal.

Prediction: California 31, Minnesota 23


No. 11 Ohio State vs. Toledo (at Cleveland)—12:00 PM ET  ESPN360/ESPN Regional

Many, including FBT's own Tim Cary, are putting the Buckeyes on upset alert this week against the high powered offense of the Toledo Rockets. The Rockets did score 85 points in its first two games, but against two pretty awful defenses from Purdue and Colorado. The Buckeyes offense will rebound nicely against a porous Toledo defense that has allowed 90 points in two games this season.

Fast Facts: Ohio State leads the all-time series 1-0; Ohio State's defensive squads have held opponents to fewer than 21 points 40 times since 2006, the best among FBS teams; Toledo coach Tim Beckman was an Ohio State assistant in 2005-06.

Prediction: Ohio State 41, Toledo 23


Eastern Michigan at No. 25 Michigan—12:00 PM ET  Big Ten Network

The Wolverines will try to match their win total from a year ago only three games into the 2009 season. Many are talking about the Wolverines having a bit of a hangover after a thrilling victory over Notre Dame last weekend, but Michigan has found a rhythm and former Michigan defensive coordinator Ron English's Eagles could be in for a long day in the Big House.

Fast Facts: Michigan leads the all-time series 8-0; Brandon Minor rushed for 106 yards against Notre Dame last week, marking a Big Ten-best 28th 100-yard rushing performance by a Wolverine since 2006; Michigan is throwing for 299.5 yards per game after compiling just 143.2 yards per game through the air last season.

Prediction: Michigan 49, Eastern Michigan 17


Wofford at Wisconsin—12:00 PM ET  Big Ten Network

The Badgers found themselves trailing at home in the fourth quarter against Fresno State last week. John Clay took a hand-off from Scott Tolzien and rushed 72 yards to the endzone, providing a much needed spark to his team and the Camp Randall crowd. This week, Clay returns to the starting line-up after backing up junior Zach Brown for the first two games of the season.

Fast Facts: This is the first meeting between Wisconsin and Wofford; Wisconsin's 22-game winning streak in non-conference games ranks second-best in the nation, trailing only Southern Cal (24); John Clay's four career 100-yard rushing games are fourth-best among current Big Ten players.

Prediction: Wisconsin 42, Wofford 13


Northern Illinois at Purdue—12:00 PM ET  Big Ten Network

The Boilermakers—coming off their second heartbreaking loss to Oregon in as many seasons—hope to rebound this week against a talented Northern Illinois team that took the Badgers down to the wire in week one. The Purdue offense has found its catalyst in sophomore running back Ralph Bolden who leads the nation in rushing yards with an average of 178.5 yards per game.

Fast Facts: This is the first meeting between Purdue and Northern Illinois; Ralph Bolden has set a school record for the most rushing yards (357) in the first two games of a season. The mark ranks fourth all-time in Big Ten history; Northern Illinois gave up the fewest total yards in the MAC last season, allowing just 297.7 net yards per game.

Prediction: Purdue 38, Northern Illinois 24


Michigan State at Notre Dame—3:30 PM ET  NBC

This game features two teams who are coming off last second, heart breaking losses to lower ranked opponents. Michigan State has had great success in South Bend over the years, but the Irish know back-to-back losses will likely spoil any chance their team has of making it back to the BCS this season. The way the Spartans struggled to defend the pass last week does not bode well when facing Jimmy Clausen, Golden Tate, and Michael Floyd.

Fast Facts: Notre Dame leads the all-time series 44-27-1; Eight of the last 10 games in the series have been decided by 10 points or less; Sophomore quarterback Kirk Cousins leads the Big Ten and ranks sixth in the NCAA in passing efficiency with his 186.7 rating. In two starts, Cousins has completed 23-of-35 throws (.657) for 347 yards and four touchdowns.

Prediction: Notre Dame 31, Michigan State 28


Indiana at Akron—3:30 PM ET  ESPNU

The Hoosiers have started 2-0 the last six seasons and Bill Lynch is the first Indiana coach to start his career with three consecutive 2-0 starts. If there is any hope of entering the Big Ten season unbeaten, the Hoosiers must solve their road woes. Indiana has not won on the road since September 2007 and the Zips are hosting only their second game in its new InfoCision Stadium.

Fast Facts: Indiana leads the all-time series 1-0; Indiana offensive line coach Bobby Johnson is an Akron native and he spent four years at Akron as a graduate assistant (1995-96) and defensive line coach (1997-98); The Hoosiers are 33-6-1 all-time against the MAC following last week's close win over Western Michigan.

Prediction: Indiana 24, Akron 17


Arizona at Iowa—3:35 PM ET  ABC

The strength of both teams is the defense and this match-up will almost certainly come down to ball control, field position, and special teams. That favors the Hawkeyes, who have been fairly spectacular on special teams this season. Hawkeye punter Ryan Donahue could be the best in the nation and kicker Daniel Murray is perfect on the season.

Fast Facts: Arizona leads the all-time series 6-5; Seven of the series' previous 11 games have been decided by seven points or less, with Iowa's last three wins in the series coming by a combined five points; Iowa defensive back Tyler Sash's three interceptions last week against Iowa State tied the school's single-game interception mark.

Prediction: Iowa 20, Arizona 17


Northwestern at Syracuse—7:00 PM ET  ESPN360

The Wildcats have looked nearly flawless in the first half of its first two games, but erratic play and silly mistakes in the second half of those games have marred the 'Cats perfect record. Pat Fitzgerald has implored his team to give 60 minutes of effort and to play with a killer instinct when they travel to the Carrier Dome to take on a Syracuse team that is hungry for its first win under new head coach Doug Marrone.

Fast Facts: The all-time series is tied 4-4; The Wildcats have not lost a road non-conference game since Sept. 22, 2006, when they fell at Nevada, 31-21; Northwestern is seeking its eighth straight regular-season non-conference victory and its seventh straight September win.

Prediction: Northwestern 28, Syracuse 24

My record: 17-5 (.773)

Bye: Illinois