Oklahoma (-6) vs. Texas in the Red River Shootout
Hector Villanueva: This is one of those must see rivalry games that I want to see sometime in my lifetime. While I love the Longhorns, I think the Sooners are the real deal this year. Texas hasn't been tested, thus far. But, Saturday will be different. Gotta love the weather and scenery at the Texas State Fairgrounds this week! Take the Sooners. Boomer Sooner
bjl63: Strange that the game of the day is so early, but this one has plenty of Big 12, as well as national implications. In Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy you have two of the elite QBs in the nation. McCoy is having a monster year, but with the likes of Bradford, Chase Daniel, and Graham Harrell also in the Big XII, and despite playing for perennial power Texas, he is among the more underrated players in the country this year. Not only is McCoy passing with aplomb, he's also the Horns' leading rusher. That all being said, OU generally dominates this game as Stoops is among the best (regular season only) big game coaches in the country. The Horns get hooked. OU 36, UT 27.
Brumby: This is one of those football games that I would love to see live until I see the price of the tickets up in the nose bleed sections. This is a real rivalry that has just gotten even bigger since the two teams became conference rivals. You never know what is going to happen in this game, but I have a feeling that Oklahoma is just a little bit better here. Oklahoma wins the game, but Texas covers. TEXAS.
Detlef: Two excellent teams hook up (pun intended) while fans munch on cotton candy at the Texas State Fair. Both teams have excellent quarterbacks in Sam Bradford & Colt McCoy. Texas has struggled to defend the pass and I think Oklahoma wins & covers with a late touchdown. OKLAHOMA:
Victory Illinois Varsity: Texas
Michigan State (-1) @ Northwestern
Hector Villanueva: I have seen MSU play this season and if the Spartans can get mistake free QB play out of Hoyer, they could challenge for a Top 4 Big Ten finish. I am not a believer in Northwestern, however. They have played a soft schedule and have shown me nothing. Yes, C.J. Bacher makes that team go. But, the "Mr. Nice Guy" act by Pat Fitzgerald also grinds on me. I like Michigan State in a big road win here. Take the Spartans.
bjl63: How good is Northwestern? No one knows because their schedule thus far has been cupcake city. When Iowa is your toughest opponent to date, you SHOULD be 5-0. Despite the early powder puffage, I do think NU is a solid football team but you would never know it seeing their attendance is horrendous. MSU is also on the upswing despite a lackluster win last weekend vs. dreadful Iowa. With the specter of John L. Smith long gone, the Spartans are no longer a gimme to falter down the stretch. The only issue is how long before Javon Ringer's legs simply fall off? Look for him to get the ball early and often as he shreds the iffy Mildcat defense and leads Sparty to a nice road win. MSU 30, Northwestern 21.
Brumby: The winning streak of Northwestern to start the season has been cute, but it is about to end. The Wildcats are going to get steam rolled by the Spartans. This one won't be close. MICHIGAN STATE.
Detlef: Northwestern is 5-0 and still can't draw flies to Ryan Field. BOGGLE! IMHO Northwestern is the worst 5-0 team in the history of college football with a schedule that would make Coach Guenther vomit. This week is put up or shut up time for the Kittens and all twelve of their season reservation holders. Meantime, Michigan State is on a roll but struggled vs. iowa last week. I am still not sold on Northwestern's defense and the Spartans have Javon Ringer who will run left, right and over the Kittens. MICHIGAN STATE
Victory Illinois Varsity: Michigan State
Penn State (-6) @ Wisconsin
Hector Villanueva: Penn State is the premier team in the Big Ten this season, IMO. Wisconsin, well, for the 2nd straight year has disappointed. Penn State's offense has become very well rounded with many weapons. The Badgers, are again one dimensional and cannot seem to find dependable QB play. I was out of the country for 2 weeks and missed the last 2 Badger flops. But, IMO, this downturn in Badger football has been coming. And, to think that Wisky loses 12 starters off of their defense after this season, too! Hmmm......Struggling for 6-7 wins for Wisky next year? Ok, ok, I digress. The Badgers desperately need a win here. But, I like Penn State by 2 scores. Take the Nittany Lions.
bjl63: Are the Nittany Lions for real? Are the Badgers a fraud? The answer to the first thus far has been a resounding yes, and after witnessing the Michigan Wolverines in person last week, I tend to think the answer to the latter may be yes as well. Michigan flat-out stinks and UW had no business blowing that game. Last week they ceded a late lead at home - and at night - to a true, albeit supremely talented, freshman QB. The drunken and overrated Wisconsin student section won't be jumping around much on Saturday as the return of Jordan Norwood only makes PSU's vaunted offense that much better. PSU 31, Wisconsin 20
Brumby: I don't think there is a better team in the Big Ten this season than Penn State. Sure Wisconsin will be able to slow down the Penn State offensive attack, but not enough. The Nittany Lions will roll in Madison. PENN STATE.
Detlef: Am I the only one out there who thinks the vaunted Brett Bielema is not ready for prime time? The Badgers gave the game away last week thanks to confusion on the sidelines that allowed Terrell Pryor to stroll into the end zone for the win. Meanwhile, Penn State continues to win. This game will be a better test than Purdue. I think Penn State wins late due to a coaching mistake by Wisconsin but the Badgers cover, little consolation for Mrs. Detlef. WISCONSIN.
Victory Illinois Varsity: Penn State
Florida (-6) @ Louisiana State
Hector Villanueva: Gator fans are all over the Internet crying about Tim Tebow, crying about their offensive production last week, crying about a 30+ point win at Arkansas! Waaaa.....waaaaa......waaaaaa. You gotta love a night game in Death Valley and the Tigers play very well at home! This is obviously the game of the week and I don't think it will disappoint. I heart Les Miles and his "frank-ness/direct-ness" and I hate Urban Meyer and the arrogance. Florida wins by a Field Goal, but the Tigers cover. Take LSU at home.
bjl63: Tim Tebow can run! Tim Tebow can jump-pass! Tim Tebow can circumcise babies! Yet through all the hype (yes, he deserved the Heisman last year) he's not been nearly the dominant force he was a year ago. Statistically, Juice has been the better player thus far. LSU defenders vowed to take Tebow out this week, then, of course, claimed they were misquoted. What is not a misprint is the fact that the Gators are not that great (for them, anyway) this year. The China Doll also known as Percy Harvin is more fragile than ever, and as a result, the Gator offense is just ordinary. A night game down on the bayou is never fun and Tigers love nothing more than feasting on juicy Gators. LSU 24, Florida 16.
Brumby: The Tigers have said that they are going to try to take Tim Tebow out, and then they backed away from it in today's politically correct sports market. I for one hope they take out Tebow because it would be funny. I think LSU wins here. Take the Tigers. LOUISIANA STATE.
Detlef: LSU DT Ricky Jean-Francois wants to hurt Tim Tebow. Perhaps he is an atheist? That trash talk spiced up this matchup Cajun-style! LSU remains undefeated but I am still not sold on their quaterback situation. Meantime, Florida still has Tim Tebow and that experience at quarterback wins the game for Florida, along with the home field. Well, that and my hero, Florida AD Jeremy Foley. FLORIDA.
Victory Illinois Varsity: Florida
Minnesota @ Illinois (-12)
Hector Villanueva: I got a chance to get away from American football for a couple of weeks and boy did I miss it! Illinois did what was expected by me and split their 2 big games to opent the Big Ten. (Now if the Cubs could've just followed suit of my expectations for success while I was away!!!....sniff, sniff). Juice Williams continues to impress. And, I am excited to finally see Donsay Hardeman in action for the first time in front of my own eyes. Minnesota is still rebuilding, but Tim Brewster seems to have started the Gophers in the direction of turning the corner sometime soon. But, it is a home game in the Big Ten and Illinois' offense is just too strong for Minnesota. Take the beloved and the points. ILLINOIS!
bjl63: Like Northwestern, Minnesota has thrived thanks to a schedule full of patsies. Considering where Minny was a year ago, that is scheduling genius! Now, the real games begin (IU doesn't count). AN infusion of JUCO's has helped the Gophers on both sides of the ball and Eric Decker has been perhaps the most explosive receiver in the Big Ten if not all of America. Young Adam Weber is making Clint Brewster's very prescient in seeking a transfer. In other words, the Gophers are not a pushover any more. They are not as good as their record, mind you, but they need to be taken seriously. Coming of a domination of Michigan in the Big House, the Illini need to be wary of a letdown, and Ron Zook teams have been know in the past to play to the level of their competition. Seeing it's Homecoming and that big things lie ahead, I think Juice comes out humming and the offense has their way with the Gopher defense. Minny will score - expect big numbers from Weber and Decker - but not enough and Illini fans will sprawl onto Green Street for hours of happy post-game revelry. Illinois 41, Minnesota 27
Brumby: It's Homecoming in Champaign and Tim Brewster is coaching Minnesota in Memorial Stadium for the first time. Welcome back to Champaign Mr. Brewster, I hope you enjoy the ass kicking your Gophers are going to get. ILLINOIS.
Detlef: My guy Tim Brewster returns to his alma mater. With Chief Illiniwek scalped, perhaps he and Coach Guenther can arm-wrestle at halftime. Tim has improved the Golden Gophers greatly over last year's Ron Turner-like season. Meantime, Illinois slayed the maize & blue monkey last week behind Juice Williams' great performance and an improved defensive performance. QB Adam Weber & WR Eric Decker will test the UI defense. However, UI should be able to run at will. I want to see UI dominate a weaker opponent from start to finish, something that we have not seen yet. UI wins but until UI dominates like that, I'll take the points and the Tubby Towel. MINNESOTA.
Victory Illinois Varsity: Illinois