The Hawkeyes snap the Buckeyes
By: Mike Rabon
Every time Ohio State Guard Samantha Prahalis touched the basketball a rain of boos and jeers echoed through the hallowed stairwells and bleachers in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Prahalis did her best to quiet the rowdy Hawkeye faithful but her 22 points, 4 assists and 2 steals were no match for Bluder’s determined and feisty bunch as the Iowa defeated Ohio State 89-76.
Kachine Alexander scoring on Ohio State Center Jantel Lavender (Photo by Matthew Holst via hawkcentral.com)
Four Hawkeye players scored in double-digits on Saturday night with Jamie Printy leading the way at 25 points. Printy shot a salty 80% from the field including 2-2 from the 3-point line. Interestingly, Ohio State shot 57% from the field in the First Half yet trailed by 5 points due to late 3-point shooting heroics by Printy.
In the Second Half, Iowa increased its shooting percentage to 51.7% and Ohio State’s percentage precipitously declined to 31.4%.
Coach Jim Foster of Ohio State was clearly upset with the 3-point shooting during the whole of the game. Ohio State shot a putrid 4-22 from beyond the arch and now sit in dead last in the Big Ten Conference in 3-point shooting percentage whereas last year the Buckeyes were number one.
Ohio State Center Jantel Lavender made her presence known with 17 rebounds but scored 10 points off her usual mark of 24 and only had 9 shot attempts through 39 minutes of play on Saturday. Morgan Johnson’s reverse layup at the 5:32 mark right in front of Lavender brought the Carver-Hawkeye Arena crowd of 9,865 to its feet smelling victory and atonement for Iowa’s heartbreaking defeat in the Big Ten Tournament Championship a season ago.
Kamille Wahlin had a quiet 18 points and 4 assists while the eccentric Kachine Alexander thunderously screamed after almost every scored basket. Alexander recorded 16 points and 13 rebounds, her 4th double-double of the season and 28th in her career.
Iowa travels to East Lansing to play the Michigan State Spartans on Thursday, January 13th. The Spartans are currently 3-0 in conference play. Ohio State travels to Evanston to take on the Lady Wildcats of Northwestern.
Iowa Women’s Basketball Team Set for Showdown with Buckeyes
By Kif Richmann
Last year the Iowa Hawkeye women’s basketball team made to the championship game of the Big Ten Tournament. They lost a heart-breaker to OSU.
Now the AP #21 Hawkeyes (13-3, 1-2) get a chance at payback, as they welcome the #20 Ohio State Buckeyes (10-4, 1-1) to Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Saturday. Not only is this a big game in the Big Ten, it is also bobble-head night for Iowa’s star guard, Kachine Alexander.
Tip off is scheduled for 3 pm, and the game will be featured nationally on CBS.
Iowa's Kachine Alexander will have her work cut out for her on her own bobblehead night. (photo via NCAA.com)
Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder talks about rivalry game with OSU
Bluder discusses slowing down Big Ten leading scorer and rebounder Jantel Lavender
Kachine Alexander on last year’s Big Ten championship and matchup against Samantha Prahalis
Ohio State’s offense starts with 6’4″ center Jantel Lavender, who leads the Big Ten in points-per-game (24.5) and total rebounds (158). Keeping Lavender under control will fall to more than one player, as the Hawkeyes will likely put a double team on Lavender whenever possible.
Iowa’s 6’5″ center Morgan Johnson will likely shoulder most of the Lavender duty, as Johnson is the only player on the Hawkeye roster taller than Lavender. Hawkeye fans should be enthusiastic about this matchup, as “Not in my House” Johnson is third in the Big Ten in blocks, averaging 2.4 per game.
On the perimeter, two of the best and most passionate competitors in college basketball will duel, as Iowa guard Kachine Alexander will face OSU’s Samantha Prahalis, a fiery and often opposing-fan-aggravating opponent.
Although Prahalis’ fierceness and passion has made her into a top guard in the Big Ten, she can be frustrated into making mistakes. If Alexander can deter Prahalis enough, expect a turnover or two and even a possible foolish foul from Samantha.
As Iowa will have a tough interior challenge against a big Buckeye team, Bluder’s bunch will likely rely heavily on 3 point shooting. Expect Iowa, which has attempted more 3 pointers than any Big Ten team (396), to live or die behind the arc. (FYI- #2 in Big Ten 3 pts attempted is Michigan with 334, 62 less than the Hawks.)
Iowa will need shooters Jaime Printy, Kelly Krei and Kamille Wahlin to be on point in order to get past the Buckeyes.
Big Ten Basketball “Expert” Predictions
By: Mike Rabon
Ohio State Head Coach That Matta (Photo by the AP via dispatch.com)
Minnesota Junior Forward Trevor Mbakwe (Photo by the AP via features.rr.com)
Indiana @ #21 Minnesota
Winner: Minnesota
Both teams are 0-2 in conference play but the Gophers maintain superior athleticism and preeminence in the post. Junior College transfer Trevor Mbakwe averages 13 points and 10 rebound a game and sharp-shooter Blake Hoffarber will remember his 2008 Big Ten Tournament miracle and facilitate a Gopher victory over the smaller, less versatile “Crimson and Crean.”
#2 Ohio State @ Iowa
Winner: Ohio State
Sullinger and Craft, the present and future of Buckeye basketball, are only the beginning of a deep, skilled and mature bunch that Thad Matta has expertly groomed to make a run for not only a second Big Ten Championship but the possibility of dethroning Coach Krzyzewksi and “Dook”….I mean Duke.
Fran McCaffery and the “Let’s get mad again” mantra will do little to cauterize the impending wounds in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Matt Gatens, Eric May, and well…everyone need career performances to slay the mighty Buckeyes from Columbus.
12/9/2010 College Football Headlines
By: Mike Rabon
Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images North America via zimbio.com)
1.) Cam Newton talks with Chris Fowler of ESPN about the investigation.
2.) Nebraska AD Tom Osborne denies reports that he permitted Pelini to interview for the Miami job.
3.) UNC Head Coach Butch Davis pushed counseling for players involved in NCAA investigations.
4.) Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor says he would \”dominate the nation\” in other offenses.
5.) Utah DE Christian Cox promises victory over Boise State in the Las Vegas Bowl.
BCS Bowl Projections
By: Mike Rabon
Wisconsin defeated UCLA 38-31 in the 1999 Rose Bowl (Photo via rosebowlhistory.org)
The BCS Bowl selections will be announced at 8pm on ESPN tonight. Here are my projections.
BCS National Championship: #2 Oregon vs #1 Auburn
Discover Orange Bowl: Connecticut vs #15 Virginia Tech
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl: #9 Oklahoma vs #4 Stanford
Allstate Sugar Bowl: #7 Arkansas vs #6 Ohio State
Vizio Rose Bowl Game: #5 Wisconsin vs #3 TCU
Prognosticators and media officials alike are predicting Iowa will face Nebraska in the Insight Bowl.
*The team rankings are official as of 10:13am on Sunday December 5th, 2010. They will change sometime after Noon today.
4th Quarter Blues
By: Mike Rabon
Dane Sanzenbacher (Photo by Rodney White via The Des Moines Register)
Once again, the Iowa Hawkeyes had the lead in the 4th quarter and failed to hold on in the end. On Senior Day, Ohio State escaped with a 20-17 victory over Iowa. MLB James Morris deflected a pass intended for Dane Sanzenbacher and the ricochet fell into the outstretched arms of CB Shaun Prater who returned the football to the Ohio State 27. Two plays later, Iowa’s Marcus Coker scored a rushing touchdown to give Iowa a 17-10 lead with 11:53 left.
QB Terrelle Pryor engineered an 11 play, 31 yard drive that resulted in a 48 yard Devin Barclay FG, the longest of his career. Iowa went 3 and out and with 6:15 left Pryor commandeered a 12 play, 76 yard drive the culminated in a 1 yard Touchdown scamper by Daniel Herron.
Ricky Stanzi and company failed miserably in the final minutes by turning the ball over on downs. In a contreversial moment, defensive back Jermale Hines collided with RB Adam Robinson on a screen pass and Robinson left the game with what is likely another concussion. It looked like Robinson was hit before the ball arrived and there was clear helmet-to-helmet contact but the officials failed to throw the flag. Stanzi was sacked on the following play and a desperate 19 yard completion to Marvin McNutt on 4th down came up just short of the first down marker.
For the fourth time this season, Iowa conceded a late drive that resulted in a game-winning score for the opposing team. The Hawks have lost 4 games this season by a combined 15 points, which is reminiscent of 2008 when Iowa lost 4 games by a combined 12 points. Since the beginning of the 2008 season, Iowa has lost 10 games by a combined 37 points.
Terrelle Pryor overcame 2 interceptions and a 4th quarter deficit to become 29-4 as a starter for the Buckeyes. WR Dane Sanzenbacher’s clutch 24 yard reception on Ohio State’s game-winning drive epitomized Iowa’s late game failures. The Buckeyes rushed for 164 yards and Pryor ended the game 18 of 33 for 195 yards and 1 Touchdown.
Ohio State is now 10-1, 6-1 in the conference and Iowa drops to 4-3 in Big 10 play and 7-4 overall. The Hawkeyes will travel to Minneapolis next weekend to face Big10 bottom-feeder Minnesota and the Buckeyes host Michigan, who lost 48-28 to Wisconsin in Ann Arbor today.
Big 10 Week 12 Predictions
By: Mike Rabon
Jim Tressel and Kirk Ferentz (Photo via cnn.com
Here is my brief set of predictions for the Big 10 football conference this week. The game spreads are provided by Vegasinsider.com
Penn State(-17) v. Indiana (Landover,MD)
Matt McGloin and the Nittany Lions fell to Ohio State last week after leading 14-3 at half. Turnovers doomed the fighting Jo Paternos and the Buckeyes rolled to a 38-14 victory. QB Ben Chappell was injured in the 2nd quarter against Wisconsin a week ago and the Badgers pounded the Hoosiers into oblivion 83-20. Indiana maintains the #1 passing offense in the conference and despite injuries in the Penn State defense the Lions still remain #2 in passing defense. Chappell is probable for Saturday’s game and IU back-up QB Dusty Kiel will be sidelined with a thumb injury. The Hooisers have been without RB Darius Willis since the Arkansas State game and are dead last in the conference in rushing. RB Trea Burgess has been unable to adequately fill the voild left by Willis. I still believe Indiana has the best WR corp in the Big10 with Tandon Doss, Demarlo Belcher, Terrance Turner and Duwyce Wilson but this one-dimensional attack will be stifled by the Penn State defense. All of Indiana’s Big 10 opponents have been successful running the football against the Hoosiers and I see no changes occurring on Saturday in Landover. RBs Evan Royster and Silas Redd will share carries and bruise Bill Lynch’s defense. IU is 0-13 all-time against the Nittany Lions. The decimation that occurred a week ago in Madison and the injuries sustained by IU over the course of the season will be too much to overcome. PSU QB Matt McGloin will regain his rhythm and WRs Derek Moye and Brett Brackett will have a significant impact on the game Saturday.
Prediction: Penn State 35 Indiana 20
Purdue @ #12 Michigan State (-26)
Michigan State regained its moxie two weeks ago in a 31-8 victory over Minnesota. Edwin Baker accrued 179 yards and 4 touchdowns against the Gophers. Purdue has lost 4 straight games by a combined score of 154 to 39. DT Kawann Short and DE Ryan Kerrigan are 3rd and 1st respectively in sack on the season for Purdue but the defense can only accomplish so much when the offense is anemic. Purdue is dead last in the Big10 is Defensive Pass Efficiency but the Boilermakers are 1st in team sacks. Ostensibly, Purdue gets torched when the defense cannot get to the opposing QB. MSU WRs Mark Dell, B.J. Cunningham and Bernie Fowler are going to find pockets in the Purdue zone defense and will have opportunities in cover 1 schemes just like any team. Purdue QB Sean Robinson has been thrown into a terrible situation with RB Ralph Bolden injured, WR Keith Smith injured and QBs Robert Marve and Rob Henry being injured. Pre-season QB Caleb TerBush was dismissed from the team for violating team rules. The Spartans are balanced on offense and disciplined by OC Don Treadwell and HC Mark Dantonio. MSU has talent on offense but is equally impressive on defense with MLB Greg Jones and WLB Eric Gordon. The Spartans should dominate this affair.
Prediction: Michigan State 38 Purdue 14
Illinois(-5) v. Northwestern (Wrigley Field)
The Wildcats upset the #13 Iowa Hawkeyes once again last week but lost QB Dan Persa for the season to injury. QB Evan Watkins will replace Persa and look to garner win #8 for the Wildcats. NU has won 6 of 7 in this series including a 21-16 victory a season ago in Champaign. Illinois lost to down-trodden Minnesota last week 38-34 on a late drive by QB Adam Weber. Intrigue surrounding this game is due to the venue not the quality of the respective programs. NU WR Jeremy Ebert still leads the conference in receiving yards and superback Drake Dunsmore will provide significant match-up problems for the Illinois DC Vic Koenning. Illinois RB Mikel LeShoure is #2 in the conference in rushing yards behind Michigan QB Denard Robinson. QB Nathan Scheelhasse has overachieved this season but I smell an upset in this one. Illinois, just like all other teams in the conference, has more talent on the depth chart but NU HC Pat Fitzgerald has usurped the underdog/overachieving role from Kirk Ferentz. NU will cover the spread at worst and make enough plays to upset the Illini at Wrigley Field.
Prediction: Northwestern 23 Illinois 20
#7 Wisconsin(-7) @ Michigan
Wisconsin smoked Indiana last week 83-20 in Madison last week. Michigan overcame 5 turnovers to defeat a fleeting Purdue squad 27-16 in West Lafayette. Jeff Potrykus of the MJS reported that Wisconsin fans should not expect to see John Clay play on Saturday. No worries, Montee Ball and James White are up to the task and will have a field day against the 9th rushing defense in the conference and 9th scoring defense in the conference. Michigan and Wisconsin are #1 and #3 in scoring offense in the Big10 but the Wolverines are last in the conference in turnover margin (-7). QB Denard Robinson is one of the best players in the country but the Badgers stalwart vanguard on defense is DE J.J. Watt. Watt is 3rd in the conference in sacks and Wisconsin LBs Culmer St. Jean, Blake Sorenson and Mike Taylor will be up to the task. Michigan will likely move the ball between the 20’s but turnovers will doom them to defeat. Wisconsin has not won in Ann Arbor since 1994 and are 1-12 in Ann Arbor since 1965. That being said, the Badgers will easily cover on Saturday.
Prediction: Wisconsin 52 Michigan 31
#9 Ohio State (-3) @ #20 Iowa
Iowa lost to Northwestern last week 21-17 succumbing to Dan Persa on drives of 85 and 91 yards in the 4th Quarter. The Buckeyes are #1 in scoring offense and scoring defense in the Big10 and provide teams with many match-up problems. QB Terrelle Pryor is a dual-threat QB who has thrown 22 TD passes and 8 ints on the season. Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi is having a stellar season with 22 TD and only 4 ints but Iowa has lost too many close games this season as a result of poor 4th quarter defense and special teams. OSU WRs Dane Sanzenbacher and DeVier Posey are difficult to manage and the Iowa secondary will have their hands full. RB Daniel Herron and Brandon Saine had success agains the Iowa front seven a year ago and I see no changes occurring on Saturday. The Hawkeyes have won 16 of 20 senior day games but have only defeated the Buckeyes once since 1991 (33-7 in 2004). Iowa will play inspired football for three quarters and come up short in the 4th. RB Adam Robinson should breach the century mark on the ground but it will all be for naught.
Prediction: Ohio State 24 Iowa 21.
Despite Disappointment, Iowa Fans still Excited for Ohio State
By Kif Richmann
Despite the Iowa football team losing last week to Northwestern, many Hawkeye fan say they are still excited for Saturday’s showdown against #9 Ohio State. Although not mathematically eliminated from contention for a Big Ten title, Iowa needs to many favors to make the Rose Bowl. However, many fans say that beating the Buckeyes would be a great way to end the home schedule, and that’s enough to get them excited.
Marvin McNutt and the Iowa Hawkeyes forced overtime last year at Ohio State (photo via hawkeyelounge.com)
“It’d be nice just to beat them,” said Eddie Franklin, an Iowa City native, “we’re still going to a bowl; this could be the highlight of our season.”
Before the season, many people pointed to the Ohio State vs. Iowa game as an unofficial Big Ten championship. Both Iowa and Ohio State were in the preseason top 10; now Iowa has two losses in the Big Ten. Both were in the national title conversation; now Iowa will have to play the spoiler role against the Buckeyes, who have only one loss on the season.
Megan Gubbels, a University of Iowa sophomore, says that although the season has been disappointing, the final home game of the season is always special. Gubbels also said that this game is “still exciting because it’s Ohio State.” She added she’s not as disappointed as most people because she felt the preseason expectations were a little too high.
“There were a lot of high expectations, and it sucks we couldn’t pull through”, said Jamie Dupuy, a University of Iowa Senior. “I’m still excited for this game; it just doesn’t hold as much value.” As a senior, Dupey said she is looking forward to the game because it will be her last as a University of Iowa student. She’d love to see the Hawks go out on top. “It might not hold as much value, but it’s always a great game no matter what,” said Dupey.
“I’m not as pumped as I was before, but (the game) will still be exciting,” said Nick Kahlhof, a junior at Iowa, “no, it’s not as important, but it’s still Ohio State.”
No, there won’t be a Big Ten championship for the Hawkeyes. No, there won’t be a BCS game either. Despite all that, Iowa fans are still excited for Saturday’s match up against Big Ten powerhouse Ohio State.
Moving On…
By Kif Richmann
After a demoralizing loss against Northwestern, The University of Iowa football team will set its collective sights on Big Ten power house Ohio State.
Ferentz talks with Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel (Brian Ray/The Gazette)
Ferentz talks about upcoming game with Ohio State
Sr. Quarterback Ricky Stanzi on role of seniors after third loss of the season
While there are things to be learned from the loss in Evanston, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz stressed moving on and not dwelling on the third loss of the season.
Ohio State presents some incredible challenges for Iowa. While people like to talk about phenom quarterback Terrelle Pryor, the Hawks won’t be able to key in on him alone. RB Dan “Boom” Herron has been a threat for the Buckeyes all season, and he has now scored at least one touchdown in 9 consecutive game.
Also, the Buckeyes got back starting linebacker Ross Homan, who was sitting out due to injury. Homan played last week against Penn State and should be back to full speed when the Buckeyes take the field at Kinnick Stadium.
While you can’t take back last week’s win, the Hawkeyes still have a chance to finish strong. Keep in mind that this is the last home game for the Iowa seniors and beating Ohio State could go a long way in the final rankings.
Yes Hawkeye fans, they do still have something to play for.
The Northwestern Conundrum
By: Mike Rabon
Kirk Ferentz (AP photo via Floridatoday.com)
Kirk Ferentz has losing records against only two Big10 Conference opponents-Northwestern and Ohio State. Once again, a superior Iowa football team fell to a scrappy, passionate and determined Northwestern team that thrives in close-game scenarios. Pat Fitzgerald is now 4-1 against Iowa and has taken full control of the series against the Hawkeyes.
In the last three games against Northwestern, Iowa has held leads of 17-3 (2008), 10-0 (2009) and 17-7 (2010) during the match-up and been in full control of the line of scrimmage. Ultimately, turnovers, injuries and a lack of timely defense has cost Iowa every single one of these games in the end and given Northwestern the satisfaction of defeating an opponent with far superior talent.
While it would be easy and vain of me to hand out notes of admonishment to the Iowa football players and coaches, I will refrain from doing so out of unbridled respect and reverence for the entire Iowa Hawkeye Football Program. Kirk Ferentz has still won two Big10 Conference Championships, 5 bowl games and commandeered the Iowa Hawkeyes into the Top 25 by the end of 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009.
Northwestern lost to Iowa 20 straight seasons from 1974-1994 before Gary Barnett’s Rose Bowl Wildcats defeated Iowa in 1995. Since and including the 1995 season, Northwestern is 9-5 against the Hawkeyes and will likely continue to be a thorn in the side of Iowa’s ambitions, which usually include Big10 Championships.
QB Dan Persa stole the show completing 32 of 43 passes for 318 yards and 2 TDs. Persa also rushed for 50 yards, which may seem minuscule, but his timely avoidance of the Iowa defensive line facilitated Northwestern’s ability to move the chains and fatigue a veteran defense. The Iowa defense relinquished a 10-point 4th Quarter lead by failing on drives of 85 and 91 yards. For the third time this season, the Iowa defense has succumbed to the opposing offense and failed to stop game-winning drives in the 4th Quarter. Iowa’s defense was bailed out by Indiana’s Demarlo Belcher who dropped a routine catch in the endzone that ostensibly sealed the victory for the Hawks two weeks ago in Bloomington.
In conclusion, Northwestern has Iowa’s number and Pat Fitzgerald owns Kirk Ferentz. Man, that is painful to swallow. Hawkeye Nation is acutely aware of Northwestern football and the indelible image superimposed on the Kirk Ferentz Era. The Iowa Hawkeyes face Ohio State in Kinnick Stadium this weekend. Ferentz is 1-6 against the Buckeyes with the only victory occurring in 2004 in Iowa City.
Congratulations to Northwestern, Pat Fitzgerald and Dan Persa for reminding the Iowa Hawkeyes that an attitude of entitlement will not buttress Iowa’s ability to win football games.
Big 10 Week 11 Predictions
By: Mike Rabon
(David Purdy/Getty Images via Bleacherreport.net)
Michigan @ Purdue
Michigan defeated Illinois 67-65 in the highest scoring affair in the history of Big10 Conference football. QBs Denard Robinson and Tate Forcier contributed to the Wolverine victory combining for 5 touchdown passes on the day. The Maize and Blue accumulated 676 yards and with little help from the defense held on for the win in the 3rd overtime. An injury stricken Purdue squad lost to Wisconsin in Ross Ade Stadium 34-13 to the #7 Wisconsin Badgers. Purdue, as a result of injury, has the worst scoring offense in the conference while Michigan dwells at the cellar with the worst scoring defense in the conference. 5th string QB Sean Robinson does not compare to the QB duo of Robinson/Forcier at Michigan, which will likely result in a long day for the Boilermakers. Purdue will have no answer for two of the conferences top WRs in Roy Roundtree and Junior Hemingway of Michigan. Despite Purdue finding an answer in the 4th quarter the last two season against Michigan this will be the season Rodriguez breaks through and gets to 7 wins. DE Ryan Kerrigan of Purdue may provide problems for Denard Robinson but he cannot win the game for Purdue alone. The Wolverines will win decisively in West Lafayette on Saturday. The Wolverines need to protect the football and avoid turning the football over.
Prediction: Michigan 38 Purdue 20
Minnesota @ Illinois
Gopher Nation has likely embraced the futility that is Minnesota Golden Gopher football this season. Jeff Horton has surprisingly shown candor and honesty in his assessment of the program over the last few weeks understanding that his short interim coaching stint is coming to a swift ending. The Illini rush for 207.8 yards a game and the Gophers are dead last in the conference in rush defense. QB Nathan Scheelhaase impacted his team profoundly in the loss to Michigan last week with 3 passing TDs and 1 rushing TD. Scheelhaase passed for 211 yards and rushed for 101 yards. Mikel LeShoure complimented that performance with 120 yards and 3 TDs of his own. There is not a scenario in which I picture the Gophers slowing down Scheelhaase, LeShoure and Ford on the ground and as a result, the passing attack for Illinois will flourish with WRs A.J. Jenkins and Jarred Fayson. QB Adam Weber will end his Big10 career against the Iowa Hawkeyes on November 27th 3rd all-time in passing yards in the Big10 conference but he will also have one of the worst records as a starter in the history of the conference (15-35). The Gophers will need a flawless performance from Weber and will look to WRs Da’Jon McKnight and MarQueis Gray to be game changers. Gray played QB for a few series last week in the 31-8 loss to Michigan State and I won’t be surprised if Horton designs some packages for him in Champaign this weekend.
Prediction: Illinois 34 Minnesota 21
Penn State @ #9 Ohio State
Penn State defeated Northwestern 35-21 in Beaver Stadium last week, which earned Joe Paterno his 400th win a Head Football Coach at Penn State and more importantly made the Nittany Lions bowl eligible. Ohio State has the #1 Scoring Offense in the Big10 led by QB Terrelle Pryor, RBs Daniel Herron/Brandon Saine and WRs DeVier Posey and Dane Sanzenbacher. The Buckeyes are 10th in the conference in sacks allowed, which will give MLB Michael Mauti, DE Jack Crawford and DT Ollie Ogbu opportunities to disrupt the rhythm of the Ohio State offense. In Penn State’s last three games, QB Matt McGloin has thrown 7 Tds and only 1 Int and as a result, RBs Evan Royster and Silas Redd have performed exceptionally in 3 straight victories (Minnesota, Michigan and Northwestern). CB Chimdi Chekwa will have his hands full with Penn State WR Derek Moye and this match-up could be a major difference in the successes of either team. Ultimately, Ohio State’s balance and experience on both sides of the football will be too much for Penn State and McGloin will struggle mightily to find a rhythm passing the football in this game. Ohio State is #1 in the Big10 in rushing defense and will force Penn State to rely on McGloin rather than Royster and Redd on the ground. I expect Penn State to be close in the 4th quarter but Ohio State to make a game-changing play on defense to seal the victory in the 4th quarter.
Prediction: Ohio State 27 Penn State 17
Indiana @ #7 Wisconsin
The Hoosiers gave Iowa all they could handle in Bloomington last week but a dropped pass by Demarlo Belcher in the end zone sealed the 18-13 Hawkeye victory. Wisconsin’s offensive line is tops in the Big10 and their rushing offense is second in the conference to Michigan. RB John Clay may not play this week due to injury and Freshman phenom James White is questionable as well. RB Montee Ball led the Badger rushing attack last week against Purdue with 2 TDs and 127 rushing yards. Indiana is 9th in the conference against the rush and allowed Freshman RB Marcus Coker of Iowa to gain 129 yards last week in Bloomington. Wisconsin QB Scott Tolzien has 9 TD passes and 5 Ints this season but has relied heavily on the power rushing attack for success on the offense. Indiana QB Ben Chappell has thrown 18 TD passes this season and utilized WRs Tandon Doss, Terrance Turner, Demarlo Belcher, Duwyce Wilson and TE Ted Bolser efficiently. The loss of Darius Willis after the Michigan game and Trea Burgess’s inability to fill his shoes has left the Hoosiers one dimensional and this will be the demise of Indiana on Saturday.
Prediction: Wisconsin 30 Indiana 13
#13 Iowa @ Northwestern
Iowa defeated Indiana 18-13 in Bloomington last week after QB Ricky Stanzi connected with WR Marvin McNutt for a 52 yard touchdown pass with under 3 minutes to play. Indiana WR Demarlo Belcher dropped the game-winning TD pass in the end zone and in doing so assured Kirk Ferentz his 100th win as a Head Football Coach (Maine and Iowa). Northwestern lost a 21 point lead against Penn State and Dan Persa looked hopeless in the 4th quarter as Matt McGloin and Penn State moved the ball at will against a porous Northwestern secondary. The Wildcats have allowed 31 sacks on the season, worst in the Big10, and this bodes well for the Iowa defensive line that desperately desries atonement from Iowa’s defeat a year ago to Northwestern in Kinnick Stadium (17-10). QB Dan Persa completes 73.4% of his passes, tops in the conference, and most of his passes are directed to WR Jeremy Ebert, who leads the conference in reception yards. Persa is also the leading rusher for the Wildcats with 469 rushing yards and 8 TDs. The key for the Hawkeyes is protection of the football and conversions in the red zone. In the last two meetings between Iowa and Northwestern, the Hawkeyes have 9 turnovers to only 2 for Northwestern. RB Adam Robinson is expected to start for Iowa this week and I expect him to be the difference in the game for the Hawkeyes. Robinson will rush for over 100 yards and Stanzi will throw 2 TD passes to DJK in a redemption game for the Hawkeyes. Special Teams and Dan Persa will keep Northwestern in the game until Ricky Stanzi leads a late drive to seal the Hawkeye victory.
Prediction: Iowa 24 Northwestern 17
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