Big Ten Bloggers Pick'em: week 4

Week 4 of the college football season is upon us and it’s a chance for a lot of the Big Ten teams to get a tune-up before the real season starts. When I say “tune-up” I mean it’s a chance for all the Big Ten teams to feast on cupcakes and boy do we have some sickening sweet cupcakes this week.

mmmmmmmm cupcakes!

If you’re in a hurry I’ll save you the trouble of scrolling down and tell you all of us took the Big Ten sweep this week. So there ya go.

Last week we all took the same teams and consequently rolled to 9-1 records but more importantly Linebacker-U is now in first place!! Woo Hooo! Ok, technically we’re tied with 7 other teams for first place but let us have our moment in the sun, mmmkay? We all got tripped up by Iowa and nailed the other 9 games. As always stats and comments to follow:

Last Week
Galen: 9-1
Tim: 9-1
Mike: 9-1

Overall
Galen: 28-3
Tim: 27-4
Mike: 27-4

LB-U: 28 - 3: 1st Place

Date	Visitor @ Host	Time, TV	Galen	Tim	Mike	LB-U
Sat 09/25/10	Austin Peay @ Wisconsin	12 PM, BTN
Sat 09/25/10	Bowling Green @ Michigan	12 PM, ESPN2
Sat 09/25/10	Ball State @ Iowa	12 PM, BTN
Sat 09/25/10	Central Michigan @ Northwestern	12 PM, BTN
Sat 09/25/10	Northern Colorado @ Michigan State	12 PM, BTN
Sat 09/25/10	Toledo @ Purdue	12 PM, BTN
Sat 09/25/10	Eastern Michigan @ Ohio State	3:30, ABC
Sat 09/25/10	Akron @ Indiana	7 PM, BTN
Sat 09/25/10	Northern Illinois @ Minnesota	8:30 PM, BTN

Random Commentation (I made the word up last week and damnit I'm going to use it!)

Mike

This week is going to be (hopefully) very boring for the Big Ten. The only games that have me worried about my picks are Toledo vs Purdue, Central Michigan vs Northwestern, and Northern Illinois vs Minnesota. If Tim Brewster wants to keep his job for another week, he HAS TO beat the Huskies. There really isn't any other option right now. I'm encouraged after the Gophers' performance against USC (led Trojans in the 2nd half), but would it really surprise anyone if they lost to NIU? As for Purdue, the Boilers have won this matchup the last two times ('07, '09) by big margins. But something rubs me wrong about this one. Finally, Central Michigan is still a dangerous team, even if it's not the offensive power it was the last few seasons. Northwestern is in danger of a fall back to earth after starting 3-0. This looks like a game the Wildcats could let slip away. Regardless of everything I just said, I'm going with a Big Ten sweep for week 4.


Galen

All the games are predicted to be blowouts (Vegas odds are all a TD or more except for Indiana).  I guess I could go out on a limb and pick against Indiana in what would be a mild upset but it’s way too early to be taking chances.  Iowa might be on a bit of a hangover after last week’s loss and they’re paper thin at running back with the loss of Jewel Hampton but they could sleepwalk through Ball State.  Basically this week is yet again booorrriinnnggg.
 

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