[NU Sports] PIGSKIN PICKS - Week 8

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

With so many Big Ten games this week thanks to
megabyes and cupcake fillers ... plus an interesting
grouping of national games, we have a jam packed
lineup for week 8.

We also have an early deadline with the game at
Rutgers under the lights Thursday. So get those picks
in early!

PIGSKIN PICKS - WEEK 8
######################
Name: 

BIG TEN
=======
Game  1: Michigan @ Illinois
Winner : 

Game  2: Penn State @ Indiana
Winner : 

Game  3: Iowa @ Purdue
Winner : 

Game  4: Michigan State @ Ohio State
Winner : 

Game  5: North Dakota St. @ Minnesota
Winner : 

Game  6: Northern Illinois @ Wisconsin
Winner : 

NATIONAL
========
Game  7: South Florida @ Rutgers
Winner : 

Game  8: Florida @ Kentucky
Winner : 

Game  9: Auburn @ Louisiana State
Winner : 

Game 10: Tennessee @ Alabama 
Winner : 

Game 11: Southern Cal @ Notre Dame
Winner : 

Game 12: California @ UCLA
Winner : 

Game 13: Texas Tech @ Missouri
Winner : 

Game 14: Miami (FL) @ Florida State
Winner : 

Game 15: Virginia @ Maryland
Winner : 

MY PICKS
========
* MICHIGAN 27, Illinois 23 - The Illini were probably
looking ahead to this game in Iowa City and they'll
make it a great game ... but the Wolverines are on a
mission. I reserve the right to change later in the
week if Hart's out, though.:)

* PENN STATE 34, Indiana 20 - Could be a trap game if
the Lions look ahead to the Bucks, but they wake up in
the second half.

* PURDUE 28, Iowa 17 - The Boilers need a wake up call
- Iowa won't be easy, but if Purdue doesn't win here,
their season could collapse.

* OHIO STATE 31, Michigan State 13 - No repeat of 1998
here as the Bucks jump out early and sit on Sparty.

* MINNESOTA 48, ND State 14 - Gophers take out their
frustrations.

* WISCONSIN 41, Northern Illinois 21 - Bucky needs a
win and NIU fades in the second half.

* RUTGERS 24, South Florida 21 - Yeah, everyone's
pointing to this and it's almost too easy of an upset
to pick with USF under pressure at #2. But in reality,
this is really their last hurdle ... so for the sake
of the BCS, the Knights grind one out under the
lights.

* FLORIDA 21, Kentucky 17 - A week ago, I'd say Gators
roll ... but the Cats impressed me. Still, I can't see
a 3-loss Florida team except in my dreams.

* LSU 28, Auburn 9 - The battle of the Tigers goes to
an angry LSU under the lights in Baton Rouge. Plus,
they only fell to #4 in the BCS, so the title is still
well within reach.

* ALABAMA 24, Tennessee 21 - Things are going too well
for the Vols right now and it's time for a letdown -
Saban complies at home.

* USC 35, Notre Dame 0 - I don't care how banged up
the Trojans are or how ND plays better against the Pac
10 than the Big Ten lately ... this one gets ugly
early.

* CALIFORNIA 27, UCLA 23 - The Bruins are the west
coast Michigan ... awful out of conference but somehow
unbeaten within it ... until now.

* MISSOURI 42, Texas Tech 38 - Should be a barnburner
and the Tigers know they can't drop another ... so
they eke this one out.

* FLORIDA STATE 3, Miami 2 - These two used to be
playing as 1 vs. 2 in the nation ... now they're not
even in the top two of their own state. The last few
have been U-G-L-Y ... go with the Noles at home.

* MARYLAND 28, Virginia 21 - The clock strikes
midnight for the Cavs in Maryland.

And off the board ...

* NORTHWESTERN 48, Eastern Michigan 28 - The Cats
can't blow this one and pull away in the second half
thanks to another great performance by Bacher.

Remember, picks in by THURSDAY kickoff.

GO CATS!!!
-SjT

* * * * * * * * *
STEPHEN J. TRUOG
sjtruog at yahoo.com
GO CATS!!!


       
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