[NU Sports] PIGSKIN PICKS - Week 9

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

Another week full of big games - including another
Thursday night showdown where a #2 from a lesser
league goes on the road to prove their worth. So
remember that picks are due by kickoff THURSDAY in
Blacksburg.

Standings will be out soon, but here's the lineup for
week 9 ... 9 ... 9 ... 9 ... 9 ...

PIGSKING PICKS - WEEK 9
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Name: 

BIG TEN
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Game  1: Ball State @ Illinois
Winner : 

Game  2: Indiana @ Wisconsin
Winner : 

Game  3: Michigan State @ Iowa
Winner : 

Game  4: Minnesota @ Michigan
Winner : 

Game  5: Ohio State @ Penn State
Winner : 

NATIONAL
========
Game  6: Boston College @ Virginia Tech
Winner : 

Game  7: Florida vs. Georgia (@ Jacksonville, FL)
Winner : 

Game  8: Southern Cal @ Oregon
Winner : 

Game  9: California @ Arizona State
Winner : 

Game 10: West Virginia @ Rutgers
Winner : 

MY PICKS
========
* ILLINOIS 34, Ball State 10 - The angry Illini get a
breather here.

* WISCONSIN 41, Indiana 31 - The Hoosiers are
dangerous, but MSU showed Bucky the formula for
beating IU - pound the ball and keep Hardy on the
sidelines.

* MICHIGAN STATE 21, Iowa 9 - Iowa's already gotten
their upset with the Illini ... they just don't have
the offense to compete with MSU.

* MICHIGAN 42, Minnesota 13 - The jug ain't going
anywhere.

* PENN STATE 17, Ohio State 13 - Again, like Rutgers
last week it's almost too popular of an upset pick,
but I'll stick with it. Happy Valley at night is a
tough place and the Buckeye O showed they could get
jitters last week. As long as Morelli doesn't give the
game away, it should be a great defensive clash and
PSU gets the big win.

* VIRGINIA TECH 30, Boston College 17 - The Eagles
have heart, but VaTech is the only legit top 10 team
in the ACC and Blacksburg at night is as tough as
anywhere.

* FLORIDA 38, Georgia 31 - Is the SEC turning into the
Pac 10 with all these high scoring games lately? I
thought they were supposed to have defense down south.
Good game and the Dawgs are rested, but the Gators and
Urban know how to beat rivals.

* OREGON 33, Southern Cal 30 - Should be a great game
in Autzen and probably SC's toughest test left ... but
Oregon can all but clinch the Pac 10 with a win and
they get that extra yard this time.

* ARIZONA STATE 35, California 31 - The Sun Devils are
rested and at home while the Bears are reeling and
questioning themselves. They make a great comeback
late, but fall short.

* WEST VIRGINIA 37, Rutgers 17 - Rutgers at noon ain't
like Rutgers on a Thursday night. Yeah, the Knights
will be looking for revenge, but much like the ACC,
when the dust settles amid the chaos of the upsets,
there's only one legit contender left in the Big East
and like the ACC, Virginia is in its name.

And off the board ...

* NORTHWESTERN 42, Purdue 35 - Call me crazy, but I
just feel an upset in this one. Purdue doesn't
overlook the gimme games much, but I think we're
pretty evenly matched and they may be looking ahead a
bit here. Fun offensive show and the Cats hold on late
for a big win.

Remember, picks by Thursday kickoff.

GO CATS!!!
-SjT

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

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