[NU Sports] PIGSKIN PICKS - Week 2

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

No standings yet. Slightly different format this week - just replace my pick with yours. As usual, all picks due by kickoff Saturday.

The primetime games Saturday and Monday reminded us what’s great about college football … now it’s time for the pros to bring back the game we love. In the college slate this week, it’s the calm before the storm. Not too many biggies this week as we prepare for the colossal collision at the coliseum next week with SC and OSU.

PIGSKIN PICKS - WEEK 2
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Name:

COLLEGE PICKS
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BIG TEN
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Game  1: Eastern Illinois @ Illinois
My pick: ILLINI … the Illini should be angry after blowing the Mizzou game yet again and take it out on EIU.

Game  2: Murray State @ Indiana
My Pick: HOOSIERS … another cupcake for IU.

Game  3: Florida International @ Iowa
My Pick: HAWKEYES … didn’t FIU beat Minny last year? Well, history won’t repeat itself.

Game  4: Miami (OH) @ Michigan
My Pick: WOLVERINES … they looked a bit more comfortable in the spread in the second half last week and that carries over.

Game  5: Eastern Michigan @ Michigan State
My Pick: SPARTANS … much like the Illini, Sparty had a big prime-time win in its grasp but the defense looked poor. And like the Illini, an in-state sacrificial lamb pays the price this week. 

Game  6: Minnesota @ Bowling Green
My Pick: FALCONS … could be a fun one with all the points, but the BUGS are coming off a big win while Minny barely survived NIU. 

Game  7: Ohio @ Ohio State
My Pick: BUCKEYES … no need for Beanie this week, but next week is another question. 

Game  8: Oregon State @ Penn State
My Pick: NITTANY LIONS … good early test for both teams and PSU had nice speed last week but still need to show they can have the toughness to sustain drives against a decent D.

Game  9: Northern Colorado @ Purdue
My Pick: BOILERMAKERS … the Tiller farewell tour gets off to a rousing start with a rout.

Game 10: Marshall @ Wisconsin
My Pick: BADGERS … only way it’s close is if Bucky starts looking ahead to Fresno State.

NATIONAL
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Game 11: Miami (FL) @ Florida
My Pick: GATORS … nice to see this rivalry game back on the schedule, even if it won’t be very competitive this year.

Game 12: Ole Miss @ Wake Forest
My Pick: REBELS … could be the game of the week as you have two exceptional coaches – Wake is the last best hope for the ACC, but the Rebs are rolling with Nutt.

Game 13: West Virginia @ East Carolina
My Pick: MOUNTAINEERS … close for a half, but then Pat White and company take over.

Game 14: South Florida @ Central Florida
My Pick: BULLS … is this the battle for the second best team in the Sunshine State now that the Noles and Canes are in a slump?

Game 15: Cincinnati @ Oklahoma
My Pick: SOONERS … a chance for the Big East to prove they can hang with the big boys, but OU gets some revenge for losing to West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl.

And off the board …

* NORTHWESTERN 35, Duke 23 – I liked what I saw out of the defense and special teams last week … and the balance on offense during the second half. If we keep that up, we should get revenge on the Dookies.

GO CATS!!!
- SjT

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