Week 10: Previewing the B1G, Big East, and ACC. Will Nebraska continue to roll?

The world may be focused on LSU-Alabama, but the Big Ten season is winding down with spots in the championship game on the line. We have a 3 way tie for first in Legends Division with Nebraska and Michigan set to face off in a couple weeks. Penn State seems to be pulling away in the Leaders Division but Wisconsin is still in the mix, should the Nittany Lion QB situation start to haunt them. The battle for North Carolina is Saturday and also West Virginia is trying to stay on pace for the BCS. Onto the picks!

B1G-
Michigan St -28 vs. Minnesota
Ohio St -28 vs. Indiana
Iowa +4 vs. Michigan
Nebraska -17.5 vs. Northwestern
Wisconsin -26 vs. Purdue

ACC-
Boston College +15.5 vs. Florida St
Maryland +2 vs. Virginia
NC State +3.5 vs. North Carolina
Miami (FL) -15.5 vs. Duke

BIG EAST-
UConn -2 vs. Syracuse
West Virginia -13 vs. Louisville
Rutgers +3 vs. South Florida
Pitt +3.5 vs. Cincinnati

MAC-
Miami (OH) -14.5 vs. Akron
Kent St -1 vs. Central Michigan
Eastern Michigan -2.5 vs. Ball State

SUN BELT-
LA-Lafeyette OFF vs. LA-Monroe
Navy OFF vs. Troy
W Kentucky OFF vs. FIU
Florida Atlantic OFF vs. Arkansas St


Marcus says...

Michigan St -28 vs. Minnesota
Sparty was embarrassed last week, to say the least.  The positive spin is that they beat Michigan, Ohio State and Wisconsin in consecutive weeks and still have a shot at appearing in the B1G title game.  However, they no longer control their own destiny.  Kirk Cousins must play better and B.J. Cunningham cannot go without a catch for another game.  Minnesota is 2-6 but is coming off a win vs. Iowa.  MSU wins this game, but take the Gophers and the points.

Nebraska -17.5 vs. Northwestern
The Huskers host Northwestern on Saturday with their sights set on the B1G title coming off their beat down of Sparty last week.  Nebraska needs to take care of business here against the Wildcats and prevent themselves from looking ahead to Penn State and Michigan, which will ultimately decide who is playing in Indy from the Legends division.  The tandem of Burkhead and Martinez, when able to run, is as dominate a pair as there is in college football.  The achilles heal is the passing game as Martinez was held to 80 yards passing last week.  The Wildcats have had a disappointing season to say the least and the thought of a Persa for Heisman campaign is laughable.  Big Red gets it done and covers the spread.

NC State +3.5 vs. North Carolina
The ‘Heels ending a 2 game losing streak last week by knocking off Wake Forest to improve to 6-3.  8 of 9 wins should get NC a decent bowl game and more exposure for sophomore QB Bryn Renner and freshman RB Giovani Bernard.  NC State is a home underdog coming at 4-4.  Wolfpack fans have been seen sporting Badger jerseys around Raleigh in memory of one Russell Wilson.  The Tar Heels have the momentum and the better team, take UNC to cover.

West Virginia -13 vs. Louisville
West Virginia is the lone ranked team in the Big East and is looking for another BCS payday by locking up the conference’s automatic bid.  The Mountaineers bounced back from an embarrassing loss to Syracuse by knocking off Rutgers last week.  Junior QB Geno Smith is exciting to watch and plays extremely well at home.  Louisville comes in at 4-4 and is trying to build on a 2 game win streak that has the Cardinal faithful thinking bowl bid.  I like to WVU to win this game, but play Louisville’s momentum.  Take the Cardinals and the points.