A look back at Week 9 Picks

Well, I guess I picked the wrong upset this past weekend. I was waiting for Minnesota to be slow off the bye week and I'm just waiting for Purdue's offense to have one decent game. Of course now their quarterback Curtis Painter is injured so who knows what will happen. They could be better off after the way he has played this season. On another note Northwestern looked absolutely terrible and injuries to Bacher and Sutton also don't look good for their future. But lets take a look back at my picks.

Northwestern at Indiana- I never would have pictured Indiana beating Northwestern especially without Kellen Lewis at quarterback. However, a little trickery and 5 turnovers proved to be the difference in this game as Indiana pulled out everything they could to win this one. Injuries to Tyrell Sutton and CJ Bacher hindered the Wildcats and could be a devastating blow to their season as Sutton will be out the rest of the season.
My Pick: Northwestern 38, Indiana 21 Score: Indiana 21, Northwestern 19

Minnesota at Purdue- Minnesota was able to reverse the bye week curse as they were the first team in the Big Ten to win the game following their bye week. Purdue kept it close and played tough for a half but Minnesota was able to force 4 turnovers and Purdue needed to play a perfect offensive game to win this one. Curtis Painter had to leave the game with an injury and Purdue's offense could never get it going once again.
My Pick: Purdue 28, Minnesota 17 Score: Minnesota 17, Purdue 6

Illinois at Wisconsin- Granted I picked this game because I thought no way does Wisconsin lose again at home and I just couldn't imagine them going 0-5 in the Big Ten. Wisconsin seemed to play with a little more intensity on their homecoming and Dustin Sherer looked like a much better quarterback in his second start. Wisconsin was able to pound the ball with the run and Juice Williams played his worst game of the year as he threw 3 INT's. Bad news for the Badgers though when TE Travis Beckum was taken off the field and never returned.
My Pick: Wisconsin 28, Illinois 21 Score: Wisconsin 27, Illinois 17

Michigan State at Michigan- The rivalry continued and it was a tough battle through three quarters as the game was tied at 21. However, behind Javon Ringer's running and Brian Hoyer's passing the Spartans were able to win in the Big House for the first time since 1990. Ringer continued to show why he is one of the best running back's in the country in the 2nd quarter when he bounced off Michigan defenders and dashed towards the end zone for a 64 yard TD run to give the Spartans the lead 14-7. Michigan State ended up putting the game away with two TD's in the fourth quarter.
My Pick: MSU 21, Michigan 17 Score: MSU 35, Michigan 21

Penn State at Ohio State-The game everyone was looking forward to ended up living up to the hype as it went down to the wire. It was a defensive battle all game long and Penn State proved that they can still beat a quality opponent even if their offense isn't putting up the big numbers. The Nittany Lions held on to the ball and their defense were able to force two turnovers. The biggest came on a third and 1 early in the 4th quarter when defensive back Mark Rubin forced a Terrelle Pryor fumble on a QB sneak that he tried to break outside. The Buckeyes had a 3 point lead at that point until backup QB Pat Devlin's 1 yard touchdown that put Penn State on top for good. I thought this would be won by a defense but I didn't expect the game to be this low scoring. A great game and Penn State now has the inside track to a Big Ten Title and a chance at the national championship.
My Pick: Penn State 38, Ohio State 27 Score: Penn State 13, Ohio State 6

A 3-2 week. Nothing great but nothing I can really complain too much about. I still want to have a perfect week and I hope to do better in Week 10.