Week 6 Predictions: Hoosiers at Huskers

Jon:

Indiana comes into Nebraska ranked. It’s one of our few chances to get this not beating a ranked team monkey off our back this year. I hope we take advantage of it. It’s funny how right now during this season the Big Ten really doesn’t look the way that we thought it would.
Ohio State seems to be on top. Oregon has a little bit of issues. Who knows if Indiana has some issues, We’ll find out on Saturday. And the rest just kind of seemed to be muddled. Every week is a crapshoot.

Patrick: It’s another nice fall weekend.

Mike: It’s going to be 91 and windy. Everybody, Hydrate!

Jill: I have tests to grade and fall cleaning to do. So, of course, I will watch football instead.

Jarek: This is where the rubber meets the road my friends.

Andy: “Where the rubber meets the road”? The Joel Klatt Show just started.

Illinois (-2.5) at Michigan State

Jon: I would expect Illinois to win this game because I think Sparty is just somewhat of a mess. But Illinois defense is not doing very well, 98th in total defense. OTOH, Michigan State is 126th nationally in total offense. CRAPSHOT! Illinois 20, Michigan State 17

Patrick: University of Illinois 27 Michigan State University 21

Mike: I think Illinois is a mess, personally. Sparty’s at home and is due to have something good happen. Sparty 23, Fightin’ Berts 21

Jill: So, both teams are a mess. I generally default to the home team but…I just can’t this time. Illinois 12 MSU 10

Jarek: Illinois is not very good, but Michigan State is worse. Sparty is still dinged up in a lot of key areas, so Illinois should win this. Illinois 24 Michigan State 17

Andy: This game is garbage, so into the trash can with it – let’s do Georgia-Bama instead. Georgia needs to get pressure on Keelon Russell or it’s not happening for them. Keep it close though and I’ll take the Dawgs – Gunnar Stockton is Mr. 4th Quarter and he has been through wars. Georgia 30 Bama 24

UCLA (+11.5) at Oregon

Jon: UCLA is undefeated and just like us they have a real good test. Dylan Raiola will make his first start for the Ducks. You know, good luck to him. UCLA has a very good rushing attack and the Duck defensive line should, well, that’s where the game is going to come down to. I want to see Oregon lose just because…It’s always been interesting to me how UCLA, in one of the bigger cities in the country, hasn’t had more success over time in football. UCLA 28, Oregon 24

Patrick: University of Oregon 31 University of California Los Angeles 23

Mike: UCLA’s defense is known for creating pressure this season. Oregon’s offensive line struggles to protect their quarterback. Bob Chesney knows all about the Ducks after preparing James Madison last season to play Oregon in the first round of the College Football Playoff. So Chesney comes in (a) knowing what to do, (b) having better talent to do it and (c) getting to face Dylan Raiola instead of Dante Moore. We all know how Raiola handles pressure in these situations. “The wrong team is favored!” Bruins 34, Ducks 24

Jill: I’d like the Ducks more if Dylan Raiola was a mobile quarterback. He isn’t. Bruins 28 Ducks 24

Jarek: UCLA has a James Madison head coach. Oregon has Raiola. Albeit he has a way better offensive line, UCLA could be way tougher than expected. Ducks win, but close. Oregon 34 UCLA 31

Andy: Both are coming off east coast trip bye weeks, so they should be fresh except for Dante Moore. UCLA has looked impressive at times, but the Maryland score might have been inflated when that game got away late. I’m gonna be the gimp and take Raiola and Oregon with a cover. Oregon 44 UCLA 30

Southern Cal (+1.5) at Penn State

Jon: I have been working with a Penn State guy almost daily for like 20 years. He’s convinced me he’s not going to watch the rest of the Penn State season. I don’t know if I believe him. USC 34, Penn State 17

Patrick: Pennsylvania State University 24 University of Southern California 21

Mike: Did Penn State look ahead last week? With Michigan up next week, that’s a possible explanation. Of course, it may just be that Penn State isn’t that good. But guess what, Southern Cal isn’t either. Penn State 28, Southern Cal 27

Jill: No way you can make me watch this one. USC 30 PSU 18

Jarek: Matt Campbell is learning that his Iowa State teams won’t be very good in the Big Ten. USC’s defense might be hot garbage, but its offense will carry it far. USC 37 Penn State 24

Andy: Southern Cal is ass when they head east, and I talked myself out of this when I picked them to cover Rutgers. Not again, son. Night games are rough in Happy Valley and with those freaks and perverts watching and doing Wild Rumpus things, Penn State gets a win. It’s college football, folks. Penn State 34 USC 24

Minnesota (-2.5) at Purdue

Jon: This is a typical game that P.J. Fleck loses. They beat Michigan, they’re on top of the world, and then suddenly Purdue is going to come in and just smoke them. Purdue 34, Minnesota 24

Patrick: University of Minnesota 14 Purdue University 10

Mike: Minnesota thinks they can make the College Football Playoff. Well, OK then. Boilers 28, Goofers 24

Jill: Purdue may be better than I thought they would be. PJ is annoying but he wins games. Minnesota 24 Purdue 22

Jarek: Minnesota keeps rolling along and Peej will continue his goofy shenanigans up. That dude is weird, and I’m saying that. Minnesota 30 Purdue 20

Andy: Minnesota’s on a roll, but Purdue might be just as high after getting a conference win. As much as I hate another week of Peej celebrating a win by reminding everyone how it affects him and then turning more attention to himself by having his players body surf him – christ, he’s insufferable – it’s Goofs 27 Shot & a Beer 20

Indiana (-7.5) at Nebraska

Jon: Are we good enough?
This game is going to come down to explosive plays. Who is going to make them and how? I believe that Dana Holgerson can come up with an offense that gets our receivers open downfield. Whether Indiana defensive backs can cover them. That’s remained to be seen.
Nebraska’s front seven will be tested by Indiana’s rushing attack. The secondary of Nebraska will have to be disciplined in their defense. They gave up a lot of explosive plays versus Maryland because they weren’t. Cannot afford this against Indiana. I picked Nebraska because I am going to be there, and I want to be part of something a win where we beat a ranked team since the plastocosonic era. Nebraska 31, Indiana 30

Patrick: Indiana University 28 University of Nebraska 20

Mike: If Nebraska is going to have a chance this week, they have to play four quarters of solid football. We’ve all seen flashes, but then we get spurts like the first quarter last week against Maryland. First half against Ohio. Do that against Indiana, and it’s another 56-7 thrashing. But I’m not sure this Indiana team is quite to that level, and I do think Nebraska has the ability to break free of this decade long funk. Ya’ gotta believe. Huskers 35, Hoosiers 31.

Jill: I’ll believe it when I see it. Hoosiers 35 Huskers 21

Jarek: I’m nervous, but not fait accompli like most others. I genuinely believe we have a shot here. Will we come up shortly, more than likely, but I can’t do that to us just yet. Nebraska 31 Indiana 27

Andy: I, also, am in show cause mode on games such as these. Are we better than the team who got its ass handed to them repeatedly down the stretch last season? 100%

But, as I wrote in yesterday’s column, this one will come down to line play, and if I’m honest, we’re better, but we’re not quite at Indiana yet.

However, I do believe our older, experienced roster takes us to a place where we come away with some respect. Indiana 27 HUSKERS 23 – GBR