Hello and welcome friends to another edition of This B1G Week. Last week was a big week for the conference. The Big Ten ended up with a lead of 6-5 over the ACC with 3 games not being able to be played. On top of that we had the first Big Ten game of the year on Sunday as Michigan barely squeaked out a win over Penn State. If this is the type of game to expect from the league this year it should be one of the best in history.
Big Ten Game of the Week
Saturday - Noon - CBS - Gonzaga vs Iowa - If you need something to throw on your second TV during the Big Ten Championship Game, where the Indiana Football Hoosiers rightfully belong (I'm not salty, you're salty), this is the best counter-programming possible. I highly expect this game to be in the 80s, if not the 90s. If you like defense this might not be the game for you but if you enjoy looking like a cat watching a tennis match this one is for you.
Actual Rankings
B1G Picks
Nonconference Game of the Week
Saturday - 8 pm - Fox - Virginia vs Villanova - This is a great matchup if you need another break from football on Saturday. These are two of the best programs around and despite each having a disappointing loss early on are looking to compete for a national title.
Team of the Week
Team of the Weak
Iowa Hawkeyes - I was the first to doubt this Hawkeyes team and after a few weeks I still very much doubt them but I will say that at their best Iowa can beat anyone. They beat UNC by 13, in-state rival Iowa State by 28, and doubled up Northern Illinois beating them by 53. Iowa can score at will on any team in America but I still don't think they can defend on an elite enough level to go far in the tournament.
Team of the Weak
Purdue Boilermakers - Purdue gave up a 20 point lead on Tuesday in a loss to Miami (FL). The Hurricanes ended the game on a 31-10 run. They followed that up by only beating Indiana State by a dozen. The Boilers have been known to start slow in seasons past by blowing a 20 point lead in a game where you only gave up 14 points at half is very worrying.
Actual Rankings
- Michigan - 1-0 - 6-0
- Iowa - 0-0 - 6-0
- Michigan State - 0-0 - 6-0
- Minnesota - 0-0 - 6-0
- Ohio State - 0-0 - 5-0
- Rutgers - 0-0 - 4-0
- Maryland - 0-0 - 4-1
- Wisconsin - 0-0 - 4-1
- Northwestern - 0-0 - 2-1
- Illinois - 0-0 - 4-2
- Indiana - 0-0 - 4-2
- Purdue - 0-0 - 4-2
- Nebraska - 0-0 - 3-3
- Penn State - 0-1 - 3-5
B1G Picks
Monday
6 pm - BTN - Rutgers @ Maryland
Grant's Pick: Rutgers, Troy's Pick: Rutgers
Tuesday
4 pm - Quincy @ Northwestern
Grant's Pick: Northwestern, Troy's Pick: Northwestern
7 pm - ESPN 2 - Minnesota @ Illinois
Grant's Pick: Illinois, Troy's Pick: Illinois
8 pm - Loyola Chicago @ Wisconsin
Grant's Pick: Wisconsin, Troy's Pick: Wisconsin
Wednesday
7 pm - BTN - Ohio State @ Purdue
Grant's Pick: Ohio State, Troy's Pick: Ohio State
Saturday
11:30 am - FS1 - Butler vs Indiana
Grant's Pick: Butler, Troy's Pick: Indiana
Noon - CBS - Gonzaga vs Iowa
Grant's Pick: Gonzaga, Troy's Pick: Gonzaga
2:30 pm - ESPN 2/U - Notre Dame vs Purdue
Grant's Pick: Notre Dame, Troy's Pick: Notre Dame
4:30 pm - CBS - North Carolina vs Ohio State
Grant's Pick: Ohio State, Troy's Pick: North Carolina
Sunday
1 pm - ESPN 2 - Illinois @ Rutgers
Grant's Pick: Illinois, Troy's Pick: Rutgers
7 pm - BTN - Michigan State @ Northwestern
Grant's Pick: Michigan State, Troy's Pick: Michigan State
8:30 pm - FS1 - Saint Louis @ Minnesota
Grant's Pick: Saint Louis, Troy's Pick: Saint Louis
Grant's Previous Week Pick Record: 17-4
Grant's Total Pick Record: 60-8
Troy's Previous Week Pick Record: 17-4
Troy's Total Pick Record: 61-7
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