Big Ten Fearless Predictions, Week 2, Part 2

Preview and predictions for the week one Big Ten games including Penn State vs. Notre Dame and Minnesota vs. California.

Big Ten
Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Michigan | Michigan State | Minnesota
Northwestern | Ohio State | Penn State | Purdue | Wisconsin

Big Ten Week Two Fearless Predictions

How'd we do so far? 11-0 straight up, 6-2 against the spread

Penn State (1-0) at Notre Dame (1-0)  3:30 pm EST NBC Saturday, September 9th
Why to watch: The way many preseason prognosticators made it sound, Notre Dame might as well be playing UL Monroe this week instead of Penn State. The jury is still out on just how good this Nittany Lion team is, but it can sure as shoot show that it deserves to be considered a player in the national title race if it can come out of South Bend with a win. Test one was passed last week, although not with flying colors, when new starting quarterback Anthony Morelli threw for 206 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-16 win over Akron that wasn't nearly as close as the final score might indicate. A win this week would get a big buzz going that'll continue through the following week's win-to-be over Youngstown State, and then it's the showdown against Ohio State. Penn State can go from after-thought to top two by the end of the day on September 23rd. Notre Dame survived a slugfest against Georgia Tech gutting out a 14-10 win in a physical, hard-hitting game that proved that this isn't necessarily a finesse team. While many downgraded Charlie's boys after such a close call, it was a better win than it might have appeared considering how good the Tech defense is. Even so, an impressive win over the Nittany Lions would get the bandwagon back rolling. This is part two of a brutal September for the Irish with Michigan coming into town next week. This is the first meeting between these two heavyweights since the 1992 classic won by the Irish 17-16 on the way to a 10-1-1 season.
Why Penn State might win: If you thought Georgia Tech showed a little bit of defense against Brady Quinn and company last week, that's nothing compared to what Paul Posluszny, Dan Connor and the the best linebacking corps in America is going to do on the national stage. Notre Dame's offensive line had mega-issues last week with penalties while nearly getting Brady Quinn killed with inconsistent pass protection. Penn State sacked Akron QB Luke Getsy five times and is more likely to finish off the pass rush better than the Yellow Jackets were able to. 
Why Notre Dame might win: Much was made about the supposedly improved Irish defense, but that was helped made look good by an averaged Georgia Tech offense. Penn State's offense has receiving weapons, but the running game isn't going to be there following an awful performance against Akron netting a mere 76 yards. Basically, it'll be Quinn vs. Morelli. Whichever one plays better will get the win. Who would you take? As easy as the Nittany Lion win was over Akron, the offense only gained 282 yards.
Who to watch: While RB Darius Walker is the unsung cog who makes the attack go, the Irish offense needs to get the deep ball working to be fully effective. In today's day and age of the spread offense, it's refreshing to see Quinn take his shots down the field, and he's not going to be shy about pushing the ball on the young, but talented Penn State secondary. Tony Davis and Justin King will get their biggest test of the year against Rhema McKnight, who came up with an impressive eight catches for 108 yards against Tech in his first game back from a knee injury, and Jeff Samardzija. If Penn State wins this battle, it'll probably win the game.
What will happen: The Penn State defense will keep this close throughout hitting Quinn over and over and over again, but Morelli and the offense simply won't be up-to-snuff in crunch time.
CFN Prediction: Notre Dame 23 ... Penn State 17 ... Line: Notre Dame -9
Must See Rating: (5 skip the birth of your first born - 1 Fashion House) ... 5

Iowa (1-0) at Syracuse (0-1) 3:30 pm EST ABC Saturday, September 2nd
Why to watch: Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State are getting all the pub, however, Iowa, with an improving team and a fantastic schedule, has quietly positioned itself to contend for a Big Ten title.  With QB Drew Tate back for his senior year and RB Albert Young still doing a little bit of everything, the Hawkeyes are perfectly balanced on offense.  On defense, the entire front four is back, but two new linebackers and cornerbacks continue to get their feet wet.  There didn’t appear to be any issues last week in a 41-7 over a good Montana team.  Syracuse got doubled up by Wake Forest on Saturday and is carrying the stigma of being the lone Big East team with a loss.  After going 1-10 in 2005, the program is staring into the barrel of a deflating 0-2 start to 2006 unless it comes up with its best performance in years.
Why Iowa might win: Syracuse coach Greg Robinson sees progress on offense.  He must be looking at different film than the rest of us.  The Orange continue to slog through its transition to the West Coast offense, and as long as Perry Patterson is the quarterback, the unit will sputter.  He clicked on just 5-of-18 passes for 45 yards and a score last week on the way to just 136 yards against the Demon Deacons.  Once the Hawkeyes reach 20, this game is over.  
Why Syracuse might win: Just like last year, Syracuse can bring it on defense, but it spends so much time on the field, the numbers often suggest otherwise.  LB Kelvin Smith began his All-Big East campaign with 16 tackles on Saturday and future NFL CB Tanard Jackson will help keep a mediocre and mistake-prone Iowa receiving corps in check. 
Who to watch: You sure don’t get better by losing Chad Greenway and Abdul Hodge to the NFL, however, Iowa’s linebackers are still in good shape with athletic juniors Mike Klinkenborg and Mike Humpal playing a lot like their predecessors.  Klinkenborg led the Hawks with 11 tackles Saturday and Humpal chipped in six tackles and an acrobatic interception.    
What will happen: The Syracuse defense will keep this game from getting completely out of control, however, until the offense shows it can put more points on the board, the Orange will be no threat to quality opponents like Iowa.                     
CFN Prediction: Iowa 34 ... Syracuse 13 ... Line: Iowa -19
Must See Rating: (5 skip the birth of your first born - 1 Fashion House) ... 2 

Western Illinois at Wisconsin (1-0)  3:30 pm EST ESPNU Saturday, September 9th
Why to watch: Wisconsin got through an unenven and slightly strange road game in Cleveland against Bowling Green winning 35-14, and now it gets a true breather against a WIU team that should be solid in D-IAA play. The Leathernecks throttled Morehead State last week 31-6 highlighted by five takeaways to make a potentially close game a blowout. The Badgers are still trying to get the new receivers in sync with the offense while also figuring out who the best go-to running back is, so this is a key game in the team's development before facing San Diego State.
Why Western Illinois might win: Wisconsin hardly looked sharp against Bowling Green. Falcon QB Freddie Barnes gave the Badger defensive front seven fits rushing for 158 yards and two touchdowns while completing 12 of 19 passes for 82 yards. WIU senior Steve LaFalce can do a little of everything well and is the type of heady, veteran quarterback who isn't going to make many, if any mistakes.
Why Wisconsin might win: Tee Leathernecks struggled to stop the Morehead State running game allowing 193 yards thanks to poor tackling. Wisconsin's ground attack will be a wee bit more physical. The WIU offense is great at capitalizing on mistakes, but it's not gong to go on any long, sustained drives against a talented Badger front seven.
Who to watch: Is P.J. Hill the newest Badger running star? While not a speed back, the 235-pound redshirt freshman ran for 130 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries against BGSU. When looking for a little flash, the offense will turn to freshman Lance Smith, who ran for 41 yards last week.
What will happen: The Badgers will get the passing game going early to see who the most reliable targets are, and then the ground game will control the second half.
CFN Prediction: Wisconsin 52 ... Western Illinois 7 ... Line: No Line
Must See Rating: (5 skip the birth of your first born - 1 Fashion House) ... 1 

Indiana (1-0) at Ball State (1-0) 6:30 pm EST Saturday, September 9th
Why to watch: It's the battle for Indiana as Ball State comes in fresh off an impressive 38-20 win over Eastern Michigan and Indiana is still buzzing after a 39-20 win over Western Michigan. Fine, so few in the Hoosier state are going to turn away from the Penn State - Notre Dame game early to watch this, but it's still an important battle for each team for the hope of a winning season. IU gets Southern Illinois next week and a winnable home date against Connecticut the week after, so 4-0 is very possible with a win over the neighbors from Muncie. Ball State plays Purdue next week before a layup against North Dakota State.
Why Indiana might win: The Ball State defense didn't do much of anything to keep Eastern Michigan QB Tyler Jones or WR Eric Deslauriers in check as the two combined ten times for 127 yards and a touchdown. The Indiana passing game has more weapons and far more explosiveness in the passing game.
Why Ball State might win: Ten starters return to the Ball State offense from last year, and it showed in how sharp the attack was against Eastern Michigan. If the Cardinals can maintain the same sort of balance and same effectiveness, it'll be in the game until the very end. IU needed touchdowns on punt and interception returns to put WMU away. It's unlikely the Hoosiers will get the same big plays two games in a row.
Who to watch: Is Blake Powers healthy? The IU starting quarterback had a nice game against WMU completing 16 of 28 passes for 192 yards and a touchdown with an interception, but he hurt his leg late in the third quarter and didn't return. Backup Graeme McFarland is experienced and ready to play if needed, but Powers is expected to be back and fine late in the week. The IU offense is far, far more efficient with him in.
What will happen: Ball State will get its shots in, but Josh Bailey and the IU defense will come up with a nice performance and the offense will simply wear down the Cardinals in the second half.
CFN Prediction: Indiana 31 ... Ball State 21 ... Line: Indiana -4.5
Must See Rating: (5 skip the birth of your first born - 1 Fashion House) ... 2 

Minnesota (1-0) at California (0-1)  7 pm EST TBS Saturday, September 9th
Why to watch: Maybe, just maybe, Tennessee is back to being Tennessee again. Cal might have gotten its doors blown off in Knoxville last week, but it's not like it got blasted by New Mexico State. This is still a very, very good Bears team with everything to play for, but it has to regroup in a huge hurry to get past a Minnesota team looking for respect. This should be a bit of a rebuilding year for the Gophers with no star power in the backfield and a defense that's, well, like a typical Minnesota defense. With Temple coming up next week, an upset in Berkeley would mean a 3-0 start going into the start of the Big Ten season at Purdue. Cal gets a light scrimmage against Portland State after this, so the Tennessee loss can fade a little bit with a win.
Why Minnesota might win: Like always, the Minnesota rushing offense is near the top of the charts currently ranking fourth in the nation after ripping off 322 yards against Kent State. Tennessee was able to run for 216 on the Bears, so getting to the 200-yard mark shouldn't be a huge problem for Glen Mason's crew. While Minnesota doesn't have a Robert Meachem, or any other Volunteer-like receivers, it has a decent group that can do some damage if the beleaguered Cal secondary plays like it did last week.
Why California might win: The Bears have way too much speed for the Gophers. Yeah, Tennessee was able to run well, but that was because the Cal back seven was having so many problems with the Vol passing game. If the Bear linebackers are able to pay their full attention to the Gopher ground game, it should be able to keep it from going nuts. Minnesota doesn't have the defense to generate the same pressure Tennessee was able to.
Who to watch: And the new star Minnesota running is ... a linebacker? Former linebacker Alex Daniels ran 24 times for 155 yards and three touchdowns against Kent State after true freshman E.J. Jones was knocked out with a sprained ankle. Amir Pinnix ran for 114 yards in a backup role, but all the buzz was about the 265-pound former Daniels, who adds a more bruising style than the offense has had in years. Expect a rotation of backs to keep giving Cal a few different looks.
What will happen: Minnesota will look like its going in slow motion compared to Tennessee, but the running game will make this a battle deep into the second half. Cal will hit on too many big plays for the Gophers to pull off the upset.
CFN Prediction: California 31 ... Minnesota 23... Line: California -9
Must See Rating: (5 skip the birth of your first born - 1 Fashion House) ... 3.5 

Big Ten Week Two Fearless Predictions