It's prognosticating time again, and this is the week that things will be closed out.
With his 36-12 record, the magic number for No. 18 (Jon Styf) is down to one game.
No. 2 (Jon Malavolti) will have to win out to tie No. 18 after his 26-22 start.
This one's over; not only for No. 2, but for the Spartans as well. We're ripping up our Rose Bowl tickets and No. 2 will have to find a tighter T-shirt to wear next week. It's just a matter of closing it out from here.
No. 21 MSU vs. Wisconsin
No. 18 - The Spartans have lost two straight games, and this game shouldn't be any easier.
But MSU needs this win if it is planning on playing on New Year's Day. The Spartans once again will aim to stop the running game and have to live or die with their secondary. Eric Smith might be able to play this game, so I like the Spartans' chances.
MSU 29, Wisconsin 20
No. 2 - I don't remember this being a competition between No. 18 and me, and MSU vs. Wisconsin won't be a competition either. Both teams will be heading to a bowl game, but both virtually are out of Rose Bowl and Big Ten title contention. MSU more than likely will recover from two tough losses against top-caliber teams and beat the Badgers to impress bowl officials.
MSU 35, Wisconsin 17
No. 5 Michigan vs. Northwestern
No. 18 - This game actually was a tough decision. Northwestern is known for sneaking up on teams, and this seems like the perfect week for a game like that to happen with Michigan looking ahead to Ohio State, and the Wildcats having nothing to lose.
In fact, in their past six meetings, the teams have split 3-3. In the last meeting, Northwestern beat Michigan 54-51 in Evanston, Ill.
The Wildcats have won three of their past four games, despite a lingering ankle injury to top running back Jason Wright. The Wildcats ran plenty of trick plays in last weekend's 17-7 win over Penn State.
Yep, I did it.
Northwestern 31, Michigan 29
No. 2 - Sure, it might be fun to pick the Wildcats at home, coming off a win over Wisconsin and catching Michigan off the bye week, but picking football games isn't about fun. It's about … umm … actually, who cares? But it would be ridiculous to jump on the Wildcats' bandwagon — is there one, and how much money does it cost to join?
I don't think Northwestern's fans really care. The Wolverines do, though, and they won't be embarrassed on their quest to Pasadena.
Michigan 28, Northwestern 14
No. 11 Purdue vs. No. 4 Ohio
No. 18 - What is the deal with all of these ranked Big Ten teams? The conference must really be that good.
If the Boilermakers thought Michigan gave them trouble rushing the passer, they are in for a surprise. Ohio State is even better.
With Will Smith, Tim Anderson and Darrion Scott holding down the line, Purdue is in for a long day and running back Jerod Void shouldn't plan on running a whole lot.
Ohio State 28, Purdue 22
No. 2 - Is the Big Ten good? Or are the other BCS conferences underachieving? Whatever the case, the Buckeyes will prove who belongs at the top of the Big Ten and who doesn't. Purdue doesn't.
Ohio State 26, Purdue 13
No. 19 Minnesota vs. No. 20 Iowa
No. 2 - At first, I thought both these teams were highly overrated. They still are. But Iowa finally will come through and get another big win like they did against Michigan. Hawkeye tailback Fred Russell will run wild on the Golden Gophers while the Hawkeyes' defense will stifle Minnesota tailbacks Marion Barber III and Laurence Maroney.
It's sayonara for Glen Mason and the Gophers, who finally will fall from the top 25 for good. That's what happens when you schedule such warm-up patsies as Ohio and Louisiana Lafeyette.
Iowa 24, Minnesota 18
No. 18 - Minnesota has too much offense. If Asad Abdul-Khaliq plays after his shoulder injury last week, the Golden Gophers will win.
Iowa quarterback Nathan Chandler is not good enough to beat the Gophers with the pass, and Fred Russell would need a career day on the ground to win this one.
Minnesota 31, Iowa 20
Kansas St. vs. No. 18 Nebraska
No. 2 - Perhaps the most meaningful game west of the Mississippi, the winner of this Big 12 North division game will most likely get the chance to knock off Oklahoma in the conference's championship game.
Don't be fooled by Kansas State's unranked status. Its three losses have come when it was without multi-threat quarterback Ell Roberson. The Wildcats lost to Marshall, at Texas and at Oklahoma State by a total of 11 points.
Kansas St. 24, Nebraska 21
No. 18 - Darren Sproles of Kansas State is playing like the man he was hyped to be at the beginning of the season, and Roberson also is on top of his game.
Nebraska isn't a great team this season, but Frank Solich probably did enough to keep his job.
Nebraska senior quarterback Jammal Lord has done everything for this team this season, but he can't beat a team that is this good by himself.
Kansas State 39, Nebraska 15
