"The times, they are a changing." Dylan was right on. As soon as we have to start acknowledging Indiana as a threat, it's proof the Big Ten is closer than ever.
Uncle Joey will be looking to ride out last week's success, when he went 3-1. Crone meanwhile, is hoping for a little help from his girlfriend and the Beavers.
Indiana vs. MSU
Crone - OK, so the last three weeks haven't been good with me picking the Spartans (1-2) to win. However, my lovely girlfriend has been right about MSU every week. In week one she predicted a close loss (five points is close), in week two she thought the Spartans would win, but "not a blow out," and last week she said we would lose by a touchdown.
Crazy.
This is not a joke, she is making the pick for me this week. She doesn't predict a score, so I'll do that part. She sees - in her crystal ball - an MSU win. I'll agree with her this week because the other two times I didn't, I was been wrong.
MSU 27, Indiana 23
Uncle Joey - The Spartans need this game if they plan on having a respectable season. Losing to Indiana and falling to 1-3 would send fans, and possibly the team, into panic mode.
Indiana (2-1) isn't the same old Big Ten doormat this season, but that can't be an excuse if the Spartans lose. MSU has a superior defense, capable of containing Indiana's three standout skill players: Quarterback Matt Lovecchio, wide receiver Courtney Roby and running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis.
That leaves it up to the Spartan offense, which is still searching for chemistry and consistent production. Head coach John L. Smith won't say who will start at quarterback, but the way I see it, Drew Stanton is the guy to get the offense in shape. If his knee feels good on game day, I expect him to see significant time and lead MSU to a 1-0 start in the Big Ten.
MSU 20, Indiana 17
No. 18 Michigan vs. Iowa
Crone - U-M (2-1) doesn't lose at home - fact. Except two years ago when Iowa spanked them in the Big House. I'd like to say, for this season, I never jumped on the "Iowa will win because they are a program now" bandwagon.
I don't like what I've seen from the kids in Ann Arbor, but they start at home and I think they will wake up against a horrible Iowa offense. The Hawkeyes (2-1) gained only 100 total yards at Arizona St. last week. You have to be kidding me.
Maybe they should try throwing a piece of corn instead of a football.
U-M 35, Iowa 7
Uncle Joey - Don't be fooled by U-M's last two games. This team is still good enough to challenge for its second straight Big Ten championship. True, the running game is still a concern and quarterback Chad Henne's youth could still be a factor. But the strength of the Wolverines is its defense, which is good enough to keep the team competitive against almost anybody.
Iowa is coming of a 44-7 blowout loss to No. 22 Arizona St. The Hawkeyes are dead last in total offense among Big Ten teams. Don't expect that trend to change after this weekend.
U-M 31, Iowa 10
No. 22 Arizona St. vs. Oregon St.
Crone - Oregon St. (1-2) has had a tough start with losses to No. 13 Louisiana St. and No. 21 Boise St. both on the road. The Sun Devils squashed Iowa 44-7 last week, making a statement to the country - Iowa is no good. So, what does that mean for Arizona St.?
They lose the next week in their conference opener to Oregon St. - hey, that's life in college football. Orange and black attack puts out the Sun Devils fiery offense.
Oregon St. 38, Arizona St. 32
Uncle Joey - The Sun Devils (3-0) are the popular pick here. Like Crone said, they put it on Iowa last week. Add that to Oregon St.'s losing record and it seems like a no-brainer.
But a quick glance at this week's college football line and you find Arizona St. only a seven and a half point favorite as of Thursday. To someone who often checks the spread, this game has the potential to be decided in the closing seconds, considering the game is at Sun Devil Stadium.
I kind of feel bad for the Beavers. I don't know if they'll ever be able to shake that season-opening loss to LSU in overtime. I'll take the Sun Devils (to cover the spread, too.)
Arizona St. 37, Oregon St. 24
