While the Pigskin Prognosticators try to figure out the best method for stopping Minnesota's ground game, which is ranked third in the nation, they predict who will win some of this weekend's big games. Crone (10-10) and Uncle Joey (12-8) ended up backing different teams in each game this weekend, so these results will be key in the race for prognosticating glory.
MSU (3-3 overall, 2-1 conference) vs. No. 19 Minnesota (5-1, 2-1)
Crone - Halfway through the season, the Spartans are a disappointing .500, but now they have the chance to prove themselves against the best in the Big Ten. The next four teams on MSU's schedule are ranked - although No. 25 Ohio State might not be when the Spartans play them. If MSU is going to have either a winning or a .500 season, they must beat the Golden Gophers on Saturday.
My girlfriend and I were right again last week, picking MSU to beat Illinois. But we had a war of words over who would win the game this week. She says Minnesota, but I say MSU. So, we'll settle this with a point spread - which is 9.5. We'll take Minnesota, but I'll take the points for half a win.
Minnesota 30, MSU 24
Uncle Joey - The offense must carry MSU if it is to beat Minnesota. Asking the Spartans' defense to stop the Gophers' running backs is too much. It will be a heck of an accomplishment if the defense holds Marion Barber III and Laurence Maroney to about 200 yards combined. If Barber and Maroney explode for 300 yards or more - which I'm predicting - the offense will have to score at least 35 points to keep up.
It's a good thing Drew Stanton has been looking like a "real guy" lately. (Short explanation: Head coach John L. Smith loves to describe exceptional performances by saying, "He was looking like a real guy out there, wasn't he?") It's hard to tell which is more valuable to MSU right now - Stanton's leadership or the variety of ways that he can dismantle a defense. Stanton is rolling and he should impress the Homecoming crowd.
MSU 41, Minnesota 38
No. 6 Virginia (5-0, 2-0) vs. No. 7 Florida State (4-1, 2-1)
Crone - Florida State vs. Virginia conjures up thoughts of one of the great games in NCAA football history, when former Seminoles running back Warrick Dunn came up half a yard short in 1995, and Bobby Bowden's boys lost 33-28 to the Cavaliers. It was Florida State's first-ever loss in Atlantic Coast Conference play.
Virginia once again is trying to unseat the Seminoles in the 2004 ACC race, but this year they also are trying to keep pace with No. 3 Miami (4-0, 2-0), who joined the conference this season. The Seminoles already were beaten by the Hurricanes, so they need to win this game. But Florida State is playing on the road.
Virginia 33, Florida State 28
Uncle Joey - I just can't pick a team quarterbacked by Chris Rix. I mean, is there a worse ? wait a minute, Rix isn't playing this week. In fact, this will be the third start for Wyatt Sexton, who has replaced the injured Rix. Sexton has been decent as Rix's replacement.
Virginia gained some credibility with its win against Clemson last week and a win against Florida State would give the Cavaliers the inside track for the ACC championship. But Virginia isn't ready to beat the Seminoles on the road, especially since Rix won't be in the game to ruin his team's chances.
Florida State 24, Virginia 21
No. 5 Purdue (5-0, 2-0) vs. No. 10 Wisconsin (6-0, 3-0)
Crone - I picked Wisconsin to win the Big Ten and I'm not going to change that now. The Badgers are the best defensive team in the conference and they are going to be a stiff test for the Purdue offense.
Penn State already showed the rest of the Big Ten something, when they held the Boilermakers to 20 points last game. Wisconsin will take note and better that effort.
Running back Anthony Davis will have a big day and the Badgers will march on with their second big win in as many weeks.
Wisconsin 20, Purdue 17
Uncle Joey - Purdue's offense finally hit a stumbling block last week, only beating Penn State 20-13. The Boilermakers' point total of 20 was by far its lowest of the season; the previous low was 38 against Illinois. But two important factors contributed to Purdue's slow offense.
One, Penn State has one of the conference's best defenses.
Two, it was a road game. Winning Big Ten games on the road is no joke and I'm sure the Boilermakers were just happy to leave Penn State with a win.
That said, Wisconsin travels to West Lafayette for this game. A tough back like Davis is a great asset in a road game of this magnitude, but he won't be able to carry his team to a win. Purdue quarterback Kyle Orton will regain his Heisman form in this one.
Purdue 31, Wisconsin 27
