BuckeyeGrove.com - Weekend Forecast

October 30, 2009

Staff
Staff

This weekend may be a down weekend in the Big Ten with few big-time matchups but that doesn't mean the nation is without great games. The Big XII and the Pac 10 both have marquee matchups set to go this weekend and with the games that we have selected there should be some disagreement between the experts as the race is still wide open with more than a month of games left to be played.

Purdue vs. Wisconsin

Kevin Noon (19-13): This one is a tough one for me to pick because I felt at the start of the year that Purdue was going to have a better season than Wisconsin and then six games into the season things were turned upside down. Of course now it would be easy to pick the Boilermakers because of their success against Ohio State coupled with a big win last weekend as well. The Badgers may or may not have Garrett Graham for the game and while one player is not the lynch pin of their game plan (in most cases) I just have not been impressed with Wisconsin at all this season. Purdue 27 Wisconsin 17

Ari Wasserman (23-9): I have always been someone who tries to give credit where credit is due, which is why I have been impressed with how Purdue has responded to early adversity. After the big upset of Ohio State two weeks ago, the Boilermakers knocked off a struggling Illinois team to advance the Big Ten winning streak to two and put itself in the middle of the conference standings. However, Purdue isn't exactly the mold of consistency and traveling to Wisconsin isn't easy for anyone. The Badgers are looking to rebound from a mid-season slump and the Boilermakers are the perfect remedy. Wisconsin 24 Purdue 10

Brian Snow (23-9): The Boilermakers are a team that is on a roll right now after beating Ohio State and Illinois. However now they are going to try to do something that they haven't done in a while, win on the road in the conference. Wisconsin will have John Clay and their physical running game ready in Madison, and that will probably be too much. The Badgers aren't a team that beats themselves, and Purdue has been very generous all season with turnovers. Those turnovers will prove to be the difference as Wisconsin rolls to a victory. Wisconsin 27 Purdue 17

Andy McLachlan (22-10): The only time I ever thought I would see Purdue in the forecast is when they face the Buckeyes but somehow the Boilermakers have found a way to sneak back in. On a two game winning streak, Purdue is making a late run at bowl eligibility and based on the rest of their schedule, they got a great shot at it. Like clockwork, the Badgers are right on time for their late season collapse. Not many can defeat Wisky in Madison but Joey Elliott and Purdue are playing possessed. Purdue 26 Wisconsin 21

Texas vs. Oklahoma State

Noon: Texas has been dominant in all of it's non Big XII South games and that should have been expected. But in two divisional games the margin of victory has been a combined total of 13 points including a three point win over Oklahoma. Of course that really shouldn't mean a whole lot going against a team that now knows it will have to go the rest of the way without its top receiver. But this series as of late has not been as much about logic with the Pokes having held leads late in the last two games. Is the third time going to be the charm? Nope. Texas 37 Oklahoma State 35

Wasserman: It finally looks like it is Texas' year to get to the BCS National Championship game, but this weekend is the toughest remaining road block aside from the Big XII Championship game. Oklahoma State has proven to be a pretty tough opponent this year, but the Longhorns have been very impressive this year and Colt McCoy hasn't even hit his stride. As much as I would like to think this will be a close game, all indication is pointing in the direction of another Texas win. Texas 34 Oklahoma State 17

Snow: The NCAA recently confirmed a moronic ruling that suspended Dez Bryant for the season for not being 100 percent truthful with them, and that is something that really hurts the Oklahoma State offense going against a very strong Longhorn defense. Texas is playing as well as anyone in the country, and that isn't good news for the Cowboys. Look for Colt McCoy and company to be solid on offense, and the Longhorns to dominate on defense. Texas 30 Oklahoma State 10

McLachlan: Despite their undefeated season, Texas has been an absolute disappointment. It could be that this average Longhorn squad is finally getting exposed despite their record. They have talent and have found ways to win but appear to be far inferior to the likes of USC, Florida and Alabama. The Cowboys officially lost Dez Bryant for the year but still have talented weapons to compliment Zac Robinson. Texas tends to slip up on the road and Stillwater is a hostile environment. Oklahoma State 31 Texas 24.

USC vs. Oregon

Noon: This game matches two top-ten teams but even with the billing it isn't as big as people thought it might be going into the season. USC has done what it takes every week but one and the same can be said for the Ducks. Matt Barkley has grown up from being a 18-year old kid to being a pretty good young quarterback while the Ducks have rebounded nicely from a brutal loss to Boise State to start the season. Right now it feels as if Oregon is holding the mojo going into this game and it is always tough to play at Autzen stadium but this is USC that we are talking about. USC 24 Oregon 21

Wasserman: This pick is one of the tougher ones we have had to try and pick this season, and I have to be honest when I say this is a toss up. Oregon looked pretty bad early but are playing lights out right now and USC continues to play with consistency despite not being as talented as past Trojan teams. It is always hard to pick against USC regardless of the situation, and since they are 3-point favorites in the game I don't think I will deviate from that plan this time around. However, I wouldn't be surprised if I was wrong. USC 10 Oregon 7

Snow: The Oregon Ducks have been rolling ever since their season opener against Boise State where they looked anemic at best. Now the Ducks face off against the USC Trojans in a game that should be for Pac-10 bragging rights. Matt Barkley and the Trojan offense has been showing some great strides recently. Now they just need the defense to get back to being at least mildly effective after two consecutive weeks of just being torched. Oregon is a very solid squad, and they will make this interesting, but in the end USC will keep their national title hopes alive. USC 27 Oregon 21

McLachlan: A game many have anticipated for weeks. USC is on the tail end of their gruesome road schedule that has led them to Columbus, Seattle, Berkeley, South Bend and now Eugene. Despite their shocking loss to the Huskies, it is amazing they only have one loss their road tests. Oregon is considered one of the best teams in the country at this point and with a victory over the Trojans, they will have the Pac-10 title basically wrapped up and will be a serious BCS title contender. Matt Barkley is improving and USC tends to get up for these games but Oregon is just playing too good. Oregon 38 USC 20.

Ohio State vs. New Mexico State

Noon: Usually I try to write about three or four paragraphs talking about the matchup with the whys and why nots and all of that good stuff. There really isn't any reason to do so for this matchup.

New Mexico State will get a chance to travel across the country, enjoy a plane ride, see some rain in the Shoe and go home with a nice check for playing the role of sacrificial lamb here in week nine of the season.

Ohio State will not allow NMSU to cross the 50 as long as it doesn't turn the ball over in that territory. Ohio State 48 New Mexico State 0

Wasserman: Here at BuckeyeGrove.com we get kind of competitive when it comes to records of the "Weekend Forecast," but fortunately for all four of us, I don't think there is an easier game this week to call straight up. Though I am surprised that Ohio State is favored by as much as 45 points some places, I don't see how there is any way the Buckeyes could lose this game.

Though the Buckeyes are pretty banged up in a lot of different areas due to injury, Jim Tressel said he is coming out with guns blazing and everyone that's ready or cleared to play will. While it may seem like the perfect opportunity to get some other players reps - though they probably will - Ohio State is coming out and going for the jugular early.

To me, this is the perfect opportunity to install some new things into the offense and allow Terrelle Pryor to get some meaningful reps on some timing routes. We all know how much Tressel loves to talk about the detriment of turnovers, but this game should be different due to an early cushion the Buckeyes should have. That being said, he should be comfortable trying new things out and seeing what his team can do without having to worry about turning the ball over. Regardless of how Tressel plans on managing this game, it shouldn't even be close. However, I don't think Ohio State covers the spread. Ohio State 45 New Mexico State 6

Snow: The Ohio State Buckeyes have a bye week where you have to sweat this week. As bad as OSU is capable of playing at times, it simply won't matter. There is just no way on earth that New Mexico State can even make this game close, let alone actually win.

Look for the defensive line to dominate behind the strong play of Cameron Heyward and Thaddeus Gibson. Also it is tough to imagine the New Mexico State wide receivers really doing much to challenge the OSU defensive backs.

While the Buckeyes say they will come out focused and ready, it is tough to battle human nature on this one as they know they are a 40 plus point favorite. Look for it to be a bit sloppy early on, but once it gets rolling, it isn't going to be pretty. Ohio State 48 New Mexico State 6

McLachlan: A glorified bye-week? A scrimmage game? A chance for the reserves to get some playing time? No matter how you want to word it, Ohio State really has no business playing an opponent like New Mexico State. This game will give the Buckeyes offense another chance to boost their self-esteem and put up monster numbers.

Like past weeks, the defense will set the tone early with turnovers and three-and-outs. Field position will work in the favor of the offense, giving Terrelle Pryor excellent opportunities. The Pryor-to-DeVier Posey connection worked last week and will continue to develop against the Aggies. Also look for Dane Sanzenbacher to have a big day through the air as well.

Will Pryor make it to halftime? Doubtful. This game will be over early and by a lot. Fortunately for the Aggies, Coach Tressel will call off the dogs before it reaches 100. Ohio State 49 New Mexico State 3

FEATURED PRODUCT