Week 7 Picks--That was interesting

Iowa Hawkeyes @ Michigan Wolverines

Gomer: The book on stopping Denard Robinson is out... make him pass. Hopefully this doesn't turn into Juice Williams where everyone talks about how bad a passer he is all year long and then he throw's 4 TD's against the Buckeyes. Iowa is fresh off of a bye week and should have no problem dominating the Wolverines this week. Iowa: 28--UM: 7

Chief: This one is a layup. The Wolverines ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE! The defense is atrocious and the offense is completely dependent on Denard Robinson. Robinson is no leader and will soon lose his team as he trumpets his own praise more than anyone. I know Pryor is central to the Bucks, but there is still talent around him...not in Ann Arbor. Captain America (Ricky Stanzi) will bring a win back to the heartland. "If you don't love it, leave it. USA number 1!!" Iowa: 38--UM: 17

Texas Longhorns @ Nebraska Cornhuskers

Gomer: Nebraska's Taylor Martinez is going to make the Heisman race very interesting after another strong performance against the Longhorns. Texas hasn't impressed me whenever I've had the chance to watch. The real question is whether Mack Brown sees the writing on the wall, or wants to wait around for the Longhorns to reload.

Chief: Here's the coveted rematch of last year's nailbiter of a Big 12 Championship. Unfortunately, for the Longhorns, Colt is about to be killed in Pittsburgh. The Huskers defense lost a step with the loss of Suh, but the emergence of Martinez and the resurgence of the option attack in Lincoln keep the excitement high. Texas is a shell of what they've been in the last ten or so years. It will take time to get back. UT is falling away and Neb is on the rise...just in time to join the Big Ten. UT: 13--Neb: 27

Arkansas Razorbacks @ Auburn Tigers

Gomer: Look for Ryan Mallett to (re) jump start his Heisman campaign with this game. This has the potential to be a MUCH better game than Ohio State - Wisconsin, but I know I've had enough SEC shoved down my throat by ESPN and CBS in recent weeks. Newton and the Auburn offense will have the home crowd behind them as the Razorbacks manage to pull the upset. Ark: 33--AU: 30

Chief: Second best game of the week. Auburn has been the 'an ugly win is still a win team' which is well and good...so long as you never lose. Arkansas has ridden Mallet to a near upset of Bama and a win over UGA (yawn). I do like Cam Newton in Auburn but they certainly leave a lot to be desired...on the road. With the game in Jordan-Hare, I give the edge to the Tigers. Remember, they beat the Gamecocks at home who then went on the upset Bama. Ark: 24--Aub: 27

Illini Fighting Illini @ Michigan State Spartans

Gomer: The Spartans are ripe for an upset coming off a HUGE, third straight, win, over their arch-nemesis, the University of Michigan. The Illini are coming off a big win at Penn State and have looked strong, even in the loss to the Bucks a couple weeks ago. MSU is a superior team, and has superior coaching, Ron Zook... is Ron Zook. There is no reason for Sparty to lose this one, and they won't. UI: 14--MSU: 34

Chief: This is on here as a warning. I was sooooo close to calling the Illinois upset of PSU last week and wish I had pulled the trigger. MSU pulled a huge emotional win on the road over rival UM last week in a game in which Sparty usually chokes. The Spartans are usually good for half a year then reality sets in. I believe Dantonio has this team far more focused than in the past. Illinois could have snuck this one if they hadn't woken up the green and white by smashing PSU in Happy Valley. MSU keeps it rolling at home, but it will be close. Ill: 17--MSU: 26

The Ohio State University Buckeyes @ Wisconsin Badgers

Gomer: Here comes 7-0. People who are picking the upset just don't get it. Ohio State is the class of the Big Ten, everybody. It isn't even close. The Badgers used to be a thorn in the side of Jim Tressel, but ever since Barry Alvarez left the Badgers, it hasn't been much of an issue. To make this almost certain victory a reality, the Buckeyes must establish the run, and hopefully they will. OSU: 28--UW: 13

Chief: The game of the week is in Madison. Wisconsin had a nice performance against the hapless Gophers but the defense was spotty. The Bucks put together what I considered to be their most complete performance of the year against the Hoosiers. I know it was IU but they're better than most people think (6-6 or 7-5). OSU showed a little problem on the road as the playcalling was super conservative, but I haven't seen anything from the Badger defense that concerns me. Bullets stuff John Clay for 85 yrds and the Bucks exit Madison for Pryor's second win in Camp Randall. OSU: 31--Wisc: 20

Other Games to Pick

OrSt @ Wash--Gomer: Wash Chief: Wash

BC @ FSU--Gomer: FSU Chief: FSU

ArkSt @ Ind--Gomer: Ind Chief: Ind

Minn @ Pur--Gomer: Pur Chief: Pur

EMU @ Ball--Gomer: Ball Chief: Ball

MissSt @ UF--Gomer: UF Chief: MissSt

OkSt @ TT--Gomer: OkSt Chief: OkSt

Grading the Buckeyes Week 6--Indiana

Another game vs. the Hoosiers, another Buckeye win. This might have been the most complete, dominant game by this Buckeye team yet. Very few mistakes and quality football--but it was IU...

Offense: A-
Pryor looked great in the pocket and found the open receiver 9 times out of 10...and they were WIDE OPEN. The run game actually got moving a bit with Boom on the draw as well which is good to see. My favorite part of the gameplan was the move of Brandon Saine to (essentially) a slot receiver. I truly believe that Saine has the better football attributes but he's just not getting it done from running back. He's a steller receiver and showed it this week. I dropped them from an A because of the gameplan. It was blatently clear that Pryor was told running was unacceptable. I understand they wanted to protect him, but he must run next week. Pryor looked great, but some 3rd downs were handed to Pryor on a scramble and he shunned them (definitely called from the coaches). We still converted because IU is awful but take what the defense gives you. Carlos Hyde's fumble at the goalline also hurts, but it was mopup time.

Defense: A-
IU moved the ball very well against the horrid UM defense and they appeared to be pretty solid offensively. This looked like a test for the Bullets after a little shakiness recently, and they took the challenge and blew it up. The defense held the Hoosiers on their side of the field for most of the game, forced turnovers, and totally shut a pretty decent offense down. The secondary played well with a few picks and the pressure worked out well. The garbage TD was a little ugly, but it was backups...but they are still part of the defense.

Special Teams: A-
Nothing heard which makes it a good day. Some will complain about the FG block but I put that on the coaches. No reason to try a 53 yd FG with a kicker who has already shown he can't get the ball up high enough for the bombs. Tough task to ask a freshman kicker to kick a 50+ yarder for his 1st and 2nd attempts. Coverage team looked great, return game was pretty good, and the punting game was very good.

Coaching: B+
I went a little lower because of the FG call...still think that was stupid. Loved the playcalling. Perhaps Tressel read my recommendation of 70-30 passing/running breakdown and he took it to heart. The run blocking is still weak but the draw play worked well (since they can just tell the line it's a pass--o-lineman aren't too bright). Pass blocking, QB vision, WR routes, and RB blocking was excellent (I know it was IU) so utilize it. I wish they let Pryor run a little. IU gave it to him and he didn't take it. I respect keeping him healthy, but he needs to run next week.