2009 Week 4 B50 Predictions

Last Week: The staff of Buckeye 50 was back on their game last week, much like our Buckeyes. Both Joe-S-U and Tim pulled off our first 5-0's of the season, and several 4-1 outcomes got us back on track. With his third consecutive 4-1, Rick has the early lead with at 12-3, and Mr Tilton is right behind at 11-4. As I take a sneak peak below at everyone's picks for this week, there is not going to be too much shake-up in our standings as most all the selections are the same. So depending how the games go this week, everyone can really improve their percentages. Of course, with some upsets .....

This Week: The good news is last week the Buckeyes did what they needed to do against Toledo, but they need to keep it up. If they win out, obviously they will win the Big Ten for the 5th straight year. But to get into the National title hunt, they will need to win with style. Illinois has not looked good yet this year but they have had two weeks to prepare for the Buckeyes and the Illini have won 7 of the last 10 games in Columbus going back to 1988. A solid win could bring some additional confidence to the Scarlet & Gray and perhaps prevent the pollsters from dropping us for the third straight week. For our national games, we start on Thursday night as the highly ranked Rebels head to South Carolina to play the Gamecocks. Is Mississippi for real or does Spurrier bring an end to their ride in the top 5. Cal heads to Eugene to take on the Ducks, the Bears have won three in a row and four of the last five. One of the surprise teams of this year is the Miami Hurricanes who already have two wins against ranked teams. Can they get a third victory when they go to Blacksburg to take on an unimpressive Hokie team? For our final game, we look at one of the marquee games in conference this year as Iowa plays Penn State. The Lions will certainly remember the Hawkeye field goal with one second left last year that ended their National title hopes. The way Penn State has been putting up points this year, they may really pile them up in this game.

Here we go - Good Luck to All

2009

Record

Illinois @

Ohio State

(Steven: Well, everyone says that Ron Zook is good for one egregious loss a season. I think he’s gotten that one out of the way. Let’s hope he has another one in him. As of last week, OSU’s defense proved they can get after the quarterback… but how much of that was Toledo’s overmatched line? I’m worried that the success with Toledo, (our aggressiveness coming about one week too late), will lull us into thinking that the blitz is a panacea. As we know, Juice Williams is best when he has the run-pass option. Flushed out of the pocket he becomes much more of a threat. Our best bet is to play our assignments and harass him, but not lose containment. Here’s where a more conservative game plan on D may win the day. OSU 27-24.)

(Gregg: Don't think for a minute this year's team will be thinking about the loss in 2007. Those players are long gone. But I do believe this team will be focused and know the importance of a solid win to start the Big Ten season. Buckeyes in a double digit victory.)

(Pete: The Buckeyes look to be on the right track. Terrelle Pryor is still making poor decisions but the film should be so

obvious as to what need improvement that it hopefully will be a quick fix. The Illini are banged up at almost every

position and might start a running back at the quarterback position. Bucks win big. OSU 30 - Illini 17)

(Rick: OSU will win because of its defense. The defense will give Pryor great field advantage to do his magic.)

(Brent: Pick: OSU - Buckeye defense too much for Juice and company)

(Mark: have to keep the pressure on)

(WINNER : Ohio State)

Mississippi @

S Carolina

(Gregg: I am not sold that Ole Miss is for real , but I am sure they can handle the Gamecocks. Looking forward to watching this one.)

(Pete: The Old Ball Coach seems to have packed it in. I don't give the Gamecocks much of a chance. Rebels 27 - Gamecocks 17 )

(Rick: Personally I think this could be an upset special in the making, but I will go with Mississippi to pull out the win.)

(Mark: on a roll but can they keep it up when they play the usual powers of the SEC)

(Steven: Beats me… This one’s a tossup. Being at home, I think the Gamecocks

keep this one close until the fourth quarter… Ole Miss 33-24.)

(Brent: Pick: Ole Miss - tough one that could go either way)

(WINNER : South Carolina)

California @

Oregon

(Gregg: Cal is the better team, even if this game is in Eugene where the Bears have lost in 7 of their last 8 trips.

USC pays their players and wins the Pac-10 year after year. Oregon is missing the mark as they are

paying their fans? Ducks lose again, punching the opponents players not necessary.)

(Pete: This one will be a dandy. Both teams have envious offensive firepower but I

have to take the team with the least crappy uniform. Bears 42 - Ducks 37)

(Rick: I do not think that this will be an easy Cal win, but they will win. I think Oregon will

count this as a rebuilding year and start looking to next year chances of winning.)

(Steven: I still say that Oregon is a middle of the pack Pac-10 team. Cal wins 28-17.)

(Brent: Pick: Cal - Oregon simply not that good)

(Mark: fun to watch)

(WINNER : Oregon)

Miami @

Va Tech

(Steven: I don’t know if Mississippi is for real, but I’m pretty sure Miami is. As I stated in week one, Miami is on the way back, but they have surprised everyone by returning to the top quicker than many of us predicted. Look for a strong win from Miami 38-21.)

(Rick: After watching the Va Tech against NE some questions come to mind. Who in the world thought Va Tech was a

preseason top 10 team? My next question is, Is NE defense that good or is Va Tech that bad? I think Miami is a

contender that is here to play and Va Tech is a pretender. Miami by 14 points.)

(Pete: Va Tech was less than impressive versus Nebraska last week and Miami looks like they are on the

verge of a return to the top. The Hurricanes can score in a hurry. Miami (Fla) 24 - VaTech (Vir) 13 )

(Gregg: Virginia Tech has dominated this since these two teams defected from the

Big East, but Miami will take this one as I continue to pick the road teams.)

(Brent: Pick: Va Tech - Home field makes the difference)

(Mark: looked great against Ga Tech and FSU)

(WINNER : Virginia Tech)

Iowa @

Penn State

(Rick: There is a reason why it is called Happy Valley. They are happy to start the Big 10 with an easy match up. They are happy that Joe Pa is back on the side lines. They will be happy for a few more weeks, than they will have to change the name to Buckeye Valley. PSU all over the Hawkeyes.)

(Gregg: First true test for the Lions but I think they are the better team. Playing at home, GameDay

will be in Happy Valley, I have to think they win this by at least two TD's. Clark has a big game.)

(Brent: Pick: Penn State - Finally a decent opponent for Nits)

(Pete: This is going to be a beat down. Iowa spoiled Penn State's shot at a National

Title last year and the Lions are out for blood. Not even close. PSU 45 - IU 13)

(Steven: Revenge will be sweet for the Lions. The most complete team in the B11 may score at will in this one. PSU 42-13.)

(WINNER : Iowa)

(For Entertainment Purposes Only!)

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Brent

10 - 5

Joe-S-U

9 - 6

Gregg

8 - 7

Tim

11 - 4

Pete

9 - 6

Dr Mark

10 - 5

Buckeye 50 Yard Line

Weekly Picks - Week 4

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Steven

10 - 5

Rick

12 - 3