2009 Week 10 B50 Predictions

Last Week: Steven basically had the OSU game pegged with his comments and score prediction. After the first 9 weeks, he also owns the best record as well at 31-14. Maybe the depth of his predictions is part of the reason, I guess we will see if anyone else follows suit. The Buckeyes have had just as much success as Mr. Smith the past two weeks. The 45-0 win over Aggies looks good on paper but more important, what does it mean moving into the toughest November yet for the Scarlet & Gray under Tressel. A sweep in November and all will be forgotten concerning the unexpected loss to Purdue and we will find ourselves back in the top ten again.

This Week: Penn State will easily prove to be the toughest opponent the Buckeyes have faced in 2009. Their non-conference schedule was not that impressive, but the Lion defense is. It is the tops in the nation. The only loss this year was to #4 ranked Iowa. Ohio State's defense should be up for the challenge, the winner of this game will likely be decided based on how the Bucks take care of things when they have the ball. The big game in the SEC will be LSU at Alabama. The winner will likely play Florida for the SEC championship, and a spot in the title game if you listen to most. Turning to the Big 12, Oklahoma and Nebraska square off in what used to be a huge rivalry. Now with the invention of conference championship's and larger tv contracts, these two teams don't even play each other every year. I am sure the rivalry will renew this Saturday. In the ACC, Georgia Tech finds themselves as top dogs now that Virginia Tech has stumbled. They take on Wake Forest this week, and possibly set up a division championship next week against .... Duke? Where has the ACC gone this year? Finally, in a battle of independents, the Fighting Irish will take on Navy. Last year, the Midshipmen broke a long drought against Notre Dame, can they do it again this year in South Bend?

Here we go, Good Luck to All - Gregg

2009

Record

Ohio State @

Penn State

(Pete: The only chance the Buckeyes have in this one is if the defense can get points off turnovers. Bucks fall hard. PSU 35 - OSU 7)

(Gregg: The Bucks have not had any breaks go their way, including losing our field goal kicker last week. Hopefully, the breaks will

fall our way and Ohio State can repeat the taste of victory they enjoyed in their last trip to Happy Valley. The Bucks win by 3.)

(Steven: The only question that needs to be answered is whether the running game can overcome the deficiencies of

the offensive line. If OSU can overcome themselves, they will have to do it quickly. Coming out of the gates strong

will be key to taking Penn State and their fans out of their rhythm. Secondly, whether it is working in the first

quarter or not, we must keep pounding the ball on the ground. I really believe that the Purdue game was winnable,

but our play calling fed straight into the defense’s hands when we didn’t work to establish the run. This offensive

line has shown it can improve as the game goes on, and our depth at running back helps keep the defense honest.

The more run, the less negative plays from the QB position. I know we can win… will we? If we do, we win out,

if not, I can see us dropping them all. Confidence is key. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen it. OSU gets rattled,

can’t hit a field goal and loses a heartbreaker 24-21.)

(Joe-S-U: Penn State over Ohio State- I have loads of faith in our defense, but I just get the feel that Terrelle is

going to try TOO hard to win this one. With Pettrey out, Tress will probably retreat further into his conservative

shell. I hope I'm wrong about this pick. Nothing unusual for me to be wrong- just ask my wife sometime.)

(Rick: I will have to go against the home team and go with OSU in a defensive battle. Being OSU

has one of the best defenses in the country, I will take them to win by a touchdown.)

(Dr. Mark: Mack Brown just said Pryor will win a national championship---- 2 years to go)

(Tim: As Earle says: "October is for Pretenders, November is for Contenders"!)

(Brent: Pick: PSU - Soft zone defense and Pryor turnovers do OSU in)

RESULTS : Ohio State 24 Penn State 7

(8-2, 5-1) (8-2, 4-2)

LSU @

Alabama

(Steven: LSU isn’t as good as their record suggests, and should have a tough time beating a solid Crimson Tide team. ‘Bama,

while possibly not quite living up to their number 2/3 ranking, has an excellent shot to win the SEC. They will have to win the

West first and that starts this week with LSU. Despite all the hype of the wide open SEC, the top teams are grinding out wins

this year, reliant more upon stout defenses rather than flashy, stretch-the-field offenses. Nick Saban’s team epitomizes this

philosophy. ‘Bama’s offense may not be great, but their defense is the real deal. Expect a hard-nosed effort from both

teams, with the tougher defense winning the day. Tide wins, (but may not roll) 23-20.)

(Joe-S-U: 'Bama over LSU- Vern Lundquist and Gary Danielson are the most sickening college football announcing team

on television. They'll have to put aside their Tebow slurping for one weekend to call this one, but no matter how

it plays out they'll spend the day pointing out how Florida would've done it better.)

(Rick: Lucky for Bama this is a home game. I think because of the home crowd, Bama wins by 7 points.)

(Pete: No one's talking about LSU this year and at 7-1 they are in this thing

just as much as anyone. Still going with 'Bama. Tide 24 - Tigger 21)

(Gregg: The Tigers have been pretenders all year. Alabama will expose them

in their final tune-up before the SEC championship battle with the Gators)

(Brent: Pick: Alabama - Tide stakes claim as best team in the land)

(Dr. Mark: Tigers seem to have lost their swagger and killer instinct)

RESULTS : Alabama 24 LSU 15

(9-0, 6-0) (7-2, 4-2)

Oklahoma @

Nebraska

(Joe-S-U: Oklahoma over Nebraska- I know Buckeye fans don't want to do it, but even with all the eggs Ohio State has laid over the past few years, just stop and REALLY think about it- don't you think a Nebraska fan wouldn't trade places with you in a heartbeat?)

(Pete: OU's in a heap of trouble...oh wait..they're playing the Cornhole-huskers. Stoops Troops 24 - High Fructose Corn Syrup 17)

(Rick: At the beginning of the season I would have went with OU to roll all over the Huskers, but now if Nebraska can

hold onto the ball, it could be a good game. As much as I hate to do this, I will have to go with OU by 3.)

(Steven: A Nebraska win would have been a upset at the beginning of the year, but without Sam Bradford, Oklahoma is

brought back down to earth. Even with Bradford coming back, it was clear to start the season that the Sooners were

not going to be the same team this year. They, like a lot of teams around the nation, are in a bit of a rebuilding mode.

Bradford’s loss, (a direct product of the Sooners young, inexperienced O-line) makes them vulnerable to the Huskers

this year. Look for Nebraska’s defense to harass Landry Jones and stymie the Sooners. Huskers win 33-13.)

(Gregg: Nebraska has lost two at home already and I think they get their third this week at the hands of the Sooners)

(Dr. Mark: Oklahoma still don’t think Nebraska is back to the big time)

(Brent: Pick: OU - Sooners best 3 loss team in the land)

RESULTS : Nebraska 10 Oklahoma 3

(6-3, 3-2) (5-4, 3-2)

Navy @

Notre Dame

(Steven: Navy had their shot at the big upset with their strong performance against the Buckeyes. They provided the

perfect foil against an aggressive defense. They will need to pull from the same well of misdirection to beat the Irish.

Like the Bucks, I don’t see a tremendous amount of progress from the Irish this year. They pretty much are what

they are. Fortunately for them, they are still better than the Middies, and are at home. Irish cruise 37-14.)

(Joe-S-U: Notre Dame over Navy- Every time I open up Phil Steele's magazine, I still laugh at the preseason #7 ranking

he gave the Irish. He's a master of spin to make himself look good, but there's no dancing around that stupid pick.)

(Rick: Looks like Notre Dame should have an easy win, but I think the Navy will surprise them and win by 3.)

(Dr. Mark: Jimmy Clausen finally playing with confidence Will be rooting for Navy though. Don’t Like Weis much)

(Pete: Sorry Navy, it ain't happening. Clausen looks to be NFL ready. ND 35 - Navy 17)

(Gregg: I think Navy has a great chance to win this and I hope the do. But I predict

the Irish will do just enough to win yet another close one in the end.)

(Brent: Pick: Notre Dame - With or without Clausen, ND gets it done)

RESULTS : Navy 23 Notre Dame 21

(7-3) (6-3)

Wake Forest @

Georgia Tech

(Steven: Wake, despite their 4-5 record, is not a weak team by any means. Each of their losses have been by a touchdown or less, except for a shellacking at the hands of Clemson. I expect this one to be close as well. Aw heck, who am I kidding? Tech is scoring an average of 37 a game and Wake is giving up 23 a game. A two touchdown differential right there seems just about right. GT 28-14.)

(Rick: Georgia Tech has made a believer out of me, they will roll over Wake Forest.)

(Joe-S-U: Georgia Tech over Wake- If Riley Skinner hasn't shaken off the concussion,

the Ramblin' Wreck may ramble away with this one pretty easily)

(Brent: Pick: Georgia Tech - Jackets will be tough for years as long as they hold onto Coach Johnson)

(Pete: Tech continues to surprise the nation and keep their championship hopes alive. GT 25 - WF 16)

(Gregg: Tech too much for the Demons )

RESULTS : Georgia Tech 30 Wake Forest 27 (OT)

(9-1, 6-1) (4-6, 2-4)

(For Entertainment Purposes Only!)

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