Last Week: Another big win over a solid opponent as the Buckeyes defeat the Cornhuskers. I would still like to see the defense play a complete game but I will enjoy this win. In a week of very intriguing match-ups on our pick list, our staff predictions were pretty accurate overall, certainly better than the GameDay crew and Darius Rucker. But that never surprises us. When the dust settled, Pia Pete has the lead as we close in on the mid-point of the season. My son Josh actually went 5-0 (there will be no living with him now), so he is coming back for another week to see if this was fluke.
This Week: The Buckeyes hit the road for the second time this season as they head to Bloomington to face the Hoosiers. OSU has won 17 straight against Indiana and has not lost in Bloomington since 1988. If the Bucks do what they are capable of doing, they should have no problem making it 18 in a row ... Iowa State has started out a quiet 4-1 but do they have enough to defeat Kansas State who has now worked their way near the top of the polls. This would be a big road win for the Wildcats ... Texas and Oklahoma once again meet in their annual rivalry, but is there really much excitement generated in this match-up anymore? Will the same thing happen to OSU-Michigan with the new divisional alignment in the Big Ten? Both teams can score, this one might truly turn into a 'shootout' ... One of the surprise teams this year has been Notre Dame. Most had them back on the map, but no one had them undefeated and top five this quickly. The way they are playing right now, all the sudden their schedule looks doable. This week they do have another solid challenge as Stanford travels to South Bend. An Irish win will keep them in the national title hunt ... LSU is not the same team that played for the national championship last year and they now have a loss. This will make them a spoiler team the rest of the year. South Carolina comes to Baton Rouge this week, and will need a win to stay in the title hunt.
Here are our Week 7 Picks - Good Luck to All - Gregg 
2012
Record
Ohio State @
Indiana
Bbaver: Pick: OSU – If there was any doubt, there is no longer; Braxton has progressed into a superstar. Bucks will be tough to beat from here on out, but still may play to their level of competition at times, meaning this week could be closer than most expect.
Bucks 37 Hoosiers 20
Gregg: Last year Indiana jumped to a 10-0 lead as OSU struggled to find it's way on offense. Unfortunately the Buckeyes have suffered that same pattern this season. Hopefully they will start better this week and put a full game together. Miller should have a great game, and this should be a time he can throw downfield a bit more. Urban Meyer said in his press conference this week he planned to play Kenny Guiton some as well. I think the Buckeyes are not taking this game lightly and will have a dominating victory.
Joe-S-U: OSU over Indiana- It's time to start working on developing depth. Guiton, Rod Smith and the backup O-line guys need
to get a solid number of reps. Ohio State is WAY overdue for a first-quarter offensive explosion. The Big Ten Network is
hoping it doesn't happen Saturday night
Dr. Mark: Osu by17 should win by more but I feels small letdown early. Bucks should be able to run well
PJSBuck: How about that Nebraska game? Still celebrating but time to move on. CAUTION: This game will require the use of a program or roster for OSU as a LOT of new faces and numbers will be playing Saturday night. Indiana football is just off of life-support but
still in the ICU. For a while last week they gave Sparty all they could handle but Indiana’s proverbial Achilles’ heel, DEFENSE, let
MSU get back in the game and win it. IU is really a home game for Ohio State. I have never seen actual numbers but I would
guess realistically that OSU probably has 20,000-25,000 fans attend games in Bloomington. The Hoosier defense couldn’t stop
a group of senior citizens from leaving their tour bus from the Home. Hmmm.. let me see; no defense against our offense?
Prediction: Ohio State 54 Indiana 13 (and the 13 is GENEROUS) with a lot of new faces and numbers.
Pia Pete: Memorial Stadium will be a beautiful Scarlet and Gray instead of Crimson and Cream.
OSU 48 - IU 13
Rick: Goal one, no major injuries. Goal two, keep improving each week. This game is in a great place in the schedule.
After two quality opponents, OSU should have a fun game this week in a big win.
Steven: If this game were against any other team in the B1G, OSU could be primed for a letdown. Who knows, they still may be.
It will be tough to match the intensity of the Nebraska game, but it should take little more than a pedestrian effort to defeat the Hoosiers. Let’s just hope the players can get up for this one even with 50% of what they had last week. Even if the offense
pulls back a bit, expect a few more picks for the secondary this week which should offset any letdown. OSU rolls 41-21.
Guest Picker - Josh Watson: An exciting match up! Game of the week!!! If this were basketball, the former comments would be true. Ohio State will come into this one excited from its win this past week, and will be ready to play against an Indiana team who is tougher than its record shows. I think the first quarter will once again prove to be a slow start for Ohio State, as Meyer will try to let the team be carried by someone else than Miller, but come the second quarter, get ready to see scores. Our defense will come off a strong, and will prove something to not only themselves but the nay-sayers. This game will be under the lights, and under the radar as the Big Ten Network will carry this one, but be sure to watch all 60 minutes. And, lets hope the Buckeyes can play all 60 minutes as well.
Ohio State - 43 Indiana - 18
FINAL: Ohio State 52 Indiana 49
(7-0) (2-4)
Kansas State @ Iowa State
Bbaver: Pick: Kansas State – Cyclones will come to play and could pull the upset here.
Gregg: As much as I want to call the upset here, I have to go with Kansas State. We do have the Cyclones to blame for our SEC
match-up in the championship game last year when they upset Oklahoma State last year. Before that, Iowa State had lost
11 straight home games against ranked opponents, not sure they have enough to do that again. They have beat Iowa this
year, but who is impressed by that. They did knock TCU from the unbeaten ranks last week but the Horned Frogs had to
go without their starting quarterback. Iowa State puts up a fight but comes up short in the end.
Joe-S-U: Iowa State over Kansas State- ISU has lost the last four games in this series by eight points or less each time and are due. The 'Cats are working on a dream season, yes, but might they be looking ahead to their trip to Morgantown next week? Who in the world would've thought that Kansas State/West Virginia would be a contest that "Gameday" might visit?
They may still pack and go there, but I'll say Iowa St. pulls the upset.
Dr. Mark: K state by 14 both sides of ball playing well
PJSBuck: Should be another fun game for college football addicts. I think K-State is on a mission, even with ISU at home.
Prediction: Kansas State 45 Iowa State 35.
Pia Pete: K-State is clearly the better team but they better not sleep on ISU.
KSU 35 - ISU 27
Rick: I think K-State will continue on their roll. I am lead to believe Iowa State can pull off upsets, just not this weekend.
Steven: Can Iowa State follow up their win last week at TCU with a huge upset over the #6 ranked Kansas State Wildcats? Keep an eye on the Cyclone rush defense. If they can stop Wildcat RB John Hubert, they have a chance. Unfortunately for Iowa State, Hubert isn’t the only one they need to keep an eye on. Wildcat QB Collin Klein is rushing for almost much as Hubert is. It will be a two headed monster for Iowa State to defend, and in the end, the Wildcats should be able to win on the road. As an aside, I’d like to say
something about KSU coach Bill Snyder. As a fan of college football, you just have to tip your cap to coach Snyder,
and how he can positively impact a program. KSU 42-28.
Guest Picker - Josh Watson: This week is a good week to be red! Unless you are Indiana or Iowa State. Kansas will come into this
game, and Colin Klein will zigzag around the Cyclones defense. Kansas State will have something to prove after being jumped
by West Virginia, and might be looking ahead to that game next week. This one will be close at the start, both offenses
will struggle to find their rhythm as Iowa State tries to boast its home field advantage, but will fall short into the end.
Kansas State - 45 Iowa State - 24
FINAL: Kansas State 27 Iowa State 21
(6-0) (4-2)
Texas vs. Oklahoma
Bbaver: Pick: Oklahoma – Sooners back on right track? Should be a good one.
Gregg: For much of the 2000's, this was one of the bigger games of the year, every year. As the Longhorns have been down the last couple of years, Oklahoma took advantage of the situation and dominated the match-up. Now the Longhorns are on their way back
and the Sooners may be falling back a bit, but I think they will still have enough to take care of business one more year.
Joe-S-U: Oklahoma over Texas- Don't think it'll quite be the 55-17 beatdown from last year, but Sooners will still prevail
Dr. Mark: Texas by 3 Oklahoma off the radar somewhat from the media this year Texas has played much better I have picked them in each game this year and will stick with them.
PJSBuck: I have to believe the Longhorns will be smarting after the loss to WVU that Texas COULD have won. Oklahoma classically underperforms every year and this game will simply be the next installment. Should be another great game to watch.
Prediction: Texas 45 Oklahoma 41.
Pia Pete: Does the Red River Shootout mean anything anymore? Let's hope this doesn't happen to OSU and TBGUN.
Texas 36 - OU 31
Rick: I have to go with the better defense in the Sooners. Both teams will score, but I just see the Sooners D
holding them to enough points to get the win.
Steven: A lot of the traditional powers got a lot of hype in the form of top tier rankings early this year. As we’ve seen, rankings from preseason to about week 5 are generally worthless. Such is the case with Oklahoma. Whether it is not living up to expectations or
the fact that they may not be all that good, Oklahoma ranking was, as we have seen, a bit off. Much can be attributed to injuries
along the line, which has hampered their run game. I’m just not sure Landry Jones can put it all on his shoulders and outshoot
the Longhorns this year. Look for Oklahoma to drop another one, and tumble down the top 25. Texas 38-33.
Guest Picker - Josh Watson: Records and rankings will add hype to this rivalry, but it will not be needed. Both teams will look to prove something in the hunt. Texas will try and win this one and hope for help to win a Big-12 title, and Oklahoma will try and rebound
into the hunt as well, coming off a big win against Texas Tech. The coaches and the rivalry will make this an interesting one,
and true to most games in the Big-12 this season, I am calling a shoot out, but the Sooners are quicker to the draw.
Oklahoma - 38 Texas - 35
FINAL: Oklahoma 63 Texas 21
(4-1) (4-2)
Stanford @ Notre Dame
Bbaver: Pick: Notre Dame – Brian Kelly’s best team too much for the Cardinal.
Gregg: First a question: why is there a town called South Bend and it is in the most northern part of Indiana? As upside down as that sounds so is the college football scene as the Irish are once again on top. Something tells me that if Notre Dame can run the table
the BCS will find a way to get them in the championship game. Stanford may look strong in the Pac 12, but the Irish defense is
too strong for the Cardinal. Notre Dame goes to 6-0 and keeps climbing in the polls.
Joe-S-U: Notre Dame over Stanford- The Cardinal is in for a rude awakening when they face someone that actually
plays defense, unlike their conference. Irish make it four in a row in the series
Dr. Mark: ND playing much better than expected some swagger back. Cardinal suffering post luck letdown.
ND should win at home but I'm going to pick Stanford by 3.
PJSBuck: I think this will be yet another fun game to watch. This game SHOULD have some good fireworks on both sides of the ball.
I think Stanford gives them a run for the money at first but the strong defense of Notre Dame kicks in and the Irish pull away. Prediction: Notre Dame 35 Stanford 24.
Pia Pete: I wonder if the Stanford band is making the trip. I so dearly hope so. (Please refer to #5 and #3 http://bleacherreport.com/articles/347504-top-ten-stanford-marching-bands-most-awkward-moments )
ND 21 - Trees 20
Rick: I like the Fighting Irish at home. I do not think Stanford’s defense will hold the Irish to under 24,
which is what they will need to do to win.
Steven: I’ve been somewhat dismissive of the Irish this year and each time Notre Dame has come through, (and bitten me and my
picks right in the hindquarters). While I’m still not sold on their offense, their defense is for real, (currently ranked 13th in the
nation). Stanford has already shown themselves to be shaky on the road, losing to Washington, (a game they probably
should have won). I’m not sure they can generate enough offense in hostile territory to beat the Domers.
Don’t expect a ton of scoring in this one. Irish 17-10.
Guest Picker - Josh Watson: This is my upset of the week, and pulling for it. As much as I would like to see the break up of the SEC
in the title hunt, I think Notre Dame will face a competitive Stanford. Stanford does not need much to have a fire for this rivalry,
but they are coming in with an upset against USC, and offense that is really finding their identity, and a defense who will be
able to compete against the Notre Dame front line. I am going to call this to be an old school Big Ten battle, or one that I
wish was the case now. Stanford comes in with the win to spoil the National title hopes of Notre Dame and send them
into a mini-spiral as their next foe in waiting will be a hungry Oklahoma. Stanford - 24 Notre Dame - 21
FINAL: Notre Dame 20 Stanford 13
(6-0) (4-2)
South Carolina @ LSU
Bbaver: Pick: LSU – Even if you don’t like the SEC, this is an old school battle of field position,
something I actually enjoy more than a 70-63 game
Gregg: Seems like the ole Ball Coach has it going on and the Hat is struggling. LSU is 10-1 at home
against the Gamecocks but are too strong for the struggling Tigers.
Joe-S-U: South Carolina over LSU- Please, Please, PLEASE put LSU out of my misery. Every time they lose,
they drop about 2 spots, while anyone else drops like a hot rock. Ridiculous...
Dr. Mark: South Carolina by 10 LSU has not looked good to me this year,although they still are better than most-Lattimore
getting stronger-personally would like the old ball coach to run the table-not sure who I'd pick if I had to bet with
Vegas and the spread though.
PJSBuck: Yawn………… Not a fan of the SEC but should be another great game to watch. LSU = no offense
(is Jim Bollman consulting for them?) I think this will be really close and could go into overtime.
Prediction: South Carolina in a perceived upset – Gamecocks 21 Tigers 17.
Pia Pete: Does Spurrier finally have a good team? We will find out this week.
Chickens 27 - Farm Cats 18
Rick: This is my flip of a coin game. I think LSU wins this game in a late touchdown drive.
Steven: While scoring a load against lesser competition, (averaging over 45 points against non-conference competition), against the likes of Idaho, North Texas and Towson, LSU has managed only 18 point combined in two games against SEC competition. Now they
meet another top tier opponent in South Carolina, who is coming off a dismantling of formerly top 5 Georgia. Things ain’t getting
any better for the Tigers. Maybe playing at home can help stop the bleeding. Maybe not. Calling for the shutout.
Gamecocks roll 31-0.
Guest Picker - Josh Watson: LSU at 9 is still too high. Someone please inform me why a one loss LSU is still up here will an undefeated Mississippi State and Ohio remain at the lower end of the top 25? Ok, maybe some bias for the home state, and confusion in the
make up of the SEC, but the SEC West is weak with the exception of Alabama, and the East has two fighters in South Carolina
and Florida. (which play next week for the SEC East Title) Sorry for the rant, but LSU will lose at home, leaving the Mad Hatter
to wonder if there is something in the grass he is eating. South Carolina is hitting great strides and a big win against an
overrated foe in Georgia. Make it two overrated foes in two weeks. South Carolina - 35 LSU - 7
FINAL: LSU 23 South Carolina 21
(6-0) (5-1)
(For Entertainment Purposes Only!)
Click Logo to return to Predictions Home
Bbaver
20 - 10
PJSBuck
20 - 8
Joe-S-U
18 - 12
Pia Pete
22 - 8
Gregg
20 - 10
Buckeye 50 Yard Line
2012 Weekly Picks - Week 7
Steven
21 - 9
Rick
21 - 9
Dr. Mark
21 - 9
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