Big Ten football picks - Shull's Selections Week #10

The Big Ten Football season continues this weekend with 5 more conference match-ups and a single non-conference game. This weekend features Indiana @ Minnesota, Penn State @ #17 Wisconsin, Northwestern @ Iowa, Purdue @ Michigan State, #1 Ohio State @ Illinois, and Ball State @ #2 Michigan. As always, look to Big Ten Fans for your updated Big Ten football scores andstandings throughout the weekend.

Coming into Week #10 Shull's Selections are 19-1 on the season.

Ball State @ #2 Michigan

Ball State Cardinals 3-6 (3-3 MAC) @ Michigan Wolverines 9-0 (6-0) - 12 pm

Last week I picked the Wolverines to win a game with less points than most expected. Never would I have guessed 17-3 would be the final tally in their win over Northwestern. This week I do not think Michigan will show all they have; in fact I think they will keep some plays to themselves in the coming weeks prior to OSU. Michigan wins easily, but does not cover the 34 point spread thanks the Ball State offense and the QB tandem of Nate Davis and Joey Lynch.

Shull's Selection: Michigan 37 - Ball State 13

Indiana @ Minnesota

Indiana Hoosiers 5-4 (3-2) @ Minnesota Golden Gophers 3-6 (0-5) - 12 pm

The Hoosiers come in riding a 46-21 victory over Michigan State which led to the firing of MSU coach John L. Smith. However, in our weekly "Pick the Underdog" contest, IU is listed as a 7-point underdog @ Minnesota. Someone got it wrong in Vegas. The Hoosiers win again and get their 4th win in 5 games as they become bowl-eligible in 2006.

Shull's Selection: Indiana 34 - Minnesota 20

Penn State @ #17 Wisconsin

Penn State Nittany Lions 6-3 (4-2) @ Wisconsin Badgers 8-1 (5-1) - 12 pm

Penn State's record against unranked teams is now 6-0. Their record against teams ranked in the Top 25 is 0-3. Wisconsin is ranked #17 right now, but they are not on the same level as the teams Penn State has lost to this season; #1 Ohio State, #2 Michigan and #10 Notre Dame. So who will win this game? I am giving the edge to the experienced coaching staff over the up-and-coming rookie coach.

Shull's Selection: Penn State 16 - Wisconsin 14

Nortwestern @ Iowa

Northwestern Wildcats 2-7 (0-5) @ Iowa Hawkeyes 6-3 (2-3) - 12:10 pm

The Hawkeyes bounced back nicely with a 24-14 win last week without Drew Tate. The defense hounded NIU QB Phil Horvath all day and kept Garrett Wolfe in check. Northwestern does not have the offense to match-up with their in-state rival, Northern Illinois, let alone Iowa.

Shull's Selection: Iowa 31 - Northwestern 13

Purdue @ Michigan State

Purdue Boilermakers 5-4 (2-3) @ Michigan State 4-5 (1-4) - 3:30 pm

While I may be 19-1 in 3 weeks of making picks for Big Ten Fans, few games are as tough to call as this one. While I think Purdue is better on paper and should take this one, the firing of coach John L. Smith at MSU will surely play a part. I expect we will see Michigan State do one of two things. Play hard the remainder of the season and end 6-6 and in a bowl game, or completely flop to a 5-7 or 4-8 final record. While I do not have a ton of faith in this pick, I think we will see the Spartans come out inspired to win for their coach and take both this game and next week at home to become bowl-eligible.

Shull's Selection: Michigan State 31 - Purdue 28

#1 Ohio State @ Illinois

Ohio State Buckeyes 9-0 (5-0) @ Illinois Fighting Illini 2-7 (1-4) - 3:30 pm

Blowout. Buckeyes win. Man, was that a tough pick or what?

Shull's Selection: Ohio State 44 - Illinois 6

Shull's Selections Bonus Pick:

Miami RedHawks @ Western Michigan

Miami RedHawks 1-8 (1-4 MAC) @ Western Michigan Broncos 6-2 (4-1 MAC)

The bonus pick this week was a tough decision. Ohio plays @ Eastern Michigan and it should be an easy pick to pad my stats, but I have had Ohio on as the bonus pick the last two weeks. Bowling Green is @ Akron, but both teams have ben underachievers this season and BG is coming off a loss @ Temple. So they do not deserve any added attention.

The bonus pick this week is Western Michigan vs. Miami (Ohio). Shane Montgomery, the coach at Miami, has somehow allowed the MAC's winningest and most consistent program to hit rock bottom. I expect we will see the Broncos and their balanced attack take this game easily.

Shull's Selection: Western Michigan 27 - Miami 16