Big Ten football picks - Shull's Selections Week #12

The Big Ten Football season continues this weekend with 5 more conference match-ups and a single non-conference game. This weekend features Iowa @ Minnesota, Michigan State @ Penn State, Indiana @ Purdue, Illinois @ Northwestern, and Buffalo @ #16 Wisconsin. Oh yeah, there's a game in Columbus this week between #2 Michigan @ #1 Ohio State too.

As always, look to Big Ten Fans for your updated Big Ten football scores andstandings throughout the weekend.

Coming into Week #12 Shull's Selections are 28-6 on the season.

Iowa @ Minnesota

Iowa Hawkeyes 6-5 (2-5) @ Minnesota Golden Gophers 5-6 (2-5) - 12 pm

With all of the expectations coming into 2006 and after the 4-0 start for Iowa, if you would have told me the Hawkeyes would be 2-5 in the Big Ten at this point I would have told you that you were crazy. Well look who the crazy one is. The Hawkeyes have lost 5 of their last 6 conference games, struggling both at home and on the road. With a season finale @ Minnesota the Hawkeyes are looking to finish above .500 while a win for Minnesota means bowl eligibility. With Minnesota's recent offensive spark and Iowa's struggles in the Big Ten all season, I am going to have to go with Minnesota in a close one.

Shull's Selection: Minnesota 31 - Iowa 30

Michigan State @ Penn State

Michigan State Spartans 4-7 (1-6) @ Penn State Nittany Lions 7-4 (4-3) - 12 pm

Penn State has put together a solid year in 2006, but you would never know it thanks to the high expectations of the PSU fans. As they square off with Michigan State, the Nittany Lions will look for their 8th win of the season and to finish the Big Ten season at 5-3. Michigan State had a chance to revive their season and salvage a bowl bid the past two weeks, but instead they continued to roll over and lose. While Penn State's offense will keep this game close, their defense will win it.

Shull's Selection: Penn State 20 - Michigan State 16

Buffalo @ #12 Wisconsin

Buffalo Bulls 2-8 (1-6 MAC) @ Wisconsin Badgers 10-1 (7-1) - 12 pm

Under first-year head coach Bret Bielema, Wisconsin looks to tie a school record with their 11th win of the season. Expect that record to indeed be tied at the end of this one as the Badgers face a team in Buffalo that is still a year or two away from competing in the MAC. Turner Gil has done a good job with the Bulls as they have picked up wins over Temple and Kent State, but Buffalo, even on their best day, does not have the talent to take down the Badgers.

Shull's Selection: Wisconsin 44 - Buffalo 3

Indiana @ Purdue

Indiana Hoosiers 5-6 (3-4) @ Purdue Boilermakers 7-4 (4-3) - 12 pm

After winning 3 of 4 games midseason, the Hoosiers looked like they were on their way to a bowl game for certain. But consecutive losses to Minnesota and Michigan have put their bowl-eligibility in jeopardy with only the rival Boilermakers in the way. Purdue has been solid this season at 7-4 and could win as many as 10 games this season thanks to a 13th regular season game in 2006 @ Hawaii. Purdue has won their last two games while Indiana has lost theirs, so I am sticking with the momentum.

Shull's Selection: Purdue 33 - Indiana 24

Illinois @ Northwestern

Illinois Fighting Illini 2-9 (1-6) @ Northwestern Wildcats 3-8 (1-6) - 1 pm

This is a battle of two teams who are 1-6 in conference play this season. The Illini picked up their win early beating Michigan State while Northwestern defeated Iowa just two weeks ago. The difference in this one will be the Illinois offense which ranks #16 in the nation in rushing. While the game will likely remain close, look for the Fighting Illini to pick up the win.

Shull's Selection: Illinois 27 - Northwestern 17

#2 Michigan @ #1 Ohio State

Michigan Wolverines 11-0 (7-0) @ Ohio State Buckeyes 11-0 (7-0) - 3:30 pm

In the most-hyped game of the century it seems that everyone I hear likes Ohio State in this one. Comments about more talent, better playmakers and stronger coaching are all around wherever I go. It seems a lot of members of the Ohio media and many Buckeye fans are missing the fact that Michigan is pretty darn good too. Both of these teams are obviously having fantastic seasons, but the one I see playing for the National Championship in Arizona is...Michigan.

Shull's Selection: Michigan 27 - Ohio State 23

Shull's Selections Bonus Pick:
There will be no bonus pick this week due to the crazy mid-week schedules for most MAC teams. Akron @ Ohio and CMU @ Northern Illinois were the leading candidates, but I have decided to take the bonus pick off this week.