Big Ten football recap - Week #8

The Big Ten Football season continued this weekend with 5 conference match-ups and a single non-conference game. I was asked by the staff of BigTen-fans.com to provide my "Shull's Selections;" a list of picks for every Big Ten game and a single "bonus" game of regional interest. Week #8 was very good to me as I went 7-0 for the week. Heck, just check out my Penn State/Illinois pick (26-13) vs. the actual final - 26-12.

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

#21 Wisconsin 24 - Purdue 3

In my Week #8 preview I stated that "I am leaning towards the balanced attack of the Wisconsin offense being the difference." While we asked just how good is Wisconsin? on our Big Ten football forum, I think the Badgers gave us a better idea of the answer to that question against Purdue as Wisconsin won 24-3.

Shull's Selection was: Wisconsin 34 - Purdue 27

Michigan State 41 - Northwestern 38

As if the Spartans' season was not odd enough, Michigan State completed the greatest comeback in the history of Division I-A football on Saturday. After trailing 38-3 in the 3rd quarter, the MSU offense and Drew Stanton went on a 38-0 run to win the game 41-38.

Shull's Selection was: Michigan State 27 - Northwestern 13

#1 Ohio State 44 - Indiana 3

Coming into the game the Hoosiers looked like they had an offense that could put up a few points on the #1 Buckeyes. After taking an early 3-0 lead however, the Hoosiers would not add to their side of the scoreboard the rest of the game as Ohio State won easily, 44-3. IU's defense allowed OSU to rack up 540 yards on offense with exacty 270 passing and 270 rushing. IU's Star WR James Hardy had 6 catches for 45 yards, but was held in check by the OSU defense.

Shull's Selection was: Ohio State 41 - Indiana 14

Penn State 26 - Illinois 12

Penn State trailed 9-3 at the half, but outscored the Illini 23-3 in the 2nd half to get the important home win. Illinois racked up 363 total yards compared to just 184 for Penn State's offense, but the Nittany Lion defense held tough to force 4 Illini field goals. My pick for this game was PSU winning 26-13 and the final was PSU winning 26-12.

Shull's Selection was: Penn State 26 - Illinois 13

#2 Michigan 20 - Iowa 6

Michigan's defense dominated Drew Tate & Company and Mike Hart rushed for 126 yards and 2 TDs as the #2 Michigan Wolverines defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 20-6. I was expecting a low-scoring game, but I don't think anyone thought that the Iowa offense would score just 6 points. Michigan's #1 run defense allowed the Hawkeyes just 41 yards rushing as the win vaulted the Wolverines ahead of USC into the #2 spot in the BCS Standings.

Shull's Selection was: Michigan 23 - Iowa 14

Minnesota 10 - North Dakota State 9

In my preview I said that "Hopefully the Golden Gophers are smart enough not to take Division I-AA North Dakota State lightly." Well maybe they didn't take ND State lightly, but if not then the Bison really have some talent. I also said "ND State will keep it fairly close, but the Gopers will prevail" and boy was I right. Minnesota squeaks bye to get the W over ND State 10-9.

Shull's Selection was: Minnesota 34 - North Dakota State 20