Big Ten football recap - Week #9

The Big Ten Football season continued this weekend with 5 conference match-ups and a single non-conference game. I was again 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 #9 was again very good to me as I went 7-0 for the second consecutive week to run my season record to 19-1.

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

Indiana 46 - Michigan State 21

In my Week #9 Big Ten football preview I stated that "I think that the problems in Spartanville are too deep to be fixed by one awesome comeback." Boy did the Hoosiers make me look good as Kellen Lewis found James Hardy for 4 of his 5 TD passes and Indiana led the Spartans 46-7 heading into the 4th Quarter.

Shull's Selection was: Indiana 30 - Michigan State 24

#2 Michigan 17 - Northwestern 3

Some may have thought my 31-6 pick on this game was conservative, but looking at the final score of this one makes me seem too agressive. While the rain was a major factor in the lack of offense from both teams, the Michigan defense also forced 5 Northwestern turnovers including 3 INTs as Michigan remained undefeated.

Shull's Selection was: Michigan 31 - Northwestern 6

#17 Wisconsin 30 - Illinois 24

Illinois looked alive in this game, much like their game with Penn State, but yet again did not have enough to get the win. I predicted that "the Badgers will take this game and run their record to 8-1 and 5-1 in the Big Ten," and while the score was a good deal closer than I expected, Wisconsin remains in 3rd place in the Big Ten now at 8-1 overall.

Shull's Selection was: Wisconsin 34 - Illinois 13

Penn State 12 - Purdue 0

Penn State's defense picked off two Curtis Painter passes and held Purdue to just 62 yards rushing as the Nittany Lions shutout Purdue 12-0. My comments in my preview were "Purdue is not ranked and I expect to see the Nittany Lions' defense take care of business in this one."

Shull's Selection was: Penn State 23 - Purdue 7

Iowa 24 - Northern Illinois 14

In my Week #9 Big Ten football preview I stated that Iowa would not be venerable to an upset unless Garrett Wolfe gets back on track. While 84 yards rushing may be good for some running backs, the former Heisman-hopeful can kiss his chances goodbye as the Iowa defense held Wolfe in check and picked off two Phil Horvath passes en route to a 24-14 victory.

Shull's Selection was: Iowa 34 - Northern Illinois 27

#1 Ohio State 44 - Minnesota 0

While turnovers kept the game close in the first half, Ohio State once again proved why they are the #1 team in the nation as they rolled over Minnesota 44-0. The Buckeyes rushed for 266 yards and 4 TDs on the ground as Antonio Pittman led the way with 116 yards on the ground.

Shull's Selection was: Ohio State 38 - Minnesota 3