Big Ten picks rewind: Week 6

Big Ten Blog

October, 13, 2009

Oct 13

9:00

AM ET

By Adam Rittenberg

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Week 6 didn't feature many surprises on the field or with the picks. I redeemed myself a bit with a 6-1 mark, but the one miss was a very bad one.

Let's take a look back.

Purdue at Minnesota

The pick: Minnesota 28, Purdue 24
Actual score: Minnesota 35, Purdue 20
20-20 hindsight: I was right about DeLeon Eskridge rushing for two touchdowns, but Gophers wideout Eric Decker had a quiet day as Minnesota attempted only nine passes. Purdue blew another early lead and couldn't overcome a series of major mistakes as the Boilers dropped their fifth straight.

Miami (Ohio) at Northwestern

The pick: Northwestern 31, Miami (Ohio) 17
Actual score: Northwestern 16, Miami (Ohio) 6
20-20 hindsight: As expected, Miami gave the ball away quite a bit. I correctly predicted Wildcats cornerback Sherrick McManis would make plays, but Northwestern couldn't get its run game going despite 41 attempts and several combinations on the offensive line.

Eastern Illinois at Penn State

The pick: Penn State 41, Eastern Illinois 10
Actual score: Penn State 52, Eastern Illinois 3
20-20 hindsight: Lions defensive tackle Jared Odrick answered my call with a dominant performance (3.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks). Stephfon Green contributed 58 rush yards and a touchdown in limited action, but Jake Christensen didn't throw a touchdown for EIU.

Michigan State at Illinois

The pick: Michigan State 31, Illinois 23
Actual score: Michigan State 24, Illinois 14
20-20 hindsight: I expected more fight from the Illini, who fell behind 24-0 on their home field. Spartans running back Larry Caper ran for only one touchdown, not two, and quarterback Eddie McGee really struggled for Illinois.

Wisconsin at Ohio State

The pick: Ohio State 24, Wisconsin 17
Actual score: Ohio State 31, Wisconsin 13
20-20 hindsight: My score prediction could have been right on the money had Wisconsin limited its major mistakes in the game. Running backs John Clay (Wisconsin) and Brandon Saine (Ohio State) both ended up with quiet performances, and it was Ohio State's defense, not Wisconsin's, which turned out to be the opportunistic unit.

Indiana at Virginia

The pick: Indiana 20, Virginia 17
Actual score: Virginia 47, Indiana 7
20-20 hindsight: Can we forget this pick even happened? Indiana certainly would like to forget the game. The Hoosiers' senior defensive ends couldn't get to Virginia quarterback Jameel Sewell, who passed for 308 yards and a touchdown and rushed for another score as the Cavaliers rolled.

Michigan at Iowa

The pick: Iowa 26, Michigan 21
Actual score: Iowa 30, Michigan 28
20-20 hindsight: I was right about Michigan ending Iowa's streak of no rushing touchdowns allowed. The Wolverines recorded three rushing scores in the game. As predicted, Iowa's Ricky Stanzi turned in a strong second half as Iowa held on at home.

Week 6 record: 6-1

Season record: 37-14 (.725)

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