Boo hoo. The Michigan State Spartans lost Drew Neitzel and his All-American status. Can’t you hear the tears flowing from East Lansing?

No, me neither.

Why? Because with so many MSU teams under Tom Izzo who has had so many outstanding players, they don’t rebuild, they reload. And this year is NO different, as the Spartans have a slew of great athletes still there and newcomers that will be able to take on the conference immediately. As far as incumbents go, look no further than Raymar Morgan, who will more than likely be All Big Ten. He will be expected to jump into the leader role now that Neitzel is gone, and he could very well average upwards of 20 a game. Goran Suton is a behemoth down low and will be expected to be the team’s defensive leader in the paint. He’s definitely a force to be reckoned with.

The Spartans do not lack depth at any position, especially at point guard, where the duties will more than likely be shared by Travis Walton and Kalin Lucas. While Lucas is not your prototypical point guard in terms of dishing dimes, he will certainly make defenses extend themselves and open up things down low for Morgan and Suton.  Chris Allen is also a solid 2 and can score in bunches if needed. But perhaps the most intriguing prospect is incoming frosh Delvon Roe, who reminds of Zach Randolph. This banger should be able to get significant playing time and as he gains experience, watch out–he is something special.

Michigan State is ranked highly nation-wise, and they should be; with the depth, coaching, and schedule they have, look for the Spartans to be the class of the Big Ten again this year and to go deep into the NCAA Tournament.

It wasn’t really that surprising to see North Carolina yet again sitting at the top in the preseason poll. What was surprising, though, was Kansas’ tumble in the polls to start the year, going from national champion to #23. Heck, even cinderella from last year, Davidson, is ranked higher.

As far as the Big Ten goes, Michigan State, with great depth but a very challenging nonconference schedule, starts the season as the 7th ranked team, and the upstart Purdue Boilermakers cracked the top 10, which is a coup considering just a few short years ago this program was in disarray. Wisconsin is the other Big Ten team to be ranked, with Bo Ryan’s squad tied with SoCal for #21. Ohio State got almost enough votes to jump in but sits in 27th currently.

I didn’t expect the Big Ten to place many teams in there–although I am pleasantly surprised to see the Boilermakers given that much respect to start the season. The problem I think the league will have again this year is that top to bottom they aren’t that great, and these three teams are top heavy, which could again spell trouble NCAA tourney time when the degree of competition they’ve faced isn’t comparable to conferences like the Big East and ACC. Still, you can’t be too unhappy with two teams in the top ten to start the season.

Here we go……….

Central Michigan (6-2) vs. Indiana (3-5): The Chippewas boast and offense that has put up over 400 yds on average over the last three games. Barring the Northwestern losses of C.J. Bacher and Tyrell Sutton at key times in the game against Indiana, the Hoosiers snuck out of Memorial stadium with a 2 point victory. The Hoosiers have never lost to CMU, and the only times they have won this year are at home. However,  Central Michigan is better than what most people think–I’m taking the Chippewas in a 35-31 barnburner.

Illinois (4-4) vs. Iowa (5-4): The Hawkeyes have only won one game on the road this year, and the Illini have lost only one at home. The Iowa defense has continued to impress and will need every bit of their strengths to try and upend a potent Illinois offense, even though QB Juice Williams has thrown 10 picks this year.  Ricky Stanzi has solidified himself at QB but he faces an Illinois defense that is up and down, so it’s anybody’s guess who shows up. With a bowl bid still on the line for the Illini, I am picking Illinois to outlast the Hawkeyes 24-21.

Northwestern (6-2) vs. Minnesota (7-1): The Gophers are one of the media darlings and have been playing very well in every game, and their defense is a main reason they are where they are. Northwestern has suffered heavy losses offensively and it’s anybody’s guess how they will respond.  Minnesota has won 3 of the last 4 meetings and barely lost last year to the Wildcats 49-48. With Northwestern reeling from injuries, the Gophers will take this one 28-14.

Wisconsin (4-4) vs. Michigan St. (7-2) Sure, Wisconsin beat Illinois for their first Big Ten victory last week, but they barely did it at home and haven’t looked good at all in October. Michigan State continues to roll on after dispatching rival Michigan last week. With the game being played in East Lansing and the Badgers only sporting 1 W on the road, it’s Spartans all the way in this one, 31-17.

Michigan (2-6) vs. Purdue (2-6): Ick. Double ick. Ummm, who’s the better of these also-rans? It’s hard telling. Purdue may be without Curtis Painter and the Wolverines are still trying to find their way offensively. Purdue is a slight favorite in this game, but I won’t be watching the highlights, because it will be very painful to see. Still, I guess I have to pick someone..So I’ll go with the Maize and Blue in a squeaker 15-12. (Yes, that’s right, no TDs)

You have to admit it. Even if you thought that the Buckeyes would beat the Spartans, it would be a close game, that is for sure. With the Spartans rolling over Northwestern last week and Ohio State still not quite clicking on all cylinders, plus the fact that the game was in East Lansing, I honestly thought this would be a game that with Michigan State pulling it off would have shot them towards the top 10 in the country.

But Jim Tressel’s crew would have none of that. In fact, they beat the living crap out of Michigan State and put themselves back on the map as a legitimate national threat. The thing about winning this game is that if the Bucks can end up winning the Big Ten and running the table, they will potentially be in a position for a BCS berth yet again, including the national title game–a la LSU last year who lost early and then made their way into the title game by finishing strong while others fell off the map. The momentum is clearly on the side of this team and basically Penn State stands in their way legitimately to doing just that.

Terrelle Pryor looks every bit of the player that OSU fans thought he would be when he was recruited, and the defense basically locked down a very good Spartan offense and last week made Purdue look pretty terrible offensively. Have they really done much different? Well, the switch to Pryor as the starter has certainly energized them and with Beanie Wells healthy, the Buckeyes are back, folks.

Iowa vs Indiana: Iowa -5

Iowa’s defense has given up 11.2 pts per game this year…Indiana has yet to win ATS this year…Indiana has given up average of 431 ypg on offense last three…The over has hit the last 3 games played between these teams…Iowa has lost 3 in a row by a combined 9 points…Indiana has lost last three by an average of 2 TDs per game…

Michigan vs. Toledo: Michigan -16.5

Illinois vs. Minnesota: Minnesota +12.5

• Golden Gophers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 conference games.
• Golden Gophers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
• Golden Gophers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a S.U. win.
• Golden Gophers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win.
• Golden Gophers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games.
• Fighting Illini are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 conference games.
• Fighting Illini are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
• Fighting Illini are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS win.
• Fighting Illini are 11-4 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.

Purdue vs. Ohio St.: Purdue +19

• Boilermakers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
• Boilermakers are 8-20-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
• Boilermakers are 5-17-1 ATS in their last 23 games following a S.U. loss.
• Buckeyes are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games in October.
• Buckeyes are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
• Buckeyes are 23-8 ATS in their last 31 conference games.
• Buckeyes are 15-7 ATS in their last 22 games following a ATS win.

Michigan St. vs. Northwestern: Northwestern +1

• Spartans are 6-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
• Spartans are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
• Spartans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss.
• Spartans are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after scoring less than 20 points in their previous game.
• Spartans are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
• Wildcats are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a bye week.
• Wildcats are 6-21 ATS in their last 27 games following a S.U. win.

Penn St. vs. Wisconsin: Penn St. -6

• Nittany Lions are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games on turf.
• Nittany Lions are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
• Badgers are 16-5-1 ATS in their last 22 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
• Badgers are 17-8 ATS in their last 25 home games.
• Badgers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall.

Alright, what do we have on tap? Let’s get to it.

Iowa vs. Indiana

Rittenberg: Iowa 24, Indiana 20

Big Tenet says: Iowa 28, Indiana 17

Iowa has lost games it shouldn’t have. Indiana hasn’t looked like itself after the Ball State shellacking. With Shonn Greene, Indiana will have visions of Black and Gold running over it all day.

Michigan vs. Toledo

Rittenberg says: Michigan 30, Toledo 13

Big Tenet says: Michigan 24, Toledo 10

Michigan will definitely be muscling up this week after coach Rich Rodriguez called the team “soft”. After the offense looked solid in the first quarter against Illinois last week, it deflated into nothingness. Not this week against an easier Toledo team.

Illinois vs. Minnesota

Rittenberg says: Illinois 34, Minnesota 24

Big Tenet says: Illinois 28, Minnesota 14

Minnesota certainly is the feel good team of the year at 5-1, but with this game being played in Champaign and Minnesota struggling a bit on offense, the Illini should roll.

Michigan State vs. Northwestern

Rittenberg says: Michigan State 23, Northwestern 21

Big Tenet says: Northwestern 27, Michigan State 20

C.J. Bacher should have a field day against the Spartans who are hurting a bit on defense, and with the Wildcats enjoying their first ranking in a very long time, Northwestern should be able to outlast Javon Ringer to keep atop the Big Ten.

Penn St. vs. Wisconsin

Rittenberg says:Penn St. 30, Wisconsin 24

Big Tenet: Penn St. 28, Wisconsin 21

The Nittany Lions are ranked sixth, and perhaps people will stop saying they don’t deserve the ranking after the win in Madison. Wisconsin is still shell-shocked over its loss to Ohio State, and Penn State’s arsenal proves too much for the Badgers.

Ohio State vs. Purdue

Rittenberg says: Ohio State 34, Purdue 17

Big Tenet says: Ohio State 24 Purdue 14

Purdue continues to struggle on offense (how odd to say!), and Ohio State rolls at the ‘Shoe.

So, one game again separates the expert from ESPN and this lowly blogger. Stay tuned to see what the results are!!