The whispers were almost deafening. Coming into the game, there was talk that Michigan, the team that looked like a high school team last year, would come into play UCLA, the nation’s 4th ranked team, in the 2K Sports Classic Benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer in New York, and win.

And those whispers turned to loud cheers at the end of the game when the Wolverines walked off the floor to “Hail to the Victors” with a broad smile across Coach John Beilein’s face.

Manny Harris scored 15 and hit two huge free throws in the 55-52 shocker in the semifinals of the classic, and now they face Duke–who they will play again in 2 weeks. (Yes, no rest for the weary, apparently) The Wolverines harassed the Bruins to 17 turnovers and Michigan shot over 60 percent in the second half, despite only making 5-20 three pointers all game.

Stu Douglass tallied 10 points for Michigan, which beat a ranked opponent on a neutral court for the first time since 1998. Michigan had lost 12 straight games to ranked teams. It’s also the first win over a top-five team since 1997 when the Wolverines topped Duke. (AP)

Can they do it again? My crystal ball is a little fuzzy, but who cares! Yeah for the Big Ten!

Michigan had a tough year in 2007-08. That in itself is an understatement. Winning just 10 games and only five total in the conference, the team wasn’t expected to put up huge numbers, but not even the most cynical Wolverine fan would have thought it would be this bad. But, chin up, Maize and Blue fans, your team this year is much improved.

Even though U-M lost a bit when defensive stalwart Ekpe Udoh decided to transfer, they have gotten a bit back with newcomer seven footer Ben Cronin. He is obviously still young and needs a lot of work, but he can help down low to give the Wolverines a bit of what Udoh left behind. That, in combination with big-time scorer Manny Harris, DeShawn Sims, and Kelvin Grady putting the ball through the hoop, and you’ve got a team that can be competitive pretty much anywhere.

But is competitive enough? The team didn’t lose much, but will rely its depth upon youth, and with coach John Beilein wanting to push the ball and shoot the three, the Wolverines MUST improve their outside game, where they were utterly horrible last year. Of course, something can be said to the fact that perhaps this horrid shooting was in due part to forced shots due to being behind so much especially late, but still–for his style of play, Michigan has got to get the threes going.

With only winning 10 games last year, the Wolverines are hungry for success, and make no mistake–Harris is a PLAYA and he can win games single-handedly if he needs to at this point. If the Wolverines can score consistently behind someone other than Harris and Sims, look out–this could be the surprise team of the Big Ten. Still, rationally, an NIT berth is a great goal for this team and very realistic.

These are two teams I just don’t get. Michigan has a 3-7 record yet 2 of those wins came against ranked teams and the last win was behind Nick Sheridan, who pretty much has been left at the side of the road for most of the season. It also was on the road against a good Minnesota team.

Northwestern has looked every bit as good as the majority of teams in the conference pretty much game in and game out. They were able to survive their big name QB C.J. Bacher and RB Tyrell Sutton in upsetting Minnesota (notice a theme here?) but then got blown out by Ohio State the next week.

And now, they get Bacher back, but yet Michigan is favored to win this match up of these two mystery teams, and people are betting heavily on the Wolverines. I don’t get it–yes, the Maize and Blue are playing at home, but we’re still talking about a team that, while improved, still is largely erratic. Northwestern hasn’t exactly been the picture of steadiness either, and their offense–which they rely upon the vast majority of time–is still suspect without Sutton. The fact is–without a miracle INT return against the Gophers, they would be on a losing streak on the cusp of this game.

So which teams show up at this game? Is it the improved Wolverines who have a new found “life” with Sheridan at the helm? Or will they fumble around like the letdown against Illinois where they got blown out at the Big House? Will Northwestern jump back on the winning bandwagon with Bacher throwing darts, or will the void of Sutton prove too much for him to handle against a good Michigan defense?

To me, looking at the money being bet on Michigan being favored by a field goal, I just have to look at some different points, and while Michigan COULD have a decent day against a Northwestern defense that is marginal at best, there’s no consistency to assume this will happen; meanwhile, Bacher is the kind of leader who can step up, and coach Pat Fitzgerald is very much some one who can get his team up for this game. I’ll go against the grain and take the Wildcats 21-17.

Justin Siller could not have imagined in his wildest dreams the kind of day he’d have against Michigan. With high profile QB Curtis Painter out with an injury and Purdue’s backup QB out as well, Siller was handed the reigns against a Michigan defense that is definitely above average.

And he shredded them.

Consider Week 10 of Big Ten football the week of the backup. With fill-in Northwestern QB Mike Kafka taking the reigns and awareded the Big Ten player of the week, Siller shared it with him for his performance as well. The sophomore, who started the season as a running back but returned to the quarterback position in mid-October, completed 21-of-34 passes (61.8 percent) for 266 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 77 yards on 15 carries with another score. After the Wolverines tied the score with just over a minute left in the game, Siller led a four-play, 73-yard scoring drive. On second-and-seven at the 32-yard line, he completed a four-yard pass to Greg Orton, who lateraled the ball to Desmond Tardy to scamper the remaining 28 yards for the game-winning score.

The offensive explosion was what coach Joe Tiller had been asking for all season long, and he may have found his man in Siller. It’s been no secret that Tiller has not been happy with Painter as of late, and the job may now just be Siller’s to lose. Stay tuned.

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)

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.