Big Ten Bloggers Pick’em: Week 11

The last time we saw our hero he was trapped in a battle of wits with an inanimate standard piece of silver stamped by government authority and used as a medium of exchange and measure of value. Let's see how he did.

Last week
Me: (3-2)
THE quarter (2-3)

Ha! So I'm one game better than the statistical mean, God I'm proud. Let's move on to Week 11, shall we?

11) Ohio State at (24) Northwestern

Northwestern needed a deflected ball and the ensuing 48-yard interception return to beat Minnesota last week as Ohio State watched from the comfort of their living rooms due to a bye week. The Wildcats get back starting QB C.J. Bacher but lose backup running back Omar Conteh to a knee injury. Conteh was starting in place of Tyrell Sutton who was lost for the regular season with a dislocated wrist. The Buckeyes still have slim hopes of a Big Ten title and something to prove after losing to our beloved Nittany Lions.
TNL's Trooper: THE osu
THE quarter's pick: THE osu

Wisconsin at Indiana
Wisconsin lost a last second heart-breaker to Michigan State last week when Spartan kicker Brett Swenson kicked a 44-yard field goal with 7 seconds remaining for the victory. At 4-5 the Badgers are still playing for a bowl berth and it's very attainable with games against Indiana and Cal Poly sandwiched around a bigger game against Minnesota. Indiana… they're just playing to end the season.
TNL's Trooper: Badger, Badger, Badger, Badger, Badger, Badger, Badger, Badger, Badger, Badger, Badger, Badger, mushroom, mushROOM!
THE quarter's pick: Indiana

Purdue at (18) Michigan State
Both teams are coming off thrilling last second victories: Michigan State a last second field goal in a game they trailed the entire day and Purdue a last second hook and lateral at Michigan's expense. *snicker* Unfortunately, Michigan State is playing for an outright Big Ten title and Purdue is playing for… well… I don't know what Purdue's motivation is… ice cream maybe?!
TNL's Trooper: Michigan State
THE quarter's pick: Purdue

Michigan at Minnesota
Well isn't this interesting the last game (Purdue vs Mich State) was a battle of teams that won last second thrillers and here's a matchup of teams that lost last second thrillers. Michigan is prone to turnovers (10^th in Conf. turnover margin) and Minnesota is a bunch of opportunistic little varmints (1^st in Conf. Turnover margin). Everything points to a Minnesota victory, Michigan has a horrible offense and Minnesota at 7-2 is playing for a decent bowl game, but for some reason my gut tells me that A) The Gophers are overrated and B) Michigan is starting to get things together on offense. I hate to say it but I'm going with Michigan.
TNL's Trooper: Michigan
THE quarter's pick: Minnesota

Illinois at Western Michigan
Illinois is coming off a last second victory (there's that phrase again) over Iowa and at 5-4 are looking for a bowl game but Western Michigan is no push-over at 7-2 in the MAC. Having said that, Directional Michigan has no victories of importance and they barely beat Temple 7-3. No need to go any further there's no reason the Fighting Zookers should lose this one.
TNL's Trooper: Illinois
THE quarter's pick: Illinois

(3) Penn State at Iowa
If Iowa can get Shonn Greene going while keeping Evan Royster in check they have a chance to pull the upset. Darryl Clark will be the deciding faction in this game and I think he'll have a big day. It's the last road hurdle for Penn State before returning home to destroy Indiana and take on Michigan State for a chance at the outright Big Ten title and a possible National Championship berth… if they can get by Iowa… and I think they will.
TNL's Trooper: Penn State
THE quarter's pick: Iowa