AH week 5 picks: A different opinion about the Michigan State outcome
IOWA CITY, Iowa – This week's picks are in and our panel has a different opinion about Iowa's first Big Ten road game at Michigan State.
Tyler Devine and Dylan Burn pick the Hawkeyes to win on Saturday by margins of one and seven points respectively, while Pat Harty has Michigan State winning by two points.
Harty also picked Iowa to upset Penn State and Iowa State to upset Iowa, so his prediction for a Spartan victory could be good news for the Hawkeyes.
Win or lose, Saturday's game, which starts at 3 p.m., figures to be a tough matchup for Iowa, partly because Michigan State is desperate for a victory under veteran coach Mark Dantonio and is playing at home.
Saturday's game in East Lansing, Mich., will be the first time the teams have faced each other since Michigan State edged Iowa 16-13 in the 2015 Big Ten championship game.
There weren't a lot of intriguing games this week, which helps to explain why Nebraska's epic battle against Illinois made the list.
Pat Harty
Michigan State 22, Iowa 20: Given my recent track with making predictions, Iowa fans should thank me for this pick. The pick mostly comes down to home-field advantage, Michigan State's running quarterback and the fact that Michigan State is desperate for a win.
Nebraska 14, Illinois 10: This game matches a has been versus a never has been, and I'm going with the has been because the never has been looks horrible this season.
Wisconsin 27, Northwestern 21: Paul Chryst celebrates the victory by acknowledging the greatness of Barry Alvarez, which is the same way Alvarez celebrates the win.
USC 41, Washington State 37: Washington coach Mike Leach is honored at halftime for being the strangest head coach from a Power 5 conference.
Georgia 24, Tennessee 21: The Bulldogs move another step closer to having a chance to lose to Alabama in the SEC title game.
Last week: 3-2
Overall: 13-7
Tyler Devine
Iowa 7, Michigan State 6: Even though it’s a low-scoring affair, Michigan State scores more points than times Mark Dantonio smiles in a year.
Nebraska 27, Illinois 13: After the loss, Lovie Smith suggests that Illinois’ football program get the death penalty to put it out of its misery.
Wisconsin 34, Northwestern 31: If this were decided by a fist fight between head coaches, I think Northwestern wins. But they have to play the game. Badgers over Nerds.
Washington State 52, Southern Cal 49: For the second week in a row, I’m picking another upset. I’ll probably be wrong again but what’s the fun in always being right?
Georgia 21, Tennessee 20: Tennessee is as good at holding leads as I am at dunking a basketball.
Last week: 2-3
Overall: 12-8
Dylan Burn
Iowa 27 Michigan State 20: Not sure why Sparty is a 3.5 point favorite in this game. They got waxed by a Brian Kelly coached team last week at home and I think the Hawkeyes put a similar hurting on the Spartans Saturday. They make it close late, but Iowa controls it from the start.
Nebraska 20 Illinois 14: Talk about an underwhelming Big stem matchup on a Friday night. Illinois isn't very good and neither is Nebraska. However, I think the Huskers sneak one out just days after firing their AD.
Wisconsin 28 Northwestern 20: This one will go a long way in the Big Ten West. Badgers are favored at home and they should be, they're the better team. Spread is 15, but I think Northwestern covers that, but still takes the L in Madison.
Washington State 44 USC 40: This might be the best game of the weekend and it could be Mike Leach back on the National Map. USC barely snuck past an iffy Texas team and Wazzu looks strong. Give me Leach and the gang to pull the upset.
Georgia 30 Tennessee 17: Georgia thumped Mississippi State last week and I'm just not high on the Volunteers. The Bulldogs are playing about as well as anyone, too. Bulldogs with the W.
Last week: 2-3
Overall: 10-5