Hawk Fanatic week 12 predictions
IOWA CITY, Iowa – The resurgent Iowa football team has to defeat Nebraska on Friday to win the Big Ten West Division for the second year in a row, while Rob Howe is clinging to a one-pick lead in the Hawk Fanatic predictions contest.
We stayed in the Big Ten Conference for all five games this week, including, of course, the showdown in Columbus, Ohio between Ohio State and Michigan.
The winner of that game would win the Big Ten East Division and would face Iowa in the Big Ten Championship game should Iowa defeat Nebraska on Friday.
Iowa has won the last seven games against the Cornhuskers, but the last four have been decided by seven or fewer points.
So, you should never assume victory.
But with it being Senior Day for Iowa on Friday, and with so much on the line, it’s reasonable to think that the Iowa players won’t take Nebraska lightly.
Pat Harty’s picks
Iowa 24, Nebraska 9: I had to consider where Nebraska was as a program before making this prediction.
Ohio State 28, Michigan 21: Jim Harbaugh blames the loss on the Michigan tunnel.
Minnesota 20, Wisconsin 17: Gopher running back Mohamed Ibrahim will set an NCAA record with 75 carries.
Purdue 34, Indiana 33: I’m thinking Charlie Jones will transfer to Indiana right before kickoff because he wants to show NFL scouts what he can do for a team with a losing record.
Illinois 23, Northwestern 10: The Wildcats will finish the season undefeated in Ireland and winless in the United States.
Last week: 4-1
Overall: 35-20
Dallas Jones’s picks
Nebraska 17, Iowa 20: Nebraska would love to play spoiler, but they aren’t winning inbred trenches.
Michigan 24, Ohio State 21: The rematch is here!
Minnesota 23, Wisconsin 14: Stinky game of the week.
Purdue 27, Indiana 17: Another stat pad opportunity for Charlie Jones.
Illinois 17, Northwestern 9: Stinky game of the week part two.
Last week: 3-2
Overall: 34-21
Rob Howe’s picks
Iowa 27, Nebraska 10: Will there be a field storm? Not often you clinch a championship at home, even if it’s against the crappy Huskers.
Ohio State 34, Michigan 27: Born on third base, Ryan Day heads home while flipping-off Jim Harbaugh.
Wisconsin 13, Minnesota 10: Like Iowa, the Badgers gain two turnovers late to beat Minnesota despite Mo Ibrahim gaining 300 yards on 60 carries.
Purdue 38, Indiana 20: It’s been basketball season in Bloomington since early September.
Illinois 24, Northwestern 13: Who else wants to see Bret Bielema doused at the Mayo Bowl?
Last week: 4-1
Overall: 36-19