Last week, I attempted to pick every Big Ten game in Week 3 of the college football season. With the first two conference games of the season and seven nonconference games against FBS opponents (we did not include games vs. FCS schools), that meant nine games to try and precit.
So how did my picks fare? Let’s take a look and see:
UCLA over New Mexico (Friday)
“This is probably UCLA’s best chance to win a game this season. Surely, the Bruins can’t actually go 0-12, right? Right?”
For the second week in a row, I picked UCLA to win, and they lost. For the sake of the people, I think I have to continue picking them, right?
Record: 0-1
Oregon over Northwestern
“This one could get ugly.”
This one did, in fact, get ugly.
Record: 1-1
Alabama over Wisconsin
“I am not sure whether or not Alabama is good. I am fairly confident that Wisconsin is not good.”
Now in year three, the Luke Fickell era in Madison is looking like a massive disappointment.
Record: 2-1
Michigan over Central Michigan
“Michigan gets a much-needed bounce-back win.”
The Wolverines hung 63 points on their in-state foes.
Record: 3-1
USC over Purdue
“The Trojans get their first victory east of Colorado since 2012.”
After a lightning delay that lasted more than three hours, USC finally prevailed.
Record: 4-1
Ohio State over Ohio
“One of the more bizarre traditions in college football is Ohio State fans spelling out O-H-I-O—a.k.a. the name of a MAC school. On Saturday, they will quite literally be spelling out the name of their team’s opponent.”
Ohio State fans continued to spell out the Bobcats’ school name even as the Buckeyes pulled away in the second half.
Record: 5-1
Illinois over Western Michigan
“The Illini continue to inch closer to their September 27 showdown with the Trojans.”
We live in a world where Illinois football drew criticism for their play in a game that they won 38-0.
Record: 6-1
Iowa over UMass
“I really want to pick my home state school here. But I can’t. Hawkeyes win it.”
The state of Massachusetts knows a thing or two about great quarterback play. Iowa does not have that, but they won this game anyway.
Record: 7-1
Cal over Minnesota
“This might be the most underrated matchup of the week. Score one for the old Pac-12. (Gone, but never forgotten)”
Cal football might . . . actually be good?
Overall Record: 8-1
Overall Performance
For the second week in a row, my only incorrect prediction was picking UCLA to beat a Mountain West team. It is not easy sacrificing my otherwise perfect picks, but ensuring that the school in Westwood remains winless is a noble cause that makes it worthwhile.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Adam Bradford’s second look at Big Ten football following Week 3
Reporting by Adam Bradford, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
