Sports Then and Now

Last year Iowa stunned Michigan State with a last second victory.

Heading into Week 9 there are four fairly equal teams topping the Big Ten Conference: Michigan State, Wisconsin, Ohio State and Iowa.

Wisconsin has already passed its biggest tests, getting by Ohio State and Iowa, while losing to Michigan State.

The Badgers only conceivable pitfall could come at Michigan if they forget to play to their full potential.

Michigan State has defeated Wisconsin and faces Iowa this weekend in their last big test. If they win against the Hawkeyes, the rest of their season seems secure.

With a win on Saturday, it is likely Michigan State would capture the Big Ten Conference title outright–– especially since the Spartans do not play Ohio State this season.

Iowa must win this Saturday to remain in the hunt for the Big Ten title.  They have already lost to Wisconsin and cannot afford a loss against Michigan State or later to Ohio State on November 20 .

Both these big-stake games for Iowa will be played at home in Kinnick Stadium.

Ohio State lost to Wisconsin and now must win out including against Iowa on the road on November 20. Formerly ranked No. 1 in the BCS, Ohio State suffered the fate of all teams who have so far been ranked No. 1.

1. Michigan State (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten):

Michigan State heads into Iowa City ranked No. 1 in the Big 10.

Michigan State has ridden the wave so far to stay ahead of the rest of the teams in Big Ten Conference.

The Spartans began their campaign by daring to beat Notre Dame causing their coach to have a heart-attack.

Next as underdogs they beat back Wisconsin in Week 5, and followed that up by hanging on to beat Michigan in Week 6.

They have survived week by week to retain their undefeated status––they need one more big win to retain the inside track to the Big Ten title.

The Spartans will play Iowa on the road in Iowa City this Saturday for all the marbles.

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Zultan - Football Prognosticator Extraordinaire

Zultan suffered an almost  mortal blow this past weekend as he was stampeded by a herd of pesky badgers in Iowa, spending the rest of the weekend picking turf out of his teeth.

To add to his misfortunes, the BCS No. 1 ranked team, the Oklahoma Sooners, also lost.

Luckily, for Iowa, they do not have to worry about that kiss of death––being ranked No. 1 by the BCS Mad Hacker.  I feel for Auburn – well, sort of, but not really.  They are doomed but at least we know that heading into action for Week 9.

When asked last week, 46 of you volunteered to stand in Zultan’s shoes to predict winners starting In Week 10 (next week).  Zultan was touched that so many were willing to take the bullet for the mighty one.  More on that at the end of this article.

In order to test the waters , Zultan has invited a substitute soothsayer to make selections this week. The question is – will the guest prognosticator sent by the football gods be able to discern Zultan’s subtleties in picking winners?

He offers a clue to his identity:

“I am the first great 21st Century Seer, Michel Auguste Dupin. The masses who know of my mental acuity and follow my intricate machinations simply refer to me by my initials; they style me MAD. I think it rather fits, for if you pick against me, surely you must be insane!”

Zultan will allow MAD to make his picks without interruption or ridicule by the Mighty One, although the temptations will be there, rest assured.  The Mad Ones selections will stand as if Zultan made them himself.

Click here to make your picks for Week 9 and see if you can send the “lean and hungry” Mad One back to the bleachers by surpassing him in picking winners.

Only ten of you by-passed Zultan in Week 8 by going 9-1.  These very astute people along with the season-long leaders in outguessing the Mighty One will be listed at the end of this article.

As written by MAD:

Big Ten Game 1: Purdue Boilermakers at Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois has improved their standing significantly since the start of the season.

Purdue (4-3, 2-1) was in the proverbial wrong place at the wrong time last week, getting thumped 49-0 by a hungry Ohio State team at the Horseshoe, a week after the Bucks suffered a stunning upset at the hands of Wisconsin.

Plus, in 2009 the Boilers upended the Buckeyes at home, 26-18. Classic double-whammy––saw this beat down coming from miles away.

While it’s easy to explain Ohio State’s motivations behind the pounding the ‘Makers took last weekend, 49-0 is 49-0. That doesn’t bode well as the Illini (4-3, 2-2) prepare to welcome Purdue to Champaign on Saturday. Illinois defended their house last week to the tune of a 43-13 rout of Indiana.

It’s tough to get worked up about this match up. Beyond the Big Ten rivalry, there is no real enmity here. And it’s not like we’re talking about a pair of traditional football powers.

If you’re a fan of either program and I’ve offended you, in the words of heavy metal band Suicidal Tendencies, “Maybe you need to be offended.” I’m just calling ’em like I see ’em.

In a match up between mediocre teams, momentum and home field advantage are frequently the deciding factors. Each favors the home-standing Illini.

Pick: Illinois

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Upcoming Week 8 is a nightmare for college football prognosticators––as was the previous week. No team can claim invincibility.

Upsets abounded in Week 7 as ranked teams tumbled and fell.

Nebraska stumbled and died at home.  Ohio State blundered on the road.

The Big 12 teams rolled over Mighty Zultan en masse, crushing his chances to come out on top in Week 7.

Hordes of you [22] out-guessed Zultan who may have to go in for rehab very soon. Be sure to click here to make your selections for Week 8 against your weakened Master Soothsayer.

Zultan shall be seeking one of you to fill in for him in Week 10. Details of this aberration as well as a list of those who outguessed the Mighty One will follow at the end of this forecast.

Game #1: (7) Michigan State Spartans at Northwestern Wildcats

Michigan State overcame Illinois in Week 7.

Michigan State, (7-0, 3-0, Big 10) facing Illinois last week, did not swoon after their big upset in Ann Arbor of instate rival Michigan during Week 6.

Early on, it looked like Illinois might have the Spartan’s number, but the Michigan State squad regained their equilibrium and came back strong in the second half to seize the victory 26-6.

Next Saturday No. 7 Michigan State travels to Northwestern (5-1, 1-1, Big 10).

Make no mistake––the Wildcats love to upset highly ranked teams and they are capable of rising up to do just that. Coming off a bye week Northwestern last lost to Purdue 20-17 at home.

Can the Cats do it on Saturday?

No way. The Spartans will continue to climb, remaining undefeated going into Week 9.

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Zultan forecasts Week 7 in college football.

For the first time in his brief career as a college football prognosticator, the Mighty Zultan took a bath in Week 6, dipping under .500.

It was a bad week to pick the supposed favorites. New dogs are barking at the gate––well, some old dogs, too, with new teeth and a gruesome bite. It does not, however, get any easier for your self-proclaimed seer in Week 7.

Needless to say, many people who entered the contest fared better than the befuddled Zultan.

It might prove simpler to list those of you who did worse than the Mighty One––but then, that would not be according to Hoyle.

Those who bested Zultan will be listed at the end of this article. But “down” does not mean “out,” so jump into the fray and make your own picks for Week 7 by clicking here. Zultan, from his less lofty perch, challenges you to try to outguess him again. Here are this week’s games:

Game 1: Arkansas State Red Wolves (2-4) at Indiana Hoosiers (3-2) 12 p.m., ET

Indiana had a bad day Saturday. Welcome to the Club, Hoosiers. We all suffered. Take it in stride and move on! The Hoosiers, whose football prowess typically sparkles on offense met a very good defense when they played Ohio State last Saturday. The best the Hoosiers have met all season.

The Buckeye defense rushed and harassed Indiana QB Ben Chappell into mistakes, causing the Hoosiers to lose big-time on Saturday, 38-10.  But, then, we expected as much.  This Saturday, the Hoosiers will be able to run their offense without so much opposition against the Arkansas State Red Wolves, who sit in the middle of the pack in the Sun Belt Conference.

The Hoosiers will bounce back, winning this game at home in Bloomington.

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Week 6 of College Football - pick the winners of the best match-ups...

Zultan missed two calls during Week 5.

He failed to predict that the Washington Huskies would kick a field goal with no time left on the clock to defeat USC at home in LA Coliseum.

His crystal ball shut down at the end of regulation.

The All-Seeing One also failed to place enough weight on home-field advantage for the Michigan State Spartans who rose up to defeat the Wisconsin Badgers while their coach watched from his hospital bed.

Still Zultan picked 8 of 10 for 80 percent for you math-challenged folks.  There were eight of you who did better at 90 percent––listed at the end of this article.

As we enter Week 6, the contest grows increasingly complex as we head deep into conference play.

Are you ready to throw caution to the wind and challenge Zultan’s predictions for Week 6?

All you have to do is click here to select your own slate of winners and have your name included in next week’s article––as well as being eligible for prizes if you can outguess the Mighty One.

Give the wheel a spin and take your chances––you’ve got nothing to lose.

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Zultan's predictions for Week 5

The Northern Illinois Huskies and the Toledo Rockets derailed Zultan’s perfect 14-0 Week 4.

These MAC teams accomplished what the SEC, PAC 10 and Big East conferences could not––confound the All-Seeing One by bringing out previously hidden talent to overrun the supposedly more talent-laden Big Ten teams––Purdue and Minnesota.

But now, as conference play gets underway, the prognostication game grows deadly serious.  There are no more gimmes on the horizon, for all appearances to the contrary. The lop-sided scoring by the top-ranked Big Ten teams over cup-cake opponents is over. This begins the run for conference titles and other guarantees of glory in the post season.

Zultan has never dipped below 500 in his two-year stint forecasting games; but this could be the week.  Don’t miss your opportunity to outguess the Seer of Seers.  Click here to make your own picks for Week 5.  But be warned, Zultan has polished up his crystal ball, tweaking his football radar as he readies himself for that all important first step in Week 5.

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