Week 7: Games of the Week

For the first time this season, the Big Ten is firmly the focus of the country when it comes to college football. This weekend features big match-ups that will play a major part in the battle for the conference championship. While there are some good games outside of the midwest, the vast majority of them are right here in "Big Ten Country."

Best Non-Big Ten Game!

Arkansas @ Auburn

The matchup between the Hogs and Tigers is by far the best game outside of the Big Ten this weekend. This game has serious SEC West implications, especially after the Alabama loss last weekend. The winner will take a big step towards winning the SEC West, and an Auburn win puts them right in the driver seat to Atlanta.

Boynton's Badgers Prediction:

While Arkansas packs a great offenes, playing at Auburn is a huge difference maker in this game. The Tigers are very strong when playing at home, and already have a win against South Carolina as well. Even though the Razorbacks have played solid this season, the one time they played a team worth a quality win they came up short. Traveling on the road this time means you have to take Auburn. Tigers win a close one...

Upset Alert!

Illinois @ Michigan State

That's right the Spartans are on upset alert. The Illini played a solid game on the road last week against Penn State, and were able to stay in the game with Ohio State the week before. Sparty on the other hand comes off of a huge win against Michigan. The possibility of the Spartans having a let down against Illini is by far not out of the question. Definitely an early upset alert comes Saturday.

Boynton's Badgers Prediction:

While it's rather bold, it by no means should be out of the range of possibility. Expect Michigan State to suffer a letdown against the Illini, and Illinois to keep their hot play going on the road. The Spartan defense has been solid so far this season, but it will be their offense that is tested in this one. Illinois is looking like a very strong defensive football team, and that should allow them to win this one late. Again another close game, and this time Sparty comes up short.

Put Up or Shut Up!

Iowa @ Michigan

In one of the most entertaining games of the day it will be the phenom that is Denard Robinson against the Iowa defense. For the second straight week the Wolverines will be taking on an extremely strong defense, and that spells trouble for a team that looked average at best last weekend. Iowa on the other hand is by no means a offensive power, but their offense is still strong enough to win close games. This is a key matchup for both teams with Michigan looking to avoid going 1-2 in the conference, and Iowa staying on a hot streak heading into next week's battle with the Badgers.

Boynton's Badgers Prediction:

Sorry Michigan farns...the beginning of the season will start looking like an abberation after this week. The Iowa defense will prove to be too strong for the Wolverines, and for the second straight week that will be the major difference maker. Not to mention they will again have problems with their defense against the Iowa offense who will control the ball and grind this game out. Hawkeyes win big.

The Big Show!

Ohio State @ Wisconsin

It's the biggest game of the year. At least if you're a Wisconsin fan, and perhaps if you're a Buckeye fan. Ohio State comes into the game as the number one team in the country, and the Badgers would love for that stint on top to end after one week. This will be an exciting game, and if you're in Camp Randall it will be a wild one.

Boynton's Badgers Prediction:

This game will be close, but that will not work out in the Badgers favor. The Buckeyes are no strangers to close games, and that experience will help them down the stretch. But there are still "x-factors" in this game. One of them is Terrell Pryor. Everybody keeps talking about his performance against Oregon in the Rose Bowl, and last week against Indiana. While they were great performances, one of them took place in January and the other happened against a Indiana defense that could be one of the worst in the country. The other "x-factor" is the Wisconsin fans. This will no doubt be a wild one, and the closer the Badgers are in the game...the louder they will get. While Ohio State will escape Madison with a victory, it will still be close and a couple bounces of the ball could make it a Badger victory.