Luke Waltons Forehead presented by the Sports Dude.

Well folks, here you have it, another week down and another post to go! It is, yet again, time for the all knowing of know nothings, the wacky, zany and self professed sultan of the sofa, the weekend warrior.

Indiana at MSU

The wheels have come off, the ship is sinking, the season is in the tank, “we are now just playing for pride”, etc. – did I cover them all? It barely seems like yesterday when the Spartans were the toast of the Big Ten, Stanton was on the Heisman watch list and there were talks of Pasadena on our tongues. Unfortunately for the Spartans, the coaching staff got in the way because that blocked kick against Ohio State really was the needle that burst their balloon. John L. Smith himself has decided this week to put duct tape over not only his mouth but his eyes as well because not only can he not afford to say anything stupid he can no longer bare to watch. Place kicking duties have now been given to a walk on, or was that a former member of the band, I can not remember. The only relief in Spartanville this week is the fact that it is clear now Stanton will all but return for his senior season and not bolt after winning the Heisman, that and the fact that this is Indiana, so the Spartans should win easily, right? RIGHT?

MSU 38, Indiana 24

Ohio State at Minnesota

The sweater vest himself puts on a big smile and his fanciest turtle neck from the closest this week, proud to proclaim that his Buckeyes finally have arrived on offense, after putting up over 400 yards this past weekend. Unfortunately for the vest, someone reminds him that it was against Indiana and he should have been able to do that using his marching band and saving his football players.

Minnesota 27, Ohio State 21

U of M at Northwestern

History was made this week in Ann Arbor, not only did Lloyd Carr win his 100th game but the Wolverines finally won two games in a row for the first time this season. Lost in all of this was the simple fact that not only did they do it on the road, they did it in Kinnick Stadium where the Hawkeyes had won 22 straight games. Unfortunately for Lloyd Carr and his band of “what is your name again kid because you were not even on the depth chart at the beginning of the season and now you have to play because of injured starters” players, this is a stadium and team that has not been friendly to U of M in the past and that trend will probably continue this week. Sorry coach, you will get your 101st victory this season, but it has Indiana written all over it, not Northwestern.

Northwestern 42, U of M 35 (get over it, I love them but I can pick against them!)

Purdue at Penn State

Remember when everyone was talking about how great Purdue was going to be this year because they had all these returning players on defense and how they had the easiest schedule in the Big Ten? Yeah, what happened to that? Purdue is going nowhere fast and going to Happy Valley (man, I love that name, I wonder when they are going to change it, it really just doesn’t fit a football town, you know?) is not going to make things easier on Joe Tiller and his over rated bunch. I also remember, when asked at the beginning of the season, one Purdue player saying about the easy schedule something like “Well, maybe it should be the other way around, maybe those teams should be glad they aren’t playing us.” Well, something tells me U of M and Ohio State would love to be playing you right now; they need all the easy victories they can get.

Penn State 31, Purdue 16

Finally, here it is, the moment that you all have been waiting for, bar the windows, put your hands over the children’s eyes, it is time for the:

MOM DO I REALLY HAVE TO WATCH THIS GAME” – Game of the week:

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Florida International Golden Panthers

There is only one reason why I picked this match up - isn’t that about the two longest names for any football teams you have seen? No other reason then that folks and it is my pick so I can do whatever the hell I want!

Florida International Space Station Elite Golden Panthers 124, Middle Tennessee Southern Northwest Blue Raiders 101

New feature here, just some games that I think may be upset specials of the week and they are as follows:

Oklahoma State over Texas
Minnesota over Ohio State
Florida over Georgia

PRO PICK:

Chicago at Detroit

Damn it all to hell, if I pick the Lions does that jinx them and mean they are going to lose? Can you actually believe that this embarrassing game for first place in the J.V. Division known as the NFC North between two 3-3 teams is actually for first place? Can you also believe that it is most likely the most significant game yet played at Ford Field by these Lions of ours? How unbelievable is that crap? Injuries continue to mount for these Lions, as now the best member of their secondary in Dre Bly is out for a few weeks. Luckily for the Lions they are playing against the second coming of Joey Harrington himself, one Kyle Orton, so Bly really should not be needed this week. I think the offense will look better this week and I think the home crowd will give the Lions just enough of a boost to come away with a win.

Detroit 31, Chicago 23

That is all I got here folks so as always please drink you fill as your football away this weekend, but do so safely! Later – the sports dude.