Looks like my picks got squeezed out of the print edition this week.
Sorry for posting so late, but here they are. . .
Purdue at Penn State
Time: 11 a.m., BTN
The records: Purdue 3-2, 1-0 Big Ten; Penn State 5-1, 2-0
The story line: Boilermakers, 1-5 at Penn State since Nittany Lions joined Big Ten, face rough road vs. offense-challenged Penn State, which is grinding out wins.
The line: Penn State by 12
Gould's pick: Penn State, 24-7
Indiana at No. 4 Wisconsin
Time: 11 a.m., ESPN2
The records: Indiana 1-5, 0-2 Big Ten; Wisconsin 5-0, 1-0
The story line: Indiana, an 83-20 loser at Camp Randall last year, should cut the margin this year. But the rested Badgers will send the league's best offense against a struggling defense.
The line: Wisconsin by 40
Gould's pick: Wisconsin, 56-10
No. 11 Michigan at No. 23 Michigan State
Time: 11 a.m., ESPN
The records: Michigan 6-0, 2-0 Big Ten; Michigan State 4-1, 1-0
The story line: If Brady Hoke can take back the state, it'll be another big step. But this also is a big chance for Spartans, who have a lot of pieces in place.
The line: Michigan State by 2-1/2
Gould's pick: Michigan State, 35-30
Florida at No. 24 Auburn
Time: 6 p.m., ESPN
The records: Florida 4-2, 2-2 SEC; Auburn 4-2, 2-1
The story line: After being stomped by arguably the nation's two best teams, Alabama and LSU, it doesn't lighten up all that much for Florida. And retooling Auburn is better than expected.
The line: Florida by 2
Gould's pick: Auburn, 27-23
No. 6 Oklahoma State at No. 22 Texas
Time: 2:30 p.m., ESPN???
The records: Oklahoma State 5-0, 2-0 Big 12; Texas 4-1, 1-1
The story line: Thorny Cowboys try to hand Longhorns, who were whipped 55-17 by Oklahoma, their second straight loss. Remember, no Big 12 title game means leagues games like this mean a lot.
The line: Oklahoma State by 7-1/2
Gould's pick: Oklahoma State, 38-24
No. 20 Baylor at No. 21 Texas A&M
Time: 11 a.m., FX??
The records: Baylor 4-1, 1-1 Big 12; Texas A&M 3-2, 1-1
The story line: After a tumultuous few weeks, Aggies need to hunker down vs. Baylor--or risk getting burned by explosive Bears QB Robert Griffin III.
The line: Texas A&M by 9
Gould's pick: Texas A&M, 38-34
No. 18 Arizona State at No. 9 Oregon
Time: 9:15 p.m., ESPN
The records: ASU 5-1, 3-0 Pac-12; Oregon 4-1, 2-0
The story line: An upset here would be huge for Arizona State, which doesn't play Stanford in the regular season. Ducks, a little under the radar after LSU loss, again might be the class of the Pac-12.
The line: Oregon by 16
Gould's pick: Oregon, 48-24
No. 7 Stanford at Washington State
Time: 6:30 p.m., Versus??
The records: Stanford 5-0, 3-0 Pac-12; Washington State 3-2, 1-1
The story line: No reason to expect a surprise, but it is a chance to see Heisman candidate Andrew Luck in action--at a decent hour.
The line: Stanford by 20
Gould's pick: Stanford, 42-17
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Ohio State at No. 16 Illinois
Time: 2:30 p.m., Ch. 7
The records: Ohio State 3-3, 0-2 Big Ten; Illinois 6-0, 2-0
The story line:
The line: Illinois by 4
Herb Gould's pick: Illinois, 38-35
LAST WEEK ATS: 7-2
SEASON ATS: 13-6
Herb Gould started with the Sun-Times in 1977 and has covered several teams, including the Blackhawks. He is a long-time beat reporter covering the Fighting Illini and the Big Ten for the Sun-Times.
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