My college football picks for Saturday, Oct. 8, were bumped out of the print edition by the White Sox bizarre hiring of Robin Ventura, so I'm posting them here on my Illini blog.
I know many of you have been making some good coin by taking my picks and going the other way, so I don't want to deprive you. I will warn you that I was 6-4 last week. I'll try to do worse this week.
Also, for those of you who got here without seeing my preview of Ohio State-Nebraska, here's the link: http://www.suntimes.com/sports/colleges/8074424-419/ohio-states-season-close-to-falling-off-rails.html
Sadly, the Buckeyes' scandal, the worst thing to hit the Big Ten since Legends and Leaders, has taken the edge off of what might have been a big game.
No. 19 Illinois at Indiana
Time: 1:30 p.m., BTN
The records: Illinois 5-0, 1-0 Big Ten; Indiana 1-4, 0-1
The story line: Coming off big passing day in comeback 38-35 win vs. NU, Illini make first road trip to Indiana, which played Penn State tough in 16-10 loss last week.
The line: Illinois by 14-1/2
Herb Gould's pick: Illinois, 31-13
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Iowa at Penn State
Time: 2:30 p.m., Ch. 7??
The records: Iowa 3-1, 0-0 Big Ten; Penn State 4-1, 1-0
The story line: Penn State, still befuddled on offense, tries to defend home field vs. Hawkeyes, who are coming off a bye. Iowa has won eight of last 10 meetings.
The line: Penn State by 4
Gould's pick: Iowa, 20-17
Minnesota at at Purdue
Time: 11 a.m., ESPN
The records: Minnesota 1-4, 0-1 Big Ten; Purdue 2-2, 0-0
The story line: Struggling Boilers' Big Ten opener might be their best chance for a conference win. That's also true for Gophers, drilled 58-0 at Michigan last week.
The line: Purdue by 10-1/2
Gould's pick: Purdue, 31-17
No. 17 Florida at No. 1 LSU
Time: 2:30 p.m., Ch. 2
The records: Florida 4-1, 2-1 SEC; LSU 5-0, 2-0
The story line: Talk about Death Valley. True freshman Florida QB Jeff Driskel steps in for injured John Brantley. The unbeaten Tigers won't be sympathetic.
The line: LSU by 13-1/2
Gould's pick: LSU, 30-10
No. 15 Auburn at No. 10 Arkansas
Time: 6 p.m., ESPN
The records: Auburn 4-1, 2-0 SEC; Arkansas 4-1, 0-1
The story line: Coming off a big comeback win vs. Texas A&M, Arkansas tries to keep it going vs. intriguing Auburn, which won at upset at South Carolina last week.
The line: Arkansas by 10
Gould's pick: Arkansas, 38-21
No. 3 Oklahoma vs. No. 11 Texas, at Dallas
Time: 11 a.m., Ch. 7??
The records: Oklahoma 4-0, 1-0 Big 12; Texas 4-0, 1-0
The story line: If Texas really is back, this Red Rivalry is the Longhorns' chance to prove it. From Big Ten perspective, a Sooner defeat would enhance Wisconsin's BCS title-game chances.
The line: Oklahoma by 10
Gould's pick: Oklahoma, 30-17
Missouri at No. 20 Kansas State
Time: 2:30 p.m., TV??
The records: Missouri 2-2, 0-1 Big 12; Kansas State 4-0, 1-0
The story line: After rough rides at Arizona State and Oklahoma, Missouri faces another tough road trip to unbeaten Kansas State, which has handled Baylor and Miami the last two weeks.
The line: Missouri by 3
Gould's pick: Kansas State, 30-28
No. 22 Arizona State at Utah
Time: 2:30 p.m., TV??
The records: ASU 4-1, 2-0 Pac-12; Utah 2-2, 0-2
The story line: Is it time for the Utes to notch their first Pac-12 conference win? Maybe not, if QB Jordan Wynn (shoulder) is hurting. Sun Devils can seize Pac-12 South by the throat with a win.
The line: ASU by 3
Gould's pick: ASU, 34-21
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Ohio State at No. 14 Nebraska
Time: 7 p.m., Ch. 7
The records: Ohio State 3-2, 0-1 Big Ten; Nebraska 4-1, 0-1
The line: Nebraska by 10
Gould's pick: Nebraska, 31-10
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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