Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Big Ten football: 3 bold predictions for Week 9 action

By Christopher Mangum

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 15: Donovan Edwards #7 of the Michigan Wolverines runs with the ball and avoids tackles by Curtis Jacobs #23 and Kobe King #41 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half of a college football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 41-17 over the Penn State Nittany Lions. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 15: Donovan Edwards #7 of the Michigan Wolverines runs with the ball and avoids tackles by Curtis Jacobs #23 and Kobe King #41 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half of a college football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 41-17 over the Penn State Nittany Lions. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 22: Mohamed Ibrahim #24 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers scores a touchdown against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first half at Beaver Stadium on October 22, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 22: Mohamed Ibrahim #24 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers scores a touchdown against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first half at Beaver Stadium on October 22, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

1. Rutgers upsets Minnesota

After what I saw from Minnesota football last weekend, I have little faith in the Gophers’ ability to get the job done on either side of the ball. The Gophers got out-schemed by James Franklin last weekend in its 45-17 loss at Penn State and is still missing its starting quarterback, Tanner Morgan.

A one-dimensional offense mixed with decreasing morale could spell disaster this weekend for Minnesota, as Rutgers will come to town. Rutgers just beat Indiana at home and is 4-3 so far this year. The Knights have wins over Temple, Wagner, Boston College, and IU to this point, and I could definitely see a win over Minnesota in the cards to improve to 5-3.

PJ Fleck is a good football coach, but so is Greg Schiano. I think Minnesota is the better squad on paper, but in-game I am not so sure. Ever since Minnesota’s 4-0 start, they have not looked like the same team. Minnesota is riding a three-game conference losing streak into this game, which gives me little faith that the boat is still rowing for Fleck and Co.

The Rutgers offense is pretty bad, and Minnesota has a good defense (or so I thought until the Penn State game), but crazier things have happened. I am a believer in Schiano and Rutgers football, so I will take the Scarlet Knights as a bold prediction to beat Minnesota on the road.

Next. Is Michigan football a contender or pretender?. dark

Home/Big Ten