Zultan's Fearless Forecast: Iowa, the Big Ten Closes the Gap

The Iowa Hawkeyes are proving to be Zultan’s Achilles heel this season.

For the past two Saturdays, the Z’s only misses have come because the All-Seeing One misread the signs concerning the Hawkeye’s success on the gridiron. 

Zultan picked them to lose against Michigan State on the road and win over Penn State at home. Needless to say, that did not work out to the Pigskin Prognosticator's advantage.  

Those picks doomed Zultan keeping him from achieving perfection two weeks in a row.

With the Iowa miss, Zultan went 9-1 in Week 8. Unsettled forces troubled the gridiron, however, causing very close matches with several instances of heart-stopping heroics winning the day. The BCS loomed large in the background.

Still a win is a win. 

For the year, Zultan comes in at 34-6 or 85 percent. But Week 9 will be the proverbial turning point in the Big Ten as well as in a number of the top conferences. The “Big Z” senses trouble afoot.

Therefore, this could well be your week to outguess him. Time to make your own picks and be saluted by Zultan in next week’s column—since so few of you have managed to outshine Zultan so far. None this past week, in fact.

Game 1: Iowa Hawkeyes at Northwestern Wildcats

Going forward, fate has determined that the Hawkeyes (4-3) will do the opposite of what Zultan forecasts until the cloud over Iowa City dissolves. Therefore, “Z” must pick the Hawks to lose . Such a move would make Mom happy—since she swears Zultan has evolved into the evil eye casting spells over the Hawkeye Nation.

Northwestern (6-2) must be in the doldrums—or fighting mad—after giving up the lead at the end of the game to Nebraska last Saturday. The Cats had beaten down the Husker offense and kept them in arrears for all but the last two minutes of the game. But Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez came back hard in the fourth to secure the win for the Huskers on the road.

Northwestern’s generous spirit will not extend to the Hawkeyes who will limp into Evanston wounded and 

deflated after being embarrassed in Iowa City by the Penn State team.

Pick Northwestern 

Game 2: Indiana Hoosiers at Illinois Fighting Illini

Indiana (2-5) suffered another last quarter loss, going down to defeat in Annapolis 30-31 to the Navy Midshipmen. The Hoosiers were another Big Ten victim of the frantic end-of-the-game two-minute drill by the opposing team.  Indiana led this contest throughout—until the Midshipmen scored to go ahead with two minutes left on the clock.

But one thing about the Hoosiers—they have a great offense. It would be even better if their defense followed suit. But, alas, that is not the case.

This week Illinois (2-5) hosts the Hoosiers in Champaign. These two teams are at the bottom of the Big Ten Leader’s Division. Illinois, however, has not shown anything yet on either side of the ball.  

Even though the oddsmakers favor the Illini, Zultan will...

Pick Indiana

Game 3: Purdue Boilermakers at Minnesota Golden Gophers

Purdue’s defeat in overtime at the hands of the Ohio State Buckeyes had to make the Boiler’s collective fan base weep.

Purdue (3-4) had the game in hand—in Columbus, no less. But during the last tick of the game clock, Ohio State took the ball into the end zone and added a two-point conversion to force overtime. 

In overtime, Ohio State sealed the deal, winning the game but losing their quarterback in the process.

Minnesota (4-3) was busy trying to hold down the Wisconsin offense in Week 8. So far the Gophers have not had any success in the Big Ten.

They will welcome Purdue into Minneapolis where, hopefully, Coach Kill has instilled some backbone into the Gopher defense.

Purdue, if they play up to their level, should win this game—assuming they have the right attitude.

Zultan guesses that they will.

Pick Purdue 

Game 4: Michigan State Spartans at (25) Wisconsin Badgers

Michigan State (4-4) lost another heartbreaker on Saturday to their instate rivals, the Michigan Wolverines. This one came down to five seconds on the clock as Michigan put up a field goal to edge past the Spartans 12-10 in Ann Arbor.  It was the first Michigan victory over Michigan State since 2007.  

Wisconsin (6-2), on the other hand, had their way with Minnesota. They ran over the Gophers all the way to 38-13 exploding on offense in the fourth quarter.  

Michigan State seems to be falling back as Wisconsin gains steam. Expect this trend to continue.

Pick Wisconsin

Game 5: Ohio State Buckeyes at Penn State Nittany Lions

Ironically, the two sanctioned teams in the Big Ten are the two best.

While Penn State (5-2) was busy humiliating the Iowa Hawkeyes, Ohio State (8-0) was fighting for their lives at home to get past Purdue.

How does that information help Zultan shape the forecast for Week 9?

Ohio State was just plain lucky to get out of that game in Columbus with a win and with their quarterback in one piece. If they are smart, the Buckeye coaching staff will not overtax Braxton Miller upon his return to the lineup this week.

It is a difficult spot, however, trying to remain perfect on the road in Happy Valley.  

Penn State’s defense is awesome—a thing of beauty. Now that their offense is keeping pace, this should be the ultimate test for both programs. For his part, Zultan sees the future of this contest clearly.

Pick Penn State

Game 6: (22) Michigan Wolverines at Nebraska Cornhuskers 

This is another big contest in the Big Ten. The Michigan Wolverines (5-2) who lead in the Legends Division, will travel to Lincoln to play the Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-2) who are dying to trip the Wolverines up on their way to the Big Ten Championship game.

Nebraska just eased past Northwestern last weekend in a game they should have lost—but it was on the road. Yet the Huskers held on and came up with goods when they were needed, led by the often harangued quarterback Taylor Martinez.

Michigan also escaped defeat by a whisker, but the Wolverines were at home.  This week the Wolverines will face another stiff defense in a hostile environment. You have never seen hostile until you have visited in Lincoln. 

Zultan believes the rarified air in Lincoln will be too much for the Wolverines in Week 9.

Pick Nebraska. 

Game 7: (2) Florida Gators at (10) Georgia Bulldogs

Last Saturday the Florida Gators (7-0) ground South Carolina to dust and blew them away 44-11, proving that their No. 2 BCS ranking was no fluke. It was redemption for the Gators who knew they were special from day one.

Meanwhile Georgia (6-1) was having an off day on the road at Kentucky (1-7). They could not put the Wildcats away until the fourth quarter. After going up 29-17 midway through the last quarter, Kentucky came back to score again with just under four minutes left on the clock closing the gap to 29-24.

But the Bulldogs held on.

This week, however, Georgia hosts the Gators in Jacksonville, Florida. This game will determine the probable winner of the SEC East. The Gators have so far exceeded expectations while the Bulldogs have not.  

Expect that to continue.

Pick Florida

Game 8: (5) Notre Dame Fighting Irish at (8) Oklahoma Sooners

The fighting Irish (7-0) have their first real test of the season on the road. Notre Dame must travel to Norman to face the Oklahoma Sooners (5-1). Both teams are ranked in the top ten regardless of your favorite poll. 

The Irish seem to be making their way back into national prominence. But take a look at who Notre Dame has vanquished. True the Irish past Michigan and Stanford, both now ranked but this only the second game on the road for the Irish. 

Oklahoma who suffered a loss at home against the best team in the Big 12, Kansas State, has been rebuilding their Big 12 fences, trying to prove they are worthy of consideration by the BCS. 

Despite outside forces, no way will Notre Dame out-offense the Sooners on the road.

Pick Oklahoma

Game 9: (14) Texas Tech Red Raiders at (3) Kansas State Wildcats

It took Texas Tech (6-1) three overtimes to put down TCU on the road. The Red Raiders must be exhausted after putting up that many points (56-53) over the No. 23 ranked Horned Frogs.

They should have saved something because they will need it traveling to Manhattan to face Bill Snyder and his superlative Wildcats. Kansas State (7-0) annihilated West Virginia whose high octane offense found no legs against the Wildcat’s drop-dead defense. 

You got to love Bill Snyder, by the way, who once served on Hayden Fry’s staff at Iowa. Hayden and Zultan are old pals, you know. But mainly you must appreciate what Snyder has done to bring glory back to Manhattan.

Pick Kansas State

Game 10: (11) Mississippi St. Bulldogs at (1) Alabama Crimson Tide

Mississippi State (7-0) had an easy Saturday, sauntering past Middle Tennessee in Starkville. They won 45-3. 

Life will not be so easy this Saturday as the Bulldogs pack their bags for Tuscaloosa to face the No.1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide (7-0). 

Alabama also had an easy day on the gridiron rolling past Tennessee 44-13.

So far, however, Mississippi State has faced no ranked team while Alabama has faced only a prematurely ranked Michigan team at home. Neither team has really been tested. 

This is the first real challenge for either SEC team. It will give some hint about the veracity of the ranking systems once the curtain comes down on Saturday.  

Zultan believes Alabama is the real deal and Mississippi State is the pretender.

Pick Alabama.

Zultan's Week 8 Fearless Forecast: BCS Doom!

Hawkeyes and Big Ten Set Adrift by BCS...

Well it was bound to happen. Once the BCS announced itself on Sunday, the Big Ten disappeared from college football polls, as if by magic.  Gone.

The Mighty Conference will be whispered about in future recollections about the glory days of the Big Ten—this year being its swan song according to sports writers everywhere.

The real tragedy of this past weekend, however, was Zultan’s failure to pick the Iowa Hawkeyes to win their game on Saturday.

Who wouldn’t have picked the black birds  with their highly suspect record, traveling into East Lansing to do battle with a team which was a pre-season top ten team?

Zultan was a fool not to pick them!

No excuses. The All-Seeing Seer fell down, disappointing Mom and the Hawkeye Nation. Warning: Zultan will be punished by the football Gods going forward.

The Big Z had a perfect pick ten in his hands and he dropped the pass. The shame is monumental.

Except for the Hawkeye stunner, however, Zultan was once again perfect, missing this one shameful call. Only one person guessed them all right—Kent Christen of Shiloh, Illinois gets the big Zultan congrats this week!

Six of you tied Zultan, but did not go that extra step! Better luck next week.

No doubt the football deities will punish Zultan this week, so best to get on board and make your picks now for your chance to win fame and glory by outguessing the Mighty Seer in Week 8.

Game 1: [Big Ten] Michigan State at Michigan

This game will make or break Michigan State. The Spartans let one slip away last week in double overtime to the Iowa Hawkeyes. That pushed them to 4-3 overall and 1-2 in the Big Ten.

So far in conference play Michigan State lost to Ohio State by one point and suffered a three point loss to the Hawkeyes, falling 19-16 in overtime.

The Spartans have played close but could not “close the door” on Big Ten opponents.

Meanwhile Michigan, after being embarrassed by Notre Dame in Week 4, came back to dominate Purdue and Illinois.

During the 2012 season the Wolverine’s two losses have been to Alabama and Notre Dame. Michigan, now 4-2 overall and 2-0 in the Big Ten could cement a top spot in the Legends Division with a win on Saturday.

Denard Robinson and crew will be too much for a tired Spartan defense.

Pick Michigan

Game 2: [Big Ten] Purdue Boilermakers at Ohio State


Well what can you say about the Ohio State Buckeyes?

They have improved to 7-0 on the season and are the best team in the invisible Big Ten. Braxton Miller and company continue on a roll, getting stronger every week.

The Buckeyes play, as they should, with a "nothing to lose attitude" in 2012.

While Purdue plays even ball, now 3-3 on the season, the Boilermakers will definitely have to produce an error-free game on the road in the Columbus "Horseshoe" to win this one.

Talk about your impossible dreams. This windmill will not tilt. Ohio State will not stumble inside their own house.

Pick Ohio State

Game 3: [Big Ten] Minnesota Golden Gophers at Wisconsin Badgers

Wisconsin (5-2) won their game last weekend against Purdue 38-14. During the game Badger running back Montee Ball set a Big Ten record—running for 247 yards and scoring three touchdowns on the afternoon.

With 72 total career touchdowns, Ball broke a Big Ten record formerly held by Big Ten Heisman winner from Wisconsin, Ron Dayne.

This weekend the Badgers welcome the Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-2) to Camp Randall in Madison.

Minnesota suffered another setback last weekend against Northwestern coming up short 21-13. The Gophers, however, had their chances to win this game but allowed errors and miscues to spoil homecoming in Minneapolis.

Next week on the road, the Gophers will find stopping the Badger running game a whole lot tougher.

Pick Wisconsin

Game 4: [Big Ten] Nebraska Cornhuskers at Northwestern Wildcats

The Nebraska Cornhuskers have had a week to mull over their humiliating loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes in Week 6—to the tune of 63-28.

Nothing stings a Cornhusker as much as losing in such a beat down. No doubt Bo Pelini and the Nebraska defense will be more than ready for the Wildcats offense.

So far Northwestern stands at 6-1 on the season.

Their only loss came at the hands of the Penn State Nittany Lions who managed to shut down the Wildcat offense as the game wore on.

Expect the Huskers to follow suit, and leave Kain Colter and company out in the cold.
Saturday, the Cornhuskers will try to rebuild their chance to lead the Legend’s Division into a Big Ten championship game.

Pick Nebraska

Game 5: [Big Ten] Indiana Hoosiers at Navy

Indiana has one great offense. They put up plenty of points.

The problem for the Hoosiers, however, remains defense. You simply must be able to stop the other team from scoring if you expect to win. It is an important ingredient—essential in Big Ten football.
Last week the Hoosiers scored 49 points against the Ohio State Buckeyes. Impressive.

But the problem was that Indiana allowed Ohio State roll up 52 points—resulting in an Indiana loss for the fourth straight week.

This weekend Indiana travels to Annapolis where they will face Navy (3-3).

It is possible that the Midshipman’s triple option will leave the Indiana defense dead in their tracks as Navy's aggressive ground game grinds out yardage.

You would love to see Indiana outscore this team but....

Pick Navy

Game 6: [Big Ten] Penn State Nittany Lions at Iowa Hawkeyes

Penn State had a week off to get ready for Iowa (4-2). But which Iowa team did they prepare to meet? That is the real question.

With a  couple of Big Ten wins under their belt makes the Hawkeyes become a whole lot more dangerous.

The Iowa defense has jelled and the offense seems to sputter to life now and again beyond the running attack of Mark Weisman which has been phenomenal.

Credit Weisman, kicker Mike Meyers and a stiff defense for the win on a sloppy, wet afternoon in East Lansing.

Penn State won their last four games after losing their first two. The Nittany Lions are playing defense as they used to, stopping opponents before they can score. In Week 6, the Lions took care of
Northwestern within the confines of Happy Valley.

Iowa, however, has always been a thorn for Penn State. Expect that status to continue.

Pick Iowa

Game 7: [Big 12] Kansas State (4) at West Virginia (13)

This game will be played in Morgantown which is some distance from the Kansas prairie. Bill Snyder and his Kansas State Wildcats will make the journey, however, in an effort to hold onto their first place status in the Big 12.

Last week West Virginia fell hard to Texas Tech, proving that you really need a potent defense to win it all in the Big 12. They will be reminded of that again this week as Kansas State with their old-fashioned stance proves that slow and steady wins the race.

That is not to say that Wildcat football is not exciting because Collin Klein and company keep the ball moving on offense—enough so that Kansas State remains undefeated and could well be part of a national championship game if they do not slip and fall on the way to the finish line.

Zultan does not think the Cats will fall this week.

Pick Kansas State

Game 8: [SEC] South Carolina (7) at Florida (2)

This is a big game in the SEC and in the BCS. The South Carolina Gamecocks must step up and win this game if they are to make their case in the SEC East.

Steve Spurrier and company came up short last week in their game at LSU and they cannot afford back to back losses in Week 8.

Florida is 6-0 overall and 5-0 in the SEC. Their emergence into the upper echelons of the SEC was not expected. Quarterback Jeff Driskel has been equally surprising leading the Gators to an undefeated season to date.

The Gamecocks will be seeking to right the ship LSU almost sank last weekend by coming up two points short.

The problem is that South Caroline must journey to Gainesville to try to take down the BCS No. 2 ranked team. Tough assignment.

Pick Florida

Game 9: [SEC] LSU (6) at Texas A & M (18)

Welcome to the SEC Texas A & M. This week you get to host LSU and later you get to travel to Tuscaloosa to play Alabama.

But other than a single loss to the Florida Gators in Week 2, the Aggies have managed the transition pretty well—much better than the Missouri Tigers, Zultan feels.

Texas A&M just defeated a very competitive Louisiana Tech 59-57 this past weekend in a very close contest on the road.

But LSU is no Louisiana Tech—not by a long shot. Even though it is very tough to play in College Station, expect LSU to rise to the occasion after upending South Carolina last weekend.

LSU still has plenty to prove this season and they can afford no sudden unexpected losses.

Pick LSU

Game 10: [ACC] Virginia Tech at Clemson (19)

Zultan must take a whirl on the ACC merry-go-round during the inaugural BCS poll in college football. Next week he will try his hand at the Big East.

Besides Florida State at No. 14, Clemson (5-1) is the only other ranked football team in the ACC.  At least the ACC has one!

Florida State is also the only team so far this season to defeat the Clemson Tigers.

On Saturday, Clemson hosts Virginia Tech (4-3). The Hokies survived a 20-0 deficit by Duke last Saturday to rally to win their game 41-20. Virginia Tech came back with a vengeance. Can they do it again?

The question will be answered once the dust settles on Saturday.  In the meantime...

Pick Clemson

Zultan's Week 7 College Football Forecast

So close to perfection this past weekend. LSU failed to hold off the Florida Gators for four quarters—going down to defeat 14-6.

That was Zultan’s only loss this week—ending at 9-1 in week 6.

Only one of you bettered the all-seeing seer - Chris Humphreys who runs the the Sports Chump Blog
(sportschump.net). He scored a perfect 10-0.

Hmmmpf. I wonder what brand of crystal ball he uses??

The rest of you failed to outguess the mighty Zultan during week 6.  Perhaps week 7 will be better because it looks like a promising week for major upsets!

The brief respite for the Hawkeyes is over—not that much good happened during the Iowa “bye” week.  It seems that a few players partied themselves into a tight spot.

Consequently, I had to convince Mom that “The Register” went out of business and that "no news is good news" as far as the Hawkeyes were concerned.

This week the Hawks have to travel to East Lansing to face Michigan State. I will be slipping tranquilizers into Mom’s Bosco.

In the Leaders and Legends Divisions only Ohio State (8) and Michigan (25) are now ranked. The Big Ten Conference continues to sink in all football categories except making money—which is a favorable spot if you cannot excel on the gridiron.

The question now is can you outguess the Fearless One?  Are you willing to take a chance and live life on the edge like Zultan?

Forewarned: Week 7 is going to be rough. There are no easy contests this week.

Still, if you want a piece of the action—just make your picks and we will see who is better at predicting the future on Saturday.

Game 1: [Big Ten] Iowa Hawkeyes at Michigan State Spartans

First of all, the Spartans (4-2) are favored in this week’s game held in East Lansing.


Michigan State held off Indiana last weekend 31-27, winning the game in the fourth quarter showcasing a less than sterling outing against the Hoosiers.

Iowa, coming off a bye week after winning their Big Ten opener over the Minnesota Gophers, had some off-week issues that cloud the crystal ball’s forecasting ability.

What remains crystal clear is the image of Mark Weisman rushing for 177 yards with 155 of those coming in the first half as Iowa shot out to a 24-0 lead.

But, the Michigan State defense is considerably better than Minnesota’s. Plus, the game is in hostile territory for the Hawks.

Pick Michigan State to win at home.   (Do not tell Mom about this pick.)

Game 2: [Big Ten] Northwestern Wildcats at Minnesota Golden Gophers

Northwestern (5-1) lost their first game of the season against Penn State (4-2) last weekend—mainly because of a superior defensive effort in the second half by the Lions.

Then too, Penn State won the final fifteen minutes of the game hands down, 22-0.  That was enough to pull Northwestern off their undefeated perch as the Wildcats suffered their first defeat, 39-28.

Minnesota (4-1) also has only one loss on the season—to the Iowa Hawkeyes in week 5.

But the Gophers were without the talented Marqueis Gray sitting in the pocket, leading the Gopher offense.

Offense, however, will not be the issue for the Gophers, whether Gray returns or not.

The main problem for the Gophers will be defense—stopping the potent Wildcat offense.

Pick Northwestern to win on the road.

Game 3: [Big Ten] Wisconsin Badgers at Purdue Boilermakers

What has happened to Wisconsin? The Badgers (4-2) certainly have not performed as we expected at the start of the season.

But, of course, this is a down year for the Big Ten all around.

Last week against Illinois, it took the Badgers three quarters to work up enough speed and will power to overcome the fighting Illini.

Scoring 21 points in the fourth quarter was required in order to win the game over Illinois at home in Camp Randall Stadium.

Purdue (3-2) , on the other hand, could not stop the running attack of Denard Robinson. The Wolverine quarterback rushed for 235 yards on the day, scoring one touchdown on the ground as well as one through the air to Devin Gardner.

Purdue managed 13 points on the day but ultimately the Boilers were crushed by the Wolverines 44-13.
Saturday’s game played at West Lafayette should be a toss-up.

It is a tough, tough pick but ultimately the Badgers have more talent and at this point in the season, they will step it up in order to have a chance to end the season with decent numbers and a shot at a major bowl.

Pick Wisconsin to win on the road.

Game 4: [Big Ten] Illinois Fighting Illini at Michigan Wolverines (25)

Last weekend Purdue had no answers when it came to stopping Denard Robinson and the potent offense of the Michigan Wolverines.

It stands to reason that the Fighting Illini will also be unable to stop the Wolverines—especially playing at home in front of Ann Arbor kin folk.

The Illinois squad seems lost this season. They have some good moments but not enough consistency on either side of the ball to win in the Big Ten—at least so far.

Their defense once again this season is severely lacking. You cannot win if you cannot stop the other
team from scoring at will.

Pick the Wolverines to win at home.

Game 5: [Big Ten] Ohio State Buckeyes (8) at Indiana Hoosiers

Indiana (2-3) played one heck of a game against the Michigan State Spartans (4-2) in week 6.

The Hoosiers—kept pace step for step until the fourth quarter when the Spartans stepped down hard on the accelerator to shoot past Indiana in the fourth quarter.

Cameron Coffman threw for 282 yards including three touchdowns and no interceptions against a very good Spartan defense.

The Hoosiers, however, gained only 35 rushing yards on the day which eventually led to Michigan State shutting them down in the fourth quarter.

Indiana, however, possesses a lot of untapped potential which seems to emerge week by week.

Ohio State (6-0), however, remains the one bright spot in the Big Ten, ranked No. 8 in the AP Poll in week 7. Last week, according to most, the Buckeyes “crushed” the Nebraska Cornhuskers to make the biggest statement so far.

The scope of the loss knocked Nebraska out of the top 25 in both polls, leaving a huge hole in the Legends Division or perhaps paving the way for Michigan to seize control.

Ohio State is, of course, ineligible for post season play.

But the Buckeyes continue to lead the conference in every conceivable manner—both good and bad.

Pick: Ohio State to win at Indiana.

Game 6: [SEC] South Carolina Gamecocks (3) at LSU Tigers (9)

This is a big game in the SEC and in the top 25.

South Carolina (6-0) must travel to Baton Rouge to do battle with LSU (5-1) on Saturday. Last weekend, of course, LSU lost their first game of the season to Florida (5-0) in Gainsville.

Perhaps the loss will serve as a wake-up call to the Tigers who may be resting on their laurels and their previous season’s success.

This week LSU welcomes in the Gamecocks of South Carolina who dominated No. 5 ranked Georgia last weekend in an unexpectedly lopsided game.

The Gamecocks rolled out 392 yards of offense against the Bulldogs who seemed flat and out of sync on the afternoon. South Carolina’s defense did its job convincingly.

So this week the Gamecocks must travel to Baton Rouge where no doubt they will find a newly inspired LSU team awaiting.

Pick LSU to win at home.

Game 7: [PAC 12] Stanford Cardinal (17) at Notre Dame (7)

Stanford (4-1) travels to South Bend to take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in week 7. Both teams are ranked in the top 25 and both have much yet to prove concerning their lofty college football rankings.
To date, Notre Dame remains undefeated while Stanford has suffered one loss on the season at the hands of the Washington Huskies.

Last week the Cardinal had to scramble to outmaneuver Arizona in overtime to secure the win.

Stanford so far has not fared well on the road. In fact, this will be only their second road test of the season.

They lost to Washington on the road and they will lose again to Notre Dame on the road.

Note: If the game were at Stanford, then Zultan would pick the Cardinal to win.

Pick Notre Dame to win at home in week 7.

Game 8: [Big 12] Texas Longhorns (15) at Oklahoma Sooners (13)

It is time for the annual Red River Rivalry game between Texas (4-1) and Oklahoma (3-1), played in Dallas for bragging rights in the Big 12.

The Sooners have already suffered one loss this season to Kansas State. The Sooners can afford no more losses if they wish to play in a BCS Bowl in January.

Texas lost last weekend at home to the West Virginia transplants who proved to have too much offense for the Longhorns to handle on Saturday.

Last second heroics sealed the game for the Mountaineers as they fell on an onside kick booted by Texas after a late fourth quarter score.

Oklahoma has an experienced leader in quarterback Landry Jones bolstered by his backfield. This extra
ingredient will be enough to turn the tide.

Pick Oklahoma to win this one in Dallas.

Game 9: [PAC 12] USC Trojans (11) at Washington Huskies

USC (4-1) had to scramble to win against Utah in week 6. The Utes shot out to a 14-0 early lead over the Trojans.

But that was before Matt Barkley and company turned the game around—coming back to win on the road 38-28.

Earlier in the season, USC was stunned—upset at Stanford—this after being the pre-season No. 1 ranked team in college football.

But the Trojans are slowly turning their season around and will no doubt finish strong.

The Washington Huskies (3-2), however, defeated Stanford the week after the Cardinal upended USC in a big upset of their own.

So far Washington has lost twice—to No. 2 ranked Oregon and to a No. 3 ranked LSU.
Playing in Seattle can be tricky. The Huskies like to play at home where the fans are very supportive.

But you have to favor the Trojans in this one.

Pick USC to win on the road.

Game 10: [SEC] Texas A & M (22) at [WAC] Louisiana Tech (23)

Louisiana Tech (5-0) has defeated Houston, Rice, Illinois, Virginia and UNLV so far this season. They are undefeated.

The game on Saturday is a makeup game postponed from August 30 when their game with Texas A & M (4-1) was interrupted by a hurricane.

Since then the Bulldogs have been waging a storm of their own, leading the WAC even though they have not played a WAC opponent yet this season.

Texas A & M lost their opener against then No. 24 ranked Florida 20-17. Since then, the Aggies have been undefeated against SMU, South Carolina State, Arkansas and Ole Miss.

These are a couple of high-scoring teams and this one promises to offer plenty of action and plenty of touchdowns.

But you have to pick a ranked SEC team over a ranked WAC.  That is my opinion anyway.

Pick Texas A & M to win on the road.

Zultan's Week 6 Fearless Forecast: Iowa, the Big Ten & the Top 25

Oh, the humanity! Zultan came within nine points of perfection, deceived by a dyslexic tremor on the crystal ball surface causing the big Z an unfortunate number reversal.

The Ohio State Buckeyes won by one slim point while Arizona missed by three points against visitors Oregon State—at home no less.

Finally the all-seeing seer failed to unveil the final 30-second comeback win for the Longhorns—41-36 over the hapless Cowboys of Oklahoma State.

Nine points in total for the three losses.

The result was that 18 of you surpassed Fearless Zultan’s predictions for Week 5.

You will all be listed at the end of this article along with obligatory salutations and appropriate accolades.

The good news, of course, is that the Hawkeyes won, defeating the Minnesota Gophers  at homecoming in Iowa City.

Mom is humming now, baking pumpkin pies and turning cartwheels in the backyard. Iowa is off next week so there will be at least two weeks of unsullied sanity in the Zultan household.

Other than Iowa and Minnesota, the rest of the Big Ten is in action with Michigan back after their loss at Notre Dame in week 4.

Only three Big Ten teams are now ranked—Ohio State at No. 12, Nebraska at No. 21 with Northwestern moving into the No. 24 spot.

Besides the Big Ten, there are also some compelling SEC, PAC 12 and Big 12 match-ups in week 6.
If  you want another piece of the action—just make your picks and we will see whether you can outguess the Fearless One equipped with his new and improved crystal ball.

Week 6 is the next installment in Zultan’s 2012 quest for prognosticating perfection.

Game 1: [Big Ten] Michigan State Spartans at Indiana Hoosiers

Indiana [2-2] came close a couple of times but could not stop Northwestern [5-0] from gaining a record-breaking 704 yards of offense last Saturday as the Wildcats scooted to an early  5-0 record in 2012.
Indiana fell to 2-2 when they lost their Big Ten opener. While the Hoosiers made a big comeback in the second half, they could not overcome their 27-0 deficit.

On Saturday Indiana plays host to a surly Michigan State [3-2] team reeling from their loss at the hands of Ohio State last weekend.

The Spartans had their chances to win the game against the Buckeyes but fell short when it mattered most.

Look for Sparty to take it out on the Hoosiers.

Pick Michigan State to win on the road

Game 2: [Big Ten] Northwestern Wildcats at Penn State Nittany Lions


Northwestern [5-0] hung on to defeat the Hoosiers last Saturday against a stiff comeback in the second half by Indiana [2-2].

Defense was not the order of the day for the Hoosiers or for the Wildcats as together the two teams rolled up 1,129 yards of offense in week 5.

Defense, however, will be the order of the day when Northwestern faces Penn State [3-2] on Saturday.
Since losing their first two games the Penn State defense has tightened while the offense has gelled into a cohesive unit able to move the ball.

The Wildcats should get a reality check on Saturday in Happy Valley.

Pick Penn State to win at home.

Game 3: [Big Ten] Illinois ‘Fighting Illini at Wisconsin Badgers

Talk about unhappy campers at Camp Randall.

After rushing to a 14-3 lead at the end of the first quarter in their game in Lincoln plus holding a 20-10 lead at halftime, the Wisconsin Badgers [3-2] could not score after the first three minutes in the second half.

The Nebraska [4-1] defense shut them down hard.

Meanwhile the Cornhuskers chipped away at the Badger lead eventually overtaking them in the fourth quarter with a field goal—winning 30-27 in what turned out to be a defensive struggle in the second half.

Illinois [2-3], however, will not hold back the Wisconsin offense and the Badgers will begin making up some lost ground in week 6.

Pick Wisconsin to win at home.

Game 4: [Big Ten] Michigan Wolverines at Purdue Boilermakers

The Michigan Wolverines [2-2] have had two weeks to mull over their defeat at the hands of the Fighting Irish in week 4.

Meanwhile, the Purdue Boilermakers have climbed to 3-1 in the Big Ten— also losing to Notre Dame in week 2.
Last weekend the Boilers got past the Marshall Thundering Herd in a high scoring game.

Purdue scored big in the first half but had to rely on their defense to hold Marshall back as the herd  put up 27 points to Purdue’s 9 in the second half.

This weekend Purdue plays host to Michigan in week 6 as both teams play their conference opener in West Lafayette.

Although Purdue has a better record so far, expect Michigan to wear out the Boilers defense when Denard Robinson and company take the field.

Pick Michigan to win on the road.

Game 5: [Big Ten] Nebraska Cornhuskers (21) at Ohio State Buckeyes (12)

This is the biggest of the Big Ten games in week 6.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers [4-1] have to travel to Columbus to face the Ohio State Buckeyes [5-0], each with a chance to take a big leap in the top 25 poll.

Both teams escaped last week with hard-fought victories over quality opponents. Nebraska came back to win over the Wisconsin Badgers 30-27 while Ohio State fought off the Michigan State Spartans, winning 17-16.

This Saturday Nebraska must enter the Horseshoe in Columbus where few have escaped with a victory.

This week will be no exception.

Pick Ohio State to win at home.

Game 6: [SEC]  LSU Tigers (4) at  Florida Gators (10)

Both of these SEC teams are unbeaten and both ranked in the top ten.
Everybody expected LSU [5-0] to be good but Florida [4-0] has been a surprise.

LSU started out the year as everyone’s favorite, it seemed, but they continue to drop—even though the Tigers have not yet lost.

It is all a matter of scale.

The goal of college football has become more than winning—now you must dominate opponents.

This imperfect status will remain in effect until the SEC begins taking a toll on itself.

The carnage begins on Saturday with this contest.

It should be one of the best games on Saturday.

Pick LSU to win on the road.

Game 7: [PAC 12] Washington Huskies (23) at Oregon Ducks (2)

This is a crazy year in the PAC 12.

Two weeks ago the Washington Huskies [3-1] were upended by No. 3 LSU 41-3 in Louisiana. Last week, the Huskies dispatched No. 8 Stanford 17-13 in Seattle.

This Washington team has immense capabilities but the Huskies do not apply their gridiron prowess consistently.

This week the Huskies must travel to Oregon [5-0], playing in Autzen Stadium in Eugene.

No one should expect the Huskies to win against the Ducks playing at home because no one does.

Oregon has not lost so far in 2012. They have climbed to the No. 2 spot in the polls, trailing Alabama.
While the Ducks have some rough games ahead, this will not rank as one of those.

Expect the Ducks to dominate at home, defeating the Washington Huskies.

Game 8: [Big 12] West Virginia (8) at Texas Longhorns (11)

You have to wonder if Texas [4-0] has a surprise in store for the transplanted Mountaineers—greenhorn interlopers on the Texas landscape.

It is true that West Virginia [4-0] held back the late-charging Baylor Bears 70-63 in week 5. Baylor was only outscored by the Mountaineers in the third quarter.

This while Texas was visiting in Stillwater working to demolish the roadblocks the Cowboys tried to throw in their way.

While Oklahoma State gained more yards, Texas won the war scoring more points.

This will be a big game. But, in the final analysis, David Ash is no Geno Smith—at least not yet.
Pick West Virginia to win on the road.  

Game 9: [ACC] Miami Hurricanes at Notre Dame Fighting Irish (9)

So far Notre Dame [4-0], in addition to defeating Navy, has had their way with the Big Ten— defeating Purdue, Michigan State, and Michigan—all of which has propelled the Fighting Irish into the top 10.

You have to wonder about the validity of Notre Dame's ranking at this point.

This coming weekend, Notre Dame welcomes the ACC's Miami Hurricanes [4-1] to South Bend to sample the special Irish brand of football.

Miami has secured wins over Boston College, Bethune-Cookman, Georgia Tech and North Carolina State with one loss to Kansas State out of the Big 12.

Is it enough? No.

Pick the Irish to win at home over the Miami Hurricanes.

Game 10: [SEC] Georgia Bulldogs(5)  at South Carolina Gamecocks (6)

To date Georgia [5-0] has defeated Buffalo, Florida Atlantic, Vanderbilt and Tennessee at home and Missouri on the road. Only Missouri [3-2] and Tennessee [3-2] have winning records.
South Carolina [5-0], on the other hand, has defeated Vanderbilt, East Carolina, UAB, Missouri and Kentucky with the same Missouri and East Carolina holding winning records, each at 3-2.

Therefore, you can conclude that their spots in the top ten are based on reputation and consistency in winning games they should be winning—that plus the fact that they both play in the SEC.

The game will be played in Columbia at Williams-Brice Stadium giving the Gamecocks home field advantage.

Pick South Carolina to win at home.

The Other Less Famous Prognosticators:

There were 18 who out-guessed the illustrious all-seeing seer last week.

Bow down before them.

Three had a perfect outing. Nine missed one and five missed two.
Zultan ended week 5 at 7-3.

Here are the more than competent 18.

10-0

Mark DeKalb – Davenport, IA
Kenneth Zuerner – Redmond, WA
Todd Melvin – Burlington, IA

9-1

John Carlson – Ottertail, MN
Kent Christen – Shiloh, IL
Lenny Cossman, Jr., - Parkersburg, WV
Jeff Coffey – Columbus, OH
Kenton Gleichman – West Des Moines, IA
Steve Mullen – Cedar Rapids, IA
Dean Pfeifer – Wolfboro, NH
John Snyder – Huntington Beach, CA
Keverly Swantz – Kalona, IA

8-2

Jack Fraenkel – San Francisco, CA
Jim “Boulder Hawk” Greer – Boulder, CO
Ken Ripp – Eau Claire, WI
Darrel Rohrer – Hebron, OH
Mike Suntken – Wakefield, MA
Skipper Woodham – Atlanta, GA

Join in the fun this coming week!

Zultan's Fearless Football Forecasts: Iowa, the Big 10 & Other Primo Matchups

No way Zultan wanted to wake up for this season. The Big Ten is spiraling down the proverbial drain and leading the way are Mom’s Iowa Hawkeyes who tripped and fell during their “bend but don't break” defensive stand at the end of their “game” against Central Michigan.


As a world famous prognosticator, you go to into hibernation for a few months and when you wake up, the whole college football landscape has shifted. Missouri and Texas A & M are members of the SEC—what were they thinking? West Virginia moved out west into Big 12  cattle country? Where is the logic there?

It seems to me that some of these teams are going to spending all their profits on air-fare.

It was bad enough when Nebraska came on board in the Big Ten, but at least they are next door to Iowa where they share a natural enmity with the Hawkeyes as river rivals.

The good thing in week No. 5 is that the non-conference portion of the year is breathing its last. The Big Ten can stop suffering embarrassment in isolation, falling to teams who should not be winning against the legendary Big Ten.

What happened to the “patsies” or “cupcakes” we were accustomed to running over during the first four weeks? Didn’t anybody get the message about the MAC Conference. They are too good—scratch them from the Big Ten non-conference schedule immediately.

Now, at least the “Legends” and “Leaders” can play teams they can defeat—their brothers in the the Big Ten.

So, fellow fans of the “hail Mary,” this is the start of the 2012 football season, Zultan’s fourth run at prognosticating college football fortunes highlighting the Iowa Hawkeyes, the Big Ten Conference and other Saturday games worthy of my penetrating insight.

You want a piece of the action—just make your picks here and we will see mano y mano who is the best at predicting winners in upcoming week No. 5 in college football, season 2012. Or as Zultan calls it—the year of the big, bad Big Ten fall.

Results listing the superior prognosticators—those who surpass Zultan in picking the winners in the ten games featured in week 5—will be posted in next week's article, asssuming Zultan survives another tumultuous weekend of Big Ten action and Mom's cooking if the Hawkeyes lose again.


Game 1: [Big Ten] Minnesota Gophers at Iowa Hawkeyes

Now that the Gophers [4-0] have their egos in overdrive, it may be just the right moment for the Hawkeyes [2-2] to put them back on their heels with a healthy running back plus the wunderkind fullback Mark Weisman stomping Gophers in his way.
Let’s see that defense gel and hold together for the entire game.

Iowa lost to Minnesota in 2010 and in 2011. Enough is enough. It is the Hawkeye’s turn to ruin the Gopher’s season. Payback time is coming. Besides, if Iowa does not win, I cannot be responsible for Mom’s special form of retaliation.

Pick Iowa to win at home.

Game 2: [Big Ten] Indiana Hoosiers at Northwestern Wildcats

The Wildcats come into their Big Ten opener with a 4-0 non-conference record safely tucked away in the record book. They defeated Syracuse, Vanderbilt and Boston College before playing the South Dakota Coyotes last Saturday in Evanston. The Cats breezed past the Coyotes 38-7.

This coming Saturday the Wildcats play host to the Indiana Hoosiers [2-1] who had a week off to rest up for their contest against Northwestern. The Hoosiers are recovering from their shocking upset at the hands of one of those pesky MAC teams—Ball State. The Hoosiers, too, lost in the final seconds of the game.

Previously Indiana had won against Indiana State and UMass on the road, looking for a promising 3-0 going into conference play. Ball State, however, had their own script.

Mental Note: Somebody in the Big Ten needs to find a copy of the MAC final two-minute drill.

Pick Northwestern who will continue their winning ways.



Game 3: [Big Ten] Penn State at Illinois

Penn State [2-2] must travel to Champaign to begin their first Big Ten season without Joe Paterno at the helm. The Lions lost their first two games to Ohio and to Virginia but have settled down, winning their last two contests at home against Navy and the Temple Owls.

With new coach Bill O’Brien leading the way and quarterback Matt McGloin providing a solid foundation in the pocket, Penn State is slowly leaving behind the notorious headlines that rocked the University over the past several months.

The Illini [2-2] have also suffered some early season setbacks that include losses to  Arizona State 45-14 out of the PAC 12 and Louisiana Tech 52-24 last weekend. The Bulldogs are part of the WAC and took full advantage of Illinois’ unending capacity to turnover the ball over last weekend—there were six, count them, six turnovers which just gave Louisiana Tech the ball way too many times.

Pick Penn State to win on the road.

Game 4: [Conf. USA] Marshall at [Big Ten] Purdue Boilermakers

Purdue [2-1] defeated Eastern Kentucky and Eastern Michigan but lost in week two to Notre Dame, playing on the road. The Boilers had last week off to help them prepare to meet their last non-conference opponent, the Marshall Thundering Herd out of Conference USA.

In their last game against Eastern Michigan, Purdue gained 576 yards with quarterback Caleb TerBush clicking on all cylinders.  The Boilers were aided by another stingy defensive outing.

Pick Purdue to stop the Thundering Herd dead in their tracks in week 5.


Game 5: [Big Ten] (14) Ohio State at (20) Michigan State

It doesn’t seem all that strange that the Ohio State Buckeyes are leading the way, sitting 4-0 as they head into the Big Ten season. Last year, Ohio State hovered in complete disarray weighted down by NCAA sanctions and penalties.
This year, hopefully, the Buckeyes have set that aside. Even though ineligible to compete in post season play, the team is getting back to their former place at the top of the Big Ten.

But this weekend the Buckeyes must travel to Michigan State [3-1] to play inside Spartan Stadium. This is not a pleasing prospect for any team this year.

Michigan State started the year ranked in the top 10 but have fallen to No. 21 after an uninspiring and inauspicious beginning—getting by Boise State but losing meekly at home to Notre Dame 20-3.

The Spartans will have their hands full trying to contain the Buckeyes. But this is a critical contest for Michigan State and their post-season chances. They must win to stay alive.

Pick Michigan State to win at home.

Game 6: [Big Ten] Wisconsin Badgers at (22) Nebraska Cornhuskers

The Badgers [3-1] have not exactly stunned the media so far in 2012. They barely got by Northern Iowa in their opener and the following week Wisconsin lost to Oregon State, falling out of the top 25 rankings.

The Badgers, however, held on to defeat Utah State 16-14 and stayed ahead of UTEP 37-26. But in winning their last game, they lost their premiere running back, Montee Ball, surely in line for a Heisman Trophy nomination. He may or may not play on Saturday—the jury is still out on that one.

Unfortunately, the Boilers must travel to Lincoln next Saturday to play the Nebraska Cornhuskers [3-1] in their Big Ten opener.

Nebraska, on the other hand, while not exactly setting the football world on fire, has managed to stay ranked in the top 25, hanging tough at No. 22. This contest should be the game of the week, if Ball is cleared to play.

The Huskers put up some impressive numbers against Idaho State last Saturday. But Wisconsin is a far cry from the Bengals out of the Big Sky Conference. Still...

Pick Nebraska to win at home.

Game 7: [PAC 12] (18) Oregon St. Beavers  at Arizona Wildcats

The Oregon State Beavers [2-0] are perfect so far this year after knocking off No. 13 Wisconsin 10-7 and then upending No. 19 UCLA 27-20 in week 4.
Now ranked in the top 20, the Beavers head to Arizona [3-1] where they will hope to extend their winning ways to week 5.

Arizona was off to a great start of their own defeating Toledo in overtime, then following that with an upset over No. 18 Oklahoma State 59-38 in Week 2. The following week the Wildcats took it to South Carolina State, winning 56-0.

But in week 4, Arizona traveled to Oregon where reality treated them rudely. The Ducks pounded the Cats 49-0 in an embarrassing loss. It is hard to come back after that. Nonetheless, the line is drawn in the desert sand.

Pick Arizona to win at home.


Game 8: [Big 12] (12) Texas Longhorns at Oklahoma State Cowboys

The Oklahoma State Cowboys [2-1] will be welcoming the Texas Longhorns [3-0] into Stillwater. Last year the Cowboys won the Big 12 title and should have played in the National Championship game—or so many believed.

But this year the Cowboys were shellacked by Arizona 59-38 in week 2. Now with an injured quarterback, Wes Lunt, whose status remains off the table it is hard to be fully confident in the Cowboys as they face the Longhorns on Saturday.

Texas, of course, has slipped off their perch at the top of the college football pedestal, suffering for the last two seasons. This year they are ranked and undefeated behind the play of quarterback David Ashe. But to date, they have not been tested under fire.

This is a tough one. But when in doubt, do the smart thing.

Pick Oklahoma State to win at home.

Game 9: [Big 12] (25) Baylor Bears at (9) West Virginia

This is the first Big 12 contest for West Virginia [3-0] who hosts the newly ranked Baylor Bears [3-0] on Saturday. Both teams remain undefeated on the season.
The Bears have defeated SMU, Sam Houston State and Louisiana-Monroe.

West Virginia, on the other hand, has turned back Marshall, James Madison and Maryland so far in 2012.

But Saturday should reveal which team deserves their ranking and who might need to go back to the drawing board.

It is homecoming in Morgantown and Geno Smith has been playing first-rate ball.

Pick West Virginia to win at home.

Game 10: [SEC] Ole Miss Rebels at (1) Alabama Crimson Tide

Ole Miss [3-1] has won three games so far in 2102. They scored wins over Central Arkansas,  UTEP, and Tulane while suffering one big loss to No. 14 Texas 66-31 in week 3. Their season seems moderately mediocre to date.

But this week the Rebels get to travel to Bryant-Denny Stadium where they will face the No. 1 team in the country—the [4-0] Alabama Crimson tide in Tuscaloosa.

There is no way Ole Miss will win this contest. The only question for this season is—can any team beat Alabama? It looks like a difficult task for any SEC brother.

Therefore, you would be smart to select the obvious.

Pick Alabama to win at home.

Mighty Zultan Predicts Winners in the 2011-2012 College Football Bowl Bonanza

Zultan is back by popular demand to make his annual bowl predictions after ending his 2011 prognosticating season in spectacular fashion—almost perfect in week 13.

No one did better than Zultan who went 9-1 during the final regular season weekend. Admittedly, there were a couple who tied the All-Seeing Seer—pure luck on their part.

The Big Z’s only loss came as Nebraska skinned the Iowa Hawkeyes, stomping the sinew out the seemingly lifeless birds.

Ah, well—time to look forward to the 2011 post season bowl games in all their stupefyingly meaningless splendor.

As Zultan surveyed the Big Ten and the other BCS and post New Year’s Day’s Bowl, this much was obvious—the only game that really means anything is the one on January 9 between LSU and Alabama. Yet even that one is not a perfect match-up in many people’s eyes.

But the hoopla is worth the price of entry. So join in the fun and click here. Make your own selections and see if you can top Zultan as he makes his Bowl Bonanza picks for selected bowl games.

This will be the last time you see the Mighty Zultan until the 2012 season rolls around again.


Dec. 27 Little Caesars: Western Michigan (MAC) vs. Purdue (Big Ten)

Purdue (6-6) made it back into post-season play for the first time since 2007 after overcoming Indiana in the Boilers last regular season game. The win over the Hoosiers made Purdue bowl eligible. While the December 27 bowl date may have saved Danny Hope’s job, a win in Detroit would secure that permanent step up—out of the Big Ten cellar for Purdue.

Who wants to go to Detroit in December? The Boilers are mighty happy to be there. Once there, Purdue will have to work very hard to contain the passing attack of Western Michigan (7-5). Passing is the Broncos’ game. Therefore, Purdue’s only chance at winning this bowl game hinges on the Boilers’ secondary.

Pick Purdue.




Dec. 30 Insight: Oklahoma (Big 12) vs. Iowa (Big Ten)

Mom went into anaphylactic shock upon hearing that her beloved Iowa Hawkeyes would be playing the Oklahoma Sooners in the Insight Bowl!

What about Missouri or Texas?” she wailed. “They would have been better choices!”

Regardless, like all Hawkeye fans, she has now convinced herself that Iowa can win the game. Iowa over Oklahoma?

The Sooners were pre-season favorites to be fighting for the National Championship on January 9. They remain one of  the premiere teams  in the country. Despite the warm and fuzzy feelings Iowa fans have for Bobby Stoops, the former Hawkeye will not relent once the game is underway.

Stoops will have his Sooners ready to stomp in the Insight Bowl. After the dust has settled, Mom will suffer through a very long off-season.  Sorry Mom.

Pick Oklahoma.



Dec. 31 Meineke Texas: Northwestern (Big Ten) vs. Texas A&M (Big 12)

This is a tough one. A&M looked to be in great shape. But the Aggies lost a couple of tough games in overtime and ended the season losing four of their last five games. All of A&M’s losses were to to ranked teams, except their overtime loss to Missouri.

Still, in their infinite wisdom, A&M fired coach Mike Sherman. Both teams field exciting quarterbacks with Ryan Tannehill leading the Aggies while Dan Persa occupies the pocket for the Northwestern Wildcats.

Sporting identical records with often ineffective defenses, the real question becomes—how will A&M do without Sherman? This one is being played in Texas. Northwestern will have it together better.


Pick Northwestern



Dec. 31 Kraft Fight Hunger: UCLA (Pac-12) vs. Illinois (Big Ten)

Talk about mirror images.  Here you have two teams with high profile coaches recently fired by their respective universities. UCLA gave Rick Neuheisel his walking papers while Ron Zook finally got the ax in Illinois.

Illinois started the year winning their first six games and ended the year losing their last six. It was a misfired rocket shot that climbed halfway, then plummeted to the earth caught in an inescapable death spiral. Illinois has already hired their new coach who will find some real talent on this team. UCLA is in deeper distress with less talent and less hope.

Pick Illinois



Jan. 2 TicketCity: Penn State (Big Ten) vs. Houston (C-USA)

Who could have believed the off-field destruction of a football team, a coaching legend and a major university in such a short time. Penn State had scratched their way to the top of the Big Ten Leaders Division, thanks to the off-season collapse of Ohio State and a stiff defense—when the Sandusky scandal blew the team out of the water.

Penn State should be no match for the high flying Houston team led by premiere quarterback Case Keenum. Houston had their eye on a much bigger prized than this bowl: but, the Cougars let up and lost their C-USA championship game. Will their hearts be into winning this one? Can Penn State get up off the floor to win this one? No, probably not.

Pick Houston



Jan. 2 Capital One: South Carolina (SEC) vs. Nebraska (Big Ten)

Ah, a Big Ten vs. SEC matchup—the unbeatable conference against the unable-to-win conference from America’s heartland. But Nebraska is new to the Big Ten and the Huskers have something to prove after their lackluster performance last year against Washington in San Diego.

The Gamecocks have had a great season, going 10-2, including a win over then ranked No. 17 Clemson. But this one will turn on the offensive running skills of Rex Burkhead and quarterback Taylor Martinez. South Carolina and Steve Spurrier do not do “bowls” well and this one will be no exception.

Pick Nebraska



Jan. 2 Outback: Michigan State (Big Ten) vs. Georgia (SEC)

At least, Michigan State does not have to play Alabama.  Instead, they face the Georgia Bulldogs in the Outback Bowl—again, an SEC team—but certainly no Alabama. Michigan State lost the inaugural Big Ten Championship game to Wisconsin, who moves on to the Rose Bowl for the second year in a row.

Georgia, on the other hand, faced LSU for the SEC Championship. The Bulldogs played well for the first half but LSU wore them down and out. Essentially, Michigan State has more to prove in this game and more impetus to win it. The Spartans never get the respect they deserve and they will not quit until they are accorded the BCS red carpet.  Georgia had a yeoman-like season but they will not overcome the Spartans in the end.

Pick Michigan State 



Jan. 2 Gator: Ohio State (Big Ten) vs. Florida (SEC)

Ohio State, usually battling to get into the BCS Championship game, was busy this year battling just to become bowl eligible. Both high profile teams from Columbus and Gainesville went 6-6 in a 50/50 sort of year.
2011 was a transition year—it turns out from Urban Meyer to Will Muschamp and then from Jim Tressel to Urban Meyer when the former Floridan coach was hired to take over the reins for the Buckeyes. Pundits love this kind of sledgehammer irony.

Ohio State almost got their foot loose from the muck and mire when they moved Braxton Miller to their starting quarterback but the Buckeye inconsistency kept them in the middle of the Big Ten pack.

Muschamp, even with the help of Charlie Weis, could not get the Florida offense on track. There is nothing really to separate these two teams. Ohio State probably has more talent but Florida more focus.

Pick Ohio State



Jan. 2 Fiesta: Oklahoma State (Big 12) vs. Stanford (PAC 12)

Oklahoma State could still finish No. 2 even being denied the privilege of playing in the BCS Championship game. If LSU beats Alabama again then the Crimson Tide will fall in the final polls and Oklahoma State will rise—assuming, of course, that the Cowboys can stop Stanford.

The same argument might apply to Stanford—although the PAC 12 was considerably weaker than the Big 12 this year. Stanford brings Andrew Luck, probably the best quarterback in college football, who only has to get by a Cowboy defense that ranks 100th in the nation against a passing attack. It could be one of Luck’s best bowls ever.

The Cardinal defense, on the other hand, must find a way to stifle the team with second highest scoring offense this season. There is just no way to stop the Cowboys from reaching the end zone unless you are Iowa State. It should be the best bowl game of the lot.

Pick Oklahoma State.



Jan. 2 Rose: Wisconsin (Big Ten) vs. Oregon (Pac-12)

Wisconsin finds themselves in the Rose Bowl for the second consecutive year. Last year the Badgers lost to TCU. This year Wisconsin has their hearts and minds set on winning the title. But to do so, the Badgers must get by Oregon. That is no easy task. The speed of Oregon is unlike anything the Badgers have faced this year and we all know that "speed kills."

This could prove to be an epic foot race as Badger Montee Ball and Duck LaMichael James try to out gain each other for yardage on the day. Wisconsin won the first Big Ten title game against Michigan State while Oregon State defeated UCLA for the PAC 12 championship. Both teams hoped for more but two losses doomed them to the “also ran” status for the BCS Championship game.  The Ducks will prevail in Pasadena.

Pick Oregon.



Jan. 3 Sugar: Michigan (Big Ten) vs. Virginia Tech (ACC)

One of the reasons that Michigan is playing in a BCS Bowl game is that the Wolverines are the luckiest team in college football, going 10-2. They played only four road games, losing at Iowa and at Michigan State but defeating both Northwestern and Illinois on the road. Otherwise the boys in blue got to stay home.

The schedule was to their advantage. True, Michigan’s defense has improved exponentially over last year and their offense is definitely more balanced. The true workhorse, however, is the quarterback Denard Robinson and he continues to be the reason Michigan wins. Now they get to play the ACC runner-up in the Sugar Bowl, mind you. The ACC is one of the weakest of the major conferences in the nation and Michigan only has to defeat their No. 2.

Pick Michigan

Jan. 4 Orange: Clemson (ACC) vs. West Virginia (Big East)

The Orange Bowl hosts the winners of the ACC, Clemson (10-3, 6-2)) against the winners of the Big East, West Virginia (9-3, 5-2). It marks the first time in 30 years that the Tigers have appeared in the Orange Bowl and their fans are loving it.

Suffering through growing pains, Clemson stumbled a couple of times during the season after winning eight straight—but righted themselves at the end of year defeating Virginia Tech for the conference title.

The Tigers are led by quarterback Tajh Boyd while Geno Smith leads the Mountaineer attack. West Virginia offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen will, without doubt, have the Mountaineers ready to roll on January 4. But expect Clemson to be ready with their own explosive offense.

Pick Clemson.



Jan. 6 Cotton: Kansas State (Big 12 ) vs. Arkansas (SEC)

The last time Kansas State (10-2) faced Arkansas (10-2) on the gridiron was 1967—a few decades ago. Today, Arkansas continues to play their “also-ran” role behind the SEC curtain as backup to LSU and Alabama.

Kansas State, in the meantime, almost managed to upstage the more prestigious stars, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State in the Big 12. Losing twice to the Oklahoma teams, however, Kansas State failed to overtake Oklahoma State and ended up in second place in the conference.

Still the Cotton Bowl has been a good venue for the Wildcats but has never been a good environment for the Razorbacks who have compiled a 3-7-1 all-time record there. Will this year give the Hogs another win? Yes.

Pick Arkansas.



Jan. 9 BCS national championship: LSU (SEC) vs. Alabama (SEC)

Five field goals and a cloud of rust—so much for the BCS finale, Part 2 of the SEC Championship. Everyone says these are the two best teams in the country but will they say that after the game is over and if they do, who cares?

Zultan remains disappointed that all we get after a whole meaningless season is a replay of the LSU vs Alabama game. Ah well...when you have a imperfect system, you get imperfect results.

It would have been great to see how the Big 12 best did against the SEC best. Most agree these are the two top conferences in the nation. These are the two winners of their respective conference titles. Zultan agrees with Lou Holtz who said that in order to play for the national championship, you, at least, had to win your conference championship title.

Pick LSU


It has been a great season for Zultan, another inspiring performance by college football's best prognosticator. See you in 2012!