Purdue's coach Joe Tiller is calling it a day after this ballgame and his players want him to go out in style. Tiller's last game is only part of the equation as of course Indiana provides extra motivation as the Old Oaken Bucket is also at stake. You may scoff at such nonsense but to these teams it does mean something but this bet is more against the Hoosiers than it is on the Boilermakers. Indiana is playing it's 10th game in as many weeks a fact that would give teams with depth a problem. Indiana HAS NO DEPTH, and they aren't able to finish games at all. They ahve been outscored 58-0 in the second half of their last 2 games a sure sign that their kids are just worn out and not able to compete at the neccessary level. Purdue has hung on well the last few weeks and hasn't quit despite being massively disappointed in the way their season has gone. Play on the Boilermakers to send coach Tiller out with a bang and get the two touchdown + win vs. a poor Indiana team.

Illinois season has been a total disappointment and this is their last game to become bowl eligible. Even that won't be clinched unless a few things break their way. Last year they went to the Rose bowl this year if they win and get help? The Motor City Bowl? Hmmm the Rose Bowl one year Detroit the next? Not exactly a step up in the Zook administration. The Illini's big problem this year isn't a lack of talent but inconsistency as they turn the ball over and commit more penalties. They have more and better athletes than Northwestern does that much is clear but the Wildcatsd play a cleaner more disciplined brand of football and that has served them well this year. They are also without their top two running backs and their defesne has given up yardage freely agaisnt ever decent offensive club they have faced. The Illini can move the ball against anyone in the Big 10 as they did last week against Ohio State, Northwestern gave up 180 yards rushing to a Michigan team with no passing threat, they gave up 450 yards to Duke , 450 to Purdue, and 400 a piece to Iowa and Minnesota. Illinois can and will move the chains against this team and cover the small spot.

Tulane is a mess. They are banged up and they are coming off of a terrible loss to a poor UAB team that had given up 70 points in their previous game. The Green Wave is a team that is playing out the string and has nothing to play for and going to a Tulsa team that just got embarrassed and has a chance at the division title. This is not something that they must be looking forward to. Tulsa had 500 yards of offense but they gain about 200 walking down the runway of the stadium, the problem was a -4 turnover margin and giving up over 600 yards of offense to Houston , a situation that sets up well for us this week. Even bad defenses have pride and that game would hurt anyone's pride and this week a downtrodden Tulane club comes to Tulsa and some frustration will be taken out here. Coach Bob Toledo has been quoted as saying his team is a dysfunctional mess, "The offesne thinks the defense can't get off the field and the defense has no confidence in the offense", NICE!! Well Bob that wraps up things for me and since they are forfeiting the ball game I'll assume it will be a de facto forfeit and we'll lay the wood. Tulsa by 5 touchdowns.

Texas Christian has a defense that gives up 1.5 yards a rush. They lost a game last year at Air Force that they were leading by two touchdowns giving up only 3 points. That Air Force team was superior to this year's edition no question. TCU lost that game in overtime and it is a game they still haven't gotten over and this week Air Force comes to Fort Worth playing their 8th game in as many weeks playing a rested adn ready TCU club that is primed for revenge. The line is high and it's that way for a reason and the main reason is Air Force needs to run the football in order to be successful we all know that and vs. TCU? that is a bad match-up and I see a similar situation to last year with the Horned Frogs limiting the Falcons to about the same output as last year through 3 quarters and FINISHING the game this year and putting up more points offensively. Air Force playing a Freshman QB against this club on the road doesn't bode well for them Jeffereson is a talented kid and he will make a few plays undoubtedly but he most likely make a few key mistakes as well as he did against BYU last week at home in a 14 point loss. TCU beats this team in similar fashion but is at home and rested so the beating may be more severe.

Cincinnati is an up and coming football program under rising star head coach Brian Kelly. QB Tony Pike has had a good year and can throw the football a little , he will be playing tonight with a bruised sternum which is very painful and will make him a bit uncomfortable and may limit his running ability. Pitt is actually a better club on the road this year having defeated Notre Dame, South Florida, and Navy on the road playing thier best games in those contests. Last year the Panthers defeated West Virginia on the road knocking them out of a national championship game in the process, so we know they aren't bothered playing on the road. Leshean McCoy is a class running back he can really take control of games and he alone can make this a close bal game if not win it we will take the points with a stoudt Pitt defense led by Scott McKillop and the ability of McCoy to stay in this game until the final minute if not win it outright.

Boston College is a team that has a very strong defensive line and that fact will make it very difficult for Wake Forest to get things done within their offense. The Eagles are playing their best football of the season the last 2 weeks and have a lot of confidence overall. QB Chris Crane has cut down on his mistakes and the Eagles have moved the ball on the ground as well with Freshman Montel Harris leading the way. Wake Forest has had trouble with disciplined pyhsical defenses and I see more of the same here today. Play the Eagles + the small spot.