Beonard's Losers
Howdy, football fans! When I said last week that Purdue would lose in a close one, what I meant to say was that Purdue would lose and their score would be close to one. But if there's anything worse than getting shut out on the road, it's beating the number four team in the country, only to collapse -- with a little help from some questionable officiating -- in the last 15 minutes. Fortunately for some of last week's losers, basketball season is beginning, and with that comes distraction from a disappointing season on the gridiron. But we're not done here, yet. There's still a lot of important football to be played, so let's take a look at this week's games.
Northwestern at Iowa
Pat Fitzgerald would love to take his purple kittens to a bowl game, and a win in Iowa City on Saturday would accomplish just that. The Evanston squad has earned the name "Cardiac Cats" because of their affinity for close, late wins. Unfortunately, Kirk Ferentz's flock have the same flair for the dramatic, and an unblemished record to protect. Northwestern has been under-appreciated this year, but that doesn't put points on the scoreboard. Beonard's loser: Northwestern
Wisconsin at Indiana
After a hard-to-swallow loss last week, the boys from Basketballtown return home to defend the rock against the invading cheeseheads. After last week's dismantling of Purdue, Bret Bielma's Badger boys look to take down the other Big Ten team in Indiana with a strong running game and a defense that has allows fewer than 20 points per game. The rodents haven't lost to any unranked teams yet this season, and they don't look to start now. Beonard's loser: Indiana
Western Michigan at Michigan State
Just when things are starting to go well for Sparty, they stop. Mark Dantonio and company will try to avoid a second three-game losing streak when the Kalamazoo horses ride into Spartan Stadium. The spear-toters have already overlooked one Directional Michigan team, so don't expect them to repeat that mistake. Add in the Bronco's 1-4 road record, and you get a recipe for glue. Beonard's loser: Western Michigan
Purdue at Michigan
Whatever momentum Danny Hope's locomotive may have gained in October was lost when the train derailed in Madison last week. So now the black and gold express has to limp into Ann Arbor, where it hasn't won since the Johnson administration. The Wolverines have some wounds of their own to lick, and two troublesome games ahead, so they might find their focus is not on Saturday's game. Still, Michigan looks better all around, and bowl eligibility will silence some of Rich Rod's critics. Beonard's loser: Purdue
Illinois at Minnesota
It was only Illinois' second win of the season, but last week's defeat of Michigan brought some life to the Chambana tribe. They'll try to make it two in a row on Saturday when they head up to TCF Bank Stadium to hunt for some Gopher pelts. Tim Brewster has other ideas, and hopes to coach his way to his first bowl game by beating his alma mater. It'll be a battle of offenses, and Minnesota's is better. Beonard's loser: Illinois
Navy at Notre Dame
Charlie Weis's career would be sunk if Notre Dame loses at home to Navy again, so he's got millions of reasons to keep the Indiana Vatican holy on Saturday. Navy sails in needing one more win to extend their bowl streak to seven, but despite their best efforts, their weapons will be no match for the fancy beadwork of the Irish. Beonard's loser: Navy
LSU at Alabama
It's more than just the SEC West on the lane in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama needs a win to remain in the BCS championship talks, but an LSU win would put the Tigers into that discussion. The bayou bengals have scored a lot of points, but have had the luxury of a fairly easy schedule. They'll have a tough time against a Tide squad that's allowed less than 20 combined points in the last three games. Beonard's loser: LSU
Ohio State at Penn State
The Big Ten's two one-loss teams face off in Happy Valley in a game that will decide who gets to remain in the title hunt. This will be the first game against a ranked opponent for Joe Pa and company, although their loss to Iowa looks a lot better now that the Hawkeyes are ranked 4th. Jim Tressel's nuts have been tested once before and were found lacking. On Saturday, they'll come up short again. Beonard's loser, in a close one: Ohio State
Well, folks, that's all I've got for you this week. Come back next week and we'll talk about some more losers.