It is “RIVALRY” week, folks, so there is absolutely ZERO time to talk about what happened with our picks last week. I would love to discuss it with you all but between the Nebraska game and Thanksgiving, there is just no time! As is customary in these times, you MUST listen to this song while reading through the picks today. If you do not, they will all lose and Nebraska will win. DO NOT BE THE REASON NEBRASKA WINS.
BLACK FRIDAY GAME OF THE CENTURY
IOWA -13.5 VS NEBRASKA (FRIDAY, 12:00 PM CST, FOX)
Good morning to everyone except for Scott Frost. #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/2d0KMAxJui
— Cody Hills (@ByCodyHills) November 22, 2020
Iowa is ROLLING. I have no idea what happened in the first two games of the season but we should definitely pretend they never happened. Yes, we still might have some issues at QB, but Petras is getting better(ish). The defense is busting heads and the Goodson and Sargent have become an unstoppable two-headed beast. We head into the Nebraska game on a three-game win streak which is two less than the number of times we have beaten Nebraska in a row, BUT WHO'S COUNTING????
Nebraska is an absolute mess right now, which is nothing new. They have been a mess for like 15 years. Usually, this is where I would make fun of Nebraska for being so awful, but I have always been taught not to kick someone when they are down. You should all feel bad for laughing at Nebraska, actually. They are the reason we are playing football, so why do people keep laughing at them? Do you know how hard it is for a coach to beat Illinois in only his third year with a program?? Do you realize they are trying to replace the 2019 Preseason Heisman Trophy winner at QB? IT IS NOT THEIR FAULT.
I will not be making fun of them this year, no way. Instead, I will just share some of my favorite tweets from Nebraska fans, writers, and radio hosts describing just how awful they are.
Jake Sorenson, a radio host in Lincoln, had this to say after their loss to Illinois. Yikes!
Do you guys realize how horrendously bad and unacceptable this performance is on all cylinders? This is an atrocity of a football game by a fragile as hell football team. And Scott Frost deserves a lot of blame. #Huskers
— Jake Sorensen (@937JakeSorensen) November 21, 2020
Another Nebraska radio host, John Bishop, wants to know if Nebraska's loss to Illinois was their worst home loss EVER. It's close, ouch.
When having conversations about "worst Husker loss" consider that yesterday's 18p loss as a 16.5p favorite (-34.5 margin) is the worst differential vs. the spread as a favorite in a home game since 1998. And it happened against a team that could end with losing record. pic.twitter.com/6HVhBUBh15
— John M. Bishop (@JohnBishop71) November 22, 2020
Steve Sipple, the ultimate Husker homer, is at A COMPLETE LOSS FOR WORDS. HOW COULD THIS THING THAT EVERYONE OUTSIDE OF NEBRASKA SAW COMING, HAPPEN???
Entering season, I thought Nebraska's OL and QB position would be the primary strengths. I was wrong on both counts.
— Steven M. Sipple (@HuskerExtraSip) November 21, 2020
As season unfolded, I figured maybe Frost could lean on Blackshirts as offense scuffled. Wrong again.
I'm at a loss.
Program's at a loss.
This is a bad loss.
Former Nebraska writer Christopher Heady may be on to something HERE….
At this point Nebraska is just a freshman getting repeatedly stuffed in a locker by everyone in the conference.
— Christopher Heady (@heady_chris) November 21, 2020
I think this is a tweet we all agree with.
I do realize it might seem like I'm harping on Nebraska a lot. With that in mind, I will be honest and admit that them dubiously claiming credit for saving the Big Ten season and then getting boat-raced at home by Illinois is one of the funniest things that's happened in years
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) November 21, 2020
VERY UNFAIR, INDEED!
very unfair of the Big Ten to make Nebraska play Illinois!!!!
— Matt Brown (@MattBrownEP) November 21, 2020
Scott Dochterman is NOT a Nebraska fan, but it brings up a point that I just had to share with you all. Remember though, they are close to turning the corner and DOMINATING the division.
Nebraska now has lost its most recent game to every Big Ten West team.
— Scott Dochterman (@ScottDochterman) November 22, 2020
Wisconsin 7 straight; Iowa 5; Purdue 2
All 1: Northwestern (Lost 3 of 4), Minnesota 1 (Lost 3 of 4), Illinois (Just 1) https://t.co/4WRCXLbCPF
Nebraska, Illinois, and Vanderbilt. A trio of great football programs!
Since 2017, Nebraska ranks 104th out of 130 in win percentage, going 14-26.
— Josh Peterson (@joshtweeterson) November 22, 2020
Among Power 5 programs, Nebraska is tied for fifth fewest wins.
Kansas: 7-36
Rutgers: 8-32
Oregon State: 9-30
Arkansas: 11-33
Vanderbilt: 14-30
Illinois: 14-28
Nebraska: 14-26https://t.co/ebd1YNl5yu pic.twitter.com/g1K8MoXlVh
After reading this tweet, I mustache you all one question: Does Iowa even stand a chance on Friday???
Nebraska players are apparently growing mustaches for Iowa, according to WR Kade Warner.
— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) November 23, 2020
Iowa is going to blow them out. I was confident before I saw that stupid mustache tweet and after seeing it, I have never been more confident of anything in my life. We might rush for 500 yards. Our defense might have six interceptions. Take Iowa, take the OVER, and remember to take a few moments for yourself on Friday, Thanksgiving can be stressful!
PICK: IOWA -13.5, OVER 51.5
OTHER BIG TEN GAMES THIS WEEK THAT WE ARE THANKFUL FOR
Time is short this week so we are just going to give a quick reason we are thankful for each of these games and then give you the pick. Sorry, you won’t get any of our expert analysis, but a man only has so much time to write when his “real job” gives him multiple deadlines before a holiday.
#3 Ohio State -28 @ Illinois (11:00 AM CST, FS1)
I am thankful that both of these teams embarrassed Nebraska on national television this year.
PICK: OHIO STATE -28
Maryland @ #12 Indiana (11:00 AM CST, ESPN2)
I am thankful that Indiana is a covering machine and has won us lots of money this season. I am also thankful that Maryland is kind of fun to watch with Tua’s brother at QB.
PICK: INDIANA -7 FIRST HALF, INDIANA -11.5 GAME
Penn State +2.5 @ Michigan (11:00 AM CST, ABC)
I am thankful that Iowa ended its six-game losing streak to Penn State. I am also thankful that Michigan kept their game with Rutgers close so I had something to watch late last Saturday night.
PICK: PENN STATE +2.5, OVER 58.5
Minnesota +21.5 @ #18 Wisconsin (1:00 PM CST, BTN)
#11 Northwestern -13.5 @ Michigan State (2:30 PM CST, ESPN2)
Michigan State called me and said they are bringing back #MSUnders specifically for me this week, so we can all be thankful for that!
PICK: UNDER 42.5
Rutgers +12 @ Purdue (3:00 PM CST, FS1)
I am thankful that Nebraska’s best QB, Noah Vedral, found a good home at Rutgers. And I am thankful for Rondale Moore.
PICK: RUTGERS +12?!?!?!?!?!?
YTD Record: 39-31-1
ATS: 29-20-1
O/U: 10-11
