ESPNs Predictions (IU vs WF) & other odds and ends

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ESPN posted up their predictions.

 

Indiana (3-0) at Wake Forest (2-1)
12:30 p.m. ET, ESPN3

NAME	PICK	SCORE
Brian  Bennett		31-30
Josh  Moyer		38-34
Dan  Murphy		28-21
Mitch  Sherman		51-48 (3OT)
Jesse  Temple		27-24
Austin  Ward		43-33

 

[MartintheMopMan 7,765]

 

ESPN posted up their predictions.

 

Indiana (3-0) at Wake Forest (2-1)
12:30 p.m. ET, ESPN3

 

 

Triple overtime and who saves the day?

 

Griffen Freaking Oakes.

 

Hero.

[Naturalhoosier 15,366]

Three weeks into the season, we’ve arrived at a point where production overtakes projection. Each week, our group of six reporters provides a snapshot of the race for the Big Ten’s major awards. And we’ll throw in a wild-card category.

The offensive leader from a week ago, Braxton Miller, has fallen entirely out of the top five, along with Ohio State's quarterbacks. Is it an overreaction to the Buckeyes’ sluggish showing against Northern Illinois, or the sign of an unpredictable season to come? Only time will tell.

Here are the results:

Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year

1. Indiana RB Jordan Howard (6 first-place votes): Give some credit to the Hoosiers’ offensive line, which opened holes nicely last year for Tevin Coleman. The drop-off has been minimal with Howard, who leads the nation with 507 rushing yards and has averaged 6.5 yards per attempt as a transfer from UAB.

2. Michigan State QB Connor Cook: The senior is working into form, improving his completion percentage each week. His QBR sits seventh nationally, and Cook has thrown eight touchdowns with one interception.

3. Michigan State WR Aaron Burbridge: Cook’s top target, the senior has caught eight passes in each of the past two games. He scored three touchdowns and accumulated 156 yards Saturday against Air Force.

4. Ohio State RB Ezekiel Elliott: He’s topped 100 yards in every game, though the awe-inspiring runs that we came to expect after the postseason last year have been missing since his first carry of this season, which went for 80 yards.

5. Indiana QB Nate Sudfeld: Back from injury, the senior has shown few signs of rust. He leads the Big Ten in passing yardage and ranks sixth nationally with a per-completion average of 16.2 yards.

Also receiving votes: Nebraska QB Tommy Armstrong Jr., Miller, Iowa QB C.J. Beathard

Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year

1. Northwestern LB Anthony Walker (4): The breakout star on a unit that leads the nation in scoring defense and has held three foes to a nation-low QBR figure. The sophomore averages 12 tackles per game.

2. Michigan State LB Riley Bullough (1): The junior leads the league with 39 tackles and has contributed three sacks. He’s suspended from the first half Saturday against Central Michigan for a targeting violation.

3. Penn State DE Carl Nassib: The 6-foot-7 former walk-on has blossomed in his first year as a starter, leading the Big Ten with five sacks.

4. Wisconsin LB Joe Schobert: Another in a strong cast of linebackers in the league, the second-year starter leads the Badgers with 25 tackles and four sacks.

5. Michigan DE Chris Wormley: The senior has taken a huge step this year under the Wolverines’ new coaches, ranking second in the league with seven tackles for loss.

Also receiving votes: Ohio State LB Darron Lee (1), Ohio State S Vonn Bell, Maryland LB Jermaine Carter

Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year

1. Bell (6): The junior just stands out, even on a Buckeyes defensive unit that oozes talent. He’s a special kind of player for whom offensive coordinators must account — or pay the price.

2. Minnesota CB Eric Murray: Among the Gophers’ stacked secondary, the senior has sharpened his skills this fall as a shut-down specialist.

3. Michigan CB Jourdan Lewis: The Wolverines’ top man in coverage, the junior has six pass breakups, matching Bell for the league lead.

Also receiving votes: Iowa CB Desmond King