Benster and D Pick Your Games -- Big Ten for Real Edition

Old dude, it's actually been a little chilly down here in Galesburg.

It's definitely autumn here as well. So, how did you like your beloved Knox College Prairie Fire showing up on SportsCenter last week?

That was pretty cool. Our vast readership needs to see this catch:

That's Ilir Emini, everyone. Ask for him by name.

Really liked it. It didn't even require any embellishment.

Oh, we think it's worthy of HYYYYYYYPPPPPPE! Lots and lots of HYYYYYYYPPPPPPPE!

Well, it's a nice deal for sure. But that was last week. What about this week?

Oh, I've got an answer for that, Geritol Fan! Watch me work!

Minnesota Golden Gophers (+3.5) vs. Northwestern Wildcats. So, it's the nationally ranked Wildcats playing our Gophers. What is this, 1995? Evanston is a really tricky place to win and Northwestern is quietly one of the better teams in the Big Ten. The Gophers have looked really shaky at times in the out of conference schedule and have to play a difficult game. I think this game is very much going to tell us if Northwestern is for real. Northwestern 31, Jerry the Cable Guy 20.

This game could be a bit of a snoozer if you aren't interested in the results. The over/under on the game is 39.5, which tells you that Vegas isn't expecting a lot of offense out of these squads. So far the Gophers have been winning close games against lower shelf opponents, although they did play TCU very tough in the opener. I'm not sure what to make of this one, actually. Do you believe in Northwestern? Not sure that I do, but on the home field they should have enough. Northwestern 24, Gophers 20.

Macalester Scots (NL) vs. Knox College Prairie Fire. Hey, if Knox can get on national television, I'm gonna pick their game! Knox has looked good and should be a factor. The coaching staff does a great job at getting the players to just make good plays and hang in there. The Fire is going to be in contention this year, as Knox continues to step up the athletic game. Seymour Union 45, Mac 0.

Macalester was actually pretty good last year. This year, they seem to be reverting to form. Knox is improving; the circus catch aside, in the past they would not have won at Lawrence. They may not be ready for the top teams in the MWC, but they should be able to handle the Scots. Knox 31, Macalester 20.

Iowa Hawkeyes (+6.5) vs. Beloved Wisconsin Badgers. This game is traditionally one of the most difficult games on the Badger schedule. Iowa always is a difficult team to play against, as they are tough and well-coached. Joel Stave has really improved, and he may be getting to that level of Scott Tolzien or Darrell Bevell, if you get what I mean. I do not expect an easy game, but considering that Wisconsin has won the last three games in Iowa City, I feel quietly confident. Wisconsin 31, Iowa 28.

I don't know if the Hawkeyes are any good or not. They have won a number of close games against inferior opponents. The Badgers have been winning their games by large margins. Does that translate into victory? Not sure, but I would think the odds favor the Badgers, particularly at Camp Randall. Badgers 34, Iowa 24.

Oakland Raiders (-3) vs. Bear Down Chicago da Bearz. Da Beatz are like watching an accident waiting to happen. As much as we think that the Raiders are a crap team, they are starting to figure things out. I like the Raiders here because the Bears are about as dangerous as a teddy bear. Raiders 31, Bears 7.

Life is not good when the Raiders are a road favorite in  your building. The Bears will once again have to go without Alshon Jeffrey and, most likely, Jay Cutler. Hard to see how they generate much offense without those guys. Assume that Matt Forte will be getting a lot of attention. Still, I have a feeling about this one. Bears 24, Raiders 23.

Minnesota Vikings (+6.5) vs. Denver Broncos. Peyton Manning is starting to get old and he might be as shifty as the statue of John Elway in the parking lot. The Vikings have really improved and are looking like a team that will challenge Green Bay for the division. I like Minnesota in this game, considering Denver is not going to be going anywhere right now. Minnesota 21, Denver 17.

This one seems pretty simple. Can the Vikings get through the Broncos offensive line enough to batter Peyton Manning into submission? That's been the formula for their last two victories. Now that, as the young fellow has pointed out, Manning has Lynn Dickey-like mobility, it's possible. I look for a steady diet of bubble screens to Denver running backs. That should get them by, but if a Viking gets a big hit on Peyton, watch out. Broncos 27, Vikings 17.

Glorious Green Bay Packers (-6.5) vs. San Francisco 49ers. The 2015 Revenge Tour continues this week, as it's time to offer payback to Colin Kaepernick. No jerk Harbaugh this time, and the Packers are hoping that this is not the last trip they make out to Santa Clara, if you get my drift. The Packer defense has been playing amazing lately, and with all of the turnover in the Bay Area, look for another Packer win. Packers 67, Kaeper-not 0.

Kaepernick still scares me, but this 49ers team is pretty depleted. They don't the strength on defense that they used to have and it seems possible to deny Kaepernick room to maneuver. The Packers are more athletic on the edge than they used to be. I don't see the 49ers getting home against Aaron Rodgers, either. Think this will go the Packers way. Packers 34, 49ers 20.

Okay, old dude! Nice job staying awake long enough to make these picks! Chug some Metamucil and call it a night! Ben out!