As always, Jerod, Ryan, and Andy will be here with another episode of The Assembly Call as soon as the game ends with instant analysis and fan reaction.

IU-Iowa Gameday Info

• Date: Sunday, January 29th
• Time: 6:00 ET, 5:00 CT
• TV: BTN
• Announcers: Eric Collins and Dan Bonner
• Point Spread: Indiana by 11.5
• Over-Under: 151
• KenPom Prediction: Indiana 89-70 with 92% chance of winning
• Peegs: IU Gameday
• Inside the Hall: What to Expect – Iowa
• IU-Penn State live tweet coverage: @AssemblyCall
• Assembly Call IU Postgame Show: http://assemblycall.com/live

IU-Iowa Preview

Iowa Hawkeyes

It’s been an up-and-down year for the Hawkeyes, who didn’t beat anyone of note in the non-conference and even lost to Campbell at home by 15 points.  However, their three Big Ten wins have come at Wisconsin, at Minnesota, and home against Michigan, who they beat by 16 points.  They’ve also been swept by Purdue and lost to Ohio State and Michigan State by a combined 63 points.  Most recently, the Hawkeyes fell to Nebraska at home by a 79-73 score after allowing the Huskers to score 48 points in the second half.

Iowa comes in with the worst defensive efficiency in the Big Ten, an honor (or maybe a dishonor) the Hoosiers held until recently.  Interestingly enough, they have allowed opponents to shoot just 29.0 percent from behind the arc, but they are allowing 56.5 percent shooting on two-pointers, which ranks dead last in the conference.

The Hawkeyes don’t force many turnovers and have been victimized on the offense glass, leaving their relatively low opponents’ free throw rate as one of their only positives on the defensive end.  Consequently, it’s reasonable to expect the Hoosiers to employ a similar gameplan as they did versus Wisconsin when they shot just eight three-pointers and attacked more off the dribble.

On offense, Iowa wants to push the tempo and plays at the second-fastest pace in league play.  They have been effective at drawing fouls and getting to the line, and they’ve done a nice job on the offensive glass, thanks in large part to the efforts of Aaron White and Zach McCabe.  Outside of that, the Hawkeyes rank seventh or worse in the conference in shooting percentage on two-pointers, three-pointers, and free throws, and their turnover rate is in the middle of the pack.

Eight Iowa players scored at least 6.0 points per game, led by Matt Gatens and Roy Devyn Marble with 13.2 and 11.3 points, respectively.  Gatens has at least 11 points in 10 of the last 12 games, and he also leads the Hawkeyes in steals.  Marble has stepped up his scoring of late with 58 points in the last four games, and while his shooting percentages aren’t great, he’s second on the team in assists and steals.  He also has a low turnover rate and has been adept at getting to the line.

The aforementioned White and McCabe team with sophomore Melsahn Basabe give the Hawkeyes some solid options in the frontcourt.  White, a 6-foot-8 freshman, has consistently given the team a lift off the bench and averages 9.7 points and 4.9 boards in just under 20 minutes per game. His rebounding percentages are good on both ends of the floor, and he’s drawing nearly six fouls per 40 minutes.  McCabe is coming off of back-to-back 20-point efforts where he has gone a combined 16-of-24 from the field.  Meanwhile, Basabe’s numbers have fallen off in his second season, but he’s still a solid rebounder and inside threat.

Indiana Hoosiers

The Hoosiers are coming off of a disappointing loss to Wisconsin, but it was also their best defensive performance of the conference season.  While Iowa isn’t particularly explosive offensively, IU can’t afford a relapse into their defensive funk from earlier Big Ten games, and they have to get back in transition to prevent easy baskets.

Given Iowa’s struggles to defend two-pointers, a heavy dose of Cody Zeller is a given, but the freshman needs to stay out of foul trouble and do a better job of establishing post position.  He was plagued by foul trouble against Wisconsin and managed just seven points and three rebounds.

The Hoosiers got 12 big points from Verdell Jones III in the first half of the Wisconsin game, but he struggled after the break.  They need him to attack the basket as he did during the first 20 minutes of that game against a struggling Iowa defense.

Other key players to watch for IU are Victor Oladipo and Will Sheehey, who combined for just four points on 2-of-10 shooting.  Oladipo hasn’t been playing with as much confidence of late, and his offensive struggles are starting to impact his defense as well.  Sheehey, on the other hand, did a terrific job defending Jordan Taylor in the Wisconsin game but couldn’t get anything rolling offensively despite playing 25 minutes, his second-highest total of the season.

Christian Watford and Jordan Hulls have each had big games against the Hawkeyes during their careers, with Watford hanging 30 on them in the first matchup last season while Hulls went for 24 in the second.

Final Thought

Ultimately this is a solid matchup for the Hoosiers.  On defense, Iowa consistently allows a lot of points and doesn’t force many turnovers, and on offense, they aren’t overly explosive thanks to their relatively poor shooting percentages.  The Hoosiers need to make sure they protect the defensive glass for 40 minutes and avoid making silly fouls to keep Iowa’s offense from getting easy points.

As I said before the Penn State game, this is one the Hoosiers simply have to win, not only to get back to .500 in league play but also to exercise the demons of the last few games against Iowa.  They need to jump on a relatively young Hawkeye team early and show some killer instinct, which would give the Hoosiers a dose of confidence heading into a pair of key road games against Michigan and Purdue.

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Listen to Andy Sunday on The Assembly Call. Follow him on Twitter at @AndyBottoms.

Maybe it’s the unseasonably warm weather here in Ohio, or the absence of NBA games that were supposed to have already started, or that I haven’t heard a whole lot about this year’s Black Friday mega-deals, but it sure seems like Turkey Day snuck up on me this year.

Of course if you’re reading this article, you are probably almost as excited about watching an entire day of football as you are enjoying the best (and likely biggest) meal of the whole year and the company of loved ones.

Like cooking out and baseball on July 4th, and college football (and hopefully not too much of a hangover) on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and NFL football combine to make one of the greatest days of the year for sports fans.

For the third straight year, this is the official image of Thanksgiving Day football on MSF.

So just what can we expect to see as we eat second and third helpings of turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie, and chocolate chip cookies (my grandma’s cookies are always the perfect way to cap off the meal)?

The NFL really nailed it this year, as we have 3 great games to watch and story lines galore.  Here is everything you need to know to get ready for this year’s Thanksgiving Day NFL action.

Note: Point spread information is current as of late Sunday night.  As the lines move, we will do our best to update the article to provide the most current information possible.

NFL Thanksgiving Day Football TV Schedule

Point Spreads – Kickoff Times – Announcers – Picks & Predictions

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Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions Game Info

• Packers-Lions Date: Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24th
• Packers-Lions Kickoff Time: 12:30 PM EST
• Packers-Lions TV Network: FOX
• Packers-Lions Announcers: Joe Buck and Troy Aikman
• Packers-Lions Point Spread: Packers -5.5
• Packers-Lions Over/Under: 55
• MSF: Packers-Lions Preview and Prediction

Packers-Lions Preview and Prediction

Remember when the only think to look forward to about watching the Lions on Thanksgiving was seeing what havoc Barry Sanders would inflict upon their opponent?  And remember when Sanders retired and everyone began lobbying for a different team to take Detroit’s place in the annual Thanksgiving slot?

The 2011 incarnation of the Lions, with Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Ndamukong Suh  has shed all of those ugly memories, morphing into an offensive powerhouse with a penchant for overcoming huge leads and a mean streak on the defensive side.

Fortunately for us fans, the Lions will get to play the undefeated Packers, so the chance for a dramatic finish will be high.

The Packers looked a little less invincible this past week against Tampa Bay than they normally do, so it will be interesting to see what a short week against what is likely the toughest opponent they have faced yet this year will bring.

I expect both teams to be able to move the ball with ease, but I think the Lions will turn the ball over a couple of times and allow Green Bay to get out to a large lead.  Despite the Lions’ ability to overcome double-digit deficits, I see them falling a little short in this one.

• Packers-Lions Spread Pick: Packers -5.5

Miami Dolphins at Dallas Cowboys

• Dolphins-Cowboys Date: Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24th
• Dolphins-Cowboys Kickoff Time: 4:15 PM EST
• Dolphins-Cowboys TV Network: CBS
• Dolphins-Cowboys Announcers: Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
• Dolphins-Cowboys Point Spread: Cowboys -6.5
• Dolphins-Cowboys Over/Under: 44

Cowboys-Dolphins Preview and Prediction

Just a few weeks ago, this game might have seemed like a dud,  but the Dolphins have surged to 3 straight victories, including this past week’s 35-8 drubbing of the Buffalo Bills.

Once considered the frontrunners in the “Suck for Luck” sweepstakes, the Dolphins are showing signs of life and competing every week behind quarterback Matt Moore and Reggie Bush, who is starting to resemble the Reggie Bush of years past.

Dallas comes in at 6-4 and tied for the NFC East lead.  Say what you will about the Cowboys’ postseason failures and Tony Romo’s lack of clutch play, the fact is that Romo and his team are dominant in November.  In November, as a starter, Romo is 18-2 with 49 touchdown passes against only 12 interceptions in his career.

The Dolphins are going to come back to earth sometime, and I expect that to be now.  On a short week, traveling to Dallas, Miami will struggle in all phases, and I see Dallas rolling over them and staying atop the NFC East.

• Dolphins-Cowboys Spread Pick: Cowboys -6.5

San Francisco 49ers at Baltimore Ravens

• 49ers-Ravens Date: Thanksgiving Night, Thursday, November 24th
• 49ers-Ravens Kickoff Time: 8:20 PM EST
• 49ers-Ravens TV Network: NFL Network
• 49ers-Ravens Announcers: Brad Nessler and Mike Mayock
• 49ers-Ravens Point Spread: Ravens -3
• 49ers-Ravens Over/Under: 39
• MSF: 49ers-Ravens Preview and Prediction

What more can you ask for in a Thanksgiving evening game (other than for cable companies to all pick up the NFL Network)?

The Brothers Harbaugh square off against one another for the first time as NFL head coaches, with Jim Harbaugh’s 49ers, a surprising 9-1 and the runaway leader of the NFC West traveling to face John Harbaugh’s Ravens, who are tied for the AFC North lead after beating the Cincinnati Bengals last week.

These teams are built similarly, with punishing defenses (the 49ers are 1st against the run, the Ravens are 3rd) and elite, multi-purpose running backs (Frank Gore and Ray Rice).  The winner of this game will likely be the team who is able to have more success running against the other’s front 7.

Of concern for the Ravens is getting Rice consistent touches.  This season, Rice has averaged just over 14 carries per game, which for a star back is not nearly enough.  He is a valuable part of the receiving game too, with 51 receptions, but the Ravens need to find a way to establish Rice early and often.

The Ravens’ game plan lately has been a pass-heavy attack, but Joe Flacco is not Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees; he is not the type of quarterback who can give his team the best chance to win by consistently throwing over 35 times per game.

I think the 49ers will be able to run on Baltimore, especially if Ray Lewis were to miss the game (he is questionable currently with a toe injury that forced him to miss the Cincinnati game).  As long as Alex Smith is able to play conservative, mistake-free football like he has done in the first 10 games this year, I think the 49ers win.

• 49ers-Ravens Spread Pick: 49ers +3

That’s all the information you’ll need to know to enjoy this Thanksgiving’s NFL games.  We at MSF hope you enjoy great food, family, friends, football and fun (holy alliteration!) this Thanksgiving.

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The scandal involving former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky is still unfolding, detail after disgusting detail.  The case has been well documented, so I won’t go into the details here outside of their relevance to Saturday’s game.

It appears Saturday’s game at Beaver Stadium will go on as scheduled, despite some very legitimate concerns about the challenges that Penn State’s administration and campus police will face.  Wednesday night, as news of Joe Paterno’s firing spread, students at Penn State gathered on Beaver Avenue.  Most students were under control, merely rubbernecking and trying to understand what was going on.  But as is often the case, some students became destructive.

Media members were pelted with rocks and a news van was tipped over by the mob.  Street signs were also broken, and approximately 100 police officers had to be called in with pepper spray to subdue some of the crowd.  No one is sure what the scene will look like Saturday afternoon as the Big Ten-leading Nittany Lions play host to the Cornhuskers.

For the record, it is my opinion that the game should be played as scheduled, so long as there are no concerns for the safety of the crowd or anyone involved in the game.

Though the scene right now is tranquil, I understand that trying to predict the crowd’s behavior Saturday is difficult.  But to move the game would be nearly impossible with this short of notice, and postponing the game would likely drag this on longer.  It would be unfair to the seniors of Penn State to not grant them their Senior Day, and it would be unfair to Nebraska who has surely worked very hard to prepare for this game as they try to climb back to the top of the Legends Division.

I understand that football is fickle compared to the charges levied at Sandusky, Paterno, and the rest of the Penn State program.  I understand that keeping the program churning ahead is what has caused most of these allegations to go unnoticed for almost a decade.  I feel, however, that the only solution is to play the game Saturday in Beaver Stadium and move on.

As for the game itself, let’s look at what each school needs to focus on to come away with the victory.

What Nebraska must do to win

For Nebraska’s offense it is very simple: run the ball with Rex Burkhead early and often.  When Burkhead gains more than 100 yards on the ground, the Huskers win (5-0 this year).  When he doesn’t, they lose (0-2).  The latter was the case last week against Northwestern, so you can be sure they will try to establish the running game against Penn State.

The fact is, as dynamic an athlete as quarterback Taylor Martinez is, he is inconsistent and mistake-prone.  I’ve written it before in this very column, but Martinez must protect the ball and give his defense a chance to sit on the sideline.  He doesn’t need to be spectacular for Nebraska to win this game.  Considering all the emotion of the past week, he merely needs to be efficient and allow Burkhead to shoulder the load.

Defensively, Nebraska should match up fairly well with the Nittany Lions.  Their first priority will be stopping Penn State running back Silas Redd, who has over 1,000 yards already this season.  Other than Wisconsin’s Montee Ball and Ohio State’s Carlos Hyde, Nebraska hasn’t been gashed badly on the ground this season.  Considering Ball has pretty much done that to everyone and 63 of Hyde’s 104 yards came on one carry (his other 12 went for just 41 yards), they have been respectable against the run.  They will need to keep that up this weekend as Penn State’s quarterback carousel hasn’t shown any chance of stopping.

What Penn State must do to win

This is going to sound impossible, but in order for Penn State to win, they must unite as a team and focus on the task of beating Nebraska and not the loss of their coach and the horrific scandal plaguing their program and institution.

In what is sure to be an emotional day for fans, players, coaches, and university employees, the Nittany Lions will try to run Redd as much as they can and play stingy defense against Burkhead.  Redd comes in with a streak of 5 straight 100-yard games, all of which have come against Big Ten opponents.

Penn State has lucked out a bit from a scheduling standpoint as they haven’t had to face Wisconson, Michigan or Michigan State this year, so this matchup against Nebraska will be their toughest in-conference game to date.

Last week against Illinois, Penn State got next to nothing out of their passing attack, totaling only 98 yards through the air.  Against Nebraska that might not be good enough, especially if Martinez gets going.  For the Nittany Lions to win this game, they must be able to make a few big plays in the passing game to open up the field for their primary weapon, Redd.  Wide receiver Derek Moye should be able to get open against a relatively weak Nebraska secondary, and if Matt McGloin (or Rob Bolden, but I expect McGloin to take most of the snaps) can hit him with a big strike or two, Penn State could shake off the distractions and remain undefeated in Big Ten play.

Defensively, they must limit Burkhead and force Martinez into bad throws.  Penn State is 3rd nationally in scoring defense, so they have the ability to both of those things.  If they allow Burkhead to start fast or Martinez to make a homerun play early, the Nittany Lions don’t have the quick strike offensive weapons to make up a deficit.

Nebraska-Penn State Prediction

I think that the seniors of Penn State have a lot to play for, and I think the team will come out and play well Saturday.  They will be filled with emotion and I think that will manifest itself in the form of passionate, inspired play.  The atmosphere will be unlike any other college football game we have ever seen given the circumstances of the last week, and I expect the crowd to be supportive of the players and be respectful of the game, which is certainly how Joe Paterno wants them to be.

I see Penn State’s defense holding Rex Burkhead to under 100 yards and I see the trend of Nebraska losing when he doesn’t reach the century mark holding up this week.  Look for Silas Redd to punish the Huskers defense and for Penn State to win one of their typical low scoring slugfests.

Final Prediction: Penn State 20, Nebraska 17

What do you think will be the outcome?

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Nebraska-Penn State Game Info

• Nebraska-Penn State Date: Saturday, November 12
• Nebraska-Penn State Kickoff Time: 12:00 EST
• Nebraska-Penn State TV: ESPN
• Nebraska-Penn State Point Spread: Nebraska -3.5
• Nebraska-Penn State Over/Under: 43

Final note: make sure you take a few minutes to sign up for one of this weekend’s fantasy college football and basketball tournaments from our friends at Daily Joust. After all, it is the best alternative to fantasy sports and sports betting…ever.

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Even though the Bears come into this game as the underdogs to most people, I’d say the pressure is on Philadelphia to win this game. The Eagles are at home against a team they’re “supposed” to beat, so it’s their job to go out there and do just that.

The Bears, on the other hand, know that they’re not going to catch Green Bay (who is?), but they have a relatively easy schedule ahead of them, making a wild card run possible.

Bears-Eagles Preview

The Bears like being called the underdog, and a lot of people like calling them that. That’s why this team continues to surprise people in games in which they’re supposed to lose, yet also why it’s sometimes frustrating to be a Bears fan.

Julius Peppers is having a quiet but effective second year in Chicago. He and the ever-aging Bears defense go against a very speedy Eagles offense. Some say that the Bears will never stop Michael Vick, but the past says otherwise.

Vick is actually 0-3 as a starter against the Bears. He has a 76.2 passer rating, has only rushed for 117 yards with no touchdowns, he has been sacked 15 times, and has thrown four interceptions in five games against Chicago. So the Bears have stopped Vick in the past, but can they stop the rest of the Eagles offense?

One of those other Eagles players is running back LeSean McCoy, who had a season-high of 185 yards and two rushing touchdowns last week. Mccoy has consistently been a threat in the backfield and is approaching Adrian Peterson-level respect.

But the Bears have a running back of their own who is also approaching Peterson’s level as being as big a threat as any player in the NFL. His name is Matt Forte.

To put it simply: Forte is the Bears offense. They live and die by Forte, as he leads the team is rushing and receiving. Sure, Jay Cutler has his moments of dominance, but that’s only when the offensive line decides to do their job, which is still sporadic enough for me to not trust it completely.

Cutler doesn’t affect the game like Forte does. It’s very hard to see the Bears winning any game without Forte on his game, unless the defense causes 3-4 turnovers.

Bears-Eagles Prediction

Neither of these teams has been consistent enough to say that either team is the obvious favorite in this game, but I have to give a very slight edge to the Philadelphia Eagles. I have a feeling Vick is finally  going to have some success against an older Bears defense.

But then again, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bears come into this game fresh out the bye week and tear into this Eagles defense. They’ve surprised me plenty of times before.

Eagles 27 – Bears 24

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Chicago Bears at Philadelphia Eagles

• Bears-Eagles Date, Time, and TV: Monday, November 7th at 8:30 ET on ESPN
• Bears-Eagles Announcers: Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, and Ron Jaworski
• Bears-Eagles Point Spread: Eagles -9
• Bears-Eagles Over-Under Odds: 47

This Saturday night two of the Big Ten’s best teams will meet in East Lansing, Michigan.  The game will have Big Ten Championship game implications as both teams are currently favored to win their divisions in the Big Ten.

#16 Michigan State, ranked 4^th in the FBS in points allowed (10.8), is coming off a signature win against rival Michigan.  In that game, the Spartans held Denard Robinson, one of the most talented playmakers in all of college football, to just 165 total yards en route to a convincing 28-14 win.  Running back Edwin Baker struggled to hold onto the ball but still powered the offense with 167 yards and a touchdown.

#6 Wisconsin is coming off another impressive beat down, this time of hapless Indiana.  In the last two games between Wisconsin and Indiana the Badgers have outscored the Hoosiers by a score of 142-27.  Russell Wilson threw for a score and caught another, and the Badgers used their strong running back to beat the Hoosiers into submission.

Wisconsin-Michigan State: Things to consider for Saturday

One popular cliché is that good defense beats good offense.  In this case both teams have good defenses, while Wisconsin would seem to have a decided advantage on offense.

The visiting Badgers haven’t faced a serious challenge yet as they have won their 6 games by an average of more than 40 points.  Wisconsin’s powerful offense averages over 500 yards per game.  Quarterback Russell Wilson has thrown for 1557 yards and accounted for 17 total touchdowns and just one interception.  Running backs Montee Ball (653 yards, 16 TD) and James White (416 yards, 4 TD) are both averaging over 6 yards per carry.  Nick Toon leads the receiving corps with 447 yards and 6 scores.

Wisconsin is so effective because they pressure the defense in many different ways.  Wilson is very mobile and can run when he needs to, and the strength of the running game makes the defense stay honest.  With so many weapons and the ability to play almost any offensive style with success, coach Bret Bielema has to like his team’s chances in any game.

The Badgers’ defense deserves credit as well, as they lead the FBS in points allowed with just 9.7 per game.  Of course, with the exception of Nebraska – who was held 20 points below their season average – they haven’t been truly tested by a great offense yet.  Still, Wisconsin has done what they are supposed to do in each game, dominating on both sides of the ball.  They also are plus-6 in turnover differential, having only given away three possessions in 6 games.

The Badgers haven’t won in Spartan Stadium since 2002.

Michigan State has succeeded mostly because of a stifling defense.  Unfortunately, one of their best defensive playmakers, defensive end William Gholston, due to a suspension for throwing a punch and twisting the helmet of Robinson during the Michigan game.

The Spartans have yet to allow a 100-yard rusher, so the matchup against Ball and White will be especially interesting to watch.  No team Michigan State has faced so far has such a complete offense, so coach Mark Dantonio must have his team ready to defend the balanced attack of the Badgers.

Offensively, the Spartans will look to Edwin Baker and LeVeon Bell to carry their ground game.  Both backs have been effective combining for 706 yards and 8 touchdowns through 6 games while averaging nearly 5 yards per carry.

Kirk Cousins will try to shake off a lackluster game against Michigan and reestablish his connection star receiver B.J. Cunningham.  Nearly 37% of Cousins’ completions have gone to Cunningham, and on those completions Cunningham is responsible for 47% of Cousins’ passing yardage.  This is a dynamic quarterback-receiver tandem.

What Wisconsin must do to win

It sounds obvious, but Wisconsin must do exactly what they have done for 6 straight games – run the ball effectively, hit a few big pass plays, and continue to play mistake-free football.

Wilson will need to react to pressure, since this will be the toughest defense he has faced all season.  If he handles that pressure well and makes some big plays through the air, Michigan State will be forced to drop an extra man in coverage and that will open up wider lanes for Ball and White.  As talented as those two backs are, any extra running room could result in huge plays.  That will also allow them to control the clock, and shorten the game.  For a team that doesn’t make many mistakes, the less possessions in the game, the better.

Defensively, Wisconsin must limit Cunningham.  The loss of starting cornerback Devin Smith in week 2 hasn’t hurt the Badgers yet, but it could against a tough receiver like Cunningham.  They also must be able to stop the rushing attack of Baker and Bell, for the exact reasons they need to have success with Ball and White on their own offense.

What Michigan State must do to win

The Spartans must be able to run with effectiveness early in the game.  If they can, Wisconsin will be forced to cheat toward the run, allowing Cousins, a very accurate passer (65% completion percentage), to hit his receivers for big gains.  If they get stuffed early, setting up long 2^nd and 3^rd downs, look for Cousins to be forced into bad throws that could end up as turnovers.

Michigan State must also be able to play with intensity and get after Wilson, even without the dominating presence Gholston brings.  If they allow Wilson to sit back and make throws without being under duress, the game is over.  If they can harass him like they did Robinson (who is not as good a thrower but is a better runner than Wilson), look for the Spartans to have a very good chance of winning this game.

Lastly, Spartan Stadium will need to be a loud, rowdy place for the home team to win.  In college football, perhaps more than any other sport, home field advantage can have a huge effect on the outcome of games.  Against Nebraska, Wisconsin didn’t get rattled because they controlled a double-digit lead for most of the game.  Michigan State will need to keep it close to allow the crowd to have an effect.

Wisconsin-Michigan State Prediction

I expect this game to be very close.  Even though Wisconsin seems to have a decided edge, the home field advantage and the fact that Wisconsin hasn’t faced a defense as good as the Spartans’ yet make me think this will come down to the wire.

I think Wilson will play well.  Ball and White will start slowly, but their style of running tends to make them more effective as the opposing defenses tire.  Michigan State will play better on offense than most expect, but I think they will ultimately come up short.  They have turned the ball over a little too much this year, and I think in the end a turnover will doom them Saturday night.

Wisconsin 27, Michigan State 17.

What do you think?

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Wisconsin-Michigan State Game Info

• Wisconsin-Michigan State Date: Saturday, October 22
• Wisconsin-Michigan State Kickoff Time: 8:00 PM EST
• Wisconsin-Michigan State TV: ESPN
• Wisconsin-Michigan State Point Spread: Wisconsin -9
• Wisconsin-Michigan State Over/Under: 48

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Ohio State will travel to Lincoln, Nebraska to face the 14^th-ranked Cornhuskers Saturday night in a meeting of powerhouse programs desperate for a conference win.

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Nebraska is coming off a disappointing trip to Wisconsin in which they were throttled 48-17 by the Badgers.  The Cornhuskers’ star dual-threat quarterback Taylor Martinez threw three interceptions and their defense couldn’t find any answers for Wisconsin’s pummeling rushing attack.

Ohio State is coming off a 10-7 home loss to Michigan State, in which their offense sputtered feebly until the final minute.  A Joe Bauserman 34-yard touchdown pass narrowly spared them the embarrassment of a home shutout loss.  That touchdown avoided a home shutout loss for the first time in 29 years for the Buckeyes.

The Buckeyes won’t be able to get help from suspended running back Dan Herron and wide receiver Devier Posey.  Both players’ suspensions were scheduled for 5 games but have been extended for at least this weekend due to the receipt of improper benefits, another in what seems like an endless slew of infractions afflicting the Buckeyes from this past offseason.

Before the season began, most ranked Wisconsin, Nebraska and Ohio State as the favorites to win the Big Ten.  Wisconsin has clearly separated themselves from the rest of the pack with their dominating start.

For Nebraska and Ohio State this game is crucial.

The loser will likely have no chance at the Big Ten Championship Game, as Ohio State, with two losses, would be chasing Wisconsin in the Leaders Division, and Nebraska would have to hope for Michigan, Michigan State and Iowa to beat up on each other to sneak back into first place in the Legends Division.

Important things to consider for Saturday

For the visiting Buckeyes the challenge will be on getting something out of their offense.  Before the season started I wrote that Buckeyes’ coach Luke Fickell was wrong to start 5^th-year senior Joe Bauserman at quarterback instead of freshman phenom Braxton Miller.  Miller finally started two weeks ago against Colorado, and while his passing numbers weren’t great (5-13, 83 yards and 2 touchdowns), he ran well, made sound decisions, and seemed to provide a spark to the Buckeyes offense.

Last week against Michigan State, though, Miller looked woefully unprepared for Big Ten competition.  I still think that if Fickell had started Miller from day one he would have been able to take his lumps against the lesser non-conference competition (Akron and Toledo, although the Rockets did provide a scare for Ohio State) and been able to perform a little better by this time in the season.

That is all irrelevant now, as the Buckeyes are still searching for answers under center.

Fickell hasn’t given any indication as to who will start at quarterback Saturday night in Lincoln.  Whichever player it is will need to improve on the Buckeyes’ 23.8 points scored per game (91^st in the FBS) and 154 passing yards per game (111^th in the FBS).  Running backs Carlos Hyde (296 yards, 4 TD) and Jordan Hall (216 yards, 1TD) have played fairly well, but without a passing game to balance the offense, their effectiveness can be limited.

Defensively, the Ohio State has played sound football.  They are allowing just 14.6 points per game, including just 10 to the Spartans a week ago.  They have forced 7 turnovers in their last 3 games.

Bo Pelini may have this expression all season if Nebraska's defense doesn't improve.

Nebraska, conversely, boasts a 9^th-ranked rushing attack and comes in averaging 37.6 points per game.  Against Wisconsin, the Huskers ran for 159 yards – a very respectable total against a tough defense and despite trailing most of the game – including 96 on 18 carries by running back Rex Burkhead.

Quarterback Taylor Martinez, despite his troubles both throwing and running last week, is still in the top-25 in the FBS in rushing yards with 482.  He is still completing only 50% of his throws, which allows defenses to stack the line and limit his running ability.  Against Wisconsin, Martinez was held to just 3.1 yards per carry as the Badgers had effectively taken away his ability to throw and could key on his running.

Nebraska’s defense, which I predicted would struggle last week after failing to shut down lesser competition, did just that.  The Cornhuskers were gutted by the run last week to the tune of 231 yards and 5 touchdowns.  Coach Bo Pelini has to be discouraged by the effort put forth through 5 games by the Blackshirts, who came away with proverbial black eyes after the beating in Madison last week.

What Ohio State must do to win

Going into Lincoln and coming out victorious will be a tall task for Ohio State, but they are capable of doing it.

First, whoever is playing quarterback simply cannot turn the ball over.  As boring as Tressel-ball was, the punt was always considered a valuable play, and the Buckeyes used it to control field position and eventually create short fields and more scoring opportunities.  This must be the primary focus Saturday night, particularly in the hostile environment of Memorial Stadium.

In addition, the quarterback must create opportunities in the passing game.  It sounds elementary, but after seeing the struggles the Buckeyes have had throwing this year it cannot be overstated.  They must balance the offense to give Hyde and Hall a chance to run the ball.

Defensively, Ohio State must continue to do what it has done so far this season – create a turnover or two and play strong against the run.  They cannot allow Martinez to run wild and come up with any big plays with his feet.  They need to force him to throw to beat them, and they need to come up with the ball when Martinez fails to do so.

What Nebraska must do to win

Nebraska must protect the ball.  If they turn it over, they will allow a wounded Buckeyes team to score cheap points.  This is especially true for Martinez, who needs to shake off the poor performance last week and make smart decisions with the football this week.

Nebraska must continue to run the ball well.  Ohio State has been strong against the run, so Nebraska must win the battle at the line of scrimmage.  If Burkhead can have another great game, the Huskers should find themselves on the winning side.

Lastly, the Cornhuskers must be able to get to whichever quarterback Ohio State sends onto the field.  They will need to apply pressure and force bad throws that can be turned into picks or, at the very least, good field position following punts.

Ohio State – Nebraska Prediction

I look for the Buckeyes to play better than most expect.  I think Bauserman will start, based off his touchdown pass at the end of last week’s game, but I also see Miller being used to keep the Nebraska defense off-balance.

I think Nebraska will be able to move the ball fairly easily, though.  I expect Martinez to have a big night in front of the home crowd, and I think that his turnover issues from last week won’t be repeated.  That will be enough to keep Ohio State at bay and keep the Huskers in the hunt for a trip to the Big Ten Championship Game.

Final Score Prediction: Nebraska 27, Ohio State 23.

What do you think?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

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Ohio State Nebraska Game Info

• Ohio State-Nebraska Date: Saturday, October 8
• Ohio State-Nebraska Kickoff Time: 8:00 ET
• Ohio State-Nebraska TV: ABC
• Ohio State Nebraska Point Spread: Nebraska -11
• Ohio State-Nebraska Over/Under: 44

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Follow me on Twitter @keithmullett

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Image credit: features.rr.com, cornnation.com, nwsource.com

Atlanta traded up for Julio Jones, picked up Ray Edwards, and also picked up some possible starting defensive backs. Chicago, it seemed, did the exact opposite. They didn’t address their offensive line needs, released their Pro Bowl center, and released their 2007 first round draft pick Greg Olsen.

Matt Forte expressed dissatisfaction with his contract last month, and now Lance Briggs is now disgruntled about his contract situation even to the point of formally asking for a trade (though Jerry Angelo said the Bears are not shopping the linebacker) Both players will be suiting up this Sunday though, but will their state of mind be a distraction on the field?

Most likely not. Forte will, though, have more pressure on him to play well Sunday because back-up running back, Marian Barber, may be sitting due to a calf injury.

Chicago’s strong-suit is going to have to be their defense. That’s no surprise. They still have one of the best linebackers in Brian Urlacher, and their defensive line should be about the same, anchored by Irseal Idonije and Julius Peppers.

What scares me, and has always scared me, is the Bears’ pass defense. Not much has changed except for the experience the defensive backs have compared to what they had last season. One thing has proven true the pas few years: if you’re going to beat the Bears, you have to perform well in the passing game.

The Falcons have the ability to do that Sunday.

Matt Ryan now has rookie receiver Julio Jones to go along with Roddy White, improving Atlanta’s passing game enough to take the workload off of running back Michael Turner. Ryan, White, and Jones all stand as a huge threat to the Bears’ defense.  Charles Tillman will most likely be set to cover White, but other than that, the Bears have no truly effective cornerback that can cover Jones.

Matt Forte is the only player on the offensive side of the ball who has a consistent impact for the Bears. Atlanta allowed, on average, 105.9 rushing yards per game. That’s nothing to be too proud of and definitely something the Bears can take advantage of and use to their advantage.

Everyone knows the Bears’ problem on offense is their offensive line and their lack of a true number one receiver. I am not convinced (and neither is anyone else) that the Bears have significantly improved at either of these positions, enough to consider them an offensive threat, which is sad because I truly believe, with a above average O-line and someone to throw to, Jay Cutler could flourish as a Bear.

But Atlanta has added some skill to the defensive line, signing Ray Edwards to help out John Abraham rush the passer. Against Chicago’s poor O-line, I expect the Falcons to get to Cutler and cause a few mistakes.

• Bears-Falcons Prediction: Falcons 24 Bears 17
• Bears-Falcons Spread Pick: Falcons -3
  
• Bears-Falcons Over-Under: Push
  

Bears-Falcons Game Info

• Falcons-Bears Date, Time, and TV: Sunday, September 11th at 1:00 ET on FOX
• Falcons-Bears Point Spread: Falcons -3
• Falcons-Bears Over-Under Odds: 41
• Falcons-Bears Announcers: Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, and Tony Siragusa

The NBA playoffs are about to begin, and surely this is one of the most exciting playoffs I have seen in recent years. With new-look teams like Miami and New York on the prowl, we are sure to be in for a treat almost every night.

Then there are the young rising talents such as Derrick Rose and Kevin Durant, guys who are ready to prove to the NBA world that they are ready for the big show.

And let’s not forget the usual contenders like Los Angeles, San Antonio, Boston and the many other powerful teams seeking a ring!

Yes, the time has come!

And what better way to start my favorite time of year than to write and analyze each series’ matchups, advantages, disadvantages, and who I think will ultimately take it to the next round. I previewed the Eastern Conference Playoffs earlier this week. Today, we look at each first round series in the Western Conference.

And don’t forget, to get my real-time updates as the playoffs progress, you can get at me on Twitter as well!

Update: Click here to view the complete first round TV schedule.

(1) Spurs vs (8) Grizzlies

Season Series: Tied 2-2

At the beginning of the season, this Spurs team was nearly unstoppable, going on stretches that were hard to believe and crushing each opponent by an impressive margin. Not only did this show that the San Antonio Spurs had a healthy combination of age/youth, but it showed us how great a coach Gregg Popovich is.

Just think about it: he used his skills to gather a bunch of young kids with a group of NBA vets who only want one thing, and that is the Larry O’Brien trophy. It still surprises me as to how Gregg isn’t the favorite to win the Coach of the Year Award. Much respect to Thibbs, but hey it is what it is.

It also helps when you have the game’s greatest power-forward to ever lace ‘em up, and you have two other stars whom have already collected their share of rings.

Then at the other end of the spectrum are the surprising Memphis Grizzlies. Many people did not have them doing too well in the regular season, and they actually didn’t do well to start it off. But by the All-Star break, the Grizzlies were pushing hard in the hard-fought Western Conference, and they finished the season going 15-10 with great Ws against Dallas, OKC, San Antonio, and Boston.

Much of the credit can go to the highly underrated skills of one of the league’s best forwards in Zach Randolph. Dude is averaging 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. He and the Grizzlies are in much deserved contract-extension talks at the moment.

But back to the point. This Grizzlies team did a good job of locking up the 8th seed, but they did have a chance at taking the 7th spot on the last night of the NBA season. However, in disrespectful fashion, this Grizzlies team purposefully lost to the LA Clippers, just in order to avoid the LA Lakers in round one. So what does that say? It says, we want you San Antonio.

The two teams ended up tying the season series, and with good reason. San Antonio wasn’t always 100% healthy. It’s almost expected for the Spurs to begin getting frail, or for Popovich to lower the minutes of his vets, as the season comes to an end. Just ask Manu, because he’s expected to miss the series opener on Sunday due to a hyper-extended elbow.

So can this Grizzlies team pose a threat?

Well, I expect this series to be more of a chip-on-the-shoulder type for Memphis. They asked for the Spurs, and they are going to get ‘em. Expect a great matchup between Randolph, and Duncan, with Zach’s energy and big-body to possibly win the matchup. But other than that, I don’t see much of an advantage the Grizzlies have. But hey, to be honest, I’d rather have the Spurs over the Lakers any day of the week.

I see the Spurs taking Memphis’ lack of play against the Clippers as a big insult, and only give up one game in the series, probably the game Manu is out.

San Antonio Spurs-Memphis Grizzlies Prediction: Spurs beat Grizzlies in 5

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(2) Lakers vs (7) Hornets

Season series: Lakers won 4-0

The defending champions are back at it, and now they have a shot at a three-peat. This would be Kobe’s second and Phil’s 4th! Crazy, right? What kind of NBA playoffs would there be without the Los Angeles Lakers being in it and being one of the favorites to take the title? Well, they are, and it comes after a season of many ups and downs.

The Lakers have pretty much seen everything that can happen within an 82-game season. They have had a 6-game losing drought, they have had a 9-game win streak, and they have had the criticism. Heck, they were even facing trade-deadline talk when Carmelo was being shopped around. And as the playoffs are set to begin, you can bet the Lakers will be hit with more. I mean come on, once you win two NBA championships, and you are on pace for another, these types of things happen.

Who is going to be their first challenge to the three-peat? The New Orleans Hornets.

The Hornets started the season with a bang! They went 11-1 in the season’s first 12 games, and really looked like a team that could do some damage in the West. Well, they sure fooled me. Shortly after, New Orleans began dropping down every single Power Ranking chart, when they went from going to 11-1 to 8-13 into the start of the new year. Ever since then, New Orleans sort of moved into the neutral state.

The Hornets biggest strength is that they probably have the league’s best pick & roll game with Chris Paul and David West. CP3 nearly averaged a double-double for the season, as he finished with 15.8 points  and 9.8 assists per game. As for David West, he was having one of his better seasons until his season ended with knee surgery.Once the Hornets lost West, they began losing games and their seeding continued to fall. Lucky for them, they fell in the hands of the Lakers, right?

Wrong.

While Chris Paul is an amazing basketball player, and he clearly holds an advantage against Derek Fisher, the Hornets don’t have the roster capable of handling the Lakers night-in and night-out.  They do have have length on the defensive end with Trevor Ariza, and Emeka Okafor can handle his own against this Lakers squad, but once Andrew Bynum returns from his late-season injury, I don’t think the Hornets have the capabilities of matching up with LA on the block. This will make the series very tough for New Orleans to handle, and I expect Pau and a healthy Bynum to win this series in the paint.

Los Angeles Lakers-New Orleans Hornets Prediction: Lakers beat Hornets in 4

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(3) Mavericks vs (6) Trailblazers

Season series: Tied 2-2

The Dallas Mavericks are here once again. This is their 11th consecutive playoff appearance, and what an amazing statistic that is. Not only does it show how great of a leader Dirk can be through the rigors of an 82-game season, but it shows the consistency that Mark Cuban has brought to his franchise. From Michael Finley and Steve Nash to Jason Kidd and Caron Butler, this Mavs franchise always seems to have the right pieces combined, whether it is the sharpshooters out on the perimeter, the slasher who want to take it to the rim, or the guards with the keen ability to see the floor. But it has been the leadership, and nearly unstoppable offensive-game of Dirk that has helped the Mavs continue to build off of successive seasons of success and make the playoffs.

But here’s the thing: that is usually where it ends.

The Mavs do not ever seem to have trouble making a high-seed in the playoffs. They seem to prove each season that they are an elite team in their conference and that they will be able to handle the elimination rounds. But playoff appearance after playoff appearance, Dallas continues to fail at doing what they want to do, and that is bringing home the rings.

Can Dirk and his fellow Mavs do it this season? It’ll definitely be hard, but it seems the path to the Finals is more open than ever.

As for Portland, they are a team in turmoil to this day. I gave them the “honor” of being the most disappointing team in the entire NBA this season, but don’t shoot me down yet. This had nothing to do with their lack of play, coaching, or execution, but simply because they cannot ever stay healthy. I strongly emphasize the word cannot.

The Blazer season started fairly positively. Many people had them doing great in the West, including myself. Behind the great coaching of Nate McMillan and the leadership of Brandon Roy, I saw the Blazers possibly challenging the upper-echelon of the West. And when I say that, I mean that they could even take on the Lakers…assuming the Blazers’ health was 100%. But here’s the thing: it wasn’t.

First we had word that Greg Oden was going to again shock us all with season-ending knee-surgey, then we had word that Brandon Roy had “bone-on-bone” syndrome in his knees. Never mind the numerous other injuries that occurred with this Blazers roster. Even Nate McMillan had to miss time due to injury. That’s when you know the injury bug is in love with your team!

But other than injuries, I love this Blazers team. Hard-fought, deep, and they seem to play with a passion each night, and that just speaks to me. Have you been to the Rose Garden? One of the NBA’s greatest arenas to watch ball.

Aside from injuries, Portland did make a significant move before February’s trade deadline. Portland sent Joel Pryzbilla and Dante Cunningham to Charlotte, in exchange for defensive-minded longtime Bobcat Gerald Wallace. This is a trade that indeed will help the Blazers in the playoffs. But will it be enough to help them take out the third-seeded Mavericks?

The matchup between these two teams is great for an NBA fan. I’m not hearing too much chatter about this series, but let me tell you this NBA fans: you can expect this series to be a hard fought one, and it might even get to 7 games. With the Mavericks having lost Caron for the season due to surgery, the Blazers are better equipped at the small-forward position with Wallace, who I look to help them against penetrators like Beaubois, Terry, and Marion.

As for Brandon Roy, he’s going to be the main key for Portland to have a shot at upsetting Dallas. His offensive skill set is unmatched by any guard on both rosters, and I can see his youth and explosiveness being used in a matchup against Terry and any other perimeter player on Dallas to draw the Mavs into foul trouble and cause some matchup issues for many of the Mavs older players.

But we can’t forget that Dallas has the main matchup problem this league has to offer in Dirk Nowitzki. While Portland can throw Lamarcus Aldridge and Marcus Camby at the Mavs’ 7-footer, I believe he’ll still be able to get 25+ points easily in this series.

After 6 hard-fought games, great execution, and some enjoyable basketball, I see Dallas prevailing over Portland simply due to their experience, and because of the German. Who knows, I might be wrong though. This series could possibly go seven, and we’ve all seen it before: anything can happen in a game 7.

Dallas Mavericks-Portland Trailblazers Prediction: Mavs beat Blazers in 6

(4) Thunder vs (5) Nuggets

Season Series: Oklahoma City won 3-1

Not a fan of the Celtics or the Knicks? Really not interested in that series? Well my friends, this Thunder and Nuggets series is for you! These are two teams who had a complete makeover during the February trade-deadline, and most would say both teams improved. Yes Carmelo fans, some people actually believe that. Whether I do or not, is still yet to be seen. Get back to me in a couple years on that.

Let’s start with the Thunder. OKC has made some big improvements, and when I mean big, I mean BIG! The trade that brought them Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson was a steal. To this day, I don’t see how Boston could not have at least asked for a draft pick or something else more in return. But despite that, the deal is done, and the Thunder are going to benefit from it from years on.

Perkins brings the Thunder not only a big man that can hold his own against the NBA’s elite bigs, but he also brings them championship experience that has been needed in Oklahoma City for quite some time now. You mix that with the talents of Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Sergei Ibaka, James Harden, and the rest of the Thunder’s young group, and it equals a very healthy result. Could it possibly equal an NBA championship this season? Maybe not, but I can tell you that there is a good chance we will see one in the next 2-3 years.

As for the Nuggets, they also made a deadline deal that they needed to get off of their backs. The Carmelo drama was everywhere, and it would not stop haunting them. The debate on where Carmelo would end up never seemed to end, but luckily for the Nuggets, things finally settled down. And to be honest, things started looking bright for the Nuggets future as they received Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Timovey Mozgov, and a few other nice additions. The Nuggets from that point on went balling, as they were on a slew of win streaks. Yes, the Nuggets were looking solid, and the future is beginning to look even better.

But where does that leave those two playoff teams? Both have the ability to advanced, but which will? Here’s my take on it.

The Thunder and Nuggets played a total of four games this season, with OKC taking 3. Not all of the games were played after the trade-deadline, so it isn’t easy to pick a team to take based on their season series. Even the matchups are going to come down to the wire whether we are talking the guard position or the center position. Heck, we even have a close matchup when it comes to the guys in the suit and ties! Karl and Brooks have both been doing an amazing job, as each has proven to be a coach that can take their teams to higher levels.

The main matchup in this entire series is going to come down to the bangers down low. Kendrick Perkins and Nene are both going to be willing their team to the finish line, and each seems to have the same drive to win. And to be honest, both play the same game: rebound, block shots, and score when the opportunity is given to them.

What about the guards? It’s going to be amazing watching Westbrook, Felton, and Lawson all on the court. When I think about it, I picture a 40-yard dash going on in my head! The speed, athleticism, and ability to make tough shots is crazy.

But with such a tough series, who am I going to take to win it, and why?

Well, I haven’t even mentioned him yet, and it’s because I am saving the best for last. Yep, that’s right: Kevin Durant.

Each team can match up great with one another, each team can play interior D, and each team has a slew of players that can change the course of the game off the bench, but not one player on the court can match what Kevin Durant brings. Much respect to Danilo, but I can’t see him stopping the league’s two-time best scorer. What I can see is Gallinari putting heaps of points, but so can KD. As a matter of fact, Durant can do that and more! His length on the wing can be a terror for some perimeter players, and it’s definitely going to bother a young player like Gallinari.

So I said it folks, the difference in this series is going to be the MVP candidate, Kevin Durant.

I expect the Nuggets to bring it each night, and George Karl to push this team to the limit. But again, Kevin Durant has grown into his own, and these playoffs we will watch Durant truly grow into a leader.

Oklahoma City Thunder-Denver Nuggets Prediction: Thunder beat Nuggets in 6

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Thanks for reading NBA fans!

So don’t you want to catch it all?

Well, I’ve got you covered NBA fans!

Check out the full TV schedule for the first round of the NBA Playoffs, with games scheduled to be televised on TNT, ABC, and ESPN.

And if you need a little opinion, here are my Eastern Conference and Western Conference Playoffs previews!

Also don’t forget to get at me on Twitter, as I’ll have continuous playoff updates to keep you satisfied!

Enjoy my fellow NBA fans!

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Game 1 - Sat April 16, Indiana at Chicago, 1:00 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN3D
Game 2 - Mon April 18, Indiana at Chicago, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 3 - Thu April 21, Chicago at Indiana, 7:00 p.m. ET, NBA TV
Game 4 - Sat April 23, Chicago at Indiana, 2:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 5 * Tue April 26, Indiana at Chicago, TBD, TBD
Game 6 * Thu April 28, Chicago at Indiana, TBD, TBD
Game 7 * Sat April 30, Indiana at Chicago, TBD, TNT

Game 1 - Sat April 16, Philadelphia at Miami, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/R
Game 2 - Mon April 18, Philadelphia at Miami, 7:00 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 3 - Thu April 21, Miami at Philadelphia, 8:00 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 4 - Sun April 24, Miami at Philadelphia, 1:00 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 5 * Wed April 27, Philadelphia at Miami, TBD, TBD
Game 6 * Fri April 29, Miami at Philadelphia, TBD, TBD
Game 7 * Sun May 1, Philadelphia at Miami, TBD, TBD

Game 1 - Sun April 17, New York at Boston, 7:00 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 2 - Tue April 19, New York at Boston, 7:00 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 3 - Fri April 22, Boston at New York, 7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 4 - Sun April 24, Boston at New York, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/R
Game 5 * Tue April 26, New York at Boston, TBD, TBD
Game 6 * Fri April 29, Boston at New York, TBD, TBD
Game 7 * Sun May 1, New York at Boston, TBD, TBD

Game 1 - Sat April 16, Atlanta at Orlando, 7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 2 - Tue April 19, Atlanta at Orlando, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV
Game 3 - Fri April 22, Orlando at Atlanta, 8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2/ESPN3D
Game 4 - Sun April 24, Orlando at Atlanta, 7:00 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 5 * Tue April 26, Atlanta at Orlando, TBD, TBD
Game 6 * Thu April 28, Orlando at Atlanta, TBD, TBD
Game 7 * Sat April 30, Atlanta at Orlando, TBD, TNT

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WESTERN CONFERENCE

Game 1 - Sun April 17, Memphis at San Antonio, 1:00 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 2 - Wed April 20, Memphis at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV
Game 3 - Sat April 23, San Antonio at Memphis, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 4 - Mon April 25, San Antonio at Memphis, TBD, TBD
Game 5 * Wed April 27, Memphis at San Antonio, TBD, TBD
Game 6 * Fri April 29, San Antonio at Memphis, TBD, TBD
Game 7 * Sun May 1, Memphis at San Antonio, TBD, TBD

Game 1 - Sun April 17, New Orleans at L.A. Lakers, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/R
Game 2 - Wed April 20, New Orleans at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 3 - Fri April 22, L.A. Lakers at New Orleans, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 4 - Sun April 24, L.A. Lakers at New Orleans, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 5 * Tue April 26, New Orleans at L.A. Lakers, TBD, TBD
Game 6 * Thu April 28, L.A. Lakers at New Orleans, TBD, TBD
Game 7 * Sat April 30, New Orleans at L.A. Lakers, TBD, TNT

Game 1 - Sat April 16, Portland at Dallas, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 2 - Tue April 19, Portland at Dallas, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 3 - Thu April 21, Dallas at Portland, 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 4 - Sat April 23, Dallas at Portland, 5:00 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 5 * Mon April 25, Portland at Dallas, TBD, TBD
Game 6 * Thu April 28, Dallas at Portland, TBD, TBD
Game 7 * Sat April 30, Portland at Dallas, TBD, TNT

Game 1 - Sun April 17, Denver at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 2 - Wed April 20, Denver at Oklahoma City, 8:00 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 3 - Sat April 23, Oklahoma City at Denver, 10:00 p.m. ET, ESPN/R
Game 4 - Mon April 25, Oklahoma City at Denver, 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 5 * Wed April 27, Denver at Oklahoma City, TBD, TBD
Game 6 * Fri April 29, Oklahoma City at Denver, TBD, TBD
Game 7 * Sun May 1, Denver at Oklahoma City, TBD, TBD

Additional scheduling information will be furnished as soon as possible consistent with the need to fulfill league obligations.

If first-round series are completed in six games or less, the conference semifinals may move up to begin on either Saturday, April 30 or Sunday, May 1.

All games, except those televised on ABC, are available to be televised locally.

*If necessary
TBD – To Be Determined
R – ESPN Radio
ESPN3D – ESPN 3D

Schedules, and additional info accredited to NBA.com

The NBA playoffs are about to begin, and surely this is one of the most exciting playoffs I have seen in recent years. With new-look teams like Miami and New York on the prowl, we are sure to be in for a treat almost every night.

Then there are the young rising talents such as Derrick Rose and Kevin Durant, guys who are ready to prove to the NBA world that they are ready for the big show!

And let’s not forget the usual contenders like Los Angeles, San Antonio, Boston and the many other powerful teams seeking a ring!

Yes, the time has come!

And what better way to start my favorite time of year than to write and analyze each series’ matchups, advantages, disadvantages, and who I think will ultimately take it to the next round. And don’t forget, to get my real-time updates as the playoffs progress, you can get at me on Twitter as well!

Update: Click here to view the complete first round TV schedule.

Update: 2011 Western Conference Playoff preview!

Without further ado, I present to you my 2011 NBA Playoffs Preview: Eastern Conference Edition.

(1) Bulls vs (8) Pacers

Season Series: Chicago won 3-1

You don’t just get a 60+ win season for no reason. It requires hard work, dedication, a great coaching effort, and you almost always need that star. And boy, the Bulls don’t just have a star, but also this season’s soon-to-be-named Most Valuable Player. Enough cannot be said of what Derrick Rose has become in the past couple of seasons. The Bulls know it, Chicago knows it, and the NBA knows it.

But it wasn’t just D.Rose who helped this Bulls squad reach seed No.1. Boozer, Noah, Thibodeau, Deng and the rest of Chicago’s defensive-minded squad had a lot to do with it as well.

On the other end, the Indiana Pacers come into this series with not that big of a chance. Coming into the playoffs with a losing record is never something to be proud of, but hey, you made it and the other 7 teams didn’t. So you must have had done something right, right?

And to be honest, this Pacers team doesn’t look too bad on paper.

If you are going to match up against one of the league’s speediest teams, why not have speed against speed, right? Well the Pacers might have a decent shot at keeping up with Rose, as their extremely quick point-guard Darren Collison will take the job against the league’s MVP. I’m not saying that Collison is going to stop Rose, but when you’ve played under guys like Chris Paul in New Orleans, it’s got to help, right?

Then there’s the Pacers leader: Danny Granger. The kid can score, attack the rim, shoot, and he has decent length on the perimeter. Averaging 20 points a game, Granger has proven that he will draw some defensive attention. I’m really looking forward to seeing how Luol Deng will match up against the still-rising-star.

Then there are the role players like Paul George, Brandon Rush, and Roy Hibbert. Solid contributors, but nothing that the league’s best defense can’t handle.

In the end, I can’t see Indiana winning more than a game. With guys like Boozer and Noah in the paint, it is going to be tough for slashers like TJ Ford, Darren Collison, and Paul George to attack the paint with any ease.

Let me also remind you again: the Bulls have the league’s MVP.

Chicago Bulls-Indiana Pacers Prediction: Bulls beat Pacers in 5

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(2) Heat vs (7) Sixers

Season series: Miami won 3-0

The time has come Heat fans. The Miami Heat are now in the NBA playoffs, and after a very up-and-down season, Miami has made it to the second starting line with a strong finish that has awarded them the East’s 2nd seed in the playoffs.

The trio of LeBron, Wade, and Bosh did what we all thought they would: finish as the best statistical trio in the NBA. LeBron’s scoring did go down, as did his steal and block numbers, but he finished with a career-high in FG percentage and averaged nearly the same amounts of assists and rebounds per game.

As for Wade, he also had a career high in FG percentage. He lost a point in scoring averages, and a couple in the assists department, but he did jump up his rebounding average by almost two rebounds a game.

If anyone’s numbers dropped, it was Bosh. All across the board, he his averages went down. At the end of the day, he ended up on a better team, and upped the most important statistic: the chance at winning a title.

Now, some might argue that the talents in South Beach were destined to destroy everything in their path, beat down opponents by 20 points a game, and finish with a record of 82-0. But let’s be real here: they are not unstoppable.

Miami comes into this series having swept the Sixers in three games. But don’t let that statistic fool you one bit my friends.

Led by the great coaching ability of ex-TNT analyst and Bulls coach Doug Collins, the Sixers seem to come into each night with the chip-on-the-shoulder attitude we like to see. Many folks didn’t see the 76ers making the playoffs this season. I mean, you have a really young roster, you have a huge contract in a never-100-percent-healthy Elton Brand, and you have to adjust to the style of a new coach. Let’s not forget the whole Allen Iverson departure.

But the point is this: the 76ers should not be slept on!

With a solid defensive system and a core of athletic freaks, Philadelphia is the type of team that can surprise anyone. On the court, the are led by the explosive Andre Iguodala, who might not have turned out into the player we had hoped for, but he sure is one hell of an athlete. Surrounded by a nice core of run-and-gun players like Thadeus Young, Louis Williams, Jodie Meeks and a few others, Philadelphia can tire you out in a hurry. As for the elder of the team, Elton Brand brings an inside presence, and great experience value to this young team. Think of what Kendrick Perkins did for OKC, but in a much lesser form.

I believe Philadelphia gives Miami a run for their money in about a game or two, but Miami comes out on top in each game as the Heat’s big three just proves way too much for the young Philadelphia squad. But much props goes to Doug Collins for a great coaching season! A definite top three, in my “Coach of the Year” race.

Miami Heat-Philadelphia 76ers Prediction: Heat beat Sixers in 4

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(3) Celtics vs (6) Knicks

Season series: Boston won 3-0

This is without a doubt the highlight of the Easter Conference first round! I mean, why would I put a picture of KG and Amar’e as my article thumbnail? It could’ve easily been LeBron or D.Rose, but I couldn’t do that!

This is easily the most interesting first-round matchup I have seen in recent years. Could this be a possible rivalry waiting to happen? I mean, the Red Sox and Yankees go way back, so why not a little Boston and New York rivalry NBA-style?

This series features two teams coming head-to-head that are seemingly going in two exact opposite directions.

Boston finished the season much bumpier than it had started, and much of it was due to injuries. Whether it was Shaq, ex-Celtic Perkins, Rondo, or anyone else, this Boston squad always seems to catch the eye of the injury-bug. But it wasn’t just injuries that plagued the C’s.

The trade that sent Perkins and Nate Robinson to OKC in exchange for Jeff Green and Nenad Kristic seems to have affected the team in a negative way. Whenever you watch them, you can sense something is missing, both mentally and physically. This will happen anytime a piece of your team’s core has departed, and well, the Celtics are experiencing it. It showed when they lost the heated match against Miami and the shocker out in DC.

But either way, Boston is the Eastern Conference’s defending champion, and there is no reason to believe they will not fight hard to defend their title. Doc Rivers is still pushing the strong defensive agenda of his team, and for the 3rd straight year his team has finished in the top five of the NBA’s defensive elite And to no surprise, while this team’s defensive mindset is set by Doc, it is led on the court by Rajon Rondo, who I believe will one day earn a Defensive Player of the Year honor. Need more defense? The C’s added two more guys this offseason in Shaquille O’neal and Delonte West to help on that end. Enough said!

Not only can this team defend, but they have an arsenal of scorers on their team. Whether it is the C’s sniper Ray Allen, or the team captain Paul Pierce, or even from guys off the bench like Delonte or Glen Davis, the Celtics can fill it up after they stop you.

Yes, the Celtics have shown signs of slowing down, but we can never underestimate the experience and approach of a former champion.

On the opposite end is a team that has nearly opposite features, but the same goal in mind: an NBA championship.

Yes, the New York Knicks await Boston in this enticing first-round series.

While New York was still adjusting to the recent acquisition of Amar’e, they later obtained yet another superstar in Carmelo Anthony. The idea of this tandem was a daydream for many, and people all over the NBA spectrum were pulling for this one to happen. It eventually would, as the Knicks would receive Carmelo along with his sideman in Denver Chauncey Billups. The trade significantly changed the look of the Knicks and Nuggets rosters, and most were surprised when the Nuggets began stacking on more W’s while the Knicks were piling on more L’s after the trade. Things seemed to be caving inward in New York, but luckily for them, things eventually settled down.

New York’s season ended with a 6-game win streak recently snapped, but things still have started to look upwards. Carmelo and Amar’e are beginning to understand how to play off eachother, while the other key players like Chauncey, Fields, Douglas, and Turiaf are learning how to play alongside the two mega-stars. Basically, as the Celtics began crashing downwards, the Knicks began to get into the groove of things – though Boston did beat New York to end the regular season.

So what can we expect from this Boston, and New York series?

Well for starters, I expect this one to be a very physical series. Both teams are stacked with brutes. Whether I’m talking about Shaq, KG, Amar’e, Turiaf, Pierce, or Carmelo, these guys like the physical side of the game. They like the banging, they like the hard drives to the rim, and they love the contact.

Most of the contact is going to come from the Garnett-Stoudemire matchup! I can picture it already: KG attempting to get into Amar’e's head; Stoudemire trying to jam one over KG; then KG going for the swats, getting the elbows involved, and making his presence felt with his strong interior play. This is probably the most enticing matchup in my opinion. But can KG’s knees keep up with Amar’e? We’ll have to see.

And we can’t forget Carmelo and Pierce, can we?

The two have nearly the same game. Both like to attack the basket off the dribble, but both also like to take the mid-range jumper in your face when their path to lane is closed off, and both even have a sweet post-game. This matchup will be great to watch for all NBA fans. If you don’t believe me, watch the matchup between Pierce and LeBron back in the ’08 conference semis. That was one hell of a matchup. But like KG, Paul Pierce has shown his age every now and then recently. Will Carmelo get this one?

Another huge matchup is going to be between the two floor generals: Chauncey and Rondo, two polar opposites who both have the same role. Chauncey is the guard that will elevate your team’s play to another level, while not being afraid to sink the dagger right in your face (See: Mr.Big Shot). And he has terrific vision out there on the court. As for Rondo, the kid still has yet to reach his prime (scary), and he plays with toughness whether it’s attacking the rim, using his quick hands for the robbery, or taking a body-blow for the charge.

Yes, these two are going to be great to watch. Both have the ability to dish the ball out and score in their own ways. Which will take it? Experience, or youth? We’re going to have to find out.

The reality is this: the New York Knicks are not a complete roster yet. They are still lacking a key role player or two, the chemistry they have is nowhere near what the C’s is, and they still have yet to fully understand how to play with one another.

So in the end, I’m going to take Boston in this one. The Knicks do fight this one out and hand the C’s a couple losses, but Boston is way too deep, too good, and too experienced to lose in round one. But expect a classic my friends!

Boston Celtics-New York Knicks Prediction: Celtics beat Knicks in 6.

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(4) Magic vs (5) Hawks

Season series: Atlanta won 3-1

Probably the closest series in the first-round, in my opinion. It doesn’t get much more typical than this. These two teams have played each other in the playoffs for the past few seasons. Each time, the Magic and Hawks were always solid teams. Is there a possible upset in the making here folks? Let’s examine.

The Orlando Magic began the season with a strange start. From the beginning, rumors were surfacing that Dwight would leave the team in 2012 and head for the gold in LA. So what did Otis Smith and the rest of Orlando’s front-office do? First, they traded Rashard Lewis’ huge contract to Washington in exchange for the recently suspended Gilbert Arenas. Then, they would trade away Marcin Gortat, Vince Carter, Mickael Pietrus, and a pick to the Suns in exchange for Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson, and Earl Clark. All of this hoopla was to make the Orlando Magic a better, and more fit team to reach the NBA Finals…and to make the soon-to-be-named Defensive Player of the Year happier. This trade did give Orlando a great offensive look, but it hindered their defense a little. With the loss of Gortat, the Magic only had Dwight and Bass as their true big men.

Though it did take time, the Magic began to get the hang of things, and began pulling together strings of W’s. But like seemingly every other team this season, the Magic also had an up and down year, as the L’s shortly began to follow any time it looked like they had things figured out.

As for the Hawks, they were involved in trades as well. They were in search of a defensive-minded guard on the perimeter, and that is exactly what they got when they sent Mike Bibby, Jordan Crawford, and Mo Evans, along with their 2011 1st-round pick, to Washington in exchange for Kirk Hinrich and big man Hilton Armstrong. A bit too much if you ask me, but the Hawks got what they wanted.

So by the end of All-Star break, both teams were different. One had offense in mind, while the other had defense.

How will this whole thing go down?

Well for the Hawks, they simply schooled the Magic in the season series, taking them three games to none. However, no game was won by more than 10 points; so let’s not overreact here.

Looking back at the tape, the Hawks do not fear any of the Magic’s perimeter plays at all. Most of what I’ve seen was Joe Johnson slashing to the rim, kicking it out to Teague for the three or to Smith for the mid-range jumper. While Dwight did hold his own against Horford in the paint, the Hawks have been exposing the Magic’s wings.

As for Josh Smith, he seems to do a decent job at handling Howard during double-teams, but don’t expect too much of that in the playoffs, as the Magic do have the snipers set up from deep.

But the main battle isn’t going to come on the court, but off the bench. And no, I’m not talking players, but I’m talking coaches. Yes, Stan Van Gundy vs Larry Drew.

While the Magic have the inside game advantage almost each night, against any opponent, the Hawks seem to have an advantage on the wings against Orlando. So it’s is going to come down to which coach can get his team to execute the offense better and which coach can expose the matchups.

If that’s the case, I don’t see how Stan Van Gundy can lose this one.

He’s easily one of the smarter coaches in the NBA. You can put him up there with Phil and the other greats if you want in terms of knowing the game. In a series as closely talented as this one, it’s going to come down to X’s and O’s.

I see this series going six, maybe seven games. But I’m going to take my gut and go six. Al Horford does a good job of containing Howard, but the wear and tear in a seven game series against that guy will hurt you. This will force the extra big-men have to help, which will leave Turkoglu, Arenas, or Richardson open for the three, and that will be the storyline of this series.

Orlando Magic-Atlanta Hawks Prediction: Magic beat Hawks in 6

Thanks for reading NBA fans!

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It’s time for another edition of the good ol’ black n’ blue rivalry game between the Minnesota Vikings (3-5) and the Chicago Bears (5-3).

The Bears are coming off what was a must win for them game against Buffalo last week. They didn’t look as good against the winless Bills as fans would’ve have hoped, but they did limit the sacks (one) and the turnovers( none).  It seems like a lot of good things come for Chicago, especially on the road where their record is 3-1, when they limit the sacks and turnovers.

But they are not on the road this week. Rather, the Bears have a home game against a desperate Vikings squad who is coming off a close win against Arizona last week. Brett Favre continues to put up mediocre numbers; actually, Favre’s numbers are very similar to Jay Cutler’s, and I don’t mean that in a good way.

Chicago Bears v Minnesota Vikings Game Info

• Vikings-Bears Date: Sunday, November 14
• Vikings-Bears Kickoff Time: 1:00 pm
• Vikings-Bears TV Network: FOX
• Vikings-Bears Announcers: Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, and Tony Siragusa
• Vikings-Bears Spread: Vikings -1
• Vikings-Bears Over-Under: 40

Chicago Bears v Minnesota Vikings Preview

The Vikings offense is led by the dominating Adrian Peterson. Peterson has racked up 857 rushing yards, including eight rushing touchdowns, along with 257 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. The Bears defense is usually very good at stopping the run, but not when it’s Peterson.

Peterson has scored a rushing touchdown in the last six games against the Bears, and I assume this week will be no different. If the Bears are going to have success this week, it’s going to be with stopping the Vikings run game, thus giving Favre a tougher time throwing the ball.

The Vikings pose a threat on defense as well. The Bears O-line will have to stop Jared Allen. If history proves right, Allen will have a lot of chances to get at Cutler, who has already been sacked 28 times this season. I am betting that number will increase after Sunday.

If the Bears do limit the pass rush and their turnovers, we could be in for a great game. The new Mike Martz system, however, has yet to win over the majority of the fan base because of its penchant for creating sacks and turnovers. Additionally, the running game has been almost nonexistent. The passing game, though better, is still nowhere near elite status.

This week the offense can come out and prove something. The Vikings defense is still in the top five in yards per game, allowing on average 304.6 ypg. All odds indicate a rough game for the Bears and their offense, so it would be a good sign if they could come through with a solid effort.

Chicago Bears v Minnesota Vikings Prediction

This game is huge for both teams if they want a shot at making the playoffs. The Packers are on a bye this week so the winner will move a half game closer to taking the NFC North division.

Though the Vikings seem to dislike their coach a whole lot, they still continue to play hard week after week. I am predicting a very Farve-like performance when he plays against the Bears.

Vikings-Bears Prediction: Vikings 24 – Bears 17

Vikings-Bears Spread Pick: Vikings -1

Vikings-Bears Over-Under Pick: Over

This post and all of our weekly Chicago Bears previews are made possible by Brouwer Brothers Steamatic of Chicago, which proudly provides restoration, cleaning, and construction services to Chicago, Naperville and the surrounding areas.

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One of the The NFL’s worst defenses travels to Chicago to play one of the NFL’s worst offenses when the Washington Redskins (3-3) travel to the Midwest to take on the Chicago Bears (4-2) this Sunday.

This has interesting match up written all over it.

After a dismal performance against Seattle in a game they should have won, but which was was ruined by another poor performance from the offensive line, the Bears hope to win their last game before the bye week.

Washington Redskins at Chicago Bears Game Info:

• Redskins-Bears Date: Sunday, October 24
• Redskins-Bears Kickoff Time: 1:00 pm
• Redskins-Bears TV Network: FOX
• Redskins-Bears Announcers: Thom Brennaman and Troy Aikman
• Redskins-Bears Spread: Bears -3
• Redskins-Bears Over-Under: 40

Washington Redskins at Chicago Bears Preview

Washington is coming off a 24-27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, a game they almost won before the offense stalled late. The Redskins’ gameplan centers around Donovan McNabb and his primary receiver, Santana Moss. Other than that combo the offense has been very limited this year, especially in the running game. Ryan Torain ran well against the Colts, but he’ll find the going much tougher against the third best run defense in the league.

The lack of play-making depth on offense could be the nail in the coffin for the Redskins, although a good game from McNabb could give the Redskins their 4th win. McNabb has won four of his five starts in Chicago, but he was in Philadelphia then. Will that stat matter with a new team?

It’s now apparent that the Bears still have some serious offensive line issues. Jay Cutler is on track to easily surpass last year’s total of 25 sacks. He has already been sacked 23 times in 4 1/2 games. He might even be able to surpass David Carr’s record of 76 sacks in one season.

It’s no surprise the Bears have been streaky this season. It all depends on the offensive line protecting Cutler. If that protection doesn’t happen, the Bears don’t win.

In terms of injuries, Lance Briggs, Roberto Garza, and Brian Urlacher all didn’t practice Wednesday leaving their status for Sunday’s game questionable. The defense was hurting without Briggs last week, their best player. Losing both linebackers to injury could prove fatal for the Bears, though I’d assume they should be back on the filed come Sunday.

The only huge loss for the Redskins has been running back Clinton Portis, who has only played four games this season.

Washington Redskins at Chicago Bears Prediction

This game comes down to whether the Bears’ offensive line or the Redskins’ defense plays better than usual.

You never know what you’re exactly going to get from either unit, or from either of these teams in general, which should make it an interesting game to watch.

In the end, I don’t see the Bears’ offensive line improving enough to give Cutler adequate time in the pocket; and, frankly, I don’t think Cutler does either.

Expect a 20-17 Redskin’s win.

The Giants, once a Super Bowl team just a few short years ago, are playing like the Bears did the last two years: unmotivated and lazy. But this is not a young team. This is a team of veterans playing terribly.

With a 1-2 record things are not looking up for the Giants as they host a rising Chicago team Sunday night in Week 4.

Chicago Bears at New York Giants Primer

• Bears-Giants Date: Sunday, October 3
• Bears-Giants Kickoff Time: 8:20 pm
• Bears-Giants TV Network: NBC
• Bears-Giants Announcers: Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth
• Bears-Giants Odds: Giants -5 / 43.5

Chicago Bears at New York Giants Preview

The Bears offense has been surprisingly good so far. Sure, Jay Cutler is still taking hits (injury coming soon?), but the Bears have shifted to more short passes to compensate for the lack of throwing time. It’s not a permanent solution to the problem, but if it’s not broke, why fix it? Besides, that quick pass offense has opened up room for the deep pass as the corners tend to sneak up.

In other non-Cutler Bears news, Matt Forte is back in his groove, Greg Olsen is starting to play a key role in the offensive game, and the defense is finally showing some life.

That life can be credited to Brian Urlacher’s return to being an animal on the field, chasing down players like a predator stalking its prey. Paired with Lance Briggs is a match made in heaven. Finally, the linebackers are feared again in Chicago.

The secondary is nothing great, but it’s improving game after game. With the way the Giants are playing, and the way Manning is throwing picks, the secondary has a chance at a huge night.

Not everything is perfect though for the Bears. Defensive lineman Tommie Harris is under performing (again), making a case for his release. Their offensive line is still getting battered by better defenses. Unless that O-line gets fixed, the playoffs seem more like a wish right now despite the 3-0 start. And even if they do make the playoffs, with that O-line, they wouldn’t last past the first round.

But even those problems have been shoved under the rug, at least temporarily. As long as the Bears keep on winning there will be nothing but praise, mostly because most people never saw a 3-0 start from this team. Just like nobody predicted the 1-2 start from the Giants either.

Chicago Bears-New York Giants Prediction

The Giants have been playing badly lately, but it has to end, right? You’d hope so if you’re a Giants fan.

The same goes for the Bears. As well as the Bears are playing, it has to end one game.

Since it’s in New York I am going to have to pick the Giants over the Bears. As much as I’d love to see the Bears win, I think New York is a better team than they’ve been playing like, while the Bears probably are not quite as good as their 3-0 record might suggest.

Bears-Giants Pick: I have the Giants winning 27-24.

Notre Dame needs a win badly. It’s been three straight losses, and after every loss the situation looks more and more ugly for Brian Kelly and his team. The morale seems to be down. The toughness and aggressiveness just isn’t there; but, this week the Irish play a team they can beat.

Notre Dame-Boston College Primer

• Notre Dame-Boston College Date: Saturday, October 2nd
• Notre Dame-Boston College TV: ESPN
• Notre Dame-Boston College Kickoff Time: 8:00 ET
• Notre Dame-Boston College Spread: Notre Dame -2.5

Notre Dame-Boston College Preview

Boston College’s offense is below average. Their quarterback, Chris Crane, has thrown eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Stopping the passing game shouldn’t be a problem for the Irish, but, once again, it comes down to stopping the running game.

In the Irish’s three losses, they have been battered and beaten by the opponents’ running game. It’s of utter importance that they hold both Montel Harris and Josh Haden to modest games. It’s not a huge challenge, but it can’t be taken lightly. This is crucial if the Irish want to end this three game skid.

Though Boston College brings a lackluster offense, their defense is ranked 10th overall in yards allowed per game.

The Irish offense has been good, but it’s clear that they’re far from spectacular. Dayne Crist is throwing for over 300 yards a game, and his interception rate isn’t over the top, but it’s coming down to a few plays. Not just normal plays but big plays. When it comes to them, Crist and the offense aren’t making those big plays.

It’s becoming very clear that it’ll take a few years for this Irish team to return to its “glory” days, but they seem to be on the right track. They just have a few cracks, but as those cracks become more visible it becomes a problem. Fixing those cracks has to be the top priority for Brian Kelly in his years as head coach in South Bend.

Notre Dame-Boston College Prediction

It’s been three long games, and the Irish might not much confidence, but they do not want to lose again. This week, I think their resolve pulls them through and the defense plays well enough to secure the W.

Notre Dame-Boston College Pick: I am predicting Notre Dame to beat Boston College 27-17

Notre Dame was hoping for some better results the last two weeks. They could be 3-0, but instead  they’re 1-2. Those two losses all came down to one play, as most games usually do.

This week, the Fighting Irish hope to gain some momentum for when they play Oregon and USC, as in the next few weekends, but it’s going to be hard to get through this week with a win.

Stanford’s defense is a force to be reckon with. The Cardinal has switched to 3-4 defense with a lot of man-to-man coverage, and it’s working wonders. Their pass defense is number one in the country and sixth in overall defense; therefore, it’s not going to be easy to put points on the board against this defense.

Notre Dame has gone through some tough games this season, and they’ve learned a lot for being a young team; however this is their hardest game to date, and it’ll be a great test to see if they can play well against a much favored football team.

Norte Dame’s offense revolves around Dayne Crist, so it’s no surprise that the responsibility will be on his shoulders this week. Crist has hit the long balls, but is very inaccurate in the short passes, throwing many of his incompletions high.

I’ve seen much improvement in the Irish’s defense this season compared to last year’s. They’ve been able to keep the damage to a minimum, but Notre Dame is yet to show skill and talent that tells me they can keep a powerhouse of a team to limited scores. They may not need to if their offense is clicking, but they can’t rely on the offense all the time.

It’s going to be a good football game to watch, and I always love upsets, but I am staying with the favorite and picking Stanford to win 28-21