ACC-Big Ten Challenge Preview — So You’re Telling Me There’s a Chance
For ten straight years the ACC has beaten the Big Ten in an event that is only called a “challenge” for the sake of promotion. Could this be the year though?
The Big Ten certainly has the firepower to play with the ACC this sesaon. Last year the all-conference first team featured all sophomores and they’re all back for their junior campaigns. The ACC is also without an uber-elite team like North Carolina was last year. Duke is very good obviously, but UNC beat the Big Ten’s best team by 30 or so last year.
As main events go, the ACC-BT Challenge has a great one in a rematch of that drubbing from last year, which is also a rematch of a second drubbing between the two teams in the National Championship. North Carolina and Michigan State will play tonight at 8PM CT on ESPN and the Spartans may actually be favored this time around. Well maybe not since it’s at UNC, but they have a chance and I’m calling a W.
More good news for the Big Ten: Penn State started the event off with a win last night at Virginia. With ten games remaining, let’s see if there is a chance at a split.
Tonight doesn’t look very promising, as some of the Big Ten’s worst teams are in action. MSU has a good chance to win and I like Purdue’s chances at home against Wake Forest. Northwestern takes on NC State, which I don’t see going well with Coble out, then you have two truly awful teams in Indiana and Iowa taking on Maryland and Va Tech. The Big Ten should be overjoyed if it can go into the final day with a 3-3 tie.
Wednesday shall be the day of redemption! Illinois travels to Clemson in a rematch of a great game from last year. The Illini are coming off losses to Utah and Bradley, but should have a chance to take down the Tigers. Minnesota goes to Miami in a game the Gophers should bring home for the Big Ten.
Even if one MSU, Purdue, or Minnesota drops a game I have down as a win, the Big Ten can take two of the final three games and engage in much rejoicing over its first Challenge win. Michigan hosts Boston College and while the Wolverines are coming of two losses of their own, you have to like Michigan in this match-up. UofM has the third best record among Big Ten teams in the Challenge and the home court advantage will help them get the win. Duke is playing very well and will almost certainly beat Wisconsin.
So this thing could all come down to Florida State at Ohio State for the entirety of the marbles. Florida State is coming off an impressive showing at the Old Spice Classic this past weekend, but the Buckeyes are the favorites here.
There you have it. 6-5 Big Ten. Tune back in tomorrow when I’ll predict the Bears to win the Super Bowl.
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Comment from Stormin’ Norman Disciple
Time December 1, 2009 at 11:36 am
I definitely thought the Big Ten was dominant this year, but what was with all our good teams getting upset the last week or two? I hope you’re right, but we say this every year and every goddamn year we lose. I’m such a downer…