Week 5 Saturday Preview-Games of the Week

Here they are...your games of the week for week 5 of the 2010 season...

GAME OF THE WEEK
Wisconsin (4-0) at Michigan State (4-0)
Vegas Line: PK
Mark Dantonio will be back coaching from the press box this weekend. I hope that he doesn't have to make any last second thriller calls this week.
Badger QB Scott Tolzien has improved after a tough start, as he now has 5 TDs to 2 picks in 4 games. John Clay is kicking it into gear with 501 yards and 6 scores. The WR corps has had some injury issues, with Nick Toon missing significant time to injury. No worries as Lance Kendricks has been the go to guy in the passing game, with 17 catches for 299 yards and 3 scores. The defense has not had many picks, but they have held their opponents to under 16 points per game.
For the Spartans, it's been the Bell and Baker show. Edwin baker has rushed for 112.25 yards per game with 5 scores, while Le'Veon Bell has rushed for 99 yards per game with 7 scores. Add that production to Kirk Cousins' 215.8 yards per game, and you will see a multiheaeded monster that has been beyond difficult to stop.
The Spartans gave up 31 points to Notre Dame, and 38 to their other 3 opponents combined. The defense has forced 6 picks with LB Greg Jones averaging 8.25 tackles per game.
I pick: The return of Mark Dantonio this weekend should be enough to super charge the Spartans, and they look like the team to beat on Staurday. I'll take MSU, and Wisconsin's pretender status will be certified.

The Best of the Rest

Michigan (4-0) at Indiana (3-0)
Vegas Line: UM -10.5
Indiana has had their typical cupcake non-conference slate to feast on, but now come the first real challenge for QB Ben Chappell and company. Both teams have a big habit of starting their losing ways right about...now, so this is a very important game for both to get off to a solid start in Big 10 play.
I pick: Michigan...Denard Robinson could win this game all by himself, but he'll have to watch the knee.

Texas (3-1) at Oklahoma (4-0)
Vegas Line: OU -4
Texas can't be quite as bad as they were against UCLA, but Oklahoma has been winning in less than Sooner-like ways this season. Both teams have a lot to work on coming into this game, with Texas needing to find decent QB and RB play, while also needing to learn how to tackle running backs. OU needs to put people away and keep them there.
I pick: OU...Landry Jones, DeMarco Murray far outclass any of the skill position guys that Texas has right now. If OU gets an early lead, it will be interesting to see if they can put them away in the 4th.

Stanford (4-0) at Oregon (4-0)
Vegas Line: Oregon -6
It would be easy to dismiss Stanford as they travel into loud and hostile Eugene, but this team is coached by Jim Harbaugh, and you cannot dismiss him easily. Stanford will be well prepared, and they have the talent to compete against the Ducks.
Oregon is favored, and Chip Kelly signed a huge contract extension this week, so the Ducks are likely expected to celebrate the new deal with a win at home. Darrin Thomas will need to have a huge game at QB, which means don't make bad throws, and get the ball to LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner.
Both teams love to score, so watch out for defensive lapses, as both teams are capable of the huge play downfield.
I pick: Oregon at home, but it can really go either way.

Florida (4-0) at Alabama (4-0)
Vegas Line: Alabama -7
Most folks feel that this is the SEC title game preview, and at this point, I'd have to agree. Both Kentucky and South Carolina had their chances to keep pace last weekend, and both blew it, leaving the Gators at the head of the East. Florida may slip back to join them this week, as I have to be honest, but I don't see Alabama losing this game this weekend. The Tide has owned the top spot for 10 of the last 14 weeks in the PRS, and Saban has risen to the top of the game.
I pick: Alabama...The Tide is just better right now...Florida may give them a run in the SEC title game.

Penn State (3-1) at Iowa (3-1)
Vegas Line: Iowa -7
QB Play will be the difference, and that means that Iowa has the edge. Ricky Stanzi has to play mistake free football, and will probably be shouldering a bigger load with the depth issues at RB due to injury. Penn State will make a game of it going into the 4th, but this is not their year.
I pick: Iowa