Big Ten Notebook For 10-13-2006 - College Football News And Picks

Big Ten Notebook For 10-13-2006
By Calvin Watkins
Posted: 4:00 am PDT 2006-10-13

This is the wrong time for Michigan State to try and save John L. Smith's job.

The Spartans have lost three straight games entering a showdown with No. 1 Ohio State on Saturday.

After a three-game winning streak, Michigan State's season and possibly the job of Smith's came to a halt.

The biggest loss during the losing streak was the first one to Notre Dame.

The Irish rallied from a 16-point deficit with an incredible fourth quarter to beat Michigan State, 40-37.

It should have sent Smith into tears, and maybe he cried in private.

But last week's 31-13 loss to Michigan and an expected loss to Ohio State could seal Smith's fate.

One of the bigger problems is at quarterback, where Drew Stanton is playing with bruised ribs. He threw for 252 yards but didn't throw a touchdown pass in the Michigan loss. Stanton did throw two interceptions.

Three main receiving threats, wide receiver Matt Trannon (ankle) and tight ends Kellen Davis and Eric Andino (suspension) will not play Saturday.

"I think we have to show up," Smith said joking, we think, to reporters. "That's pretty evident, isn't it? I kind of believe that. That's the word that has been passed on, isn't it?"

Joking or not, Smith's job status is serious.

An upset victory might not save it because the damage has been done.

Ohio State has won the last four meetings in East Lansing, and the Buckeyes are 14-point favorites on WagerWeb.com.

Wisconsin: Best player in the conference you never heard of is Badgers freshman running back P.J. Hill Jr. Hill is second nationally in Division I-A in rushing yards with 847. Northern Illinois' Garrett Wolfe (1,343) is first. Hill averages 5.7 yards a carry with nine rushing touchdowns.

"Every time I get the handoff, I'm very comfortable and feel confident," Hill said to Associated Press.

The Badgers, 8-point favorites on WagerWeb.com, take on Minnesota.

Bowl situation clearing up: Michigan and Ohio State have clinched bowl bids, with both seeking a BCS title game appearance.

Michigan has the longest active bowl streak in the nation with 31, including 11 bids for Coach Lloyd Carr.

Ohio State has made six straight bowls under Coach Jim Tressel.

Iowa and Wisconsin need one more victory to become bowl eligible.

A Hawkeyes victory over Indiana (the Hoosiers are 19-point underdogs on WagerWeb.com) clinches their sixth consecutive bowl bid, their longest such streak since 1981-88. Iowa is one of four teams to participate in a January bowl game the past four seasons. USC, Georgia and Florida State are the others.

Penn State and Purdue are two victories away from a bowl berth.

Michigan, a 5.5-point favorite on WagerWeb.com, takes on Penn State.

The conference has seven bowl tie-ins, and in the next two weeks six teams could be eligible for bowl games.

College Football Betting Line, Upcoming Game Previews & More

Online College Football Betting Sites