State College Football Predictions, Week 11: The Road To Columbus Goes Through Iowa City

I finally returned to last year's form with a 6-1 mark last week (only Michigan State let me down). This weekend, Division 2 playoff spots are on the line, and Michigan makes its first difficult road trip.

How will they do? Let's find out.

Central Michigan is crashing fast, Eastern Michigan is the surprise of the state teams, and Michigan State seeks to save face as college football enters its stretch run. So far this season, I'm 42-13 with three weeks left.

Michigan (9-0) at Iowa (5-4) -- Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Saturday 8pm, ABC-TV

Kinnick Stadium has not been kind to Michigan over the years, and the Hawkeyes could make a dim season bright with a big upset Saturday on national TV. But there is a fire in the eyes of this group of Wolverines, who seem to have a laser sharp focus on the B1G TEN title and a showdown November 26 in Columbua with Ohio State. Plus, Iowa's offense is anemic, and the Michigan defense is oppressive.

M 24, Iowa 6

Rutgers (2-7) at Michigan State (2-7) -- Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Saturday 12 noon

Look, if the Spartans can't beat Rutgers, who may be one of the worst teams in the nation, I can't help them. State is breaking out the bronze helmets for this one, but what they really need to break out is some of that bruising defense that led them into the playoffs last season. They looked a little better on offense last week, which has to make Coach Mark Dantonio a little less suicidal.

State 28, Rutgers 10

Ohio (7-3) at Central Michigan (5-5) -- Kelly Shorts Stadium, Mount Pleasant, Tuesday, November 15, 7pm

The featured game in this week's Tueday night MACtion! (tm), the fast collapsing Chippewas have two weeks to gain a win to become Bowl Eligible. But as crappy as they've played over the last few weeks, what Bowl would take them? The Toilet Bowl?Granted, they've had some tough breaks with injuries, but this is a team which beat the current 17th ranked team in the country! That's the Chippewas M.O. -- win a big game early, suck the rest of the season.

Ohio 33, CMU 28

Northern Illinois (3-7) at Eastern Michigan (6-4) -- Rynearson Stadium, Ypsilanti, Wednesday, November 16, 7pm

Eastern is the new Central. That is a team that stays in every game, and is bowl eligible already, with a chance to add on to their win total against a Husky team that is struggling. The Eagles are among three teams that have had the biggest turn around over the 2015 campaign, but I would be very wary of a NIU squad that isn't as bad as their record, and would love to knock off a top team.

EMU 30, NIU 28

Western Michigan (10-0) is off until Saturday, November 19

Grand Valley State (10-0) at Wayne State (7-3) -- Tom Adams Field, Detroit, Saturday 12 noon

Once on track to be a winner take all game for the GLIAC North, two straight losses by the Wayne Warriors have taken the luster off this showdown. It's still a big game to Wayne, as they may be able to justify a Division 2 playoff slot with an upset over the Lakers. I don't see that happening, as the GVSU machine is too powerful on both sides of the football.

GVSU 31, Stately Wayne Manor 14

Saginaw Valley State (5-4) at Ferris State (8-2) -- Top Taggert Field, Big Rapids, Saturday 1pm

It's Senior Day in Big Rapids as the Ferris says goodbye to its most successful senior class in school history. It's really a must win for the Bulldogs if they want to get a Division 2 playoff spot. SVSU played GVSU real tough last week, taking the powerful Lakers to overtime before succumbing 62-56. To put that many points up on a pretty good Laker defense means the Cardinal offense has some weapons, but after an emotional loss in a rivalry game, what will they left for the Dogs? Ferris sends their seniors off in style.

Ferris 37, SVSU 34