2011 B1G - ACC Challenge Breakdown: Because the Big Ten got worse when Nebraska joined

In anticipation of this year's B1G - ACC Challenge, I'm breaking down of each of the Challenge's twelve games. I was going to predict that the B1G takes home their third consecutive victory in the Challenge this year, but unfortunately they added Nebraska.

Here's a list of all the games, my analysis of each, and my predicted winners in parentheses:

Michigan at Virginia: (Michigan) The Cavaliers have not distinguished themselves against an inferior schedule this season. On the other hand, the upstart Wolverines have already played two top 10 teams and defeated a historic power in UCLA.

One of Michigan's "good looking" cheerleaders...relatively speaking, of course.

Northwestern at Georgia Tech: (Northwestern) Northwester should have their best team in years lead by Drew Crawford and John Shurna. Returning seven of their top eight scorers from last season, the Wildcats just have to find a replacement for PG Juice Thompson. It's sad that a once elite program like Georgia Tech's have now fallen off the map of college basketball.


Northwester Cheerleader...I hate smart chicks.


Illinois at Maryland: (Illinois) Both the Terrapins and the Illini are trying to rebuild. Illinois is re-stocking after losing their top three scorers from last season in Demitri McCamey, Mike Davis and Mike Tisdale. Meanwhile, Maryland is trying to replace the legendary Gary Williams. I'll give the advantage to the Illini after a slow start to the Terrapin's season so far.

Personally, I thought Black Swan sucked.

Miami at Purdue: (Purdue) Robbie Hummel and the Boilermakers should blow the Hurricanes away at Mackey Arena.



Whether a Boiler Maker is a drink or a train, this chick is on board.


Clemson at Iowa: (Iowa) I look for Iowa to be the surprise team in the Big Ten this season. With an upstart Hawkeye team, Carver-Hawkeye Arena will be a much more difficult road venue than the Tigers will be anticipating.

Clemson is willing to let grades slide when it comes to admitting football players and cheerleaders.  

Duke at Ohio State: (Ohio State) The marquee game of the Challenge probably features the two true best teams in the country. I look for Jared Sullinger and the Buckeyes to capitalize on their substantial home court advantage at Value City Arena, which is pretty much the epitome of the entire state of Ohio. The Blue Devils won't go down easy though, having played the toughest schedule in America by far at this early stage in the season.

I'm pretty sure this Ohio State Cheerleader should be able to find someone who would be more than willing to pull her hair for her.

Indiana at NC State: (NC State) This is one of the better match-ups that I look forward to watching in the Challenge. The Hoosiers finally look to be turning the corner under Tom Crean, while NC State is lead by the dynamic C.J. Leslie. I'll take the Wolf Pack at home over the more talented, but inexperienced Hoosiers.

NC State Cheerleaders: I almost feel like I should blur something out here.

Penn State at Boston College: (Boston College) Penn State lost All-American G Talor Battle to the NBA and coach Ed DeChellis to Navy. That's right, the Nittany Lions coach parlayed arguably the best player in program history and a rare Penn State NCAA Tournament birth, not into a raise, but into the head coaching gig at Navy. That tells you about all you need to know about the Penn State basketball program.

Boston College Cheerleader: He had to pay extra for this.

Florida State at Michigan State: (Michigan State) A young but talented Spartans team is finally back to playing "Izzo ball" with a talented interior that has them operating from the inside out for the first time in years. The Seminoles were not living up to their pre-season hype until they took number 4 UConn to overtime in a loss last weekend. Both teams excel on defense, so look for this to be a low scoring and ugly game. The Seminoles have a distinct size advantage, while the Spartans are better in transition running the fast break. Give this one to the Spartans and since it will be played at the hostile Breslin Center in East Lansing.

Michigan State Cheerleaders: Ok, just so long as you're SURE nobody else can see what we're doing.

*EDITOR'S NOTE - MSU CHEERLEADER TAYLOR YOUNG, WHO WAS INJURED IN A SCARY FALL TO THE FLOOR DURING THE MSU-FLA ST. GAME, HAS FULL MOVEMENT OF HER EXTREMITIES AND APPEARS IN LINE TO MAKE A FULL RECOVERY (see, The Red Mieni actually does view cheerleaders as human beings...unlike strippers).

Virginia Tech at Minnesota: (Virginia Tech) Tubby Smith and Golden Gophers were dealt a considerable blow last weekend when pre-season All-America PF Trevor Mbakwe was lost for the season due to an  ACL injury. Instead of picking the Gophers at home, I now have Seth Greenberg's Hokies winning in a tight game.

Minnesota Cheerleaders: I always thought these shots were accidental for cheerleaders...apparently that's not the case in Minneapolis.

Wake Forest at Nebraska: (Wake Forest) The Demon Deacons would be a favorable match-up for just about any other team in the Challenge. Unfortunately for the B1G, they immediately became a worse basketball conference with the addition of the Cornhuskers.

 

Either this girl is a stripper, or Wake Forest Cheerleaders can ask their fans if they want to buy them a shot between dances dance routines.  

Wisconsin at North Carolina: (North Carolina) The Badgers have a chance in Chapel Hill with pre-season All-American Harrison Barnes potentially out due to a sprained ankle, but I still look for the Tar Heels to win if Roy Williams can inspire them to come out and play with more energy after playing completely uninspired basketball against UNLV last Saturday. If not, the pre-season number 1 team in the country has bigger problems on their hands.

If the Tar Heels can't get it up for this one, then they have bigger problems than Harrison Barnes' sprained ankle.

Final Prediction:
B1G 7, ACC 5