(Detroit Free Press)- Last week we poked a little fun at ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg for dissing Michigan and Michigan State in his Big Ten power rankings.

But this week we think he's a genius in predicting victories for the Wolverines and Spartans on Saturday. In his own words:

"Michigan 33, Illinois 24: I could see Illinois keeping this close for a while, but the Illini are so bad at defending the run and Michigan will capitalize with Denard Robinson, Carlos Brown, Tate Forcier and maybe Brandon Minor (if healthy). The Wolverines rarely pass the ball and pull away in the fourth quarter.

"Michigan State 21, Minnesota 13: No Eric Decker plus an improving Michigan State defense equals problems for Minnesota. The Gophers defense will keep this one close, but Kirk Cousins and Blair White connect for a fourth-quarter touchdown as Michigan State bounces back from a heartbreaking loss to Iowa."

And let's give credit where credit's due: Rittenberg was 5-0 in his picks last week and is 45-17 for the season.

Click here to read the ESPN.com column.