Look Around the Big Ten for Nov 11th

We are one week away from the showdown in Columbus. Both teams had a scare last week, but most importantly survived that scare. Six teams are bowl eligible and three more still have a chance to get to the much needed 6 win mark. Temple @ Penn State - Temple coach Al Golden was looking forward to coaching against his former coach, but the doctors told Joe Paterno he cannot attend the game this weekend. That pretty much sums up the big story on this game, JoePa will miss his first game since 1977. Defensive Coordinator Tom Bradley will be the acting HC. I would be surprised if Temple is able to get more than a field goal or two on this defense. While this is what the doctor ordered for the Penn State offense. They really need to get the kinks worked out, it is the 11th game of the season and all. I look for Tony Hunt, even though banged up, to go over 100 yards and for Anthony Morelli to have a good day and get some confidence back. In the first 3 games he threw 4 TD passes, he has only thrown 3 since. Plus a WR for Penn State has not caught a touchdown pass since the Youngstown State game. A drought that will end this weekend. Penn State 38-6. Minnesota @ Michigan State - It is Senior Day for Drew Stanton and the last time the Spartan crowd gets to shower John L Smith with boos. This game is really important for bowl eligibilty. Both teams need to win their final two games to be considered for a bowl. Minnesota opened an offensive bonanza last week on Indiana as they scored over 50 points. But they seem to be a different team on the road. The Spartans on the other hand lost to Purdue and scored only 15 points on the worst defense in the Big Ten. Sorry Drew your senior day is going to be ruin by Bryan Cupito and Amir Pinnix. Over and under on the Spartan crowd singing the song "Na Na Na Na, Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye" to John L Smith, middle of the 3rd quarter. Minnesota 27-16. Purdue @ Illinois - The once strong Boilermakers offense has scored a total of 18 points in the last 3 games. Meanwhile Illinois has taken 3 of the top 4r Big Ten teams to task, only to come up just short each time. I really think this is the week that Ron Zook's youngsters put a full game together and pull out a week. They have a fast, athletic defense that will give Curtis Painter fits and with the lack of a consistant running game Purdue will become one dimensional. Juice Williams should be able to use his legs to open up the passing game. It isn't going to be easy for Illinois but this is the week they pull it out. Illinois 24-13. Wisconsin @ Iowa - The Badgers have lost their last five games to the Hawkeyes, and are coming off a tough win against Penn State where QB John Stocco injured his shoulder. According the the Wisconsin State Journal, Stocco should play this week. But even if he didn't, the Badgers will win. PJ Hill Jr will have another huge game against this Hawkeye defense. Iowa is coming off an embarassing loss to Northwestern where Drew Tate looked less than stellar. It looks as if they've packed it in for the season. Wisconsin 27-10. Michigan @ Indiana - The Hoosiers came back to earth as the Gophers really put a licking to them. Indiana sits at 5-5 right now and needs just one more win to be eligible for their first postseason bowl game since (I believe) 1993. Too bad it won't happen this week. The Wolverines let Ball State back in the game last week and still haven't heard the end of it from the National Media. I can promise you they won't let it happen again. Lloyd Carr will have this team hungry and ready for this game. I would expect the starters to be out for the 4th quarter so Indiana might get a few garbage points then but otherwise Michigan will roll. Michigan 37-10. Ohio State @ Northwestern - Troy Smith admitted earlier in the week that he has played the better part of this season with an injured thumb so when the Buckeyes build a big lead expect Smith to be on the sidelines resting. Northwestern got their first Big Ten win this year against Iowa last week. I hope they enjoyed it because the joy will not last too long. Pat Fitzgerald has done a good job with this Wildcats team considering they lost so much due to graduation. Tyrell Sutton will also have a better year next year as he will have an experinced QB at his side. I expect this one to be over by halftime as Smith will showcase his talents for the Heisman voters and Antonio Pittman have a rushing touchdown for the 10th time in 11 games this year. Ohio State 42-6.