Taking a quick peak at the Big Ten Standings thus far this season, it looks as if only Penn State, Ohio State, and Michigan State have a real shot at winning the Big Ten crown. Minnesota and Northwestern still have a mathematical shot, but it is a long shot at best. With Penn State playing at Iowa and Ohio State playing Northwestern, there could be even more separation between the top 3 and the rest after this week.
Ohio State at Northwestern -
ESPN2 12pm - The Buckeyes had a week off to lick their wounds after losing to Penn State at home, in a game where they did not score a touchdown. This isn't the first time this season Ohio State has failed to score an offensive touchdown at home, think back to Purdue. Northwestern bounced back nice with a win over Minnesota after losing to Indiana the week previous. The Wildcats are going to have their hands full trying to move the ball against a tough Ohio State defense, and with the injuries on their own defense, it is going to make it tough for them to hold Ohio State under 20 which I think they need to do to win.
Ohio State 28-14
Wisconsin at Indiana -
Big Ten Network 12pm - Wisconsin has to be one of the most disappointing teams in the country. In the early part of the season we were talking a possibly Big Ten Championship for the Badgers. Now at 4-5, the Badgers see themselves needing to win 2 of their last 3 games to make a bowl game. Their inconsistent quarterback play has plagued them all season. Dustin Sherer is now the man, but still isn't the person for the job. Luckily for Wisconsin, they have Indiana. But the Hoosiers cannot be taken lightly. Two weeks ago they had a win against Northwestern and last week they went down to the wire with Central Michigan. But I don't think the Hooisers have the horses up front on defense to stop the Badgers rushing attack. Wisconsin gets a much needed win.
Wisconsin 34-20
Purdue at Michigan State -
Big Ten Network 12pm - This game just became really interesting. In the absence of Curtis Painter, Justin Siller was inserted into the starting lineup for Joe Tiller's offense and accounted for over 300 yards of total offense (77 on the ground) in the Boilermakers come from behind victory over Michigan State. We've seen before that Purdue can hold teams like Penn State and Ohio State with good rushing offenses to low outputs. That has to put a scare into Michigan State and their horse Javon Ringer. It is imperative that Brian Hoyer protect the ball and take some of the pressure off of Ringer by completing passes down the field. This will be one of the better Big Ten games this week. There is a chance Painter will play, but if I am Tiller and still want to go to a bowl game, I'd give the ball to Siller. As I said, close game, but I give the nod to the Spartans because I firmly believe head coach Mark Dantonio has them focused on this game and not the game two weeks from now.
Michigan State 24-20
Michigan at Minnesota -
ESPN 12pm - This game is purely about pride for the Wolverines. They were knocked out of any contention for a bowl game last week, and also Steven Threet was knocked out of the game and won't play this week. Which means Nick Sheridan will get the call. Adam Weber might be one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the Big Ten right now, but he efficiently runs this Gopher offense throwing for 2100 yards with 11 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions in 9 games. It doesn't hurt to have an athlete like Eric Decker to throw to and a solid guy in the backfield with DeLeon Eskridge. Michigan is beaten...battered...and looking towards next year. The Gophers win this game and continue one of the great college football stories of this year.
Minnesota 30-10
Illinois at Western Michigan -
ESPN Gameplan 12pm -The Illini are going to have their hands full with a Broncos offense who throws for over 320 yards per game. Illinois has shown they have a bit of trouble stopping teams who like to throw it all over the field. This game will come down to one thing and one thing only...Juice Williams' ability not only to protect the ball (12 interceptions in only 9 games), but his ability to make positive plays for his team. He has the tools around him with Arrelious Benn and Daniel Dufrene but still has the tendency to try and do too much himself which gets him in trouble. I believe that Illinois has more talent even though the Broncos have a 7-2 record coming into this week. They have played only one BCS school to date and that was a loss to Nebraska. This game will be close early, but I see Illinois pulling away with their speed on defense being the key.
Illinois 37-16
Penn State at Iowa -
ABC 3:30pm - This game would have been much more interesting last week, but with Penn State having a bye week to regroup and refocus after that big win in Columbus, it will make it tougher for the Hawkeyes to pull of the upset. But it can be done, no one this year has really put the clamps on and totally shut down Shonn Greene. Greene has nine straight 100 yard games for the Hawkeyes this year, but for Iowa to win they need not only a 100 yard game by Greene, but a big game from their quarterback. To beat Penn State, a team needs balance on offense. The Nittany Lions are going to stack the box and force Iowa to throw the ball and we all know by watching Iowa this year Ricky Stanzi is not going to win you a game. Iowa is going to have to take some chances on defense and go after Daryll Clark. Clark will play this week after getting knocked out of the Ohio State game. I feel Iowa's game plan will be a steady diet of Greene to keep the Lions' offense off the field, but their lack of balance and Penn State's steady balance on offense keeps them from winning this game.
Penn State 28-13
Last Week: 3-2 (.600)
Overall: 55-17 (.764)
