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There are only two teams on bye this week in Big Ten play. We are Rutgers free for a week and Iowa also has the week off. You also have the de facto Big Ten West title game with Nebraska-Wisconsin. If the Badgers win the Cornhuskers aren’t done, but it would be a third conference loss for Wisconsin if it comes. As usual, we begin with the noon games.
Minnesota (5-2, 2-2) at Illinois (2-5, 1-3) Noon, BTN
Neither team has its starting quarterback and Illinois is going with the progeny of Jeff George (the original Purdue Benedict Arnold). At least Minnesota can play a few other players this week because it is a road game (they have a restraining order from their home stadium). There isn’t a lot to get excited about here unless you’re a Purdue fan and you want to see if beating Minnesota next week is possible. The Gophers still have a strong running game, so they should be okay. Minnesota 27, Illinois 20
Michigan (7-0, 4-0) at Michigan State (2-5, 0-4) Noon, ESPN
This game will go one of two ways: Either Michigan State will finally get it together and spring a close upset or Michigan is going unload years of frustration upon them. Given the Harbaugh factor, I am thinking unmerciful blowout. Michigan 52, Michigan State 10
Penn State (5-2, 3-1) at Purdue (3-4, 1-3) Noon, ABC/ESPN2
I used to respect Penn State. I really did. But after everything they have gone through my opinion of their program has turned. The Paterno defenders at this point are quite repugnant, and that tarnishes anything their program does. Over the summer I felt that this game was Purdue’s best chance for a surprising upset. That feeling hasn’t changed. If Purdue can match its intensity from last week, sustain it for an entire game, avoid silly mistakes, and catch a couple of breaks (yes, that is A LOT of ifs, but ifs are all we have) we could have an upset on our hands. I think we get that upset. Purdue 27, Penn State 23
Maryland (5-2, 2-2) at Indiana (3-4, 1-3) 3:30pm, ESPNU
A win puts the terrapins in a bowl game after a pretty dismal year last year. A loss for Indiana might end their bowl hopes, as they finish with Michigan, Penn State, Rutgers, and Purdue and they would need a home upset of Penn state or a road upset of Michigan to get back to a bowl. I think they figure things out and get a much-needed home win to give them some breathing room with Rutgers and Purdue left. Indiana 31, Maryland 24
Northwestern (4-3, 3-1) at Ohio State (6-1, 3-1) 3:30pm, ESPN
Northwestern’s reward for their modest winning streak is a date with a very pissed off Ohio State team fresh off of a huge upset. The Wildcats are definitely playing better, but now that Ohio State’s season is ruined they are probably just going to wreck shit. Ohio State 45, Northwestern 17
Nebraska (7-0, 4-0) at Wisconsin (5-2, 2-2) 7pm, ESPN
This one should be really good. Nebraska is not the best undefeated team in the country, but they are undefeated. Wisconsin is probably the best two loss team in the country with close losses to Michigan and Ohio State. The Cornhuskers needed a half to wake up against Purdue but were much better after the break. Wisconsin is still better and this is their last chance to stay alive in the Big Ten race. Wisconsin 17, Nebraska 14