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We have a full slate of 7 games and all 14 teams in the conference playing this week. Of course, there are some real turds out there, too. We have Indiana-Rutgers, Michigan State-Illinois, and Maryland-Michigan, but the prime time game of Nebraska-Ohio State looks really good.
Indiana (4-4, 2-3) at Rutgers (2-6, 0-5) Noon, BTN
This was one of the more memorable games of last season. Indiana led 52-27 late in the third quarter and looked like they were on their way to an easy win. They chocked. Rutgers came back to earn a 55-52 on a 26-yard field goal as time expired. That means the potential is here for some wildness, especially since the Indiana offense looked fixed last week. Indiana 55, Rutgers 36
Michigan State (2-6, 0-5) at Illinois (2-6, 1-4) Noon, ESPNNews
Is Michigan State so bad they will lose to Illinois? They certainly haven’t been good. The loser of this game is eliminated from bowl consideration, will face the “re you as bad as Purdue?” questions, and maybe even the dreaded “You’re not as bad as Rutgers, are you?” question. For Illinois, they already answered that. For Michigan State, that may be the only conference win they get this season. Michgian State 20, Illinois 17
Wisconsin (6-2, 3-2) at Northwestern (4-4, 3-2) Noon, ABC
Northwestern certainly is not playing like a team that opened the season with losses to Western Michigan and Illinois State. In fact, the Western Michigan loss doesn’t look bad at all in retrospect. Now they get a chance to stay somewhat alive in what could be a wild finish to the Big Ten West if Nebraska loses another game. The badgers are the better team though. Wisconsin 31, Northwestern 24
Maryland (5-3, 2-3) at Michigan (8-0, 5-0) 3:30pm, ESPN
The Indiana offense was broken until Maryland came to Bloomington. The Hoosiers then ran all over the Terps in a game that was pretty much the exact opposite of what Purdue did in College Park. Now Maryland faces an even better team in Michigan, which is pretty much bored at this point waiting for the season finale against Ohio State. Michigan 45, Maryland 10
Purdue (3-5, 1-4) at Minnesota (6-2, 3-2) 3:30pm, BTN
Can Purdue play two full halves of football? We have seen what they can do in the first half, but there is no depth and that has prevented Purdue from finishing a couple of potential upsets the last two weeks. The second half numbers have been brutal. Purdue has been outscored 62-7 in the second half after winning the first half 31-28 against two ranked teams. Minnesota isn’t quite as good as Nebraska and Penn State, but they are still a good team if a bit one-dimensional. I think the Gophers run the ball and run some more against a beaten up and shallow Purdue defense. Purdue will hang close for a bit, but the depth is just not there to finish a game. Minnesota 36, Purdue 23
Iowa (5-3, 3-2) at Penn State (6-2, 4-1) 7:30pm, BTN
Black Heart Gold Pants Preview
I wish Penn State wasn’t good again. They deserve to be banished to a dark corner and forgotten, but they are good. Also, both teams just scored again in Ross-Ade Stadium. Purdue fans have had the unique perspective of seeing both of these teams in West Lafayette of late. Penn State was better, as Iowa nearly let Purdue back in it after building a huge early lead. They should win this game at home, but how much fun would another 6-4 game be? Penn State 20, Iowa 14
Nebraska (7-1, 4-1) at Ohio State (7-1, 4-1) 8pm, ABC
Land-Grant Holyland Preview
Ohio State has certainly been off the last two weeks. I did not expect Northwestern to keep last week’s game as close as it did. Now an even better Nebraska team is coming in and the Cornhuskers are stinging after their first loss of the season. The winner gets to stay alive for the playoff while the loser is done, even though they could meet again in the Big Ten title game. When in doubt, go with the home team. Ohio State 27, Nebraska 24