:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57130513/858792776.0.jpg)
The non-conference season is officially over for the Big Ten. There were no huge wins for the league. Michigan over Florida is probably the best win, and that is not saying a lot. Wisconsin and Penn State are the only undefeated teams left and it would be an embarrassment to the league if Penn State wins out. This week Penn State and Iowa have the week off, while everyone else plays.
Michigan (4-1, 1-1) at Indiana (3-2, 0-2) Noon, ABC
Is Michigan in trouble here? I think the Indiana defense is better than Purdue’s, and with a receiver like Simmie Cobbs on the edge Indiana can do a lot of good things. The recent series history here has Indiana losing close games even though the Wolverines have won 21 in a row over the Hoosiers. That Michigan defense is legit. They completely stifled Purdue. The offense is still questionable as evidenced last week against Michigan State. This is a prove it game for Indiana. If they are really as good as the CQ guys tout their S&P stats they go on to win this and finish something like 7-4 or 8-3. Lose, and it is same old, same old. I think they get it. Indiana 17, Michigan 14
Rutgers (1-4, 0-2) at Illinois (2-3, 0-2) Noon, BTN
CRIPPLEFIGHT!!!!!!!!!
I think I already said enough about this game earlier in the week. It is the consensus two worst teams in the conference in an offensively-challenged slugfest. Neither team can pass. Both have semi-decent defenses that often get betrayed with how bad the offense is (the Shoop special). It is a morbidly intriguing game. In the end I am going with Illinois because they have beaten a MAC team and Rutgers didn’t. Illinois 14, Rutgers 10
Northwestern (2-3, 0-2) at Maryland (3-2, 1-1) 3:30pm, ESPN2
This is another interesting game because Maryland took its beating at the hands of Ohio State last week like a man, but has otherwise looked pretty good even with their quarterback issues. Northwestern, even with Justin Jackson, is still one of the worst rushing teams in the country. Max Bortenschlager, the local Cathedral product, has not been totally awful for the Terrapins, either. This is a team coming together and I think the Terps get the home win. Maryland 27, Northwestern 17
Purdue (3-2, 1-1) at Wisconsin (5-0, 2-0) 3:30pm, BTN
Wisconsin is going to run. A lot. It's what they do, kind of like Tyrion Lannister and his ability to drink and know things. Purdue will be able to hold them off for a while. We might even be able to lead at halftime. All that rushing and their front line of extremely large gentlemen are going to wear us down though. We don't have the depth to take a pounding for 60 minutes (STOP LAUGHING). Wisconsin 34, Purdue 20
Ohio State (5-1, 3-0) at Nebraska (3-3, 2-1) 7:30pm, Fox Sports 1
I think Ohio State is on a mission to destroy everyone and everything after its home loss to Oklahoma. Up next is a Nebraska team that has already lost at home to Northern Illinois. The Buckeyes are scoring almost 46 points per game and are over 50 when they play someone not named Oklahoma. In three big Ten games they have averaged 55.6 points and given up just 11.6. Yikes. Ohio State 52, Nebraska 17
Michigan State (4-1, 2-0) at Minnesota (3-2, 0-2) 8pm, BTN
I am not sure what to think of either team. Michigan State appears to have another strong defense after a year off last year. They completely shut down Michigan and Iowa in the second halves of their last two games. Minnesota comes in after scoring just three points in the second half at Purdue. This is the type of game the Spartans win if they are going to truly contend in the East. Michigan State 24, Minnesota 14