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We have a completely full slate of games this week! All 14 teams are in action, but most games are expected to be blowouts. The best game by far is Wisconsin at Michigan.
Minnesota (3-2, 0-2) at #3 Ohio State (6-0, 3-0) Noon, Fox Sports 1
Ohio State plays at home against a Big Ten team with a decent record slowly grinds them into a fine paste by putting up 50 points or so. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. The Buckeyes probably won’t be challenged again until hosting Michigan. Yes, I am including next week in that. Ohio State 52, Minnesota 21
Rutgers (1-5, 0-3) at Maryland (3-2, 1-1) Noon, BTN
This game should just be for the losing team’s Big Ten share. It is relegated to the forgotten noon Big Ten slot and let’s face it, money is the only reason they are even here. They could even have one of those massive novelty checks and present it at midfield during the conclusion of the game with the losing AD signing it over to the winner. Maryland 45, Rutgers 21
Iowa (4-1, 1-1) at Indiana (4-2, 1-2) Noon, ESPN2
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This game holds some interest. Iowa needs a win to stay on pace in the West should Wisconsin stumble. Indiana is in its usual position here of good record against bad teams. A loss here means they are likely 4-4 before going to Minnesota on October 26th, as they get Penn State next week. This should be an entertaining game because Iowa always goes conservative and Indiana’s offense is up and down. I think the Hoosiers win in an upset. Indiana 27, Iowa 24
Nebraska (0-5, 0-3) at Northwestern (2-3, 2-1) Noon, ABC
Northwestern is 0-3 at home and 2-0 on the road. I can’t explain that. Nebraska is just flat out bad. Their defense cannot get stops and while Adrian Martinez is moving the football, this team commits penalties at the worst time. There is a definite chance the Cornhuskers could go 1-11 with only a win over FCS Bethune Cookman in a few weeks. Northwestern 27, Nebraska 21
Michigan State (3-2, 1-1) at #8 Penn State (4-1, 1-1) 3:30pm, BTN
Michigan State has been disappointing this year. Penn State has had a week off to fume about its narrow home loss to Ohio State. The Spartan defense has not been good against the pass, giving up a Big Ten worst 305 yards per game through the air. If you’re a Purdue fan that is encouraging for our October 27th game in East Lansing. I think Penn State rolls here and Michigan State’s season starts spiraling down a bit. Penn State 48, Michigan State 20
Purdue (2-3, 1-1) at Illinois (3-2, 1-1)
I am kind of nervous about this game, mostly because we lost to Eastern Michigan and the Illini are better than Eastern Michigan. I think there are going to be a lot of points here. Illinois can run the ball well and Purdue has struggled against mobile quarterbacks. The good news is that the Illinois defense has not been very good, and it tends to fade late. It blew second half leads in a big way against Penn State and South Florida. I think David Blough still has a good day and Purdue pulls away late. Purdue 45, Illinois 35
#15 Wisconsin (4-1, 2-0) at #12 Michigan (5-1, 3-0)
It’s the game of the week and Michigan has really turned it on since losing at Notre Dame. If they can win this one it actually opens the door a small crack for Purdue to win the division. I say a small crack because I don’t see Purdue winning it with anything but one more loss to Ohio State, but should that happen we would be 7-2 in the Big Ten. We would then need a Wisconsin loss (say here) and two Northwestern losses (one to Wisconsin, one to, say, Iowa). Obviously it is a longshot, but it is something to keep in mind. Michigan 27, Wisconsin 24