For the second consecutive week there are no byes in the Big Ten. For two teams, however, they can pass the point of no return on their seasons. Rutgers and Nebraska will officially be removed from bowl consideration with one more loss each. That loss is likely a formality at this point, but it needs to be pointed out.
We have brotherly hate up in Michigan, A broken chair to play for, and a potential big upset on the way in West Lafayette.
#6 Michigan (6-1. 4-0) at No. 24 Michigan State (4-2, 2-1) Noon, FOX
The weather in East Lansing on Saturday is supposed to be a balmy 48 degrees with rain and an 18 mph wind. It will be pretty miserable conditions for all involved. I am not convinced that Michigan State is all that good and got lucky as hell last week. Michigan has looked unstoppable, too. Unless Michigan State drags this down into a 17-14 rock fight I don’t see the Wolverines losing. Michigan 31, Michigan State 20
Maryland (4-2, 2-1) at #19 Iowa (5-1, 2-1) Noon, ESPN2
Black Heart Gold Pants Preview
Maryland might be the hardest team to figure out in the entire conference. They have a win over Texas, who has not lose since and jumped into the top 10. They also have an ugly home loss to Temple. This goes without addressing their obvious off the field issues, of course. Iowa has been un-Iowa like by scoring 90 points the last two weeks. Nathan Stanley took it to Indiana with six touchdown passes too. Iowa 27, Maryland 20
Illinois (3-3, 1-2) at #23 Wisconsin (4-2, 2-1) Noon, Fox Sports 1
Illinois is really, really bad and visibly quit against Purdue. Wisconsin is angry and has a lot of large men that will push the pitiful Illini defense out of the way. This could get ugly. Wisconsin 52, Illinois 10
Northwestern (3-3, 3-1) at Rutgers (1-6, 0-4) Noon, BTN
I am still dumbfounded that somehow Rutgers only had 8 yards passing last week and they are not a team that runs the option. The Wildcats are having visions of winning the West again and they are not going to stumble against an atrocious Scarlet Knights team. Northwestern 45, Rutgers 21
#18 Penn State (4-2, 1-2) at Indiana (4-2, 1-3) 3:30pm, ABC
Speaking of angry, how pissed off is Penn State? They have consecutive last minute home losses and their dreams of the season are virtually over. Indiana just gave up a career to Nathan Stanley, so what is trace McSorley going to do? Penn State 55, Indiana 20
Minnesota (3-3, 0-3) at Nebraska (0-6, 0-4) 3:30pm, BTN
Someone has to finally get a Big Ten win, right? The Gophers might end up needing this game in order to make a bowl game. They still need three wins, but this begins a four game stretch against Nebraska, Indiana, Illinois, and Purdue. Nebraska was close last week, but continues to shoot itself in the foot. Minnesota 24, Nebraska 21
#2 Ohio State (7-0, 4-0) at Purdue (3-3, 2-1)
It’s the two best offenses in the conference facing off, and both defenses have been questionable. Ohio State has given up a lot of big plays and Purdue excels at big plays. This could be a formal national coming out party for Rondale Moore. What if he goes for 400 all-purpose yards with a kickoff return TD, a decent punt return, and 150 yards receiving with two touchdowns? The Buckeyes have more talent and that offense looks unstoppable. I think we see a lot of fireworks, but Ohio State pulls away late. Ohio State 45, Purdue 35