:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62099661/usa_today_11532710.1541124499.jpg)
We have the final non-conference game among Big Ten teams this week with Northwestern hosting Notre Dame. It is the first time in 42 years they have hosted the Fighting Irish in Evanston. They also might be the only thing in the way of an undefeated Notre Dame in the playoff. Because they are out of conference this week only one team is on bye: Indiana. Everyone else is playing.
Nebraska (2-6, 1-4) at #10 Ohio State (7-1, 4-1) Noon, FOX
An Ohio State returns to the field after a week off and they face a Nebraska offense that has been humming along of late. The Cornhuskers still suck defensively, but as we saw two weeks ago, the Buckeyes struggle against big plays. Devine Ozigbo is capable of running for 150 on them and it could get a but nutty. I don’t think either team cans top the other. Ohio State 56, Nebraska 42
Rutgers (1-7, 0-5) at Wisconsin (5-3, 3-2) Noon, BTN
Rutgers is absolute garbage and Wisconsin has a ton of people hurt including Alex Hornibrook. It is not going to matter. Wisconsin 45, Rutgers 10
Michigan State (5-3, 3-2) at Maryland (5-3, 3-2) Noon, ESPN2
It has been a hell of a week for the Terrapins to say the least. Can they even begin to focus on an actual football game after they had their coach retained, then fired? There was a fight in the locker room between factions of the team. And yes, it was a punter fight. How is this team going to be ready to play a football game 48 hours after that? Michigan State 31, Maryland 3
Minnesota (4-4, 1-4) at Illinois (3-5, 1-4) 3:30pm, BTN
The Golden Gophers likely need this game and the game against Purdue to reach a bowl game. I don’t think they will beat Northwestern or Wisconsin at the end of the year. They do have a very good win over Fresno State, however. This is such a hard team to figure, but Illinois is not. The defense falls over with a stuff breeze. Minnesota 38, Illinois 21
#16 Iowa (6-2, 3-2) at Purdue (4-4, 3-2) 3:30pm, ESPN2
Black Heart Gold Pants Preview
Iowa is playing really well defensively, but their offense has been a mess of late. Now we know that Nathan Stanley has an injured thumb too, but facing a backup QB, as we learned last week, is no guarantee. Still, Iowa is a good defensive team with a struggling offense (sound familiar?) Playing at home Purdue can’t be as bad offensively as last week, right? Purdue 27, Iowa 20
#14 Penn State (6-2, 3-2) at #5 Michigan (7-1, 5-0) 3:45pm, ESPN
This should be a pretty good game, but Michigan has been playing well of late. Their defense is a wrecking crew and the offense has been moving the ball with ease. This is the best Michigan team we have seen in a very long time and as long as they don’t look too far ahead to Ohio State this is their last serious challenge until then. Michigan 27, Penn State 20
#4 Notre Dame (8-0) at Northwestern (5-3) 7:15pm, ESPN
Northwestern has only beaten Notre Dame nine times, but they have two wins in a row over the Fighting Irish. They won in 1995 and in 2014. This team is a lot better than their 2014 team, but Notre Dame is also a lot better. I am afraid we may be in a world where Notre Dame is legitimately good again, and that is just unfortunate. Northwestern, meanwhile, just blasted Wisconsin after nearly losing to Rutgers. They could do anything. Notre Dame 31, Northwestern 24