:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62374023/879199260.jpg.0.jpg)
It’s rivalry week in the Big Ten, and that means trophy games. We have a Bucket, an axe, and a hat up for grabs among all the trophies. We also have the still awkward additions of Rutgers and Maryland that will end their seasons on a bizarre thud. Purdue, Indiana, Minnesota, and Maryland are all playing for a bowl bid and it is likely only one of them will make it, too.
Friday
Nebraska (4-7, 3-5) at Iowa (7-4, 4-4) Noon, FOX
Black Heart Gold Pants Preview
I really think Nebraska has been playing the best of many Big Ten teams here of late. They are coming together offensively and last week showed that the defense is playing well. Adrian Martinez is going to be pretty good next season and I think he can move the ball pretty well against Iowa. The Hawkeyes just unloaded on Illinois last week, however, so they may have gotten things going as well. It should be a fun little Friday afternoon game. Iowa 38, Nebraska 35
Saturday
#4 Michigan (10-1, 8-0) at #10 Ohio State (10-1, 7-1) Noon, FOX
The winner will go to the Big Ten title game and has a decent shot at making the Playoff. In Michigan’s case, they almost certainly would make the playoff as long as they beat Northwestern. Ohio State has some work to do, but some of their fans would rather miss the playoff and a potential embarrassing loss to Clemson or Alabama. It must be nice to have such problems. Personally, I think it would be hilarious if Ohio State missed the playoff at 12-1 because Purdue absolutely spanked them. Also, they own Michigan. Ohio State 31, Michigan 28
Purdue (5-6, 4-4) at Indiana (5-6, 2-6) Noon, ESPN2
I will be going down to Bloomington for the first time since 2014. I have been to a lot of Bucket games down there, but this is one of the few ones where I have no idea what to expect. Purdue absolutely could win. In fact, I think we’re the better team in a lot of ways. I don’t have a good feeling though. I don’t know if it is the current saga with Brohm or the collapse last week against Wisconsin. I am going to pick with my heart, but my head says we could be in for a long drive home Saturday afternoon. Purdue 34, Indiana 28
Maryland (5-6, 3-5) at #12 Penn State (8-3, 5-3) 3:30pm, ABC
Is this really a rivalry game? I can’t figure out what the Big Ten wants to do here. Why aren’t Maryland and Rutgers playing for the Acela Trophy or something? Maryland has to be crushed after losing a heartbreaker to Ohio State last week, but I do give them credit for going for two and the win in overtime. I wish we had done it. The Nittany Lions are playing for a big money bowl and I don’t think they let that go. Penn State 31, Maryland 21
Illinois (4-7, 2-6) at #19 Northwestern (7-4, 7-1) 3:30pm, BTN
Boy, does this look like a mismatch. The Wildcats have absolutely nothing to play for, and Illinois proved last week that they are a dead team walking. Everything coming out of Champaign is practically Hazellian these days, and it is only a matter of time before they cut ties with Lovie. Northwestern wins this, but only because Illinois is that bad. They hold back as much as they can for next week. Northwestern 24, Illinois 10
Minnesota (5-6, 2-6) at Wisconsin (7-4, 5-3) 3:30pm, ESPN2
It’s the last two teams we played and Wisconsin has dominated the Gophers longer than they dominated us. This is not a great Wisconsin team, but Jonathan Taylor went crazy on Purdue last week and is going to have a 2,000 yard season. He is prime for another huge day and I think he runs all over Minnesota, who out it together against Purdue then reverted last week. Wisconsin 30, Minnesota 17
Rutgers (1-10, 0-8) at Michigan State (6-5, 4-4) 4pm, FOX
Ugh. Just why? Michigan State had 6 points last week and Rutgers is Rutgers. This might end in negative integers. Michigan State 17, Rutgers 6