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This is a relatively short week in the Big Ten. There are only five games and one is a non-conference one between Michigan State and Central Michigan. Maryland, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Illinois all have the week off.
Central Michigan (1-3), at #21 Michigan State (2-1), Noon, Fox Sports 1
Surely Michigan State is not going to lose at home to a team that got blown out by Kansas, right? Of course, this can now apply to Rutgers. There is a small measure of danger because the Chips did play a relatively close game with Kentucky to start the season, but they barely beat Maine last week 17-5. At least they got the Fünfer. Michigan State 45, Central Michigan 10
Indiana (3-1, 0-1) at Rutgers (1-3, 0-1) Noon, BTN
Yesterday the mothership had an article about this Rutgers team being bad even by Rutgers standards. I think Indiana will be at 6 wins before the Purdue game. They are already sitting on 3 and have Rutgers, Maryland, Minnesota, and Iowa before then. Rutgers is an atrocious team offensively and I still cannot believe we lost to them last year. Indiana 38, Rutgers 10
Purdue (1-3, 0-1) at Nebraska (0-3, 0-1) 3:30pm, BTN
Corn Nation Preview
I want to feel confident going into this game because Purdue looked really good last week against a ranked team and Nebraska has looked pretty awful. Even in yesterday’s Q&A the Corn Nation guys were not very confident. Unfortunately, I have Purdue DNA. Nothing ever comes easy to us and that includes trying to beat the worst Nebraska team in over a half century. Throughout their history they have never lost 8 in a row and they are sitting on seven since beating us last season. If we’ve truly turned a corner we win. Purdue 31, Nebraska 24
#14 Michigan (3-1, 1-0) at Northwestern (1-2, 1-0) 4:30pm, FOX
When they won on opening night in West Lafayette I really thought Northwestern was going to be a force in the West. Now they have lost their top running back and they have not looked great in a pair of home games. Michigan has been rolling the last three weeks since the opening loss to Notre Dame. These teams are pretty much opposites right now. The good news is two Northwestern losses put the Division back in our own hands. Michigan 34, Northwestern 17
#4 Ohio State (4-0, 1-0) at #9 Penn State (4-0, 1-0) 7:30pm, ABC
Can a meteor strike occur in State College during this game? Ohio State’s morning tweet was tone deaf at best. Penn State is still Penn state and shouldn’t be allowed to have a program. That said, they have played exciting football the past few years. It is definitely the game of the week and will be close throughout. Ohio State 21, Penn State 17