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There is no Purdue game this week and that is a good thing given the injuries the team has suffered. Through three games to seems the fan base has settled on the narrative of “Extremely young team + inexperienced offensive line + injuries to key veterans = struggle year”. There is a lot of football to play and things can change, but the prospect of nine more games with a bad offensive line isn’t good. Hopefully we get some guys back, beat Minnesota next week, beat Maryland in 3 weeks, and all feel better for the second half of the year.
While we rest, however, the Big Ten season marches on:
#11 Michigan (2-0) at #13 Wisconsin (2-0) Noon, FOX
This is easily the early Big Ten Game of the Season and a potential title game preview. What am I saying, it is not a title game preview because it involves Michigan. Both teams were off last week but Wisconsin has been pretty impressive so far. They have yet to give up a point, while Michigan is really lucky to be undefeated after surviving Army. What is Jonathan Taylor going to do to the Wolverines? Wisconsin 20, Michigan 14
UConn (1-1) at Indiana (2-1) Noon, BTN
I guess Warren Central High School wasn’t available. They are at Ben Davis Friday night and that is a pretty tough rivalry game. Indiana 48, UConn 20
Michigan State (2-1) at Northwestern (1-1) Noon, ABC
Neither team has been great offensively this year and Michigan State managed only seven points at home against Arizona State. I think it is a down year for the Spartans. How do you only manage seven points at home? Goodness, even Purdue had 13 last week and we were awful on offense. The Wildcats have had Michigan State’s number of late too. Regardless, I think this game is going to be an ugly slog. Northwestern 17, Michigan State 13
Boston College (2-1) at Rutgers (1-1) Noon, BTN
Your BTN choice at noon is either UConn-Indiana or Boston College-Rutgers. It is the “We’re contractually obligated to televise these games” special. Boston College 24, Rutgers 21
Miami (OH) (1-2) at #6 Ohio State (3-0) 3:30pm, BTN
It is Ohio State playing an in-state opponent, so that means an easy win. Ohio State 52, Miami (OH) 0
Nebraska (2-1) at Illinois (2-1) 8pm, BTN
Illinois just became the latest victim of Eastern Michigan, while Nebraska at least thumped its MAC opponent last week. If Nebraska is at least back by some measure under Scott Frost it at least wins this game. The Illini probably have a dead coach walking and are about to jump back in the coaching cycle again. Nebraska 31, Illinois 17