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For the first time this season there is not a bye for anyone in the league. We have seven games this week, so all 14 teams are in action against each other. As always, it begins on Saturday with FOX’s B1G NUDE SATURDAY.
#6 Michigan (7-0, 4-0) at #8 Michigan State (7-0, 4-0) B1G NUDE SATURDAY, FOX
Purdue fans will have an eye on this one. The last time the Michigan State-Michigan game had this high of stakes was 1999, when undefeated and No. 11 Michigan State beat the undefeated #3 ranked Wolverines 34-31 in East Lansing. The Spartans would reach #5 in the polls following the game, then head to… West Lafayette, where Drew Brees and Chris Daniels had a field day in a 52-28 beatdown that caused Nick Saban’s scared ass to run off to the SEC so he would never have to face Purdue again (1-3-1 with a still active three game losing streak, the only team he has ever lost three straight to). With the strength of the ground game for both of these teams this one might be over by 2pm. Let’s repeat history. Michigan State 24, Michigan 20
#9 Iowa (6-1, 3-1) at Wisconsin (4-3, 2-2) Noon, ESPN
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Iowa has had a week off to figure some things out, and now they get the team that beat the team that beat them in Iowa City. If Wisconsin is going to get back into the Big Ten West race this is a must-win. They aren’t going to throw as much or as successfully as Purdue did, but that ground game sure rounded into shape last week. Wisconsin looked like Wisconsin again, and that is scary. Wisconsin 17, Iowa 13
Rutgers (3-4, 0-4) at Illinois (3-5, 2-3) Noon, BTN
This game serves a single purpose: saving the chance at a 7-way tie for the Big Ten West. Oh yes, it is possible:
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This is an absolute must-win for both teams to get to a bowl game. Illinois probably needs a lot more help than Rutgers, but Rutgers has been disappointing since the 3-0 start. Illinois is coming off of its biggest win in more than a decade. Regardless, I don’t think either team makes a bowl. Rutgers 23, Illinois 17
Indiana (2-5, 0-4) at Maryland (4-3, 1-3) Noon, BTN
We’ve gone from “Indiana can win the East!” to “Will Indiana win a conference game?” Given that the Hoosiers must still go to Ann Arbor, their margin of error for even making a bowl is razor thin. They have to win this game, Rutgers, Minnesota, and Purdue assuming a loss to the Wolverines. Maryland has given up 151 points in the last three games, so they are probably happy to be facing the conference’s worst offense. Maryland 27, Indiana 17
Minnesota (5-2, 3-1) at Northwestern (3-4, 1-3) 3:30pm, BTN
After the Bowling Green loss Minnesota has quietly been playing very well. Their win at Purdue was a turning point, then they got good victories over Nebraska and Maryland the last two weeks. If they win this one they could be in sole possession of first place in the West should Iowa lose. Minnesota 34, Northwestern 13
Purdue (4-3, 2-2) at Nebraska (3-5, 1-4) 3:30pm, ESPN2
I was confident last week. I am not confident this week. The more I see Nebraska the more I wonder if our offense can keep up with them. That side of the ball is just not doing its job right now, and it is going to need to score in the 30s to get there. This is a Nebraska team with its season teetering on the brink. They are dangerous. Unless Adrian Martinez has to leave early the Cornhuskers win. Nebraska 34, Purdue 17
#20 Penn State (5-2, 2-2) at #5 Ohio State (6-1, 4-0) 7:30pm, ABC
Ohio State is going to do filthy, unspeakable things to a Penn State team that had absolutely no business losing to Illinois last week. The Buckeye offense is rolling at full fury and nothing can stop it. Pray for Purdue in two weeks. Ohio State 45, Penn State 21