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It is the bye week for Purdue, and it could not come any sooner. The offense is stuck in neutral, we have injuries, and there is a very tough stretch ahead. Indiana and Northwestern at the end of the schedule as the best chances at wins No. 4 and 5 are far away, but Purdue has to find No. 4 before it gets to those two games. This week is critical in doing so. Otherwise we will enter the Northwestern game on a 6 game losing streak and that would suck. At least coach Brohm has yet to lose six straight at Purdue.
Indiana, Minnesota, and Northwestern are also off this week, so there are only five games.
Maryland (4-1, 1-1) at #7 Ohio State (4-1, 2-0) B1G NUDE SATURDAY, FOX
Maryland had a rude awakening last week against Iowa and Ohio State looked like OHIO STATE again last week against Rutgers. The Buckeyes have not lost a Big Ten game since That Night in West Lafayette, and I don’t think that streak ends this week. Maryland was way too careless with the ball last week. Ohio State 45, Maryland 20
#11 Michigan State (5-0, 2-0) at Rutgers (3-2, 0-2) Noon, BTN
One of the biggest surprises last year was Rutgers stunning Michigan State to start the year. Can they do it again? The Scarlett Knights are halfway to a bowl game, and getting this one would be very nice. At minimum they’ll at least be 75% of the way through the big four in the East Division. Michigan State 31, Rutgers 20
Wisconsin (1-3, 0-2) at Illinois (2-4, 1-2) 3:30pm, BTN
I will be checking in on this game because Wisconsin is probably Purdue’s best shot at getting win #4 in the next five games. It is very strange saying that, but the Badgers have been pretty bad offensively. Illinois has been the same, so this could be very low scoring. If the Badgers lose, watch out. They will be in “lost season” territory. Wisconsin 17, Illinois 13
#4 Penn State (5-0, 2-0) at #3 Iowa (5-0, 2-0) 4pm, FOX
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This is quite the game, and very good for Purdue. You want the Boilers to have a week off to tinker with the offense before facing a team coach Brohm has done very well against. Even better, the Hawkeyes have a ridiculously tough game to set up TRAP GAME. Both teams have fantastic defenses, but Penn State’s offense is better. Penn State 21, Iowa 17
#9 Michigan (5-0, 2-0) at Nebraska (3-3, 1-2) 7:30pm, ABC
Is Nebraska at least some form of good? They are better than the week 0 loss to Illinois, but they still haven’t put it together against a team with a pulse. They probably should have beaten Michigan State, so there is that. Michigan has just been rolling over everyone, so I still like them this week. Michigan 38, Nebraska 24