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The dream is still alive! Am I talking about Purdue winning the Big Ten West? Well, of course that is still alive, as we technically could go 7-2. I am referring to the real dream, where all seven teams go 4-5 in the Division and we get a 7-way tie for the division crown
Let’s face it, we all want that to happen.
In reality, this week has a lot of clear favorites and not many toss-up games. Michigan State at Purdue is likely the closest thing to a toss-up we have. All 14 teams are in action again, so let’s get to it.
#5 Ohio State (7-1, 5-0) at Nebraska (3-6, 1-5) B1G NUDE SATURDAY, FOX
Nebraska can officially become the first bowl ineligible team in the conference, and at this point it would almost be merciful. They have lost all six games by a single score, but they have played top teams tough in Oklahoma and Michigan. Ohio State could be walking into a trap here. If the Cornhuskers ever put together a complete game they’ll bite someone. Until proven otherwise, however…Ohio State 45, Nebraska 28
Illinois (3-6, 2-4) at #20 Minnesota (6-2, 4-1) Noon, ESPN2
To me, Illinois is one of the more fascinating teams in the conference. They can look good for stretches and have a decent defense. They aren’t THAT far from 6-3 having blown games against Rutgers, Purdue, and Maryland because of a crappy offense. They went to Penn State and won. They probably aren’t going to beat the Gophers, who have been a completely different team since the Bowling Green loss. Minnesota isn’t dropping this one when they have a real shot at winning the division. Minnesota 27, Illinois 16
#21 Wisconsin (5-3, 3-2) at Rutgers (4-4, 1-4) 3:30pm, BTN
Wisconsin is another team that has looked a lot better in recent weeks. They stifled both Purdue and Iowa defensively. The struggles early against Penn State and Notre Dame appear to be over. They are rounding into form and a better, but still not great Rutgers team might just be a speed bump for them. Rutgers needs two wins for a bowl, but that is what Indiana and Maryland are for. Wisconsin 24, Rutgers 10
Penn State (5-3, 2-3) at Maryland (5-3, 2-3) 3:30pm, Fox Sports 1
This is probably the most lopsided “rivalry” in college football. They have played 44 times, so several before Maryland was in the Big Ten, and the Nittany Lions are 40-3-1 in the series. The Terrapins did win last year and are at home. After a great start Penn State is struggling and Maryland may have gotten a spark last week. I think they can spring a mild upset here. Maryland 27, Penn State 24
#3 Michigan State (8-0, 5-0) at Purdue (5-3, 3-2) 3:30pm, ABC
We’re going to get run in this one. Purdue has been competitive in every game so far, but Michigan State does everything good Purdue is bad at. They look too much like Wisconsin, and I mean very good, win-the-West-at-10-2 Wisconsin, than I like. Purdue’s best shot is that O’Connell avoids picks and finishes drives, but the offense has three touchdowns total in the last three home games. Thank God for Northwestern and Indiana in a few weeks. My 7-5 original season pick is very much alive. Michigan State 31, Purdue 13
#22 Iowa (6-2, 3-2) at Northwestern (3-5, 1-4) 7pm, BTN
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Did we break Iowa? Are they on their way to a full Zook (6-0 start, followed by 0-6 finish)? This is a team with an absolutely broken offense at the moment. Fortunately, they now get a Northwestern team that can’t score, either. This game could end in negative integers. There will be punts. There will likely be turnovers. There will be a lot of folly and eye-bleedingly bad offensive play. Iowa 10, Northwestern 3
Indiana (2-6, 0-5) at #7 Michigan (7-1, 4-1) 7:30pm, FOX
I said all offseason that Indiana was wildly, hilariously overrated when some people had them in the top 10, and I was right. I didn’t think they would be THIS bad though. They are the lone team winless in conference play and there will be no bowl game if they can’t beat a disappointed Michigan team this week. The Hoosiers did end a 24 game losing streak to the Wolverines last year, but they have not won in Ann Arbor since 1967. That won’t end this year. Michigan 38, Indiana 10