This weekend will be the first of two defining weekends in the Big Ten. Five teams (arguably) have a legitimate shot at winning the Big Ten title: Penn State, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio State. Four of those five teams face each other head-to-head this weekend. That will happen just one more time this season, on November 14th. By that time, the Big Ten picture will certainly be much clearer.
Eastern Illinois at #14 Penn State (Noon)
Line: No line due to FCS
Prediction: Penn State beat Illinois last weekend, who beat Illinois State 45-17 in the second week of the season. Eastern Illinois also beat Illinois State, so a Penn State victory gives them the Illinois state championship outright. I’m taking Penn State this weekend, but not by a billion. I’ll go 32-7 Nittany Lions.
Miami (OH) at Northwestern (Noon)
Line: Northwestern by 19
Prediction: Last week, Northwestern held on to beat a Purdue team that did everything they could to give game away, then tried to call backsies by orchestrating a late-game drive that resulted in an overthrown pass to end the drive and the game. The Red Hawks, meanwhile, are 0-5 and have scored just 58 points all season. I’m going Northwestern 38-17.
Purdue at Minnesota (Noon)
Line: Minnesota by 3
Prediction: Minnesota played a tough game against a Wisconsin team that is probably the most surprising team to still be a legitimate contender in the Big Ten title hunt. Purdue has been completely bipolar, playing solid games against Oregon and Notre Dame, but making lots of mistakes against Northern Illinois and Northwestern. Minnesota wins, 28-18.
Michigan State at Illinois (Noon)
Line: Michigan State by 5
Prediction: Full preview is over here. Long story short, I like the way the Spartan defense matches up against a struggling Illini offense. At first, I looked at the schedule and thought Illinois just had a rough start because they were playing some good teams (partly true), but there are more issues at play here. MSU 31-21.
Wisconsin at #9 Ohio State (3:30 PM EST)
Line: Ohio State by 14
Prediction: This will be the first of two big matchups in the Big Ten this weekend. Wisconsin is the last undefeated team not ranked in the top 25. Ohio State has been been on a roll after falling to USC, but hasn’t played any top teams. I’m taking Ohio State 24-21.
Indiana at Virginia (3:30 PM EST)
Line: Virginia by 7
Prediction: Indiana started the season 3-0, but since then has lost two straight to Ohio State and Michigan. Virginia has struggled to put up points, but upset North Carolina last weekend for their first win of the season. It’s the pillow fight game of the weekend, I’m taking Indiana because they’ve been able to put up points. Hoosiers, 32-27.
Michigan at #12 Iowa (8:05 PM EST)
Line: Iowa by 8
Prediction: Despite the U-M biased media stroking Michigan for playing 5 good minutes of football against the Spartans, the truth is that Michigan was exposed on Saturday for having a porous defense (how else can you explain the MSU drive in the first quarter that lasted 10 minutes and 50 yards in penalties). The Spartans, who haven’t been known for great defensive execution, played their best game of the season so far to stymie the Michigan offense. Iowa’s defense will be even more stout Saturday night. The question is how effective will the Iowa offense be? I’m taking the Hawkeyes 24-17.
Related posts:
Facebook Comments