B1G Week 7 Preview

Overall, week 7 looks to be a pretty dull week in the B1G schedule.  The top 2 teams in the conference rankings play the worst two teams, and the 3rd best team has a bye week.  However, this week will have a major influence on the Leader's Division B1G Championship Game representative.  Last week my picks to win the games went very well, but the details of how each team won were a little off.  Lets see if I can do better this week.

Iowa (3-2) @ Michigan State (4-2) Saturday 12:00pm
As bad as Iowa played in the non-conference season, the Hawkeyes impressed me in their B1G opener against Minnesota.  Yes, I know the Gophers aren't very good, but Iowa took care of business and didn't let the over-matched team hang around very long.  This game should help sort out the contenders in the Legend's Division.  The loser here is all but eliminated from the title game. I can guarantee that this game will look more like "Big Ten football" than the Nebraska vs Ohio game last Saturday.  Both teams live and die with their giant running backs.  I will venture to say that whichever guy ends up with the better yards per carry will end up on the winning side of this game.  I am interested in seeing how Michigan State defends Iowa, because everyone knows their game plan.  If Weisman is continually getting into the 2nd level of the defense, it could be a long game for Sparty. Also, if either team builds an early lead, it will be very difficult for the other to come back with their suspect passing attacks.  As bad as Michigan State looked last week, I think they win a close low scoring game with a late score.

Northwestern (5-1) @ Minnesota (4-1) Saturday 12:00pm
This game is another key game for the Legend's Division standings.  I think most people assume Northwestern is the better team here, but the loser of this one will likely stay in the cellar of the division.  I am interested to see how Minnesota bounces back from getting dump trucked in their opener in Iowa City.  Quarterback Gray should be back for this game, which will put a lot of pressure on the Wildcat defense.  The same defense that gave up 22 points at Penn State last week.  The Gophers really struggled to defend the run against Iowa, and unfortunately for them, the run game is Northwestern's strength.  I think this one will be another close game, but in the end Northwestern's offense outscores Minnesota.

Wisconsin (4-2) @ Purdue (3-2) Saturday 12:00pm
I have selected this game as the marquee contest of the week.  Not because either team is neccesarily that good, but because the winner has the inside track at reach Indianapolis.  The Boilers had what they called their most important home game since 2007 last week against Michigan.  The fans didn't show up, and the Wolverines man-handled Purdue.  It will be interesting to see how they bounce back in this game.  I think the Purdue defensive line will do a better job at defending the run this weekend.  I doubt Wisconsin will get to 200 yards on the ground, let alone 300.  If the Boiler linebackers can step up and make some tackles, Purdue could win this one by double digits.  I doubt they can make enough consistent plays to control the game.  Purdue's secondary was not tested much last weekend, but Wisconsin will need to put the ball in the air more than Michigan did.  I predict Allen or Johnson to record another interception, but also for Abbrederis to break a big pass play open.  Wisconsin does have a very solid defense, and their pass rush continues to improve.  If they can get some pressure on TerBush, the Badgers will be very successful.  I don't think either offense is really great, so I think Purdue will pull out a very close, much needed, win at home with more key defensive plays than Wisconsin.

Ohio State (6-0) @ Indiana (2-3) Saturday 8:00pm
Ohio State showed over the past two weeks that they are the class of the B1G.  They have a very good shot at being undefeated when Michigan comes to town in late November.  The Hoosiers might have played their best half of football last week against Michigan State, too bad football games have 2nd halves.  Indiana is no match for the Buckeyes in this game, and their stadium offers very little home field advantage to make up that difference.  It will be interesting to see how the Buckeye defense performs without their most experienced linebacker playing.  Urban Meyer doesn't care about other team's feelings, so there is no reason to think that Braxton Miller will have less than 300 total yards in this one and the Buckeyes win by at least 30.