B1G Week 8 Preview

We will begin the 2^nd half of the season tomorrow for most teams, and just like the opening week of college football, this one has very few intriguing games around the B1G. In this case very few equals zero.  Ohio State is in the driver’s seat to head to Indianapolis, while the Legends Division is still a pond full of muck.  It is doubtful that this weekend does anything to change either outlook.

Purdue @ Michigan State 12:00pm
The Boilermakers are by far the worst team in the conference, and Michigan State looks to be the best in their division.  Purdue only managed to score 7 points on Nebraska, and that came in the last minute of the game. It will be a small miracle if they score more than that against the conference’s best defense. The Spartans offense did what it was supposed to do against Indiana last week, and will look to take another step forward before the showdown with Michigan.  Michigan State should dominate every aspect of this football game.

Minnesota @ Northwestern 12:00pm
The Wildcats return home with their tail between their legs. They fought a valiant battle against Ohio State 2 weeks ago, and then were taken out back and put out of their misery last week in Madison.  It is unclear just how good Northwestern is.  They have injuries at key positions, and until Mack and Colter are 100% this team looks very beatable. However, Minnesota is not the team to push Northwestern. The Gophers have a firm grasp on the 11^th best B1G team, and I doubt they move up the standings this week.  The key matchup in this game will be to see how the Wildcats stop Minnesota’s power running attack.  They have struggled the past two weeks against two of the better running offenses, and if the Gophers turn to Leidner at quarterback, Northwestern’s soft defense could be challenged. The opportunistic secondary should still be able to force 2+ turnovers though, and help the injured offense pull away from the overmatched Gophers.

Iowa @ Ohio State 3:30pm
You know it is a slow week when Iowa traveling to Columbus is the game of the week in the B1G.  Both teams had bye weeks last week, so it will be interesting to see how the first quarter is played. While I think Ohio State is a large step behind Alabama, Oregon, Clemson, Florida State, and probably most of the rest of the top 10, they are head and shoulders better than every B1G team. Iowa looked terrible to start the season, but seem to be improving as the season goes on.  The talented Buckeye defensive line should be able to dominate the line of scrimmage rendering Weisman ineffective.  The Hawkeyes will have to rely on Rudock throwing into the strength of Ohio State.  This will not go well. Ohio State should be able to run away with this game in the second half.

Wisconsin @ Illinois 8:00pm
Wisconsin took over the role of cursed B1G 2^nd best team.  It seems most of the teams I have placed there have then looked terrible (Michigan and Northwestern mainly).  I don’t think Wisconsin will follow this trend. The Badgers look to be on pace to finish 10-2 and push for an at-large BCS game (which if the cards fall right, could be the Rose Bowl for yet another time). Melvin Gordon will continue to run through, around, and over opponents. Scheelhasse could provide some challenges for the inexperienced Wisconsin secondary, but he will not be able to make enough plays to keep the Illini in this game. Both Gordon and White will go over 100 yards again.