This Saturday marks the first week that all 12 B1G teams are on the field in quite a while. The final month of the regular season is here, and with it comes much more intriguing games week in and week out. While the biggest conference game this week is the battle for the Paul Bunyan trophy (which will be previewed in further detail later today), there are 3 other games that are worth checking in on.
Illinois @ Penn State 12:00pm
Even though both teams have bad records, this game has some appeal to it. Penn State and Illinois are coming off of extremely embarrassing defensive performances, and will be looking to bounce back tomorrow. On top of that, Coach Beckman is still looking for his first conference win. Both offenses should be able to move the ball, but the Hackenberg – Robinson connection will be too strong for Illinois to match. Scheelhasse should be able to have a big stats day, but will likely have at least one turnover. On the other side look for Hackenberg to crack 300 yards again and for the Nittany Lion rushing attack to get back on track this week.
Wisconsin @ Iowa 12:00pm
There are actually a few different games that I could have chosen for the game of the week, but I am going to stick with the one that has the most meaning for both teams. With a win, both teams would still have an outside shot at a division title. Also, if Wisconsin continues to win they will be the likely choice for the B1G to have 2 BCS teams. The Hawkeyes have definitely improved this season, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Coach Ferentz has them playing as a good B1G defense. This week will be one of their biggest tests of the season. Luckily for Iowa they get it at home. Both teams want to run the ball between the tackles to set up the play action passing game. Once in the passing game, each quarterback has different preferences. Wisconsin likes to try the homerun ball with Abbrederis, while Iowa likes to throw in the seams to both tight ends. Like I have said many times, I think Melvin Gordon is one of the best running backs in the country, and since they do not play Michigan State there is not a team on their schedule that will slow him down. Iowa should keep the game close for 2 or 3 quarters, but eventually the Badger power offense will wear down the Hawkeyes.
Ohio State @ Purdue 12:00pm
I know the Buckeyes have struggled in Ross Ade Stadium, but I just cannot picture this game being competitive at all. Purdue is a terrible football team, and Ohio State should be playing their backups after halftime. The only thing to watch for is who gets to 50 first, points for Ohio State or yards for Purdue?
Minnesota @ Indiana 3:30pm
The Gophers are coming off of two very impressive wins (Northwestern and Nebraska), and have put themselves back into Legends Division consideration. On the other side, the Hoosiers are coming off of a shootout loss at Michigan. Indiana has one of the best offenses in the country, but the defense would struggle to stop anything breathing. Minnesota wants to run the ball, and will run to set up even more runs. Even knowing this, Indiana will not be able to stop them. The problem for Minnesota is that the Hoosiers will do whatever they want on offense. I don’t think the Gophers can keep pace in the points department to win this game. Even though the records are dramatically different, I would consider it an upset if Minnesota went into Bloomington and won this game. The Hoosiers should keep their bowl hopes alive.
Northwestern @ Nebraska 3:30pm
Before the season this game would have been the unanimous choice for game of the week, but as we head to week 10 both teams limp in. The Wildcats look to put a terrible October behind them, and head into November as the division-wreckers. It starts tomorrow. Another loss for the Cornhuskers that does not come at the hands of MSU or Michigan will eliminate them from any Indianapolis hopes. Northwestern is still fighting for their bowl lives. The problem is that they have been decimated by injuries this season, and it doesn’t look like it will get much better tomorrow. Kain Colter should play, but how healthy is he? The Cornhusker defense is so bad, that it might not matter that Colter is not 100%. The Wildcat offense has looked very one dimensional with Venric Mark out, but they should still be able to move the ball against Nebraska. I just think Taylor Martinez and Ameer Abdullah will be too much for Northwestern to contain, and the Huskers pull out a tight victory.
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