Iowa @ Nebraska Friday 12:00pm
The best game on the schedule will be the first one of the weekend which will leave Saturday for the more interesting top 25 matchups. The Hawkeyes have quietly put together a quality season. We don’t know if that is due to the overwhelming weakness of the conference, or if Iowa is actually average. I have mentioned Nebraska’s Jekyll and Hyde home and road splits, so luckily for the Huskers they are in Lincoln to close the season. Even though Iowa doesn’t do anything one thing on an elite level, they are consistent and do not beat themselves. As well as Nebraska has played this season at home, I just think the Hawkeyes balanced attack will be good enough to move the ball. The Husker’s offense is a shell of what it was to start the season, and will rely on Ameer Abdullah to have a big game. When Iowa is able to key on a one dimensional offense, the defense has looked dominant. While Abdullah will still likely get to 100 yards, I doubt he will exceed 5 yards per carry. Look for a late turnover to seal the Huskers fate, as Iowa will move up the B1G bowl selection pecking order.
Minnesota @ Michigan State Saturday 12:00pm
The Gophers somehow hung with Wisconsin last week which might be Minnesota’s most impressive feat of the season. This week they have to travel to East Lansing. Even though Michigan State has already wrapped up the division, they are still trying to impress the BCS voters to stay in BCS at large contention. The Spartan defense is just too dominant for the run first, run second, and run some more offense from Minnesota. While this final score might be lower scoring, it will be an easy victory for Michigan State.
The Boilermakers had their best chance of stealing a conference win last week against Illinois, but couldn’t close the deal. Even though Purdue is one of the worst B1G teams ever they have improved throughout the season. Indiana is coming off of two beat downs at the hand of Wisconsin and Ohio State. The Hoosier offense will look to get back into form at home, and I don’t think Purdue will be able to stop them at all. Indiana will put up a lot of points again, but Purdue might actually top 28 in this one.
Northwestern @ Illinois Saturday 3:30pm
Illinois will get to play in back to back pillow fights. A week after escaping against Purdue for their first conference win under Coach Beckman, the Illini will welcome winless Northwestern. The Illinois defense is still plenty bad, but Northwestern has been devastated by injuries. After the overtime loss to Michigan it looked like the Wildcat players have thrown in the towel. I would like to see Coach Fitz end on a little positive note, but I think Nathan Scheelhasse will be too much for Northwestern to contain and Illinois will finish on a 2 game winning streak.
Penn State @ Wisconsin Saturday 3:30pm
The Badgers still have a shot at another BCS bowl, but they need some style points. Even though Penn State is really bad this season, their tradition gives them a little recognition. Also, it will be a good opportunity to compare what Ohio State did at home to the Nittany Lions. While it doesn’t seem like the new coach in Madison is as much of a meat head as his predecessor, Penn State will not be able to stop the Badger rushing attack. Look for White and Gordon to close out the regular season in style, and for Wisconsin to roll on senior day at Camp Randall.
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