B1G Week 13 Preview

The Big Ten’s final week is here already, man this season flew by.  There is a lot to play for this week, mostly how much money the conference will rake in from bowl games.  So that means Commissioner Delaney will be watching closely.  I think my picks this year have held up pretty well, maybe next season I will keep track to compete with the “experts”. Let’s get to it.

Nebraska (9-2) @ Iowa (4-7) Friday 12:00pm

As much as I would like to see the Hawkeyes win this game, and I will be rooting hard for them as I do some Black Friday and pre-The Game shopping, Iowa looks like a team that just wants this season to end.  Yes, this is a little rivalry and Iowa has not performed well in rivalry games the past few seasons, but they have absolutely nothing to play for. On the other side, the Huskers can smell their gift-wrapped ticket to Indy that awaits them after the game.  Taylor Martinez will put up Devin Gardner type numbers against the Hawkeyes as Nebraska rolls to Indy as a huge favorite for the Rose Bowl.

Illinois (2-9) @ Northwestern (8-3) Saturday 12:00pm

Yes the Wildcats are beat up, and Illinois isn’t.  The problem is that there are some Chicago high school teams with more talent than the Illini.  Illinois will be ready to put the final nail in this awful season, and the Wildcats will nicely oblige.  No matter which quarterback plays most of the game for the fighting Fitzgerald’s, Northwestern will put up over 30 points.  Illinois is a train wreck, and the improved Wildcat defense will hold them under 13.  Depending on the outcome of The Game, this could clinch Northwestern’s ticket to the Capital One Bowl. 

Indiana (4-7) @ Purdue (5-6) Saturday 12:00pm

This is a game that ole money-bags will be watching closely, and pulling for the Boilermakers to win The Bucket.  Purdue can clinch a bowl game with a win on Saturday and delay Hope’s firing, the problem is that Indiana will take this rivalry just as serious as Purdue and a 5 win Hoosier season looks like a success.  I think Coffman will have a big game on the Boiler secondary and put up over 24 points.  The problem is that the Indiana defense might be the worst in the conference.  Purdue should be able to grind out a lot of yards on the ground or through the air.  I think this game will be very close, and the smell of a bowl game will push the Boilermakers to a late win.  I would like to see the Hoosiers end their losing streak to the in-state rivals though.

Michigan State (5-6) @ Minnesota (6-5) Saturday 3:30pm

Another game that Delaney will be watching intently will the under achieving Spartans against the over achieving Gophers.  Who would have thought that coming into the final game of the season that Michigan State would be playing for its post season life, while Minnesota already has clinched.  Coach Dantonio guaranteed a victory in this game, which is interesting because their offense can barely score in warm-ups.  The problem is Minnesota has a lot of injuries on the defensive side of the ball, and the Spartans still have Le’Veon Bell.  He could probably put up enough points by himself to put his team into some 5 word bowl game.  I think the Gophers will keep the game close, because a 7 win season could push them into a New Year’s Day bowl… as I shiver. In the end Maxwell makes at least one nice throw for a touchdown, and Bell carries the ball over 30 times for the win. Delaney is 2 for 2 at this point.

Wisconsin (7-4) @ Penn State (7-4) Saturday 3:30pm

This is a pseudo game of the week with The Game on at noon, and there is not much to play for in this one.  However, I still think it is an important game. A Wisconsin win will give the Big Ten a little more interesting championship game, but a Penn State win should ensure that Bill O’Brien wins the coach of the year and the Nittany Lions could carry the momentum over to recruiting.  I was not impressed with the Badger offense last week, outside of Montee Ball.  The quarterback situation is in shambles and I doubt they will be able to stretch the field at all in the passing game.  McGloin is coming off of a career day last week and will be playing in front of the home crowd for the last time.  Even though Wisconsin’s defense is a very stout unit, I think McGloin finds Robinson for some big gains.  It will be interesting to see how the Lion defense plays without Mauti.  I think they will be solid in the passing game, and Penn State has had a good run defense for quite some time.  Ball breaks the touchdown record, but The Nittany Lion seniors get a final win to end their careers.