Michigan at Iowa
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Place: Iowa City, Iowa
Line: Michigan by 5 1/2
TV: ABC
Records: Michigan (5-1, 3-0 Big Ten), Iowa (4-2, 2-2)
What’s at stake: Michigan looks to maintain its conference dominance by tallying its seventh straight win over Iowa. The Hawkeyes are trying to stay in the race for the league title and gain more respect.
Overview: Michigan’s defense has been its crutch all season long. The Wolverines rank third in the nation in rush defense and lead the Big Ten in sacks with 25. Michigan will need another solid defensive performance against Iowa, which leads the Big Ten in scoring offense. The Hawkeyes, who have only lost on the road to Purdue and Michigan State, boast a strong defense as well. They lead the league in both pass defense and total defense. Michigan quarterback John Navarre well test the Iowa secondary, as he passes to Marquise Walker, one of the Big Ten’s top receivers. Navarre has been steady all season long, throwing for at least 200 yards in all but one of the Wolverines’ games.
Mich. St. at Wisconsin
Time: 11:10 a.m.
Place: Madison, Wis.
Line: Wisconsin by 4 1/2
TV: ESPN Plus
Records: Michigan State (3-2, 2-1), Wisconsin (4-4, 2-2)
What’s at stake: While Michigan State is looking to bounce back from an upset loss at Minnesota, Wisconsin is looking to bring back the magic of its comeback win at Ohio State two weeks ago.
Overview: Both Wisconsin and Michigan State will be without one-half of their dual-quarterback attacks this weekend. The Spartans’ Ryan Van Dyke is out after suffering a broken jaw last week against Minnesota, while Badgers’ starter Brooks Bollinger is out with a groin injury and a hip flexor. Although Van Dyke wasn’t listed as Michigan State’s No. 1 quarterback, he had been sharing snaps with starter Jeff Smoker. Wisconsin backup Jim Sorgi has also seen significant playing time this season, since Bollinger was out with injuries earlier in the year. Both teams have other offensive options, as well. The Spartans, with wideouts Herb Haygood and Charles Rogers, boast one of the league’s best receiving corps. Wisconsin will look to freshman tailback Anthony Davis, who needs just 78 yards to reach the 1,000-yard plateau.
Ohio St. at Penn St.
Time: 11:10 a.m.
Place: University Park, Pa.
Line: Ohio State by 7
TV: ESPN
Records: Ohio State (4-2, 2-1), Penn State (1-4, 1-3)
What’s at stake: Joe Paterno is looking to keep his team’s winning ways going, while Ohio State’s hopes to stay close to the Big Ten elite.
Overview: This could be one of Steve Bellisari’s final chances to salvage his starting role. The Ohio State quarterback completed just 64 of 127 passes for 924 yards on the season, and he is rated eighth in the conference in passing efficiency. Bellisari does have an opportunity to put up big numbers this weekend against a Penn State squad that is ranked second-to-last in the conference in pass defense. Ohio State’s secondary is one of the team’s strengths, and it will be a good test for Nittany Lions freshman quarterback Zack Mills, who orchestrated the game-winning drive in the upset over Northwestern last weekend. That is only if Mills starts. Penn State starter Matt Senneca was injured late in the game last Saturday, and Paterno has yet to decide who he will start. If the Nittany Lions come away with another victory, Paterno will have sole possession of the all-time coaching wins record.
Murray St. at Minn.
Time: 1:35 p.m.
Place: Minneapolis, Minn.
Line: No line
TV: None
Records: Murray State (3-3), Minnesota (2-4, 1-3)
What’s at stake: Minnesota looking to keep its bowl hopes alive with a win over Division I-AA Murray State.
Overview: Minnesota discovered a new dimension of its running attack in last weekend’s upset win over Michigan State. The Golden Gophers not only used starter Tellis RedMonday, but also backup Marion Barber III. Redmon ran for 126 yards, while Barber tallied 158 yards. Minnesota quarterback Asad Abdul-Khaliq got the starting nod over Travis Cole last week and will try for another impressive showing on Saturday.
