Michigan at Mich. St.
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Place: East Lansing, Mich.
Line: Michigan by 6
TV: ABC
Records: Michigan (6-1, 4-0 Big Ten), Michigan State (4-2, 2-2)
What’s at stake: Michigan and Michigan State are once again battling for intrastate supremacy. The Spartans also have added motivation to slow down a cruising Wolverines squad.
Overview: Saturday will be the 94th meeting between the two teams, with Michigan holding a 61-27-5 series edge. The Wolverines — winners of five straight and the Big Ten’s only undefeated squad — aren’t looking like a team ready to falter. Michigan’s conference-leading rush defense has been impenetrable, allowing less than 75 yards rushing to each of its last six opponents. Wolverines quarterback John Navarre will take a shot at the depleted Spartans secondary, which has lost four starters to injury since the season began. Michigan State still maintains the the third-best pass defense in the conference.
Illinois at Purdue
Time: 11:10 a.m.
Place: West Lafayette, Ind.
Line: Purdue by 3
TV: ESPN
Records: Illinois (6-1, 3-1), Purdue (5-1, 3-1)
What’s at stake: Both teams look to stay within reach of Michigan in the race for the conference title.
Overview: Illinois will once again be looking to ride the arm of quarterback Kurt Kittner. Kittner, who leads the Big Ten in passing yards, threw for 401 yards in the Fighting Illini’s last outing. The senior will play in front of a three-running back attack, which will have to break through the league’s second best rushing defense.
Iowa at Wisconsin
Time: 11:10 a.m.
Place: Madison, Wis.
Line: Iowa by 1
TV: ESPN Plus
Records: Iowa (4-3, 2-3), Wisconsin (4-5, 2-3)
What’s at stake: Iowa needs just two more victories to become bowl eligible, while Wisconsin will need to win its three remaining games.
Overview: Iowa quarterback Kyle McCann, one of the Big Ten’s most efficient passers, had a less-than-stellar showing in last weekend’s loss to Michigan. He’ll look to bounce back against Wisconsin’s fifth-ranked pass defense. While the Badgers’ quarterback situation remains fuzzy because of an injury to starter Brooks Bollinger, they still have 1,000-yard rusher Anthony Davis and 1,000-yard receiver Lee Evans to fall back on.
Ohio St. at Minnesota
Time: 6:45 p.m.
Place: Minneapolis
Line: Ohio State by 2
TV: ESPN
Records: Ohio State (4-3, 2-2), Minnesota (3-4, 1-3)
What’s at stake: Minnesota is just trying to eke out another Big Ten win, while Ohio State is looking to bounce back from a tough loss to Penn State.
Overview: Ohio State quarterback Steve Bellisari has yet to have a solid performance, but he’ll look for one this weekend against the conference’s third-worst pass defense. Minnesota has established Asad Abdul-Khaliq as its starting quarterback. After sharing snaps with Travis Cole earlier in the season, Abdul-Khaliq has had strong showings the past two weeks to earn the No. 1 spot.
So. Miss. at Penn St.
Time: 11:10 a.m.
Place: University Park, Pa.
Line: Penn State by 2
TV: ESPN2
Records: Southern Miss (4-2), Penn State (2-4, 2-3)
What’s at stake: Penn State head coach Joe Paterno is looking to keep the winning streak alive and put his team in bowl contention.
Overview: Penn State freshman quarterback Zack Mills has been stellar for the Nittany Lions in the past two weeks. After leading a late-game drive to beat Northwestern two weeks ago, he passed for 280 yards and ran for 138, helping get Paterno his record-breaking 324th victory.
