Purdue at Ohio State
Time: 11:10 a.m.
Place: Columbus, Ohio
Line: Ohio State by 6
TV: ESPN
Records: Purdue (5-2, 3-2 Big Ten), Ohio State (5-3, 3-2)
What’s at stake: While Purdue is trying to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Illinois, both teams are looking to remain in contention for the Big Ten title.
Overview: Finally, Ohio State quarterback Steve Bellisari is showing signs of life. After spotty performances in recent weeks, the senior led the Buckeyes to victory at Minnesota last weekend, completing 12 of 17 passes for 203 yards, two touchdowns and, most importantly, no interceptions. Purdue freshman quarterback Brandon Hance, on the other hand, had one of his poorest showings of the season last week. Hance will have a tough task against the conference’s second-ranked pass defense in Ohio State. The Buckeyes’ secondary is led by safety Mike Doss and cornerback Derek Ross, who leads the Big Ten in interceptions.
Penn State at Illinois
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Place: Champaign, Ill.
Line: Illinois by 9 1/2
TV: ABC
Records: Penn State (3-4, 2-3), Illinois (7-1, 4-1)
What’s at stake: Penn State looks to keep its three-game winning streak alive in its bid to avoid missing the postseason. Illinois is trying to remain atop the Big Ten standings.
Overview: Zack Mills took the little action he saw against Northwestern and has run with it since. The Penn State freshman quarterback has led the Nittany Lions to their current win streak. They’ve scored 105 points over the three-game stretch. Mills will have to come up with his biggest performance this weekend, however. He faces a high-powered Illinois offense, which boasts the Big Ten’s leader in passing yards in quarterback Kurt Kittner, and the conference’s second-leading receiver in Brandon Lloyd. Penn State still has a less-than-stellar defense, which has given up 445.3 yards a game — worst in the Big Ten. A win this weekend for the Fighting Illini would give them their first 8-1 start since 1983.
Indiana at Mich. St.
Time: 11:10 a.m.
Place: East Lansing, Mich.
Line: Michigan St. by 7 1/2
TV: None
Records: Indiana (2-5, 2-3), Michigan State (5-2, 3-2)
What’s at stake: Michigan State needs just one win to become bowl eligible, while Indiana is in a must-win situation if it plans on reaching the postseason.
Overview: Despite losing four members of its secondary since the beginning of the season, Michigan State has somehow managed to find itself second in the Big Ten with 13 interceptions. Overall, the Spartans are third in the league in pass defense. Not only will Indiana have trouble with Michigan State’s defense, but also it will have its hands full with the Spartans’ offense. Tailback T.J. Duckett has exploded as of late, rushing for 186 yards against Wisconsin and 212 against Michigan.
Minn. at Michigan
Time: 11:10 a.m.
Place: Ann Arbor, Mich.
Line: Michigan by 15 1/2
TV: ESPN2
Records: Minnesota (3-5, 1-4), Michigan (6-2, 4-1)
What’s at stake: After last weekend’s tough loss, the Wolverines are looking to stay in a tie for the Big Ten lead and remain in the race for a BCS slot. Minnesota must win out to be bowl eligible.
Overview: Michigan needs to forget the late-game call that could have cost it a win last weekend — and get back to the things that have put it where it is. There probably isn’t a much better team to do it against than Minnesota. The Golden Gophers are the third-worst team in the league in pass defense, which may prove costly against Michigan wideout Marquise Walker and quarterback John Navarre. And despite last weekend’s collapse, Michigan’s rush defense is still tops in the Big Ten. But it will be challenged, as it faces Minnesota’s rushing attack, which is second-best in the league.
