Penn St. at Michigan
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Place: Ann Arbor, Mich.
Line: Michigan by 5
TV: ABC
Records: Penn State (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten), Michigan (4-1, 1-1)
What’s at stake: Michigan has won five straight games against the Nittany Lions.
Overview: The No. 15 Nittany Lions held Wisconsin to 309 yards of offense last week. They were led by dominating performances by defensive ends Jimmy Kennedy and Michael Haynes, who combined for six sacks.
The No. 13 Wolverines have had two weeks to prepare after their best offensive performance of the year, against Illinois. Quarterback John Navarre has thrown for 11 touchdowns and only three interceptions. He will hope to take advantage of the Nittany Lions’ shaky pass defense.
Michigan St. at Iowa
Time: 11:05 a.m.
Place: Iowa City, Iowa
Line: Iowa by 6 1/2
TV: ESPN
Records: Michigan State (3-2, 1-0), Iowa (5-1, 2-0)
What’s at stake: The Hawkeyes have a chance to start the Big Ten season 3-0 for the first time since 1996.
Overview: No. 17 Iowa is one of the hottest teams in the nation after wins over Penn State and Purdue. Quarterback Brad Banks and the Big Ten’s leading rusher, Fred Russell, lead a balanced offensive attack.
Michigan State’s duo of quarterback Jeff Smoker and wide receiver Charles Rogers will test Iowa’s secondary, while tailback Dawan Moss will take on an Iowa rush defense ranked second in the nation.
Wisconsin at Indiana
Time: 11:10 a.m.
Place: Bloomington, Ind.
Line: Wisconsin by 13
TV: None
Records: Wisconsin (5-1, 0-1), Indiana (2-3, 0-1)
What’s at stake: The Hoosiers are looking for their sixth straight win at home while the Badgers haven’t played on the road since Aug. 31.
Overview: Hoosiers quarterback Gibran Hamdan is averaging 236.5 passing yards a game, but the No. 23 Badgers have held opposing quarterbacks to a 50.2 percent completion rate.
Wisconsin is still awaiting the return of standout receiver Lee Evans. Badgers running back Yamar Washington has rushed for 347 yards in four games.
Purdue at Illinois
Time: Noon
Place: Champaign, Ill.
Line: Purdue by 3 1/2
TV: None
Records: Purdue (3-3, 1-1), Illinois (1-5, 0-2)
What’s at stake: The Boilermakers are looking to break a five-game road losing streak.
Overview: The passing game has been one of few bright spots for the Fighting Illini. Quarterback Jon Beutjer leads the Big Ten in passing yards. And wideout Brandon Lloyd tops the league with 34 catches for 640 yards.
Boilermakers quarterback Kyle Orton is expected to play after suffering a mild concussion.
San Jose St. at Ohio St.
Time: 11:10 a.m.
Place: Columbus, Ohio
Line: Ohio State by 28 1/2
TV: None
Records: Ohio State (6-0, 2-0), San Jose State (4-0)
What’s at stake: This is the teams’ first-ever meeting, although Ohio State has a 11-1-1 record against WAC teams.
Overview: The Spartans have won three straight, averaging 43.3 points a game in that span. The Buckeyes are second in the Big Ten in scoring defense. Freshman tailback Maurice Clarett resumes his Heisman chase after a 140-yard output against NU.
