Iowa at Ohio State
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Place: Columbus, Ohio
Line: Ohio State by 3 1/2
TV: ABC
Records: Iowa (5-1, 1-1 Big Ten), Ohio State (5-1, 1-1)
What’s at stake: The No. 8 Buckeyes are looking to bounce back after their 19-game winning streak was snapped last week at Wisconsin. The Hawkeyes, coming off their bye week, will play for the first time since their stirring 30-27 win over Michigan on October 4.
Overview: Last year these two teams went 8-0 in conference play and each grabbed a share of the Big Ten title, but never played each other along the way. Both are in the race for another conference championship, and similar to last year, stalwart defenses have led the way for both schools. Iowa’s scoring defense ranks second in the Big Ten in points allowed per game with a 13.3 average, and Ohio State’s “D” is right behind with an average of 15.7. The Buckeyes will be without the services of senior linebacker Robert Reynolds, who was suspended by the team for choking Wisconsin quarterback Jim Sorgi in a pile-up last week. The two teams have not played each other since 2000, when the Buckeyes prevailed 38-10.
Michigan State at Minnesota
Time: 11 a.m.
Place: Minneapolis, Minn.
Line: Minnesota by 6
TV: ESPN2
Records: Michigan State (6-1, 3-0), Minnesota (6-1, 2-1)
What’s at stake: Two of the conference’s biggest surprises will try to stake their claim as legitimate conference champion contenders with a win. For the red-hot Spartans, this is the first major test in a stretch against four-straight ranked opponents. The Gophers will try to shake off last week’s disheartening 38-35 loss to Michigan, one in which Minnesota squandered a 21-point lead.
Overview: There has been no stopping Michigan State quarterback Jeff Smoker as of late, as the senior recorded his fourth 300-yard game of the season in a 49-14 win over Illinois last week. Smoker was a study in efficiency, completing 23 of 31 passes with two touchdowns and no interceptions. The Spartans’ defense, which leads the conference in opponent’s scoring average and sacks, will have its hands full with Minnesota’s ground attack. The Gophers’ boast the Big Ten’s top rushing offense, and the unit never looked better than it did last week against Michigan, posting 424 rushing yards against the Wolverines.
Purdue at Wisconsin
Time: 11 a.m.
Place: Madison, Wisc.
Line: Even.
TV: ESPN
Records: Purdue (5-1, 2-0), Wisconsin (6-1, 3-0)
What’s at stake: The winner of the last three games in this series has gone on to play in the Rose Bowl. Both teams enter the game with great momentum, as Purdue swept a four-game homestand in dominating fashion and Wisconsin recorded a thrilling victory over defending champion Ohio State.
Overview: Both teams will likely compete without their top rushers: Wisconsin’s Anthony Davis still has not recovered from an ankle injury he suffered against UNLV on September 13, and Purdue’s Jerod Void is still bothered by a sprained ankle, an injury he incurred on the first play of last week’s game. The good news for the Badgers is that quarterback Jim Sorgi is expected to make the start, as
