Ohio State at Michigan
Time: 11 a.m.
Place: Ann Arbor, Mich.
Line: Michigan by 7
TV: ABC
Records: Ohio State (10-1, 6-1 Big Ten), Michigan (9-2, 6-1)
What’s at stake: Far more hangs in the balance than bragging rights in the 100th edition of this rivalry game. The winner will take home the Big Ten championship, and a Buckeyes’ victory would earn them a chance to defend their national title.
Overview: Michigan leads the all-time series 56-37-6, but Ohio State coach Jim Tressel has yet to lose to the Wolverines, beating them in each of his two seasons in Columbus. Saturday’s game will feature the matchup of Ohio State’s stifling defense and Michigan’s prolific offense. The Buckeyes’ ‘D’ leads the Big Ten in scoring average and total defense, allowing an average of 15.1 points and 275.7 yards per game, but Michigan’s offense ranks second in the conference with averages of 37.4 points per game and 458.1 yards per game. Wolverines running back Chris Perry has 1,435 yards on the season thus far, but he will face a run defense that leads the nation with an average of 50.5 yards allowed per game on the ground.
Iowa at Wisconsin
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Place: Madison, Wis.
Line: Wisconsin by 1 1/2
TV: ABC
Records: Iowa (8-3, 4-3), Wisconsin (7-4, 4-3)
What’s at stake: Wisconsin goes for its seventh win in its last eight games against Iowa as the two teams square off.
Overview: The Badgers appear to have sorted things out, as they snapped a three-game losing streak last week with a 56-21 rout of Michigan State. Senior wide receiver Lee Evans had the finest game of his career with Wisconsin, finishing with a career-high 10 receptions for a school-record 258 yards. He also caught five touchdowns, tying the Big Ten record. Iowa is coming off a rout of its own, a 40-22 demolition of Minnesota. Hawkeyes senior defensive back Bob Sanders was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his outstanding performance, one in which he recorded 16 tackles, a sack, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Purdue at Indiana
Time: 11:10 a.m.
Place: Bloomington, Ind.
Line: Purdue by 24 1/2
TV: ESPN Plus
Records: Purdue (8-3, 5-2), Indiana (2-9, 1-6)
What’s at stake: Purdue looks for its sixth victory in seven tries against Indiana as the schools battle for the “Old Oaken Bucket.”
Overview: The Boilermakers saw their hopes of a conference title slip away last week with a 16-13 overtime loss to Ohio State. Purdue now will have a chance to clinch a second-place finish in the Big Ten. Should the Boilermakers prevail, they would likely earn a trip to the Outback Bowl, although the Capital One Bowl is also a possibility. A Hoosiers’ victory would finish off a disappointing season. Indiana was crushed 52-7 by Penn State last week. Indiana’s one bright spot was the play of running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who rushed for 203 yards on 42 carries.
Penn St. at Mich. St.
Time: 11 a.m.
Place: East Lansing, Mich.
Line: Michigan State by 4 1/2
TV: ESPN
Records: Penn State (3-8, 1-6), Michigan State (7-4, 4-3)
What’s at stake: Michigan State hopes to snap a three-game losing streak, one that has dropped the Spartans to the middle of the Big Ten pack. Penn State tries for its second straight victory.
Overview: The Nittany Lions look to finish their year on a positive note. Penn State notched its first conference win of the season in convincing fashion last week, defeating Indiana 52-7. All three of wide receiver Tony Johnson’s receptions went for touchdowns. Quarterback Zack Mills looked to be firmly in control of the game, completing 13-of-20 passes for 173 yards. Michigan State looked as good as any team in the Big Ten through its first four conference games, winning each of them, but has since lost to Michigan, Ohio State and Wisconsin. Spartans quarterback Jeff Smoker’s turnover rate has worsened as the season has progressed, and the senior had two costly interceptions last week against the Badgers.
