Big game at Big House for Boilers

Zach Silka

October 20, 2004

No. 13 Michigan at

No. 12 Purdue

Time: 2:30 p.m.

Place: West Lafayette, Ind.

Line: Purdue by 4.5

TV: ABC

Records: Michigan 6-1, 4-0 Big Ten, Purdue 5-1, 2-1

What’s at Stake: Michigan needs a win for at least a chance totie for the conference championship. Purdue needs a win to crawlback into the Big Ten title chase after losing to Wisconsin lastweek. Purdue quarterback Kyle Orton can hurl himself back to thetop of the list of Heisman candidates with a strong showing againstthe Wolverines.

Overview: Michigan is coming off a near-loss at Illinois thatwould have its entire season. The Michigan defense may have tippedits cards against the Illini on how it will try to slow Orton: bydropping linebackers into the secondary to disguise its passcoverage. Wolverines linebacker Scott McClintock had twointerceptions last week in that defensive set-up. Purdue is lookingto snap a three-game losing skid to Michigan. Orton and the Purdueoffense will need to limit their turnovers. The Boilermakers didn’thave any in the season’s first four games, but had five in theirlast two contests.

No. 25 Iowa at Penn State

Time: 11 a.m.

Place: State College, Pa.

Line: Penn State by 2.5

TV: ESPN2

Records: Iowa 4-2, 2-1, Penn State 2-4, 0-3

What’s at Stake: The Hawkeyes still can claim the conferencechampionship, but they need a win here before facing Purdue andWisconsin. Penn State needs to win four of its next five games tobe bowl-eligible, and the first victory must come this weekend.

Overview: Iowa comes into the game riding a two-game winningstreak and has renewed confidence in its passing game. QuarterbackDrew Tate has eclipsed the 300-yard mark in his last two contests– a necessity given that Iowa has lost four running backs toinjuries this season. Penn State is coming off a bye week andshould be recovered from a 20-13 loss to Purdue two weeks ago. TheNittany Lions got just three points off two key interceptions fromOrton. Penn State has gone 2-1 this season in Happy Valley versus0-3 on the road.

Indiana at Ohio State

Time: 11 a.m.

Place: Columbus, Ohio

Line: Ohio State by 13.5

TV: ESPN Plus

Records: Indiana 2-4, 0-3, Ohio State 3-3, 0-3

What’s at stake: Indiana will attempt to snap a four-game losingskid and win its first conference road game since 2001. Ohio Stateis looking for an upside to what has become a miserable season.

Overview: Indiana had last week off after an overtime lossat

Northwestern, where quarterback Matt LoVecchio passed for acareer-high 329 yards and three touchdowns, while receiver CourtneyRoby became Indiana’s career leader in receptions. Ohio Statehasn’t started conference play this badly since 1988. Startingquarterback Justin Zwick is questionable due to a shoulder injuryfrom last week’s game. Sophomore Troy Smith may have to take over,as he did in the second half against Iowa.

Illinois at Minnesota

Time: 1 p.m.

Place: Minneapolis, Minn.

Line: Minnesota by 19

Records: Illinois 2-5, 0-4, Minnesota 5-2, 2-2

What’s at Stake: Illinois is looking to retain some momentum itmay have gained from nearly upsetting Michigan last week. TheGolden Gophers need to regroup after two consecutive losses thathave knocked them out of the Big Ten title chase.

Overview: Illinois coach Ron Turner is reopening a positionbattle for quarterback. But this time, sixth-year senior starterJon Beutjer won’t be participating. Turner hasn’t liked the play ofBeutjer for much of the season, and has decided to give three ofhis young quarterbacks some time in the pocket. Sophomores TimBrasic and Chris Pazan and redshirt freshman Brad Bower will battlefor the starting spot. Minnesota is coming off an embarrassing51-17 loss at Michigan State — this after many in Minneapolisalready were booking their tickets to Pasadena. The Golden Gophers’vaunted running attack also was derailed last week. The duo ofMarion Barber III and Laurence Maroney had only 90 yards combinedrushing after coming into the match averaging 301 yards pergame.

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By Zach Silka

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Big Ten Overall

Team Record Record

Wisconsin 4-0 7-0

Michigan 4-0 6-1

Michigan State 3-1 4-3

Purdue 2-1 5-1

Iowa 2-1 4-2

NU 2-1 3-3

Minnesota 2-2 5-2