No. 7 Michigan
at Ohio State
Time: 12 p.m.
Place: Columbus, Ohio
Line: Michigan by 5.5
TV: ABC
Records: Michigan 9-1, 7-0 Big Ten, Ohio State 6-4, 3-4
What’s at stake: Every year this game decides the Big Ten championship, and this year is no different. If the Wolverines win, they are headed to Pasadena. If you doubt the intensity of this rivalry, just check out Michigan fans’ “Buck the Fuckeyes” T-shirts.
Overview: Freshmen have risen to the top of both of these programs, something that normally doesn’t happen with these goliaths of college football. Michigan running back Mike Hart leads the conference in rushing with 131.1 yards per game, while quarterback Chad Henne is near the top in nearly every Big Ten passing category. For the Buckeyes, Ted Ginn has become a threat running the ball, catching passes and returning punts. He already has tied the career record for punt return touchdowns at Ohio State (3) and has made a midseason switch from cornerback to wide receiver because the offense was struggling with production.
No. 9 Wisconsin
at No. 17 Iowa
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Place: Iowa City, Iowa
Line: Iowa by 3
TV: ESPN
Records: Wisconsin 9-1, 6-1, Iowa 8-2, 6-1
What’s at stake: If Michigan loses to Ohio State, Wisconsin would sneak into the Rose Bowl with a win over Iowa. The Hawkeyes are looking to secure their third consecutive bid to a January bowl.
Overview: Wisconsin’s national-title hopes went out the window last week against Michigan State. While the Spartans played a great game, Wisconsin was not on par with where it had been all season, especially on defense. The Badgers came into the contest allowing only 9.1 points per game but gave up a whopping 49 points to an offense averaging 30.2 points per game. Iowa is riding a six-game win streak despite losing five running backs to injury and being ranked in the middle of the conference in total offense and scoring. What the Hawkeyes do have is an emerging star in sophomore quarterback Drew Tate, whom many are comparing to former Purdue and current San Diego Chargers quarterback Drew Brees.
Michigan State
at Penn State
Time: 11 a.m.
Place: State College, Pa.
Line: Michigan State by 3.5
TV: ESPN2
Records: Michigan State 5-5, 4-3, Penn State 3-7, 1-6
What’s at stake: The Spartans need to win their next two games, against Penn State and Hawaii, to become bowl eligible. The Nittany Lions will attempt to silence the critics calling for the resignation of legendary coach Joe Paterno.
Overview: Michigan State scored 35 unanswered points in the second half to upset undefeated Wisconsin last week. Quarterback Drew Stanton has recovered from a separated right shoulder and should start. Paterno dispelled rumors this week that he will retire at the end of the season. After seeing some game action last week, freshman quarterback Anthony Morelli is expected to take some more snaps this week.
Indiana at Purdue
Time: 11 a.m.
Place: West Lafayette, Ind.
Line: Purdue by 20
TV: None
Records: Indiana 3-7, 1-6, Purdue 6-4, 3-4
What’s at stake: The Hoosiers are playing for something nobody wants to be playing for right now: pride. Purdue can lock up either an Alamo Bowl or Sun Bowl bid with a victory.
Overview: Indiana has had a roller-coaster season, with wins over Oregon and Minnesota and key losses to Illinois and Penn State. The Illinois loss two weeks ago was especially tough because it squashed the Hoosiers’ slim bowl hopes. Purdue quarterback Kyle Orton made a triumphant return from injury last week by leading his team on a game-winning, 80-yard drive on his first possession. A pair of hip injuries have sidelined the former Heisman candidate for at least part of the last three games.
Reach Zach Silka at [email protected].
