By Michael SchlossbergThe Daily Northwestern
Iowa (5-2, 2-2) at No. 2 Mich. (7-0, 4-0)
Time: 2:30 p.m.Place: Ann Arbor, Mich.Line: Michigan by 13.5TV: ABC
What’s at stake: Michigan wants to clear its last potential hurdle before its final-game showdown at Ohio State, while Iowa needs to try to make up for last week’s loss to Indiana with a big win in Ann Arbor.
Overview: Owning the No. 3 position in the first BCS rankings, Michigan can likely control its own destiny. With games against Northwestern, Ball State and Indiana sandwiched in between Iowa and Ohio State, if Michigan can get by Iowa, then it has a very realistic chance of being undefeated heading into Columbus. However, Iowa is coming off an embarrassing loss to Indiana and the Hawkeyes responded with a rout against Purdue the last time it was humiliated.
No. 21 Wisc. (6-1, 3-1) at Purdue (5-2, 2-1)
Time: 11:00 a.m.Place: West Lafayette, Ind.Line: Wisconsin by 6.5TV: ESPN
What’s at stake: With No. 2 Michigan and No. 1 Ohio State unlikely to lose more than one game each, the loser of this game probably is eliminated from Big Ten championship contention.
Overview: Fresh off its 48-12 drubbing of Minnesota last week, Wisconsin enters this game with one of the hottest offenses in the nation, having racked up 141 points and 1,467 total yards in the last three weeks. Purdue’s offense continues to put up big numbers as well, hanging 31 points and 543 yards on Northwestern last Saturday. The winner of this game will be whichever defense is able to slow down the other team’s offense the best.
Illinois (2-5, 1-2) at Penn State (4-3, 2-2)
Time: 11:00 a.m.Place: University Park, PALine: Penn State by 18TV: ESPN2
What’s at stake: Illinois looks to avenge last year’s 63-10 massacre.
Overview: Perhaps the most inconsistent team in the Big Ten, Penn State has been all over the place this season. The same team that played Ohio State tough for three quarters and Michigan for the entire game also nearly lost to Minnesota and looked downright horrible against Notre Dame. For Illinois, each of its last three games has been decided by a game-ending field goal, but this week it hopes to be on the winning side after two heartbreak losses.
Indiana (4-3, 2-1) at No. 1 Ohio St. (7-0, 3-0)
Time: 11:00 a.m.Place: Columbus, OhioLine: Ohio State by 30.5TV: ESPNU
What’s at stake: Indiana has an opportunity to stretch its Big-Ten winning streak to three games, while Ohio State tries to avoid an upset and remain in the BCS driver’s seat.
Overview: After facing three ranked teams in its first five games, many people wondered if Ohio State would let its guard down as it entered the soft portion of its schedule. However, Ohio State hasn’t even come close to any sort of letdown, beating its last two opponents by at least four touchdowns. Indiana comes into this game having won its last two games, including last week’s 31-28 stunner over Iowa, and sits in fourth place in the Big Ten.
ND State (6-0) at Minnesota (2-5, 0-4)
Time: 2:30 p.m.Place: Minneapolis, Minn.Line: No line TV: ESPN Plus Local
What’s at stake: Minnesota wants to avoid becoming the third Big Ten team to lose to a Division I-AA team this year, while North Dakota State wants to make the most of its only chance at beating a Division I-A team.
Overview: After playing its first three conference games tough, Minnesota finally played like a winless team last week against Wisconsin. Instead of a midseason bye to go back to the drawing board, Minnesota now will have its hands full with North Dakota State, the No. 8 team in Division I-AA. With Northwestern and Indiana already falling to Division I-AA teams earlier this season, Minnesota should not be overlooking this game. If it does, the Big Ten’s last-place team could become the third victim.
Reach Michael Schlossberg at [email protected]