By Michael SchlossbergThe Daily Northwestern
No. 2 Michigan (11-0, 7-0) at No. 1 Ohio State (11-0, 7-0)
Time: 2:30 p.m.Place: Columbus, OhioLine: Ohio State by 6.5TV: ABC
What’s at stake: Everything. Overview: The game most of the country has been waiting for is finally here. Ever since Ohio State and Michigan took over the top two spots in the BCS rankings on Oct. 22, nobody has been able to stop talking about the potential matchup. Even the players on the field have admitted to overlooking weaker opponents while thinking about the upcoming game. Never in BCS history have teams ranked this highly met this late in the season. Simply put, even people who don’t care about college football have to be excited about this game.
Iowa (6-5, 2-5) at Minnesota (5-6, 2-5)
Time: 11 a.m.Place: Minneapolis, Minn.Line: Minnesota by 3.5TV: ESPN Plus Regional
What’s at stake: Minnesota must win this game in order to become bowl-eligible, while Iowa will be disappointed no matter which December bowl game it goes to. Overview: Iowa’s string of four consecutive January bowl games will be coming to an end this year. While many experts predicted big things from Iowa this season, the Hawkeyes currently sit in eighth place in the Big Ten. Coming off two consecutive home losses, Iowa must travel to the Metrodome, where Minnesota almost always plays its opponents tough. After losing its first five conference games, the Golden Gophers since have won back-to-back Big Ten games and have a chance to become bowl-eligible with another victory.
Indiana (5-6, 3-4) at Purdue (7-4, 4-3)
Time: 11 a.m.Place: West Lafayette, Ind.Line: Purdue by 10TV: ESPN Classic
What’s at stake: After failing in its first two chances, Indiana needs a win to become bowl-eligible for the first time since 1993. Purdue can cap off a successful season with a victory.Overview: Two weeks ago, Indiana was one game away from being bowl-eligible. Two weeks later, nothing has changed for the Hoosiers. After a 37-point loss to Minnesota and a 31-point loss to Michigan, Indiana now must beat Purdue in Ross-Ade Stadium, where the Hoosiers have not won since 1996. Following three weeks of sub-par offensive performances, Purdue scored 42 points last week and has to be excited to play an Indiana team that has given up 97 points in its last two weeks.
Buffalo (2-8) at No. 12 Wisconsin (10-1, 7-1)
Time: 11 a.m.Place: Madison, Wisc.Line: Wisconsin by 38TV: ESPNU
What’s at stake: With a victory, Wisconsin can put the finishing touches on an impressive season by becoming the first team in school history to win 11 games in the regular season, while Buffalo can pull off a huge upset that would define its otherwise dismal season. Overview: Wisconsin picked a bad year to be so good. Playing a very weak Buffalo team, one of the lowliest teams in the lowly Mid-American Conference, Wisconsin likely will finish the regular season with an 11-1 record. However, with the successes Michigan and Ohio State have had this season, Wisconsin could still find itself in third place in the final Big Ten standings and likely will have settle for the Capital One Bowl.
Mich. State (4-7, 1-6) at Penn St. (7-4, 4-3)
Time: 11 a.m.Place: Champaign, Ill.Line: Penn State by 16.5 TV: ESPN2
What’s at stake: A victory for Penn State likely would assure a bid to the Outback Bowl, while Michigan State finally can put this nightmare season behind itself.Overview: In Penn State coach Joe Paterno’s absence last week, Penn State cruised to a 47-0 victory over Temple. While Michigan State might be a step up from Temple, which recently snapped a 20-game losing streak, the Spartans still have lost seven of their last eight games. Paterno will not be on the sidelines this week, but he could call the shots from the coaches’ box. Meanwhile, lame-duck coach John L. Smith will coach his final game at Michigan State.
Reach Michael Schlossberg [email protected].
