No. 5 Wisconsin (5-0, 2-0) at Illinois (4-1, 2-0)
Time: 11:00 AM
Place: Champaign, Ill.
Line: Illinois by 2.5
TV: ESPN
What’s at stake: The highly-touted Badgers bring their 14-game win streak – the nation’s longest – into Memorial Stadium on Saturday as, get this, the underdog. Favored by less then a field goal, Illinois is coming off an impressive home victory against Penn State and boasts the country’s sixth-best running game starring Rashard Mendenhall, who is averaging a whopping 6.4 yards per carry.
Overview: If you are hoping to watch a carefully coached defensive struggle, you’ll need to find another channel. This is bound to be a classic slugfest, with the team that scores last to be declared the winner. Even though Illinois coach Ron Zook was notably infuriated by his team being announced as the favorite this week, the Fighting Illini do indeed have the X-factor: standout wide receiver and dynamic kick returner Arrelious Benn. With both teams expected to run all over each other, Benn could become the difference-maker if he takes a kick (or two) to the house.
Prediction: Wisconsin 31, Illinois 27
Minnesota (1-4, 0-2) at Indiana (4-1, 1-1)
Time: 11:00 AM
Place: Bloomington, Ind.
Line: Indiana by 13
TV: BTN
What’s at stake: Three games. That’s all Indiana has to win with eight games remaining on its schedule to make good on its preseason promise to claim a bowl bid for its deceased coach Terry Hoeppner. And with a home battle against a punchless Minnesota squad on Saturday, the Hoosiers will likely only need two more victories after this week’s game.
Overview: Hoosier fans everywhere have nothing but grand adulation for their stellar sophomore quarterback Kellen Lewis who is currently leading the Big Ten in total offense, at 320 yards per game. Those cheers will certainly grow louder at Memorial Stadium this weekend as Lewis will take the field against the Gophers, who are yielding a league-worst 526.4 yards a game.
Prediction: Indiana 38, Minnesota 24
Iowa (2-3, 0-2) at Penn State (3-2, 0-2)
Time: 2:30 PM
Place: University Park, Pa.
Line: Penn State by 8
TV: ABC
What’s at stake: With both teams winless in the Big Ten, this match-up may have the feel of a desperate undertaking. Having had sky-high expectations for their season before it even began, the Nittany Lions are hoping to get their largely inept offense – ranked ninth in the conference – rolling early and often in front of their hungry home crowd. On the other side of the coin, the prospects of coach Kirk Ferentz remaining in Iowa City look dimmer as each game passes.
Overview: The fact of the matter is senior quarterback Anthony Morelli has not performed in crucial situations. In last week’s tight game against the Illini, Morelli threw not one, but three picks into a cluttered secondary. He had three turnovers on consecutive drives, the final one being an interception at the Illini 9-yard line to end the game. If Morelli can avoid blowing it for his Lions, then they should be victorious in a contest that should be close until the final whistle.
Prediction: Penn State 24, Iowa 20
No. 4 Ohio State (5-0, 2-0) at No. 23 Purdue (5-0, 1-0)
Time: 7:00 PM
Place: West Lafayette, Ind.
Line: Ohio State by 7
TV: ABC
What’s at stake: The premier Big Ten game of the week features two teams with tons of offensive weapons. The Buckeyes are depending on their unquestioned leader, junior quarterback Todd Boeckman, to keep their 23-game regular season win streak going against a Purdue team that also touts a fearless field marshal at the quarterback position. If for some reason the passing game isn’t working for either team on Saturday evening, the two teams could turn to their respective running backs, Buckeye Chris Wells and Boilermaker Kory Sheets, to carry the load.
Overview: For one reason or another, the Boilermakers have always played the Buckeyes tough, winning the last contest in 2004, 24-17. But unless Joe Tiller hasn’t yet unveiled some secret weapon to his offensive scheme, Ohio State will have an undisputed advantage at wide receiver. Buckeye Brian Robiskie has already racked up 530 receiving yards on 25 receptions and is the kind of deep threat Purdue’s corners won’t be able to handle.
Prediction: Ohio State 23, Purdue 21
