No. 1 OSU (8-0, 4-0) at
N0. 25 PSU (6-2, 3-2)
Time: 7:00 PM
Place: University Park, Pa.
Line: Ohio State by 3.5
TV: ABC
What’s at stake: A whole heck of a lot. The top-ranked Buckeyes are visiting one of the most crazy, maniacal places to play a college football game. The stadium will be packed with fans adorned in all-white costumes. Students have been camping out at State College through intermittent rain since Tuesday in a makeshift village called “Paternoville.” And the atmosphere will be very much like it was during the 2005 upset of Troy Smith’s team.
Overview: For Penn State, the team goes as senior quarterback Anthony Morelli goes. Morelli has had a less-than-satisfactory season up to this point, having struggled on the road against both Michigan and Illinois. But this game is at home, and Morelli’s statistics in Happy Valley are by far better than they are on the road. Penn State coach Joe Paterno has called Morelli a “big-time player,” and this certainly is a big game. I’m trusting JoePa on this one.
Prediction: Penn State 23, Ohio State 21
Indiana (5-3, 2-3) at
Wisconsin (6-2, 2-2)
Time: 11:00 AM
Place: Madison, Wis.
Line: Wisconsin by 8.5
TV: BTN
What’s at stake: Is this Wisconsin’s “Swan Song?” It may as well be after last week’s debacle in Happy Valley. The Badgers are no longer the feared title-contender they once were. That is, before the Illini smoked them at Memorial Stadium. The reason? The season-ending hamstring injury to star wideout and dynamic playmaker Luke Swan, who represented the most valuable commodity the team had and the only Wisconsin receiver capable of going deep.
Overview: The biggest question mark heading into this game has to be the Badger’s secondary. Lauded by publications such as Sports Illustrated and The Sporting News before the season began, the safeties and deep defensive backs have not been up to snuff. Indiana’s Kellen Lewis will be the single-most dangerous player on the field Saturday, and if the Badger’s cannot contain the dual threat in the air, watch for his ground game to open as well.
Prediction: Wisconsin 24, Indiana 20
Michigan State (5-3, 1-3) at Iowa (3-5, 1-4)
Time: 11:00 AM
Place: Iowa City, Iowa
Line: Michigan State by 3.5
TV: ESPN2
What’s at stake: Mainly, respect. These two slighted teams have been wallowing in the mess that is the Big Ten this season. Michigan State and coach Mark Dantonio finally secured their first conference win (and the Brass Spittoon) two weeks ago against Indiana, but looked absolutely dead until the fourth quarter against Ohio State. On the other side of the coin, Iowa’s offense has been largely ineffective all year. In its only Big Ten win (against Illinois), most of Iowa’s points developed on the defensive side of the ball in a low-scoring affair. That having been said, Iowa’s defensive is legitimate. Michigan State’s offense is prolific. Something has to give Saturday.
Overview: The Spartans seemingly have more to fight for in this game, as their current win total keeps them in the bowl picture. However, as the Illini found out, Iowa is always tough at home. The most crucial part of the contest will be the amount of touches running back Javon Ringer (6.5 yards per carry) gets. If he carries the ball more than twenty-five times, expect an MSU victory.
Prediction: Michigan State 27, Iowa 13
Minnesota (1-7, 0-4) at No. 20 Michigan (6-2, 4-0)
Time: 2:30 PM
Place: Ann Arbor, Mich.
Line: No line
TV: ESPN Classic
What’s at stake: After all the bad press Michigan generated following the team’s collapse against Appalachian State, the “good press” for the maize and blue looks like it’s here to stay. That is, if they don’t blow another one. Minnesota will be walking in to “The Big House” with plenty of chips on their shoulders and snarls on their faces. After falling to D-I independent North Dakota State last week, the Golden Gophers have been officially pegged by many prognosticators to go winless in the Big Ten.
Overview: There is no argument that freshman quarterback Adam Weber is a future first-round NFL draft pick and a potential Heisman candidate two years down the line. But for now, Weber’s squad will have to continue taking the bumps and bruises that come with a “rookie offense” and horrendous defense.
Prediction: Michigan 61, Minnesota 24
Reach Matthew Murray at [email protected].
