Last week the East got to shine, this time it is the West’s turn with the huge showdown in Madison between the Badgers and Huskers. Nebraska winning out (combined with the Buckeyes doing the same) would create a top-10 clash in the title game and with some luck getting the winner to the tournament. Like the Badgers give a hoot about what is best for the league though. Another interesting match-up is Minnesota’s final home game against Ohio State. Lots of good will for senior day and they will be playing with house money as the Gophers can still win the West regardless of the outcome. With very little on the line, I’m curious if Minnesota can play lose, throw in some trick plays and solve the OSU riddle that very few Big Ten teams have – as in one (MSU in the title game) – since Meyer has arrived.
Game of the Week:
Nebraska at Wisconsin
Heisman hopefuls Ameer Abdullah (hopefully) and Melvin Gordon look to square off for RB supremacy in the league. Neither defense gets the buzz they deserve so whoever holds up the best should be able to win…however there is a strange x-factor. Since moving to a two quarterback system, Wisconsin has been getting a lot better play from that position. We really haven’t seen this new look against good defenses so there is no grantee it will continue to work but if it does, that would probably be enough to tip the scales towards Wisconsin.
Sat, 3:30 / 2:30 Central, ABC / WatchESPN app
Sleeper:
Michigan State at Maryland
Did you know that a Maryland win would give these teams an identical 7-3 (4-2) mark. Talk about a statement if Maryland can take down MSU and finish second in the division. For MSU they can win out, get back in the top ten, and get to a great bowl game. Sure they wanted to defend their crown but the Orange Bowl is not that bad a consolation prize.
Sat, 8 / 7 Central, Big Ten Network
Don’t Ignore:
Ohio State at Minnesota
The way OSU is clicking it seems like a long shot for them to falter this late in the game, but like I said at the top there are some things in play to help the Gophers: senior day and house money. There is a third factor that helps UM too…they are pretty good. Yes they got roughed up against TCU in their only other match-up with top end talent thus far but that was more on horrible miscues by the offense. Same factor in their Illinois loss. The fact is if they play clean on offense, they have a nice defense and can shorten the game with the great rushing attack Cobb gives them. I don’t love – or even like – their chances of an upset but they are a solid team getting to play at home. I’ve seen stranger upsets in my life.
Sat, 12 / 11 Central, ABC / WatchESPN app
Snoozer:
Northwestern at Notre Dame
NU cannot move the ball one lick and they are going against a team that got de-pantsed a week ago. When the more talented team is pissed off, the outcome is usually ugly.
Sat, 3:30 / 2:30, NBC…or rewatch highlights of the Iowa-Minnesota game from last week, both should finish with about the same score.
Upset Watch
Right End – Double dose of home underdog status. Minnesota is a 14 point dog to OSU and Michigan State is giving 13 to Maryland. Neither UM school would be confused with a contender but they are above average to good teams playing at home. I think both have reasonable chances (15-25 percent probably) of pulling it out.
Wrong End – Wisconsin is a 6.5 point favorite right now at home against Nebraska. Part of that is hosting the game and part of that is Abdullah’s status but the fact is they don’t feel like the favorite. This is by far their toughest task since opening day against LSU and even with the soft schedule they haven’t avoided flat performances – topped by that wretched loss to Northwestern. You’ve been warned Bucky!
Elsewhere
Illinois vs Iowa, Sat, 12 / 11, BTN – Thanks to having shaky PSU, wretched Northwestern and up-and-down Iowa on their schedule, the Illini have a shot at a bowl if they can reproduce that effort they had against Minnesota. Wes Lunt’s return should help but the last time Iowa suffered a debilitating loss, they rebounded with a stomping of Northwestern. Who knows what to expect from these teams but Beckman should be coaching for his career and will be open to plenty of bells and whistles, something Iowa has to look for if their coaches have any brain cells.
Indiana at Rutgers, Sat, 3:30 / 2:30, BTN – Rutgers should be able to secure at least a 6-6 record thanks to hosting the banged up Hoosiers this week. Indiana’s defense played with great resolve against Penn State and they would love nothing more to play spoiler in the last few weeks to try and save Kevin Wilson’s job. Ruining Rutgers’ season would be a very Indiana-y thing to do.
Penn State vs Temple, Sat, 12 / 11, ESPN2 / WatchESPN app – PSU looks to get bowl eligible against an in-state foe (refuse to type rival there). Temple isn’t as bad as they were last year with a 5-4 mark, identical to Penn State’s. The Owl defense is pretty stingy so get ready for a low scoring affair. A 10 point lead in this one will feel like a 50 point lead.
Random Musing
History is not on the Gopher’s side this weekend. They have beaten Michigan and Ohio State in the same season just once in their storied history in the way back time of 1940. Best of luck Gophers.
Big Ten and Counting 