For the final time this year I get to say all fourteen teams in action across seven league tilts. This Thanksgiving weekend has two in-state rivalry showdowns with one team in each game hoping to get to a bowl, one battle featuring an axe, The Game in Ohio Stadium, and the pretend rivalry between Iowa and Nebraska that, although not a rivalry (and never will be), still has title implications…so that’s something. As always, these times are central.
Game of the Week:
Michigan at Ohio State
Not sure how I can hype this one up more, so I’ll just state the obvious: Michigan wins and they go to Indy with a great shot at the CFP. Ohio State wins and then Indy will be settled out in Happy Valley but the Buckeyes would sit pretty for making the CFP. Basically division, league, and national title implications are all on the line in the shoe. No pressure, right? Michigan will have to rely even more on that solid D they have as their QB situation is less than ideal thanks to the Wilton Speight injury in Iowa City. Ohio State has play-makers, but can they pass well enough to allow Samuel and company space? This one will be a doozy.
- Saturday, 11 am, ABC
Sleeper:
Minnesota at Wisconsin
Badgers have won 12 straight in this bitter rivalry but more often then than not the games have been close. Gophers have eight wins on the year but lack both a trophy win and a signature victory. They can reverse both those season trends and the Wisconsin losing streak with the upset in Camp Randall. For Wisconsin they still haven’t locked down the West. If Nebraska beats Iowa on Friday, UW has to win to make Indy. Beyond a league title, Badgers are still in the hunt for the CFP so plenty to play for for both of these squads…that should make an exciting Axe game.
- Saturday, 2:30 m, BTN
Don’t Forget:
Iowa vs Nebraska
Nebraska still has a path to Indy so they should be the more fired up team, but they have issues at QB with Tommy Armstrong Jr not playing last week and his back up Ryker Fife hurting his non-throwing arm in the victory. For Iowa they can win their final three games, improve bowl positioning, and remove a lot of the stink from losses to NDSU, Northwestern, and no-showing against Penn State. It hasn’t been the prettiest path to seven wins hitherto but finishing strong on senior day will make even a skeptic like me find some pleasure in what has been a terrible season from the offense.
- Friday, 2:30 pm, ABC
Snoozer:
Illinois at Northwestern
I realize that NU has plenty to play for since a win will get them to 6-6 and lock down a bowl but this is all about Illinois. This team has appeared to give up the last two weeks against Wisconsin and Iowa. Stick a fork in ’em, they’re done. Northwestern will roll em by multiple touchdowns for sure. Why watch that?
- Saturday, 11 am, BTN…or watch the Michigan-Ohio State game! What is wrong with you?!?
Upset Watch:
Sadly now that we’re in league play there is no real easy way to make the distinction between being on the right end or wrong end of an upset. That’s always a fun feature of the non-conference but now that we’re in league any upset is potentially season crippling or season defining.
Right and Wrong end:
With the injuries Michigan has and Ohio State hosting, Penn State has a reasonable expectation that UM will lose. Why does that matter? Well it means PSU will go to Indy – and possibly the CFP – if they win out. Standing in their way is a Michigan State club that gave OSU everything they could handle a week ago. This is the Spartans’ last crack at ruining someone’s season and defending their pride after an incredible run the last few years.
- Saturday, 2:30 pm, ESPN
Elsewhere (Alphabetical Order):
Indiana vs Purdue – The dangerous Hoosiers can lock down their bowl with a win over their rival to get to 6-6. If they do it will be their first back-to-back bowl seasons since 1990-1991 and make Kevin Wilson just the second coach in program history to go to the post season in consecutive season. It may not sound like much, but that would a be a big piece to show improvement as a program.
- Saturday, 11 am, ESPNU
Maryland vs Rutgers – The Terps started red hot and then got banged up against the meat of their schedule but if they knock off Rutgers, they can get to 6-6 and make a bowl meaning much needed practice time for first year head coach D.J. Durkin and his young team. For Ash’s club they hope to avoid becoming the first Big Ten to go winless in league games since the 2013 Purdue team and the first 0-9 league mark since Indiana’s 1984 outfit.
- Saturday, 11 am, ESPNN
Western Michigan vs Toledo – The Rockets are a nine win team and if they win, the Broncos get left out of the MAC title game and will have zero shot at representing the group of five in a major bowl. WMU is the better team, playing at home, and has much more on the line so they should be dialed in but still, the Rockets won’t be like taking out the trash against Buffalo last week. They are a legit team and cannot be taken lightly.
- Friday, 4pm, ESPN2
Random Musing:
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! My favorite item is this orange bread with orange butter the mom makes. Personal favorite traditional item, stuffing.
Big Ten and Counting 