Headed to the final stretch, folks with a full boat in week ten. All fourteen teams in action across seven league games. Eastern contenders Michigan State and Penn State each have to hit the road while Michigan gets another chance to regroup before that grueling stretch of at Wisconsin, vs Ohio State in another installment of the Little Brown Jug. Elsewhere Maryland and Rutgers square off in what feels like a bowl elimination game. Northwestern looks to stay hot in a trip to Lincoln, Purdue’s bowl hopes look to be improved when they host woeful Illinois, and Wisconsin gets another shot at some style points when they head to Bloomington. Like always, all times are central.
Game of the Week:
Penn State at Michigan State
Penn State’s worst games so far have been on the road. They could have (maybe even should have) lost at Iowa. Then they gave up the lead late at Ohio State. Now they have to head to East Lansing. Michigan State still feels like a bit of a pretender in terms of getting by EVERYONE in the east to go to Indianapolis but they play fundamentally sound defense, get timely scoring, and hold their own in special teams. At home in a game that is projected to have terrible weather, Dantonio’s crew has to feel like they got a good shot at slowing down this high octane Penn State offense.
- Saturday, 11 am, Fox
Sleeper:
Injuries have totally derailed Maryland’s 3-1 start but they are 4-4 and head to Rutgers in a winnable game for their bowl hopes. Rutgers is the opposite. They have won two of their last three to get to 3-5. Banged up Maryland is a winnable game for their bowl hopes. With two hungry teams with a little something to play for, I expect a fun one in Piscataway.
- Saturday, 2:30 pm, BTN
Don’t Forget:
Northwestern has ripped off two straight overtime victories to get to 5-3 and basically lock down a bowl. Nebraska meanwhile comes in at 4-4. Win this game, get hot, maybe they finish with eight wins and save Riley’s job. Who knows. Either way this has been a fun series since Nebraska joined the league with the battle of NU having some really tight games. I expect another tight one this year in Lincoln as both teams have nice upsides but are still flawed in ways that makes for some fun football.
- Saturday, 2:30 pm, BTN
Snoozer:
Indiana hasn’t been awful but they are winless in the Big Ten for a reason. Wisconsin hasn’t been as dominant as some teams but they are undefeated for a reason. This one should get out of hand.
- Saturday, 11 am, ABC…Seriously, watch the Penn State/Michigan State game if you are going to be up for an 11 o’clock kick.
Upset Watch:
The Michigan State game is the obvious upset but let’s play with some fire. Iowa against top five teams at home has been extremely good lately. Their only recent loss in this situation was against Penn State earlier this year. The Hawkeyes are debuting some new black alternates, and the Iowa defense can keep them in games. Ohio State is heavy favorites for a reason, BUT, they just had a knock-down, drag out war with Penn State. There is a bit of a smell of trap/upset potential. I feel like I know my hawks well enough to say there isn’t a shot in hell, but in reality, there is a 10 to maybe even 15 percent shot at them pulling this one off.
- Iowa vs Ohio State, Saturday, 2:30 pm, ESPN
Elsewhere (Alphabetical Order):
Illinois at Purdue – Illinois basically makes any game unwatchable but at least Purdue winning would get them to 4-5 and put a bowl somewhat on the table. Good lord Illinois is awful.
- Saturday, 11 am, BTN
Michigan vs Minnesota – Gophers are trending downward in league play while Michigan’s quarterback switch to Brandon Peters has paid off. Remember, Michigan still has an outside shot at winning the east. They have lost to MSU and PSU but if they finish 7-2 the tie-breaking scenarios could help them. With that still in play, I expect Michigan to dominate.
- Saturday, 7:30 pm, Fox
Random Musing
The Purdue Cannon, Little Brown Jug, and Land Grant Trophy are all on the line this weekend. I mean what are we doing, Big Ten? Can’t we limit some of the trophies at least somewhat?!
Big Ten and Counting 