The penultimate week of the season is low on divisional drama as Northwestern has clinched and barring a Maryland upset, Ohio State should be poised for their winner-take-all match-up in a week but there is still some drama as teams try and clinch bowls or get to win number five to make the bowl push next week. So while not an A+ week, it is still a mighty interesting one. As always, all times are central.
Game of the Week:
Wisconsin at Purdue
Wisconsin has been one of the biggest disappointments in the nation but they are bowl-bound and are trying to get their teammate Jonathan Taylor to New York City’s Heisman ceremony so there is still some motivation for old Bucky. Purdue is 4-3 in conference but a nightmare of a start to 2018 puts them at just 5-5 overall so despite knocking off Ohio State, Iowa, and Boston College the Boilers still need to win one of their final two to make a bowl game. Should be a fun battle of JT vs Rondale Moore.
- Saturday, 2:30 pm, BTN
Sleeper:
It is a long shot BUT, Maryland’s offense can move the ball against bad defenses. Ohio State’s defense struggles with giving up big plays. Enough big plays and maybe Maryland can pull the upset. Why does that matter? Well a Maryland win combined with a Michigan win gives the Wolverines the division. It makes The Game next week a fun rivalry but no longer the east division title game.
- Saturday, 11:00 am, ABC
Don’t Forget:
Northwestern clinched but Fitz has been adamant that the Cats aren’t packing it in at all their final two weeks. Can’t blame him as they need to keep sharp for Ohio State or a Michigan rematch. Minnesota of course just smoked Purdue to get to 5-5 so knocking off the division champs to lock down a bowl would be a very nice step in the rebuild project for P.J. Fleck’s extremely young team.
- Saturday, 11:00 am, BTN
Snoozer:
Penn State isn’t playing for anything and Rutgers is pathetic. Translation…I’m not wasting my time.
- Saturday, 11:00 am, BTN…Well at least I could make a cool logo from this game.
Upset Watch:
Well we’ve reached that point where there are so many league games there is no longer any point of doing a right end or a wrong end distinction. For the rest of the way (until bowl season of course), the Upset Watch will feature just one game, unlike weeks one through four.
I spotlighted it above but it is worth reiterating, Maryland‘s offense can and probably will move the ball on Ohio State. On the flip side the Buckeyes will put up some points so the upset potential comes from the Terps hitting a big number. If Maryland accomplishes the upset, then the dominoes start falling. Michigan clinches the east BUT if Ohio State beats them next week, that puts the Big Ten in a huge bind for making the “playoffs.”
Elsewhere (Alphabetical Order):
Illinois vs Iowa – Losers of three in a row, Iowa comes in reeling and the coaching staff has faced tough questions from the media for the first time in a while. The players are saying the right thing and seem more pissed off than disappointed. That could indicate the Hawks poised for a big day. On the other side of the field the 4-6 Illini need to win out to make a bowl.
- Saturday, 2:30 pm, BTN
Indiana at Michigan – Hoosiers have made this game interesting the past few years before falling short. Best case scenario is that same story line as Michigan is clearly the best team in the league.
- Saturday, 3:00 pm, FS1
Michigan State at Nebraska – Another game with a disappointing team and a club eliminated from bowl contention. Expect another Michigan State defensive grinder that is entertaining to no one.
- Saturday, 11:00 am, Fox
Random Musing:
This late in the season and zero ranked vs ranked games. Terrible scheduling or a bevy of disappointing teams? Feels like the later.
Big Ten and Counting 