Sort of a “calm before the storm” week as there are no ranked versus ranked games but it is the first weekend in October so perhaps we get something spooky with an upset or two. Ya never know.
Game of the Week:
- Michigan at Iowa
Admittedly, this could turn into a blowout, BUT…we have Michigan in their first road trip and they have to take on an elite defense in an environment that has seen many a ranked teams fall the last few years. Iowa doesn’t have the offense to win this game barring something magical happening in the special teams or with their defense but there is always some upset potential in Kinnick. Just a shame it isn’t a night game to get truly scary for the Maize and Blue.
- Saturday, 11:00 AM, Fox
Sleeper:
- Purdue at Minnesota
Can the Spoilmakers take their show on the road? Is 21st in the nation high enough of a ranking to even interest the voodoo magic that is unranked Purdue versus the undefeated? Find out in Minneapolis this week. The Gophers are clicking on all cylinders at the moment but based on their easy non conference slate and just how quickly they ate up Sparty last week, we haven’t seen them with any adversity. How will they respond if Purdue is able to punch them in the mouth? We will see. Lastly, Purdue gets a big lift after the FAU game with Aiden O’Connell back as QB1.
- Saturday, 11:00 AM, ESPN 2
Don’t Forget:
- Illinois at Wisconsin
The homecoming of Bret Bielema to Camp Randall should be a spicy one as the Illini have themselves a quality team. As for Wisconsin they were humiliated a week ago against Ohio State. How do they bounce back from that? Do they regain any swagger? Starting 0-2 might doom Bucky’s hopes for a divisional title. Meanwhile having a tiebreaker over Wisconsin could be huge for the Illini to make a surprising push for west title. Finally we have strength versus strength as UI’s ground attack with Chase Brown is clicking right now but Wisconsin’s defensive front remains their best unit at the moment.
- Saturday, 11:00 AM, BTN
Snoozer:
- Rutgers at Ohio State
This game should be over by halftime. RU’s talent has improved – and they are sound defensively – but the Buckeyes are in a class of their own compared to RU.
- Saturday, 2:30, BTN…or enjoy a nice fall day with a walk. Get outside, play with the dog. Do something, just don’t watch this game.
Upset Alert:
- Minnesota!
Of the ranked Big Ten teams (Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio State, and Penn State) the Gophers clearly have the toughest task. Purdue’s offense is electric and they get their starting quarterback back. Plus its unranked Purdue versus someone undefeated and ranked. The football gods have made it clear that Purdue must win at least one of those games per year.
Elsewhere (Alphabetical Order):
Indiana at Nebraska – A very shaky 3-1 IU team versus an equally shaky 2-2 NU team. Huskers are more talented and at home but they didn’t look terribly impressive two weeks ago in Mickey Joseph’s debut versus Oklahoma squad. Safe to say the winner still has some realistic bowl dreams while the loser will be facing some very long odds at getting somewhere this holiday season.
- Saturday, 6:30 PM, BTN
Michigan State at Maryland – Based on their Washington and Minnesota performances, Sparty is an unwatchable disaster right now. Huge opportunity for the Terps to get to four wins and put them in a great position for a bowl since after this week they still have games against Purdue, Indiana, Northwestern, Wisconsin, and Rutgers. Hell, forget just making a bowl – with those five games PLUS knocking off MSU this week, Maryland could be a nine win club. Don’t slip up against a wounded opponent, Maryland.
- Saturday, 2:30 PM, FS1
Northwestern at Penn State – Safe to say after the recent debacle against Miami (OH) that the even year magic ain’t happening in 2022 for the purple gang. Penn State should dominate this one, although lot of rain in the forecast so could be a slop fest. Either way, PSU will win, guarantee it.
- Saturday, 2:30 PM, ESPN
Bye Week:
No one
Random Musing:
Why do you think Purdue has had so many big upsets lately? Are they underachieving with talented teams so that’s why they aren’t in the polls at the time of the upset? Are they overachieving in one odd week result? Is the ranked team looking past them? Is there something schematically Purdue does differently when playing ranked foes they don’t normally do win more “even” match ups? I don’t know what the answer is but I suspect it is a little combo of each. I know what Purdue fans would say though – WE ARE UNDERACHIEVING!!! Alas, the fate of many programs. So much potential, so much wasted plays. It is something we like to call Brian Ferentz-itis.
Big Ten and Counting 