November ball is just a different animal. You have a…massive game for the west in Champaign, a trophy on the line in Iowa City, Maryland’s one-sided rivalry with Penn State gives them another opportunity for a marquee win this year, and lots of fun action slated for this week. As always, all times are central.
Game of the Week:
- Purdue at Illinois
Illinois is 4-2 in conference with tiebreakers over 3-3 Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The lone 3-3 club they haven’t faced yet…Purdue. If PU wins this both squads will be 4-3 and suddenly all of Illinois’s tiebreakers will be impacted because we will probably have so many tied teams in the race that head-to-heads probably won’t work in the formula. If UI wins it, they will be 5-2 with head-to-head victories over everyone in the division but Northwestern – who they play the last game of the year. With that scenario, Illinois could lose to Michigan 500-0 and still be in the driver’s seat of the division AND wins a cannon, nice. Simply put, huge game for both squads.
- Saturday, 11:00 AM, ESPN 2
Sleeper:
- Wisconsin at Iowa
After two weeks of looking competent – albeit against Northwestern and Purdue – Iowa’s offense has to take on a much tougher task: Wisconsin. On the flip side, Wisconsin’s offense has also had the perk of playing Purdue and Maryland. They also face a much tougher task going against the stout Iowa defense. The winner of this rivalry gets bowl eligible and will be in much better position to steal the division at the eleventh hour, provided Illinois stumbles.
- Saturday, 2:30 PM, FS1
Don’t Forget:
- Maryland at Penn State
Technically speaking, this is considered a rivalry…at least to Maryland. In reality this game is interesting because the two clubs are a combined 13-5. Both are going bowling, but have had some flashes of true potential as well as dumbfounding stretches. On the whole, two solid teams. Obviously both clubs go as their quarterbacks go as Tulia struggled mightily against Wisconsin and Clifford’s career has been long documented. Still though, two quality teams battling for better bowl positioning. Should be fun.
- Saturday, 2:30 PM, Fox
Snoozer:
- Indiana at Ohio State
Barring a monsoon like in Evanston, there is no reason to think this game will be close.
- Saturday, 11:00 AM, Fox…Or watch the game of the week over on ESPN 2!
Upset Alert:
- Rutgers at Michigan State
I don’t really see any major upsets happening (IU-OSU or NU-UM) and the other games aren’t big enough differences to really justify a long shot upset. Therefore…Rutgers gets slotted here. They are double digit dogs to Michigan State, a team that has looked good at times (Wisconsin win) and awful at times (Minnesota loss) and in their most recent win (Illinois) they got dominated. Illinois just kept going for it on fourth down. Rutgers isn’t exactly a threat but they do have a competent defense and their offense has a flash every now and then. Hell, they were even up at half time against Michigan. Rutgers stealing this game wouldn’t even crack the top 100 of crazy upsets in my life so why not give them a shot in it?
- Saturday, 2:30 PM, BTN
Elsewhere (Alphabetical Order):
Nebraska at Michigan – Have you heard about the Nebraska hex? Teams are winless the week after beating Nebraska. This is very good news for Michigan’s next opponent, Illinois. As for this game, NU’s quarterback situation is a nightmare. Thompson is hurt and will not play and the two backups are, well, backups for a reason. Michigan should steamroll the overmatched Huskers.
- Saturday, 2:30 PM, ABC
Northwestern at Minnesota – Minnesota had a nasty three game skid in the middle of the season. They have now won two in a row against…Rutgers and Nebraska. Not exactly a murderer’s row. Minnesota should continue that trend agains this week as they take on the hapless Wildcats. I’m sure the UM offense will appreciate playing a defense that made Iowa’s offense look good…well, at least Ibrahim will enjoy going for about a buck fifty.
- Saturday, 2:30 PM, BTN
Bye Week:
No One
Random Musing:
Think I’m crazy about the Nebraska hex? Check this out:
- Week 1: Northwestern. Next game: Northwestern lost to Duke. NU is 0-7 since beating Nebraska
- Week 3: Georgia Southern. Next game: GSU lost to UAB. GSU is 3-5 since beating Nebraska
- Week 4: Oklahoma. Next game: OU lost to Kansas State. OU is 2-4 since beating Nebraska
- Week 8: Purdue. Next game: PU lost to Wisconsin. PU is 0-2 since beating Nebraska
- Week 9: Illinois. Next game: UI lost. toMichigan State. UI is 0-1 since beating Nebraska
- Week 10: Minnesota. Next game: UM faces Northwestern. UM has yet to play since beating Nebraskas
If Northwestern upsets Minnesota we seriously have some crazy stuff going.
Big Ten and Counting 