Rivalry week! Rivalry week! Happy Thanksgiving everyone, happy rivalry week, and enjoy the grand finale to the 2022-2023 regular season. All times are central.
Game of the Week:
- Michigan at Ohio State
The Game takes on even larger ramifications this year than most. Both the Wolverines and Buckeyes enter as top four teams in the AP and the College Football Playoff ranking. The winner goes to Indy as division champs and would be sixty minutes away from the playoffs. The loser will have to settle for 11-1 and very realistically outside looking in to the playoffs, barring some help. Ohio State comes in as the more explosive offensive but Michigan’s defense is downright stingy. Strength versus strength will be on full display in the Shoe for this can’t miss game.
- Saturday, 11:00 AM, Fox
Sleeper:
- Minnesota at Wisconsin
The Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe is always a critical rivalry game but this year takes on some extra symbolic status. Both the Badgers and Gophers are eliminated from the division but Minnesota can make up for their poor Iowa game with an eighth victory and a trophy, not to mention sending Mohamed Ibrahim out with a great regular season final. For Wisconsin they are bowling at 6-5 but can win back the Axe after losing it last year and match their rivals at 7-5. This year is all about pride for the two squads whose seasons didn’t go as planned in the summer.
- Saturday, 2:30 PM, ESPN
Don’t Forget:
- Purdue at Indiana
Another rivalry trophy on the line with the Old Oaken Bucket. For Purdue they need Iowa to lose to Nebraska on Black Friday and then take care of their archrival to make their first Big Ten title game. For Indiana they are just 4-7 but are coming off their first win in a long time. For them to end the year with two straight wins, get to 5-7, and ruin their rival’s day would feel extra special and maybe set up some foundational stuff for a bowl push next year. Should be a very fun game in Bloomington.
- Saturday, 2:30 PM, BTN
Snoozer:
- Illinois at Northwestern
Despite being a rivalry, Northwestern is 1-10. Illinois may also be checked out if they feel their divisional championship hopes are done (will be if Iowa wins Friday).
- Saturday, 2:30 PM, no TV listed…Whelp, guess you can’t watch it now!
Upset Alert:
- Nebraska at Iowa
Huskers always play this game close and Iowa is banged up – including best offensive weapon Sam LaPorta out. Plus it is still Brian Ferentz calling the plays. As an Iowa fan, I wouldn’t be shocked at all if we fall flat on our face in this game.
- Friday, 3:00 PM, BTN
Elsewhere (Alphabetical Order):
Rutgers at Maryland – After two straight clunkers, Maryland gave Ohio State all they could handle last week. If they play like that against Rutgers, they are a lock for win number seven and a slightly improved bowl. If they play like they did against Wisconsin or Penn State, Rutgers could pull the upset off. For RU, they are in Indiana territory – a win gets them to 5-7 and makes the season feel a little bit better thanks to a late season win.
- Saturday, 11:00 AM, BTN
Michigan State at Penn State – The red-hot Nittany Lions look for win number ten and taking home the sweet, sweet Land Grant Trophy. For Michigan State a win gets them to 6-6 and into a bowl. It doesn’t sound like much but with some of their on-field struggles combined with the awful tunnel melee in Ann Arbor that has now turned into a legal proceeding, getting the seniors to a bowl would be a nice send-off.
- Saturday, 3:00 PM, FS1
Bye Week:
No One
Random Musing:
Let’s pour one out for these rivalries that have been diminished due to divisions in order of coolest to what the hell-iest:
- Little Brown Jug – Michigan and Minnesota – super old, great history, lot’s of block Ms.
- Illibuck – Illinois and Ohio State – what a great name for a trophy also, why is it a turtle?
- Governor’s Victory Bell – Minnesota and Penn State – this baby had 15 good meetings…that’s it. Not very historic.
- George Jewett Trophy – Michigan and Northwestern – You didn’t know this game even had a trophy…I know I didn’t.
Big Ten and Counting 