Michigan State 4-4 / 1-3 @ Wisconsin 6-2 / 3-1: This is the third time these team have met in the past year. In 2011, they played two great games, both coming down to the final seconds to determine the winner. The Spartans have lost some tough games this year, 17-16 to OSU, 19-16 to Iowa in OT, & 12-10 to instate rival, Michigan! Wisconsin is clearly on the up-swing, having won 3 straight Big Ten games! That said, the competition, Illinois, Minnesota, & @ Purdue has been some of the weakest the conference can bring to bare! This will be a critical test for Wisconsin’s Leaders Division Championship drive & a good measure of the Badgers improvement since the Nebraska loss!
Ohio State 8-0 / 4-0 @ Penn State 5-2 / 3-0: Penn State has won five in a row and has beaten Northwestern (6-2) 39-28 and Iowa, 38-14 in their last two Big Ten outings! OSU is undefeated, but they simply have not been impressive in how they have won; … they beat Indiana 52-49, Purdue 29-22 in OT (scoring in the last seconds in regulation and making a two point conversion to force the extra period), & while winning … giving up 38 points to Nebraska … none of these behaviors are consistent with the Buckeyes typical defensive play! This game will be played @ Beaver stadium in front of 107,000 loyal PSU fans! And while it is common sentiment that the game is being played for absolutely nothing, that statement is a complete falsehood! This game matters to a ton of fans from both Ohio State and Penn State!
Indiana 2-5 / 0-3 @ Illinois 2-5 / 0-3: This is a battle of beatens! Tim Beckman has made some questionable decisions as he has begun his Illinois tenure as the head coach, with his decision to go to the PSU campus to recruit players at top of that list (gives new meaning to conference loyalty and integrity, or lack thereof) … and how about chewing tobacco on the sideline during the game …. that’s another head shaker! Timmy, here is some advise … think before you act, you dope! Meanwhile, Kevin Wilson, Indiana’s Head Coach, is doing exactly what he said he intended to do … improve Indiana’s ability to put points on the board! The Hoosiers are averaging 35 PPG in their first 3 Big ten games… and while losing, they did played OSU tough, 52-49, & battled Michigan State to a 31-27 nail-biting finish!
Purdue 3-4 / 0-3 @ Minnesota 4-3 / 0-3: This Purdue team has talent and should be playing at a higher level and doing so with a good degree of consistency! They played well in a 20-17 loss to the number 5 team in the country, Notre Dame, where they lost on last second field goal! Last week, against an undefeated Ohio State, they surrendered the lead in the final seconds of regulation and lost in OT, 29-22! That said, they did not show up against Michigan, 44-13, or against Wisconsin where the were embarrassed by a score of 38-14! Minnesota needs to get their QB, Marquis Gray, back to have a competitive chance in Big ten play!
Iowa 4-3 / 2-1 @ Northwestern 6-2 / 2-2: Iowa did not show up for the Penn State game @ Kinnick Stadium. In fact, their absence gave new meaning to MIA, especially when considering the fact that they also were embarrassed in a loss to Central Michigan. They better show up in Evanston, or they will really get it handed to them! Northwestern is coming off a heartbreaker, a 29-28 loss to Nebraska, where they missed a field goal that would have won the game as time expired! Paddy Fitz will have the Cats ready to play! The Hawks are in the race for the Legends title and have Nebraska @ home and a trip to the Big House to settle things on the field with Michigan! A win at Ryan Field is critical to that end!
Michigan 5-2 / 3-0 @ Nebraska 5-2 / 2-1: This is without question, the best game in the Big Ten in week nine! The Huskers can not afford a second conference loss as they would fall 2 games behind Michigan with trips to MSU and Iowa left on the schedule. While Michigan has divisional battles vs Minnesota on the road & Iowa and Northwestern @ home … and of course … from the Wolverines perspective … an out of division game against that …. nameless … fatherless ….. unholy … Urbanite team in the Horseshoe! Robinson & Martinez could be two of the best three QB’s in the Big Ten (Braxton Miller) while being the two most limited passers in the league. The defense that best corals the other teams QB is likely to walk away the winner!
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