Big Ten: Week 12

Wisconsin (7-3 / 4-2) vs Ohio State (10-0 / 6-0)

Ohio State has lost 2 of the last three games in Madison, including a 31-18 loss the last time these two teams met here.  Last year the Buckeyes won in dramatic fashion off of a late hail mary from Braxton Miller, which ultimately led to a 33-29 Buckeyes victory, while also putting a dagger in the Badgers championship hopes.

Illinois (2-8 / 0-6) vs Purdue (4-6 / 1-5)

Last year Purdue jumped out to a 21-0 lead after 3 quarters.  It was not until the fourth quarter that the Illini started to get something going offensively, but by then it was too late, as Purdue held on to win by a score of 21-14.  The Illini have lost 6 of the last 7 in this series, as well as 4 straight home finales.

Michigan (7-3 / 5-1) vs Iowa (4-6 / 2-4)

Last year Michigan was down 8 points with a 1st and goal at the Iowa 3 yard line, but after 4 straight incomplete passes they turned the ball over on downs.  This ultimately led to a 24-16 Iowa victory, and it marked just the second loss of the season for Michigan, who finished the year 11-2.

Penn State (6-4 / 4-2) vs Indiana (4-6 / 2-4)

These two teams first met in Beaver Stadium in ’93, and Indiana has lost every game there since (0-7).  The average margin of victory for Penn State in this series at home is 21 points.  Penn State is a perfect 15-0 vs Indiana all time, regardless of where the game is played.

Michigan State (5-5 / 2-4) vs Northwestern (7-3 / 3-3)

Michigan State has won four straight games in this series, though last years game (31-17) was in doubt for most of the first half.  That is, until the Spartans recovered a fumble on their own 3 yard line, and then proceed to go on a 97 yard drive for a TD.  The game was essentially ended just a minute and forty seconds later when the Spartans returned a punt for a 57 yard TD, as Northwestern was never able to get the score close from that point on.

Nebraska (8-2 / 5-1) vs Minnesota (6-4 / 2-4) 

The last time the Gophers won in Lincoln was in 1960.  They have lost their last 6 games in this stadium, including being shut out four of those times.  The last time these two teams met here was in 1990, where Nebraska won by a score of 56-0.  Last year Nebraska score on their fist five possessions to roll onto a 34-0 victory.  The Cornhuskers are 20-4 in their last 24 home finales, and have won them by an average margin of 19 points per game.