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Ohio State (9-0 / 5-0) / Illinois (2-6 / 0-4)

The last time the Illini played Ohio State at the Horse Shoe they were shut out 30-0.  It has not been since ’07 that the Illini have defeated the Buckeyes on the road, which was also the year that the Illini played in the Rose Bowl.  Last year Ohio State won by a score of 17-7, where they completed only 1 pass in the entire game.  Ohio State is not bowl eligible this year, and the Illini are in a must win situation this week if they hope to avoid the same fate.

Minnesota (5-3 / 1-3) / Michigan (5-3 / 3-1)

Michigan has won in their last 14 trips to Minneapolis, where they have not lost since 1977, by an average score of 40-13.  The last time Michigan faced the Gophers on the road was in 2008, where they won by limiting Minnesota to just 188 total yards and six points.   Last year Michigan won by a score of 58-0.

Indiana (3-5 / 1-3) vs Iowa (4-4 / 2-2)

The last time these two teams squared off in Bloomington the game was very close, as Iowa trailed 13-9 early in the fourth quarter, and it took a late TD pass and a reviewed in-completion in the end zone from Indiana for the Hawkeyes to escape with a victory.  Last year Iowa won by a score of 45-24.  Both teams remain bowl eligible, and this weeks contest will be big for both if they hope to stay in such a position.

Michigan State (5-4 / 2-3) vs Nebraska (6-2 / 3-1)

MSU is now 0-6 vs Nebraska after last years loss, where they clearly came out flat after their Hail-Mary pass completion to defeat Wisconsin at home.  They mustered just 3 points against the Huskers, which was good for a season low in points.  The last time these two teams faced off in East Lansing was in ’95, when Nebraska had one of the all time great college football teams.  The Huskers won 50-10.

Purdue (3-5 / 0-4) vs Penn State (5-3 / 3-1)

Penn State is 5-1 at Purdue since joining the Big Ten and over the past 15 quarters, the Lions have not allowed Boilers a touchdown.  Overall, Purdue is just 2-11 vs Penn State in conference play, and in the past five games, the Boilermakers have lost by an average of 11 points.  Last year Purdue missed two extra points and a FG in a five point loss.