Big Ten Weekend Preview: Week 7

How did we get to week 7 already?  Didn't the season just start?  I rarely say this, but every Big Ten game this weekend has its own story line and somewhat intriguing.  For example:

Friday Night:

Rutgers @ Washington (-10.5): Both of these teams are pretty good and UW only has one loss to the #1 team in the nation.  That line seems pretty high but its the travel west that will get you.  UW 28 Rutgers 21

Saturday:

OSU (-14.5) @ Illinois:  This is an interesting game because everyone thought Illinois was going to be good at the start of the season and then got slapped by IU.  OSU has been #1 since beating Texas and winning a football tournament at the end of last season.  Classic OSU game,close early, run away in the 2nd half.  OSU 31 Illinois 17

UCLA @ MSU (-8.5):  A week ago this game would've had the infamous, Do Not Watch label.  Now there is some intrigue after UCLA upset Penn State.   Body clock game for the Bruins.  MSU 38 UCLA 21 

Northwestern @ PSU (-21.5):  Raise your hand if you thought both of these teams would be 3-2 right now?  James, put your hand down!  Most would think last week was the "get right game" now its Northwestern.  Iowa on deck for PSU with OSU in the hole.   PSU 41 NW 13 

IU @ Oregon (-7.5): Big Game Alert 💥 #7 IU travels to #3 Oregon.  Time to see if IU is for real.  Like many new up and coming programs IU struggles on the road.  I expect they will on Saturday as well.  Oregon 34 IU 24 

Nebraska (-6.5) @ Maryland:  Both teams are 4-1 and Maryland plays well at home. Nebraska is still a strange program to me. Maryland 21 Nebraska 14  

Iowa (-3.5) @ Wisconsin:  The Badgers played pretty well against Michigan last weekend and back to power football.  That is Iowa's love language.  Close one.  Iowa 17 Wisconsin 14

Purdue @ Minnesota (-7.5):  Purdue is frisky and getting better.  Minnesota is the same team under PJ Fleck every year.  Not sure why this is a prime time game? Minnesota 27 Purdue 21