Strange week in the Big Ten with a number of non-conference games in the middle of the Big Ten season.
The Big Story lines are: will Iowa take control of the Big Ten race? Will Ohio State continue to dominate the Big Ten? Is Michigan State taking a step forward or back after it's season saving win last week?
Big Ten Game of the Week:
Will be profiled tomorrow so I have to pick another one.
Wisconsin at Ohio State: Wisconsin this year has just kept winning and off to a 5-0 record, which is nice for Badgers fans who saw them lose to Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State in consecutive weeks last year. For some reason the poll voters are not buying what Wisconsin is selling. They are ranked #25 in the USA Today and not ranked in the AP poll. Ohio State is the team we have come to know for the last 5 years, they lose against the best teams in the nation but beat up on every Big Ten team they put in front of them. Many thought they would struggle against IU last week, they didn't. Some thought the Juice would give them another run for their money, he didn't. Ohio State likes to run the ball and play good defense which most of the time is a winning combination. Wisconsin is getting 16 points on the road which seems like a lot to me. OSU 24 Wisconsin 14
The Rest of the Big Ten:
Miami of Ohio at Northwestern: I thought the Big Ten - MAC match-ups had ended a few weeks ago. I guess not as the Red Hawks try to take flight in Chicago. Northwestern won last week against Purdue where I thought they would struggle. The Red Hawks are less of a threat. Northwestern is favored by 19 at home. NW 31 Miami (OH) 13
Michigan State at Illinois: The Desperation Bowl. Whose season is going to end this week? Neither can afford a loss. State got a reprieve by the Governor last week which kept their season on life support at 2-3. Illinois wasn't so lucky and fell to 1-3. Zook has benched the Juice and Eddie McGee will get the start. State is a 3.5 favorite on the road. This is what I expect to happen: State will let down after their near collapse and over-time victory over Michigan last week and Illinois is desperate for a win. Vegas should have an over under on the number of penalty yards in this one. Zook (trying to save his job) 24 Dantonio (I don't get any respect) 21
Eastern Illinois at Penn State: How many of these games does Penn State play? Whatever happened to PITT or ND? There isn't a line on this one. JoPa's Remote 41 EIU 7
Indiana at Virgina: Are these the same two teams but in different conferences? Each week both teams look either pretty good or pretty bad. Virgina is a 3.5 point favorite at home and I agree with Vegas. Ralph Sampson 23.5 Isiah Thomas 20
Purdue at Minnesota: Purdue seems to be real close winning every game that they lose, which is very common for a young team with a new head coach. Minnesota seems to be the same team that they are every year, a decent team that just isn't ready to play with the Big Boys. Minnesota is favored again by 3.5 at home. This is the time of year when the new "open air" stadium starts to really feel the cold. Chilly Minny 31 Purdon't 21
As always the Iowa - Michigan game will be previewed here on Friday.
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