Big Ten Football Week 8 Breakdown
The Big Ten wrapped up a great week, with Michigan State ousting Michigan and Ohio State knocking off Illinois, helping the Buckeyes start to get their season back on track. This week is highlighted by an epic clash of two teams that have some bad blood, at least among the fan base at Wisconsin and Michigan State. Last year both teams, along with Ohio State shared the Big Ten title. The Badgers sole loss was an early trip to East Lansing. This year is a revenge game for the Badgers and a chance to prove their national relevance for Michigan State.
Lock of the Week: Nebraska at Minnesota
Nebraska sits at 5-1, with their only blemish being at the hands of the undefeated Badgers at Camp Randall. The Cornhuskers were off last week, so they are rested and ready to roll. Defensive tackle Jared Crick has been ruled out for the season, so plans without him have begun. The defense may have a different feel to it, but they will certainly be ready to go. The defense, which has struggled to date, has given up a shade over 27 points per game (27.2) which is 67th in the nation. The bye week may be just what the doctor ordered for Nebraska to get their defense back on track. Nebraska will turn to Lavonte David to become the leader of this defense as they know they need to improve on that side of the ball if they want to be Big Ten contenders. Offensively Nebraska will continue to do what they always do, pound the ball. The offense ranks 11th in the nation in rushing yards, averaging 246.8 yards per game. Taylor Martinez and Rex Burkhead have spearheaded the Cornhuskers attack, scoring nine touchdowns a piece, and both averaging over five yards per carry. Nebraska will be firing on all cylinders and rip the Golden Gophers.
Nebraska 45 Minnesota 10
Upset Alert! Penn State at Northwestern
The Nittany Lions find themselves on upset alert for the second straight time. At home against Purdue they were able to walk away with a victory, but this week they are travelling. The defense has been carrying Penn State, giving up an impressive 11.6 points per game, good for 6th in the nation. The Wildcats are returning home after a tough 10 points loss to Iowa. They are an offensive team, averaging 28.3 points per game. Northwestern is riding a four game losing streak and would love to snap that at home this week. Quarterback Dan Persa is going to have to come up huge for Northwestern, as he is accustomed too. The senior signal caller is getting better with each week, and will need his best performance of the year to slip by the Nittany Lions. On the year Persa has completed an outstanding 74.5 percent of his pass attempts for five scores versus his two interceptions. Protecting the football will also be a key for Northwestern, so Persa must make good decisions with the football. Fellow senior Jeremy Ebert is the guy that Persa will likely look to most often. Ebert has caught 39 balls this season, six of them going for scores. An interesting little fact, all six of his touchdowns have been on the road, so he is looking for his first home touchdown this Saturday.
The Wildcats will turn to their young explosive tailback, sophomore Adonis Smith, to balance out the offense. This season he is averaging a healthy 4.1 yards per carry. Penn State will turn to their defense to keep their team in the game. Their defense is not only expected to keep the Wildcats out of the end zone, but also needs to create turnovers and give the struggling Nittany Lion offense good field position. Silas Redd has been doing his job for Penn State, rushing for 903 yards and five scores on the year. He will likely go over 1,000 yards for the season during this game.
Game of the Week! Wisconsin at Michigan State
This is a big matchup for both of these programs. Wisconsin is looking to keep the ball rolling and improve to 7-0 this year. They also may be seeking some revenge as it was this game last year that tripped up Wisconsin and cost them an undefeated season. For the Spartans, this game is a chance to prove to the BCS what they are made of. Furthermore Michigan State can send a message to the BCS saying you picked the wrong team to represent the Big Ten in the Rose Bowl with another win over Wisconsin this year. The Spartans will rely on their great defense, which is only giving up 10.8 points per game, to win this contest. The unit is led by their stud defensive line, which is spearheaded by defensive tackle Jerel Worthy. This defense will be tested by one of the best offenses in the nation. The Badgers come into this contest averaging an impressive 50.2 points per game, the best in the nation. The offense is led by star quarterback Russell Wilson, who is leading the NCAA in quarterback rating. The offensive line is one of the biggest and best in the nation as well, and will be tested by one of the Big Ten’s best defensive lines.
Wisconsin also has a great defense, giving up only 9.7 points per game, which is good for 3rd in the nation. However, they too will be tested by an effective Spartans offense, led by senior quarterback Kirk Cousins, who has eight touchdown strikes on the year. The ground game is led by Le’Veon Bell who is a bruising 6’2, 237 pound sophomore running back. He has crossed the end zone six times so far this season. The Spartans will rely on him to help balance their offense and to open up the passing lanes for Cousins. The war in the trenches will be a major key in determining the outcome of this game. Montee Ball has scored a touchdown in 10 straight games, and that streak will likely continue, as the Badgers will win the trench war and pound the overmatched Spartans in this matchup.
Badgers 38 Michigan State 21
Best of the Rest
Indiana at Iowa
The Hoosiers have yet to win a Big 10 game and will not this week as they visit the Hawkeyes. Iowa owns a 4-2 mark on the year and is 1-1 in Big Ten play. They struggled to get anything going offensively in their loss to Penn State, scoring only three points, but then exploded with 41 points against Northwestern. Indiana’s defense is much similar in talent to that of Northwestern’s rather than to Penn State so expect Iowa to be able to light up the score board, particularly through the passing game, which is 38th in the nation in yards per game. Junior signal caller James Vandenberg has done a nice job replacing Ricky Stanzi, throwing for nearly 1,500 yards (1,488) and 12 touchdowns, while completing 60.5 percent of his attempts. This efficient passing offense is what makes Iowa a dangerous team to play on any given week. Iowa will put up a bunch of points in this game and dismantle Indiana.
Iowa 31 Indiana 10
Illinois at Purdue
Illinois suffered its first loss of the season at the hands of the Buckeyes. Now they are travelling again to face a .500 Boilermaker team. Purdue is 3-3 on the year and 1-1 in Big Ten play. Illinois will turn to the young dual threat quarterback, Nathan Scheelhaase, to turn their offense around, and improve on the seven points scored last week. He needs to do a better job of protecting the football in this contest for Illinois to keep on winning. Purdue will rely on their strong defense to keep them in this game. Purdue also has a strong running game, averaging 206.5 yards per game, and will need that rushing attack to continue strong if they want to hang with Illinois. But Illinois will bounce back from last week’s loss and beat Purdue in this matchup.
Lock of Week: 8-0
Game of the Week: 5-2
