Big 10 Week 9 Breakdown
The Big Ten offered an exciting slate of games last week, highlighted by an epic showdown between Michigan State and Wisconsin, which ended on a last second Hail Mary that went to the review booth and was ruled a touchdown. This week the battle tested Spartans travel to Lincoln to play the Cornhuskers in their first major road test of the year.
Lock of the Week: Iowa at Minnesota
Iowa dismantled Indiana last week, beating them in convincing fashion, 45-24. Junior quarterback James Vandenberg stole the show completing an impressive 12 of his 16 passing attempts for four scores and 253 yards. His favorite target was senior Marvin McNutt who reeled in six balls for 184 yards. Half of his catches went for touchdowns bringing his season total to eight. Sophomore running back, Marcus Coker, had a great game to balance the Hawkeyes aerial assault by pounding the ball on the ground 23 times for 139 yards and two touchdowns. These two players provided all the offense the Hawkeyes needed, as their defense played solid throughout the game. Minnesota has yet to win a conference game and has struggled mightily on both sides of the ball. They average only 17.4 points per game, while giving up 35.9. Their offense is balanced, averaging 142.9 yards per game on the ground and 150.9 through the air. Iowa will continue their high level of play and Minnesota will still be winless in conference play.
Iowa 49 Minnesota 13
Upset Alert! Illinois at Penn State
Illinois has now lost two straight games and the streak has to stop at some point. Penn State is riding a high emotional wave after Joe Paterno picked up his 400th career victory. Some times in the college game these highs turn to extreme lows. Illinois is hungry for a victory. To get it this week they need to rely on the talented sophomore signal caller, Nathan Scheelhaase. He has not been able to connect on the big plays lately only throwing for 386 yards and one touchdown in the last two games. He needs to have a big rebound game against a stingy Penn State defense that is ranked 5th in points against, only giving up 13.1 per game. Penn State’s defense, as usual, will be the key to victory and Illinois needs to get their spark on offense if they wish to turn around their season. This game could be the key win.
Game of the Week: Michigan State at Nebraska
Michigan State, fresh off an epic victory over Wisconsin for the second straight year takes their battle tested team on the road against a tough Nebraska team. The Cornhuskers pounded Minnesota last week, hanging up 41 points and only giving up 14. Nebraska’s offense is run through dual threat quarterback Taylor Martinez. He will need to have another big game to pull Nebraska to victory against a very good Michigan State defense. Michigan State’s offense will be tested against a solid Nebraska defense. The Spartans offense is led by senior quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is a productive signal caller and a proven winner. Michigan State will fall in a tough road battle to a highly charged Nebraska team.
Nebraska 27 Michigan State 23
Best of the Rest
Wisconsin at Ohio State
The Badgers are coming off a disappointing and heartbreaking loss to the Spartans in East Lansing. Now they are travelling to Columbus for a chance to be triumphant in another very difficult place to play. The Badgers offense stalled once Montee Ball went down with a neck injury, but he came back and the Badgers played better in the second half before they lost in the waning seconds of the game. Ball appears to be at full strength and will be the key to the Badgers offense, so expect Ohio State to keep a close eye on him. Ohio State is coming off of a bye week after a huge road win at Illinois two weeks ago. They will be fresh and ready for this big game against the Badgers. Ohio State will turn to their defense to keep them in the game and keep the Badgers high powered offense off the board. The Badgers will walk away victorious in this game as their offense will prove too much for the Buckeyes to handle in this contest.
Wisconsin 42 Ohio State 21
Purdue at Michigan
Both the Boilermakers and the Wolverines are two and one in the Big Ten this year and getting off to a three and one start would be huge for either program. The Wolverines were off last week after a brutal loss to rival Michigan State. They will be rested and ready to go. Denard Robinson needs to have a big bounce back game for the Wolverines to win. Purdue will need to rely on their defense that is giving up only 20 points per game. Denard Robinson will have his hands full in this game, but he and the rest of the Wolverines will make enough plays to win in front of their rambunctious home crowd.
Michigan 37 Purdue 21
Northwestern at Indiana
This game pits two conference winless teams against each other, so something has to give. The Hoosiers defense has been awful this season giving up 33.4 points per contest. Their offense has not been great but has maintained great balance, ranking 70th in pass, and 67th in rushing. Northwestern will look to feast on this weak Indiana defense. Offensively Northwestern is scoring 27.7 points per game, but look for that number to rise this Saturday. Dan Persa will likely explode and lead Northwestern to victory.
Northwestern 42 Indiana 28
Game of the Week: 5-3
Lock of the Week: 9-0
