Big Ten Week 11 Breakdown
The Big Ten had another great sports weekend. The race to the Big Ten Championship game is in full tilt and every game from here on out is magnified. This week features some games that promise to be epic and some great rivalries as well.
Lock of the Week: Wisconsin at Minnesota
The Battle for the Paul Bunyan axe is typically a great and exciting game. However, the Badgers usually are not this good and the Golden Gophers are typically not this bad. Minnesota almost beat Michigan State a week ago and has proven throughout the year that they are not just going to lie down and accept a defeat. They will fight Wisconsin from the kickoff to the last whistle, but the Badgers will just be too much for them to handle. Montee Ball, the Badgers top running back this year, has already accumulated 21 touchdowns. Just a week ago he rushed for 223 yards and three scores on just 20 carries! Look for the Badgers to give Minnesota a full dose of Montee Ball, as he runs wild on them. The Badgers will shut the door on the Golden Gophers and foil the hopes of returning the axe to Minnesota by halftime.
Badgers 59 Minnesota 10
Upset Alert! Michigan State at Iowa
The Spartans are coming off an emotional and late victory over the lowly Golden Gophers. They managed to escape the jaws of defeat and avoid the upset. Although this may have been a wakeup call, it also proves to Iowa that this team is beatable. Iowa is a difficult place for anyone to play and the fan base will be loud and proud as they try to knock off the Spartans. Expect this game to be a low scoring affair, as Michigan State’s stingy defense has been the reason they have been able to win games this year. Opponents are only scoring 16 points per game against them. Iowa has been finding ways to win all year. They have a very balanced offense, which makes them difficult to defend. Quarterback James Vandenberg is having a great year, tossing 18 touchdowns versus only four interceptions. On the ground the Hawkeyes have been reliant on sophomore running back Marcus Coker. He is a powerful runner who uses his 6’1 230 pound frame to its full advantage. The Spartans defense will have to bring their A game if they want to stop this train. Look for him to improve on his 12 touchdowns and 5.2 yards per carry average. Iowa will give Michigan State a huge dose of Coker and he may be the difference in this contest.
On the other side of the ball Michigan State is led by senior quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is one of the most efficient players in the nation. He has completed just over 64 percent of his passes so far this season and has thrown for 13 scores. His ability to make smart decisions and keep the ball moving down field keeps Michigan State in every game that they play. Combining him with Le’Veon Bell, their leading rusher, makes this offense very balanced and at times difficult to contain. Bell has eight touchdowns on the year and is averaging 5.2 yards per carry. When you combine these two, plus their great defense, Michigan State is a tough team to beat, at home or on the road. The Spartans are in every game they play and when Cousins take over in the fourth quarter, magic can happen. But at some point that magic has to run out and Iowa is hoping it is in front of their home fans.
Game of the Week! : Nebraska at Penn State
This game would have the nation’s peak interest, regardless of who they were playing, thanks to the giant Joe Paterno mess. However the fact that they are hosting Nebraska makes this game even more interesting. Coming into this week, I felt that Nebraska would hand Penn State their first loss of the year. Now when you pile on everything else that has shaken this program since last week, I think Penn State’s chances are even slimmer. Like it or not, Joe Pa is out as Head Coach. Players are not happy, fans are not happy, and most of the nation is not all that happy about it either. No matter how you shake it, this mess has been a distraction for the Nittany Lions. In case this game was not big enough and hard enough to prepare for, these distractions could cripple Penn State. It is such a mess that the Penn State board of trustees has asked to keep Wide Receiver’s coach Mike McQueary off the field for Saturday’s game. Now to the game. Penn State has been winning games on defense, allowing the third fewest points per game at 12.4. Their offense has struggled this season, only scoring 21.8 points per game, which is 100th in the nation. Nebraska on the other hand has been lighting up the scoreboard to the tune of 34.7 points per game. Their rushing attack has been incredible, averaging 237.7 yards a game. Penn State will have their hands full trying to stop that attack, which is led by dual threat quarterback Taylor Martinez and their star running back, Rex Burkhead. Look for Nebraska to dominate this game.
Nebraska 27 Penn State 13
Best of the Rest!
Michigan at Illinois
The Wolverines are having a resurgent season but are coming off a tough loss to Iowa. They will come out angry and ready to roll in this game. Illinois, on the other hand, have lost three straight games. They will certainly be looking to end their skid and there is no better place to do so than at home. This game pits two very exciting quarterbacks against each other in Michigan's Denard Robinson and Illinois’ Nathan Scheelhaase. The winner of this game could very well come down to which quarterback has the better game. Robinson has an impressive stat line, throwing for 13 touchdowns and 1,519 yards. On the ground he has done even more damage, averaging six yards per carry, scoring 10 times for over 800 yards. Scheelhaase has been impressive as well, tossing 12 touchdowns and totaling 1,687 yards. He has been equally impressive with his legs scoring five touchdowns and running for 501 yards, averaging 3.7 yards per carry. If this game comes down to quarterback play, Michigan has a distinct advantage and walks away winners in this game.
Michigan 45 Illinois 28
Ohio State at Purdue
Purdue is one of the worst teams in the Big Ten and Ohio State is coming off a victory over Indiana. Look for Ohio State to roll over Purdue in this game. Braxton Miller, a freshman quarterback, has given the Buckeyes a big lift on offense. He beats teams with his legs and his arm. Purdue will not be able to contain him in this game. Look for him to go wild. He has tossed six touchdowns on the year and will likely throw a pair in this game as well. Look for Ohio State to stay on track by dominating Purdue early and often.
Ohio State 37 Purdue 17
Rice at Northwestern
Northwestern is coming off a huge win over Nebraska and needs to make sure they do not fall into the trap of playing a weak Rice team. Northwestern has put together a solid season, despite only tailing four victories. The Wildcats are a team that has hung in there with the big boys in the Big Ten and has played every team tough. They are a team with a lot of fight and should dismantle Rice. Northwestern has one of the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten in Dan Persa. Watch for him to have an outstanding game as Northwestern rolls over Rice.
Northwestern 41 Rice 24
