Big Ten Preview - 11.12.05

Northwestern at Ohio State - This should be a great game. This is a real test for Northwestern. Are they legit? Do they deserve the credit everyone has been giving them? On the whole, I wasn't impressed last week in the win against Iowa. I'll give them some credit for not giving up and coming back in the fourth, but Northwestern's offense was just zoned out most of the day. Iowa is definitely a better team than most expect, but Northwestern, even after the loss to Michigan, should have had the firepower to put the Hawkeyes away. Ohio State, meanwhile, has found an offense, averaging approximately 40 points a game in its last four contests, and the defense is still dominant. Northwestern is still a good team, but Ohio State is a great team. If somehow Ohio State gets into a shootout, it might be able to hang with Northwestern long enough for the Buckeye defense to get back on its feet. If this game is a defensive struggle, then Northwestern doesn't stand a chance. No matter how I look at it, I just do not think that Northwestern is at the same quality level as Ohio State. If would take some very fortuitous events for the Wildcats to leave Ohio State with a victory. Northwestern 15 - Ohio State 24.

Indiana at Michigan - Indiana has yet to play a close game against a quality team. This one should be no different. Indiana 17 - Michigan 38.

Michigan State at Minnesota - Michigan State still needs a win to become bowl-eligible, and they certainly aren't getting it next week against Penn State. It's now or never for the collapsing Spartans. These teams are very close statiscally. Michigan State is 5th in total offense and 11th in scoring offense. Minnesota is 6th and 12th, respectively. Defensively, Michigan State is tied for 70th in scoring defense with, guess who--Minnesota. This should be a high-scoring affair, but I give the edge to Minnesota due to their running backs. I do not see the Spartans stopping RBs Laurence Maroney or Gary Russell. Michigan State 42 - Minnesota 45.

Illinois at Purdue - These two teams are not as close as their records would indicate. Purdue has lost to almost the same teams that Illinois has, but at least it has made the games interesting. Purdue is coming off a win over Michigan State, which hopefully reminded the Boilermakers that they are much better than Illinois. We should see evidence of this fact on Saturday. Purdue has a respectable offense, and Illinois has a laughable defense. Illinois 15 - Purdue 31.

Iowa at Wisconsin - Iowa needs one win to become bowl eligible, and it has games remaining against Wisconsin and Minnesota. It gets Minnesota at home, so there is a good chance of the Hawkeyes downing the Gophers. After the heartbreaking loss to Northwestern last week, though, one has to wonder if Iowa has anything left in its tank. It's lost its last two games by a total of four points. That hurts. Wisconsin has secured a respectable last season for coach Barry Alvarez, but the blowout loss to Penn State put the Badgers in their place. If they get caught feeling sorry for themselves, Iowa is gonna give them another L. Iowa has a balanced offensive attack and a stable defense. Wisconsin, conversely, runs the ball a ton and doesn't put much stock in defense. That formula has worked so far, but if Iowa can bottle up RB Brian Calhoun, its offense is quite capable of running with the Badgers. If this game was at Iowa, I'd call for the upset. Since it isn't, I'm giving the slight edge to Wisconsin. Iowa 31 - Wisconsin 37.