The Big Ten race got a little clearer this week. I was 4-2 in my picks, but the 2 loses hurt and were both atop their respective divisions. I had MSU losing to Iowa and OSU beating Purdue, but while these games seem to have made the division races clearer, it won't take much to make everything crazy again. Here's the current standings:
Legends Division
Michigan State 8-2 (5-1)
Nebraska 8-2 (4-2)
Michigan 8-2 (4-2)
Iowa 6-4 (3-3)
Northwestern 5-5 (2-4)
Minnesota 2-8 (1-5)
Leaders Division
Penn State 8-2 (5-1)
Wisconsin 8-2 (4-2)
Purdue 5-5 (3-3)
Ohio State 6-4 (3-3)
Illinois 6-4 (2-4)
Indiana 1-9 (0-6)
Week 12 Games:
Nebraska (4-2) @ Michigan (4-2)
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| Toussaint Has Been Running Strong |
*The race for 2nd place behind Michigan State. Should Sparty lose to Indiana or Northwestern and Nebraska win out, the Huskers would go to Indianapolis. Michigan finishes the season with two tough home games as the Wolverines focus and resilience will be tested. I think Penn State's defense is better than Michigan's, but I think Michigan has a better offense than Penn State. Michigan's run game has improved as of lately with Fitzgerald Toussaint having some big games. Denard Robinson hasn't had to be all of this offense, and it's a good thing because he's been dinged up. This will be an interesting matchup on both sides of the ball, but I look for Nebraska to pull through in another close one.
Indiana (0-6) @ Michigan State (5-1)
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| Keyshawn Martin is a Playmaker |
*Not much to say here. If Michigan beats Nebraska, MSU can afford one more loss. This game shouldn't be that loss. This matches the top of the conference with the bottom, and while the middle of the pack has been a constant battle; this game shouldn't even be close. MSU is known for stumbling, but this game should be a blowout. Sparty can be Sparty next week.
Iowa (3-3) @ Purdue (3-3)
*An interesting matchup at home as Purdue is high from their overtime win over OSU, and Iowa is down from their loss to MSU. Purdue is one win from being bowl eligible, and they finish the season with Indiana; so two wins isn't out of the picture and would be a great end to the season for Danny Hope and the Boilermakers. The Boilers D passed the Buckeye rush test, but now they'll face a more balanced attack from the Hawkeyes. Iowa is the better team, but I think Purdue ends up getting the 'W' this weekend.
Minnesota (1-5) @ Northwestern (2-4)
*Northwestern, like Purdue, is one win from being bowl eligible; and they really want to get it this week because Michigan State comes calling next week. Minnesota is still fighting hard and trying to find something to build on for the future under Coach Jerry Kill. This should be a good game, but I would definitely give an edge to Northwestern with it being at home and all. A win by the Wildcats would see their new-found success meet division leader Michigan State in the regular season finale, but a loss would most likely end any chance at a post-season game. I'm picking Northwestern big behind their passing game.
Penn State (5-1) @ Ohio State (3-3)
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| McGloin's Performance Will Be Crucial for PSU |
*This game would have meant so much more had the Buckeyes not crapped their pants against Purdue, but instead we're left with a game that is basically meaningless unless Wisconsin losses to Illinois...like that's gonna happen. The Buckeyes were given their opportunity to win the Big Ten but proved they weren't worthy. It will be Senior Night in Columbus, and DeVier Posey will be back, so maybe something mildly entertaining will come from Jim Bollman's offense...and I'm just full of jokes tonight. This will be a battle of defenses, and the Buckeye's has looked piss poor since their outstanding performance against Wisconsin. This will be interesting to see which Buckeye team hits the field and how the Nittany Lions respond to all of their issues as well as their first loss in Big Ten play. Last year Matt McGloin passed for two first-half touchdowns while staring down the Buckeye sideline. The Bucks responded with two second-half pick-6's, and that seems to be a common occurance in this rivalry. Will McGloin prevail this year, and how will Silas Redd fare against this Buckeye defense? The Buckeyes have blamed their poor performances of the past two weeks on the early game time, but they won't have that excuse this week. They will need a strong performance to get the 'W'.
Wisconsin (4-2) @ Illinois (2-4)
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| Montee Ball is Racking Up Yards Again |
*Wisconsin is 2 wins away from going to Indianapolis, and they can taste it. The one time strong favorite to win the conference apears to be back on a roll, and they seem to be the favorite by just about everyone even though PSU still holds the divisional lead. Illinois has done a great job of impersonating Michigan from the Rich Rod years as they have lost four straight since starting 6-0. The Boilermakers and Buckeyes will be praying for an Illini victory, but common sense would say otherwise. The only thing Illinois really has going is that this game is at home, and Wisconsin has struggled on the road this year.
The Conclusion:
What a great week of Big Ten football we have ahead of us. Every game has a sub plot as to why it's important. The Nebraska @ Michigan and Penn State @ Ohio State games seem to be the most intringuing match-ups of the weekend, but the Wisconsin @ Illinois game might be the most important. It shouldn't be much of a match-up as Wisconsin is back to their dominant form, and Illinois looks to have packed up their bags for the season; but that game, along with possibly the Michigan State @ Northwestern game of next weekend, have the ability to shake up the Big Ten Standings once again. Both Wisconsin and Michigan State should win, but both teams have the possibility of losing focus and over-looking teams in road games where just about every Big Ten team has struggled. The dust seems it has started to settle, and after this weekend; we will once again learn what these teams are made of.
My Big Ten Championship Game Prediction:
Leaders Division Champion: Wisconsin
Legends Division Champion: Michigan State
