Big Ten Football '09: Week Seven Preview

It will be hard to top last week in the Big Ten, with Ohio State, in a bizarre game, once again proving their superiority, and Iowa squeaking past Michigan at home.

This week's slate includes a Michigan duel with Delaware State—yes, Delaware State (insert Big Ten non-conference opponent joke here).

The most interesting games this week will be Minnesota traveling to Penn State and Iowa traveling to Wisconsin.

(If you want to see another Big Ten offense look foolish this week, a la Wisconsin, travel to West Lafayette to see the team leading the conference in turnovers be owned by OSU.)

Illinois Fighting Illini @ Indiana Hoosiers 7:00

A team struggling on offense and defense against another team struggling on offense and defense...hmmm.

If you want to skip a game this week, pick this one—apologies to the fans of these teams.

The Indiana defense will have a field day against the Illini offense and continue along the road to a bowl game.

Illinois - 14 Indiana - 31

No. 11 Iowa Hawkeyes @ Wisconsin Badgers 12:00

Wisconsin moved the ball very well last week and allowed less than 200 yards of offense to OSU.

The problem was quarterback Scott Tolzien threw one more touchdown to the opposition than to his own team.

This will be a battle as undefeated Iowa rolls into Camp Randall Stadium.

This will be a low scoring affair, with big, physical lines punishing each other all day.

Iowa - 10 Sconnie - 17

Delaware State Hornets @ Michigan Wolverines 12:00

Ah, yet another Big Ten powerhouse playing against a cupcake.

Michigan quarterback needs a break after being plagued by the Iowa defense last week.

'Nuff said.

Hornets - 3 Wolverines - 35

Northwestern Wildcats @ Michigan State Spartans 12:00

Michigan State has started back on the road toward respectability with consecutive wins, including one over Michigan.

The matchup to watch in this game will be the Northwestern defensive line against the MSU O-line.

In the MSU loss to Wisconsin three weeks ago, the Badgers disrupted the timing of both Spartan quarterbacks who played, and this led to three interceptions.

Michigan State is playing at a better level now, however, and will give the Wildcats all they can handle...

Spartans - 24 Wildcats - 14

Minnesota Golden Gophers @ No. 14 Penn State Nittany Lions 3:30

This one is an intriguing matchup. Penn State has yet to come even close to beating a good team, while the Gophers haven't shown they are capable of winning a big game either.

Minnesota has established that they can run the ball, and Penn State struggles to run the ball.

In an upset, Minnesota will win this one.

PSU - 14 Gophers - 17

No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes @ Purdue Boilermakers 12:00

As mentioned earlier, Purdue will be run ragged in this game.

An offense that cannot protect the ball and a defense that can't stop anybody is a recipe for disaster against these Buckeyes.

Boilers - 10 Buckeyes - 35

Penn State's battle with Minnesota and Iowa's tangle with Wisconsin are going to be the games to watch this week.

By the way, take the Buckeyes, no matter the spread...