Big Ten Football '09: Week Four Preview

Now comes the time of year when the people of the Midwest stop pulling for each other's teams and start the hatred.

It's Big Ten football.

Let the smack talk begin.

After an exciting week three of Big Ten football, week four kicks off with some great matchups, including Michigan-Indiana, Wisconsin-Michigan State, and Minnesota-Northwestern.

(All times are Eastern Standard.)

Illinois Fighting Illini (1-1) @ No. 13 Ohio State Buckeyes (3-0) 3:30 ABC

Illinois' season did not start out as hoped.

Ohio State is just hitting their stride.

This game will get ugly quickly, as Terrelle Pryor continues to build off a strong performance against Toledo.

The Ohio State defense will fluster Illinois quarterback "Juice" Williams, and without Illinois linebacker Martez Wilson, the Buckeyes will dominate this contest.

Buckeyes 28, Illini 13

Indiana Hoosiers (3-0) @ No. 23 Michigan Wolverines (3-0) 12:00 ESPN2

The Indiana Hoosiers' 3-0 start has been a pleasant surprise.

Fun's over, boys.

Expect Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier and running back Carlos Brown to both have monster games against a yet untested Hoosier defense.

Indiana will try to slow down the Wolverines' high-powered offense with ends Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton.

The Hoosiers haven't won in Ann Arbor since 1967.

They won't this time either.

Wolverines 34, Hoosiers 10

Iowa Hawkeyes (3-0) @ No. 5 Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0) 8:00 ABC

In the marquee game this week, Iowa looks to repeat in Happy Valley against Linebacker U—except Penn State will likely be limited with both linebackers Sean Lee and Navorro Bowman suffering from injuries.

The Hawkeyes will have to figure out how they are going to play on offense: like the team that was miserable the whole game against Northern Iowa or the team that put up some points against Arizona.

A concern on PSU's offense is the run game. The Lions finally got it going on the ground last week behind Evan Royster, but Iowa's run defense is stingy.

Iowa's offense could be hampered by injury, with tight end Tony Moeaki, wide receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, and left tackle Bryan Bulaga all suffering some sort of injury.

Penn State gets revenge in this one, and Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark has a big game.

Lions 17, Hawkeyes 10

Michigan State Spartans (1-2) @ Wisconsin Badgers (3-0) 12:00 ESPN/ESPN2

Watch out, Michigan State. If there is a trap game, this is it.

Sandwiched between Notre Dame and Michigan is Wisconsin.

Michigan State goes into Camp Randall stadium looking for some answers. After consecutive losses, including to Notre Dame, the Spartans hope to bounce back with a "W" in Madison.

The most interesting thing about this game is the two quarterbacks. Wisconsin's Scott Tolzien and Michigan State's Kirk Cousins are the Big Ten's highest-rated quarterbacks after three weeks of play.

Wisconsin's front seven has been playing better than expected, but the secondary is suspect.

MSU's defense has been much worse than advertised.

The Badgers will get Camp Randall "jumpin' around," and Michigan State will go to 1-3 before a big showdown with Michigan.

Badgers 34, Spartans 24

Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-1) @ Northwestern Wildcats (2-1) 12:00 BTN

This game will be very interesting, as Minnesota's offense (which hasn't lived up to expectations) and Northwestern's defense (which also hasn't lived up to expectations) tangle in Evanston.

Minnesota's Eric Decker proved that he is one of the best receivers in the country last week, catching two touchdown passes against Cal.

Decker also proved his toughness, getting blasted by Cal safety Sean Cattouse but holding on to the ball.

If Minnesota doesn't start using somebody besides Decker on offense, it could be a long day for the Gophers.

Gophers 31, Wildcats 17

Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2-1) @ Purdue Boilermakers (1-2) 8:00 ESPN

Notre Dame suffered a crushing defeat to Michigan two weeks ago but rebounded last week with a win over Michigan State. The Irish will continue their streak of games against Big Ten foes when they travel to West Lafayette for a battle with the Boilermakers.

Purdue has been inconsistent this season, taking Oregon to the wire before losing and then losing a game they should have won to Northern Illinois.

Purdue is another Big Ten team that has struggled to maintain some offensive consistency.

If Boilers quarterback Joey Elliott can get something going in the passing game, expect Purdue running back Ralph Bolden to have another big game.

Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen will probably be limited after suffering a foot injury last week, and Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd is out for the season.

Boilers 27, Irish 21

Let the battle for Big Ten supremacy begin!