Big Ten Football '09: Week Six Preview

After Michigan's loss last week to Michigan State, only two unbeaten teams remain in the conference.

The Iowa Hawkeyes are 5-0 and have won games with a stout defense and a decent offense.

The Wisconsin Badgers are 5-0 and have won games by forcing turnovers and being balanced on offense.

These teams face different tests this weekend, as the Badgers go to face Ohio State in the horseshoe, while Iowa stays at Kinnick Stadium to face Michigan.

Penn State, Northwestern, and Indiana all look for easy wins outside the conference, while Purdue looks for its first conference win against Minnesota.

Michigan State Spartans (2-3, 1-1) @ Illinois Fighting Illini (1-3, 0-2): Noon—BTN

Illinois is so bad, I think me and the class I teach at school could beat them.

Michigan State finally started to get its mojo back against Michigan.

Expect MSU quarterback Kirk Cousins to throw for close to 300 yards against a weak Illini defense and the MSU defense to look really, really good against the inept, Juiceless Illini offense.

Sparty - 35 Illini - 10

Purdue Boilermakers (1-4, 0-1) @ Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-2, 1-1): Noon—ESPN2

Minnesota lost Paul Bunyan's axe in a bad way last week, fumbling on what could have been the game-winning or tying drive to seal the game for Wisconsin.

Purdue has been up and down all season long.

Purdue's stellar run game should take lessons from the Wisconsin playbook and gash the Minnesota defense all day long.

If Purdue's defense can slow down Eric Decker—nobody can stop him—then Purdue will win this game easily.

Gophers - 21 Boilers - 14

Eastern Illinois Panthers (4-1) @ No. 14 Penn State Nittany Lions (4-1, 1-1): Noon—ESPNC

I don't see the merit in this game for Penn State.

Suffice it to say, Eastern Illinois is 4-1 with their wins coming against Illinois State, Southwest Missouri State, Indiana State, and Austin Peay, and their one blemish suffered at the hands of powerhouse Eastern Kentucky.

This game will be like pitting Verne Troyer and LeBron James in a game of one on one.

If Eastern Illinois scores, it will be a moral victory.

Panthers - 0 Nittany Lions - 38

Miami (OH) RedHawks (0-5) @ Northwestern Wildcats (3-2, 1-1): Noon—BTN

If Penn State's opponent is bad, Northwestern's is atrocious.

Miami (OH) has allowed an average of 41 points per game in their five losses this season.

With Northwestern quarterback Mike Kafka and the rest of the squad looking to continue the good feelings going into East Lansing next week, this will be the perfect game to build some confidence.

RedHawks - 3 Wildcats - 42

Indiana Hoosiers (3-2, 0-2) @ Virginia Cavaliers (1-3): 3:30—No TV

Indiana will have a field day with this Virginia team.

Even though Virginia has finally started to do something right, they still have a fatal flaw that the Hoosiers will exploit.

The Cavaliers allow too many sacks. In fact, against Cincinnati last month, they allowed eight in one game!

Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton, Indiana's defensive ends, will each have about three sacks apiece...could be a long day, Cavs.

Hoosiers - 34 Cavaliers - 17

Wisconsin Badgers (5-0, 2-0) @ No. 9 Ohio State Buckeyes (4-1, 2-0): 3:30—ABC

These last two games should be real doozies.

No one is picking Wisconsin to be even close to tOSU at the 'Shoe.

Wait a minute.

Which Big Ten team is the only team the Sweater Vest does not have a winning record against? You guessed it—Wisconsin.

Wisconsin is undefeated, and most of their games have been deceptively close final scores.

Ohio State has, statistically, the best defense in the conference.

Wisconsin has the most efficient passing offense and is tied for the largest positive turnover margin.

Wisconsin's weakness seems to be the pass defense, while OSU quarterback Terrelle Pryor has not yet proved he can take advantage of said weakness.

Oh yeah. Wisconsin has won three out of the last four contests between these teams in the 'Shoe.

Badgers - 21 Buckeyes - 20

Michigan Wolverines (4-1, 1-1) @ No. 12 Iowa Hawkeyes (5-0, 1-0): 8:05—ABC

Michigan needs to rebound in a big way after losing to "little brother" Michigan State.

Iowa looks to remain unbeaten and continue its quest for that elusive conference championship.

Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier will have to be very careful with the ball, as Iowa is tied for the lead in the conference in takeaways.

Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi needs to manage a clean game and get everyone involved in the offense.

Michigan's rushing offense has been very good, and Iowa's rush defense is stout...somethin's gotta give.

Wolverines - 17 Hawkeyes - 24

While you watch the games, join me online for the weekly game of "Who Will the Big Ten Suspend Next?"