Big Ten Football '09: Week Eleven Preview

Last week proved to be a season changing week in the Big Ten Conference. Ohio State made a statement, and after flirting with disaster all season long, Iowa finally fell.

Wisconsin continued to quietly grind out wins, and Michigan proved, yet again, why they may to finish last in the conference. Yes Michigan, Northwestern was bowl-eligible before you.

Another titanic battle is in the offing this week, as Iowa and Ohio State duke it out for conference supremacy. If Iowa loses, we will be looking at the possibility of four teams knotted up atop the conference standings with two losses apiece at the end of the season.

Michigan, Michigan State, and Minnesota will look to become bowl eligible, while Purdue  will try to keep its bowl hopes alive.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits (7-2), (6-1) @ Minnesota Golden Gophers (5-5), (3-4); 12:00 p.m.—Big Ten Network (BTN)

Minnesota and quarterback Adam Weber will still be without sensational wideout Eric Decker, but the Gophers should have no problems handling the Jackrabbits.

The Gophers have a more balanced offense now that Decker is gone, and will be stinging comin' off of a loss to Illinois...this one will get ugly...fast.

'Rabbits 3, Gophers 35

Indiana Hoosiers (4-6), (1-5) @ No. 18 Penn State Nittany Lions (8-2), (4-2); 12:00 p.m.—BTN

Indiana has taken a nosedive following a surprisingly good start to the season.

Penn State is hoping for Iowa and/or OSU to trip up twice so they can sneak into a BCS bowl berth.

Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark and company will be out for blood this week, and Indiana will fold like an opossum that thinks its in danger.

Happy Valley will be rockin' for this one.

Hoosiers 14, Nittany Lions 31

Michigan Wolverines (5-5), (1-5) @ No. 20 Wisconsin Badgers (7-2), (4-2); 12:00 p.m.—BTN

Wisconsin is quietly turning in a very productive season. With battles against Michigan, Northwestern, and Hawaii left on the schedule, the Badgers are staring at the possibility of a 10-win season.

Michigan is another story. With games remaining against the Badgers and Ohio State, Michigan is staring at a five-win season, barring a colossal turn of events.

Camp Randall Stadium is not the best place to play for opposing teams, and Michigan just lost to Purdue, a team Wisconsin beat 37-0.

The Badgers will have sophomore running back sensation John Clay, and go into this game toting the best rush defense in Big Ten conference play.

Michigan has gained the most rushing yards per game this season so something has to give...

Wolverines 17, Badgers 35

Michigan State Spartans (5-5), (3-3) @ Purdue Boilermakers (4-6), (3-3); 12:00 p.m.—ESPN/ESPN2

With games remaining against Michigan State and Indiana, Purdue could become bowl eligible if they win.

Michigan State has to win this one because their bowl hopes hinge on a victory in this game, or next week against Penn State.

Purdue rolled last week against Michigan, and expect that offense to light up the MSU defense this week.

Sparty 24, Boilers 28

Northwestern Wildcats (6-4), (3-3) @ Illinois Fighting Illini (3-6), (2-5); 12:00 p.m.—ESPN/ESPN2

In the first battle for the Land of Lincoln Trophy, Ron Zook and his boys will try to throw a monkey-wrench in the Wildcat's bowl hopes.

A loss here could be the difference between a New Year's Day bowl and the Toilet Bowl for Northwestern.

Expect no letdown after a huge upset of Iowa, as defensive end Corey Wootton dominates the Illini offensive line, and Northwestern rolls.

Wildcats 24, Illini 14

No. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes (9-1), (5-1)  @ No. 11 Ohio State Buckeyes (8-2), (5-1); 3:30 p.m.—ABC

In the game of the week, Terrelle Pryor will face the best defense he has faced all season.

Iowa has been on the razor-edge of disaster all season, and after losing quarterback Ricky Stanzi, the Hawkeyes have fallen off.

Ohio State will dominate this game, and Iowa will be hoping to avoid ending the season on a three game losing streak.

The injury riddled Hawkeyes will not be able to contain Pryor and the offense that only scored 10 on Northwestern will struggle mightily against the Buckeyes defense.

Hawks 7, Buckeyes 21

Ohio State entrenches itself firmly in the driver's seat this week, and the conference race will look a little clearer at the top.