Big Ten Football Preview, Week 5: Big Ten Play Begins

In golf, they call the preseason the "silly season" because the guys really don't practice. They just go to a couple of tournaments, play okay, and cash a few checks.

For some college football teams, they just finished the silly season. For others, Big Ten play is their only hope of having a successful year.

This week starts the second, or real season, for Big Ten schools. I also like it because I don't have to preview 11 different games. So it works out for all of us!

Big Ten Game of the Week

Wisconsin at Michigan State

When the season began, I would have bet a dollar that the Penn State at Iowa game would be this week's BTGOTW (Big Ten game of the week), but with Mark Dantonio's mild heart attack (is any heart attack mild?) and return to coaching in the press box, and with both teams undefeated, this is clearly the better game.

Both are power teams that like to run the ball. Both have good running backs and good non-conference wins (ND and ASU). I think this will be a very close game, and believe it or not, MSU is a home dog, getting two points. I usually side with a home team in a close game, but I have a strange feeling that Wisconsin is the better team.

Wisconsin 24, MSU 21

More Big Ten Play

Northwestern at Minnesota

The Golden Gophers really need a win, and Northwestern is quietly undefeated this year. Could Tim Brewster be gone before the end of October? He could if the Golden Gophers don't start playing better football. This is another home dog scenario where Northwestern is giving 5.5 points. It won't be that close.

Northwestern 28, Minn 14

Ohio State at Illinois

Illinois has given Ohio State fits in the past, but this team led by Ron Zook doesn't really have much to offer to stop Terrelle Pryor and company. Ohio State always has a Big Ten sleeper game on the road (last year it was Purdue), but not in this game. Guess what? Another home dog game: OSU is favored by 17 points. Seems about right.

OSU 31, Illinois 10

Penn State at Iowa

Both teams have high hopes for a Big Ten championship. Iowa's schedule sets up nicely for them, being able to host PSU, MSU, and OSU during Big Ten play. Both teams have already lost a game on the road in 2010. Penn State got manhandled by No. 1 Alabama, and Iowa got down quickly to Arizona and wasn't able to recover.

Penn State's offense will struggle against Iowa's defense. I see this game as a defensive battle with not a lot of points scored. Iowa is favored by seven points.

Iowa 17, Penn State 7

Purdue has a bye.

I will preview the Michigan-IU game on Friday.

A Thought to Ponder on a Thursday Afternoon

How big would next week's Michigan-MSU game be if both teams were undefeated? Storylines: Dantonio's heart condition, Rich Rodriguez trying to beat his in-state rival for the first time, two really good running teams, MSU's first time in the new Big House, and I'm sure there will be a little brother reference or two. (Note: MSU does not play OSU this year.)