Big Ten Predictions: Week 5

     The Big Ten season is upon us. There are a lot of great games this week to kick off conference play. Penn State traveling to Iowa, and Michigan State hosting Wisconsin are the biggest matchups of the weekend. Who will come out on top? Here are my predictions for the first weekend of Big Ten play(winners in bold):

Northwestern @ Minnesota

Northwestern has had a couple of close calls against weak competition but still have a solid team. Minnesota has been struggling all year and I wouldn't expect that to get any better now. Look for Northwestern to burn Minnesota through the air en route to an easy victory.

#2 Ohio State @ Illinois

Illinois has been better than expected so far this season, but I wouldn't expect them to knock off the Buckeyes who are primed for a Big Ten and BCS National Championship run. Illinois will be too one dimensional to move the ball on the Buckeye defense for them to threaten to win this game.

#19 Michigan @ Indiana

Both teams enter this game with great offenses and below average defenses. The quarterbacks will be the story of this game. Michigan led by Denard Robinson and Indiana led by Ben Chappell could create an entertaining shootout. The difference between these two teams is Michigan has played two BCS opponents while Indiana has played the worst non-conference schedule in the Big Ten. Expect Michigan to get a couple of key stops and win by a couple of touchdowns.

#22 Penn State @ #17 Iowa

Penn State has dropped two consecutive games to Iowa and I don't expect this year to be any different. The Hawkeyes should be right in the thick of the Big Ten title race and they will be ready to start it off on the right foot at home. Penn State has struggled on offense this year and that won't get any better when they face off with a defense like Iowa.

Game of the week

#11 Wisconsin @ #24 Michigan State

This should be one of the best games in the entire country on Saturday. Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio will be coaching from the press box in what promises to be a physical Big Ten football game. Expect both teams to try and establish the run in this one and control the clock. Michigan State is at home but Wisconsin has the edge on defense.

Should be a great week of football. The games at Iowa and Michigan State could go a long way to clear up the Big Ten title picture.