Big Ten Football: Week 6 Picks and Previews

There is clearly one big-time game this weekend in the Big Ten.  That game will get reviewed by me tomorrow in my regular Michigan game preview.

Here are the rest of the games:

Indiana at Ohio State

Indiana's offense looked unstoppable at times against Michigan's defense last week.  Terrelle Pryor banged up his leg in an uninspiring win over Ron Zook at Illinois last Saturday.  At first glance, I think IU's Pistol offense could give the Buckeyes some trouble but then I think about the 2009 season when IU and Michigan played a similar game and then IU won only one Big Ten game the rest of the year. 

If IU doesn't turn the ball over, I think this becomes another shootout.  But I honestly think Ohio State's defense will slow or stop IU's attack a number of times, which is all they need since IU's defense is pretty poor.  Ohio State is favored by three touchdowns or minus-21.5.   

OSU 42, IU 24

Minnesota at Wisconsin

Both teams are coming off big losses.  The Golden Gophers had a chance to turn around their season with a home win against NW last week and lost by one point.  If this trend keeps up, I don't think Tim Brewester is going to make it to Halloween and most definitely not past Thanksgiving. 

Wisconsin, on the other hand, went from Big Ten champ contender to afterthought after their loss at East Lansing.  I think Wisky will start slow in this one, thinking about Sparty, but will pick it up in the second half.  We have another big line with Wisconsin favored by 22.5 points.    

Wisconsin 28, Minnesota 14

Illinois at Penn State

Another game with both parties coming off losses.  Penn State lost to a good Iowa team and Illinois lost to a good Ohio State game.  Both of these teams are struggling and Penn State is just a better team on defense.  This will be a game that only PSU fans will like.  JoPa is favored by 7.5 points.  

Penn State 20, Illinois 10 

Purdue at Northwestern

I'm not sure Purdue has enough healthy players to fill out the travel team.  Northwestern, on the other hand, is quietly undefeated with wins over teams like Rice, Minnesota, Vandy, and Central Michigan.  Danny Hope's mustache gives his team a slight edge but that can't beat a balanced Northwestern team by itself.  NW is rated 23rd in passing yards nationally and 29th in the nation in points against at only 18 points a game.  The line has NW minus-9.5. 

Northwestern 28, Purdue 7

Iowa is off

A Thought for the Day

After last week's game, many Big Ten fans are feeling that Indiana might be a decent team this year (at least on the offense side of the ball).  Bowl bound right?  Well, after this week's game in Columbus they host Arkansas State at home.  Then they only have two more home games in the Big Ten. 

How does that happen you ask? 

IU sold one of their home games to FedEX Field against Penn State, which might have backfired.  PSU is not as good as they have been the past couple of years (which means PSU fans might not pay top dollar to watch them play Indiana) and IU might have had a great chance to beat them if they left the home game alone.  Oops.


Like mentioned above: I will preview the Michigan-Michigan State game on Friday.