Big Ten Preview and Picks for Week 7

This week there are two Big Ten teams with a bye (Penn State and Northwestern) and another one playing an out-of-conference game.  A pretty strange week for the Big Ten that does have some headline games.

Big Ten Game of the Week

No. 1 Ohio State at No. 18 Wisconsin

In my preseason prediction I picked Wisconsin in this matchup.  They dominated the game in Columbus last year but gave up three non-traditional touchdowns (a pick-six and two special teams touchdowns).  Can you really dominate a game that you were blown out in?  Probably not. 

The Wisconsin crowd will be "jumping around" and ready for a 7:00 p.m. EST kickoff.  Pryor struggled the last time he was in Madison but did lead a last-minute drive for the win.  Like, I mentioned before I liked Wisconsin before their trip to East Lansing.  OSU did struggle on the road against an all-of-a-sudden-not-terrible Illinois team.  The Buckeyes are a 3.5-point favorite on the road.  This is a coin-flip game for me, the kind that "the Vest" doesn't seem to lose. 

OSU 24, Wisc 21

The Rest of the Big Ten

Arkansas State at Indiana

IU got brought back to earth last Saturday with their trip to C-Bus.  IU's quick start now has two loses in a row.  Well time to relax, sit back and watch IU beat Arkansas State on Saturday.  Well, Arkansas State can play a little bit of football and played Louisville within 10 points a couple of weeks ago.  IU is only a 11.5-point favorite.  Still IU will throw and throw often.

IU 32, Ark State 17

Minnesota at Purdue

Somehow Purdue won last week when their official mascot got changed from a Train or a Big Drum to Perry.

I guess Perry can play some football and Purdue beat a decent Northwestern team last week.  I didn't see the game so I'm not sure how that happened.  Minnesota comes to town with the title of the worst team in the Big Ten with an overall record of 1-5.  If Perry comes to play, I think Purdue can win this game.  If Perry is out with a second ACL injury, Tim Brewster and crew can finally get a Big Ten win.  Purdue is favored by 5.5 this week (what is with all the half points this week?).  

Purdue 21, Minnesota 20

Illinois at Michigan State

Who are these teams?  The Spartans are talking Rose Bowl after wins over Wisconsin and Michigan.  Illinois is talking Pizza Bowl after playing well against Ohio State and beating Penn State on the road.  To quote Lombardi, "What the hell is going on out there?" 

The Spartans are projected to be No. 10 in the BCS ranking when they come out on Sunday.  So two of Michigan's rivals could be in the top 10 of the BCS rankings.  Sorry, I need to use the restroom for a second.  My breakfast bagel isn't sitting well after writing that.  How about Purdue's new Mascot—Perry?

Sorry, where were we?  Got ya, thanks.  Michigan State historically has had a letdown after playing Michigan.  Usually it's against Northwestern.  I have a weird feeling about this game (maybe it's the breakfast bagel?) that maybe Illinois could pretend they are in the Big House and upset the Spartans.  MSU is only favored by a touchdown so Vegas isn't sold that the Spartans will run away with this game either.  Are these the new Spartans?  MSU 27, Illinois 17

Thought for the Day

You could make a case for either team in all the "conference" games this week.  All the lines in the head-to-head Big Ten matchups are under a touchdown.  Could be an interesting weekend. 


I will of course preview the Michigan-Iowa game on Friday.