Big Ten Football Week 9 Preview: Northwestern-Penn State Highlights Dull Weekend

With all the NCAA news breaking, I almost forgot to give you the most anticipated post of the week: my thrilling Big Ten Preview.

I know, it's exciting—which is just the opposite of the Big Ten matchups this week. Not one good matchup. That's right—not one.

On to the show...

Minnesota at Michigan State

Not much to say about this one. It's the Big Ten's last place vs. the Big Ten's first place team. MSU got embarrassed at Iowa after MSU's head coach allowed a player to leave a jail cell and step right into practice and play on Saturday. Sometimes karma is a b*tch, right coach? Back to the game. This one won't be close, and the Spartans are a 24-point favorite. MSU 42 Minn 10.

Iowa at Indiana

I am officially off the IU train. Michigan has made them out to be something they are not the last two years. Here is another game that won't be close with Iowa favored by 17 points. I expect Iowa to be a bit asleep early since this game comes after the Michigan, Wisconsin and MSU stretch. It will be closer then we think. Iowa 28 IU 17.

Wisconsin at Purdue

Wow, here is another mismatch. Purdue is struggling without a healthy QB and made news this week as Danny Hope complained about Ron Zook running up the score on the Boilermakers last week. The last Big Ten head coach that made a statement like that was Tim Brewster against Wisconsin, and now Tim is out of a job. I sure hope the Badgers keep it within 30 points. Wisconsin is favored by 20. Wisconsin 38 Purdue 3.

Northwestern at Penn State

This is the most even matchup of the weekend. Penn State is coming off an impressive offensive performance against Michigan's dazed and confused defense last weekend. Northwestern got by Indiana 20-17 to get to 6-2 this year. This game could be JoePa's 400th win and the reason it's the 3:30 game.

This game will be really close since Northwestern is a bit underrated and Penn State after last week might be a bit overrated. JoePa is favored by six points. Northwestern 30 Penn State 24.

I will preview the Illinois at Michigan game on Friday.