Big Ten Football Week 3 Previews: Keys to All 12 Games

Just like the Big Ten in general, the picks took a step back in Week 2, dropping to 8-4 after a 10-2 start. This week brings a lot of big games and a chance to bounce back into the double digits (18-6 overall).  Let's jump right into the previews and focus on the keys to each game:

Eastern Michigan at Michigan

Each of these teams enters the game 2-0, which is more of a novelty for the Eagles as they have not stood 2-0 since '89. Michigan will look to ride the momentum of last week's fourth quarter to an easy victory against an overmatched EMU team.

The key to the game will be how well Michigan can develop a running game, aside from Denard Robinson. Robinson has been half of the rushing attack so far and that will not be a recipe for success as the season goes along. The kinks need to be ironed out now.

Michigan wins by 31.

Southeastern Missouri State at Purdue

Well perhaps this is the week Purdue plays a boring game. Hopefully, after needing some big special teams breaks to win the first game, the Boilermaker defense begins to make some better plays in the secondary against a team that does not like to pass the ball first.

The key to the game will be how well Robert Marve plays in his return from injury. Marve is the guy right now, as Caleb Terbush is not getting the job done and Rob Henry is likely out for the season. If Marve comes back firing on all or most cylinders, Purdue will be ready for Notre Dame in two weeks.

Purdue wins by 21.

Penn State at Temple

For the record, it has been 70 years since Temple beat Penn State, and they have played 50 times since then. That Temple win actually predates Joe Paterno. Still, the Owls made big strides and had a more competitive effort against the Nittany Lions last year (22-13). Despite the loss of coach Al Golden, Temple is still a solid team and is playing at home.

The key to the game is whether Penn State can get Silas Redd a few more holes to run through. Temple has not been tested by either of their first two opponents in the running game and there might be a weakness there that can also cover up how poorly the quarterbacks are playing for Penn State.

Penn State wins by 10.

Pittsburgh at Iowa

Hope the Hawkeyes weren't too attached to that Cy-Hawk Trophy. Despite giving up an inflated number of points in a triple overtime loss, the Iowa defense has risen to the occasion on most critical plays so far this season. That will need to continue as Pittsburgh has run wild with Ray Graham against their first two opponents.

The key to the game will be if either team can begin to make big plays on defense. Both teams struggled to put away teams last weekend, and the Hawkeyes and the Panthers will be ready to take advantage of any big mistakes to provide a short field. Pittsburgh is a tough test, but Iowa is just too good at home to lose again.

Iowa wins by 3.

South Carolina State at Indiana

The Hoosiers take a step back to the easy schedule the next two weeks after playing tough in a loss against Virginia. If Kevin Wilson can bottle the magic that helped the Hoosiers rip-off 28 straight points against the Cavaliers, then Indiana may be relevant in some Big Ten games this year. One big test will be to see if Indiana can bounce back this week following a heartbreaking loss in Week 2.

The key to the game will be Indiana getting the passing game going with Edward Wright-Baker and Demarlo Belcher. Although the two have hooked up for a touchdown already, expect bigger things as the offense works the problems out from the first two weekends.

Indiana wins by 27.

Miami (Ohio) at Minnesota

Adios positive momentum. It was hard to tell whether the Golden Gophers coaching staff was more surprised by Jerry Kill's seizure (which some of them had seen before) or the complete lack of good play against lowly New Mexico State. Miami does not have Michael Heywood at coach anymore, but this is a team that beat Jerry Kill when he had more talent at Northern Illinois last season. This does not bode well for the Gophers.

The key to the game will be whether Minnesota can stop the passing game. Miami is a power team that will establish the run, but the Redhawks know as well as everyone else that Minnesota has serious problems in the defensive secondary. Assuming quarterback Zac Dysert takes advantage of openings, this will be the difference.

Miami Ohio wins by 3.

Arizona State at Illinois

The Sun Devils have a new look in uniforms and logo this season, and Dennis Erickson hopes the 2-0 start and a win over Missouri will be the beginning of a big season for a program on the rise. However, their first road trip of the season comes in Champaign, which is a tough place to play. Arizona State struggled to contain mobile Missouri quarterback James Franklin, so Nathan Scheelhaase might have a field day as long as superstar linebacker Vontaze Burfict does not get a few hits on him.

The key to the game will be whether Illinois can overcome their mental block against ranked teams. Illinois has not beaten a ranked team since upsetting No. 1 Ohio State on the road in late '07. Scheelhaase will be expected to carry a heavy load, as Arizona State will put up some points and keep the pressure on. Will the Illini finally break through?

Illinois wins by 4.

Northwestern at Army

Northwestern has survived the first two weeks without Dan Persa, and even though he could likely go this week, it appears that Kain Colter will take the start again this week. Colter has been magnificent in a backup role and will need to be even more assertive after seeing his top two running backs get dinged up last weekend.

The key to the game will be how well the Northwestern linebackers stop the Army option and rare passes. Pat Fitzgerald knows how to train linebackers for situations like this, and Northwestern has far more talent on defense than the boys from West Point have on offense.

Northwestern wins by 18.

Wisconsin vs. Northern Illinois (Chicago)

Wisconsin has looked highly impressive in the first two weeks of the season, but now the Badgers must leave Madison and will play a higher caliber team than UNLV. Northern Illinois has a strong passing attack, which might be well suited to keying on the one potential weakness of Wisconsin: The defensive backfield. However, Wisconsin will also be moving the ball well in this game.

The key to the game will be whether Northern Illinois can improve in third down defense. Wisconsin has been so effective thus far that NIU cannot afford to be stuck on the field where they will eventually be worn down by the bigger Wisconsin athletes.

Wisconsin wins by 24.

Michigan State at Notre Dame

Last year, these two teams played a classic that was one of many disappointing losses for Brian Kelly and one of many close wins for the future Big Ten champion Spartans. Considering how the first two Notre Dame games have gone, this one could also be headed for a close finish. Michigan State is a better team, but not by enough to make much of a difference, especially on the road.

The key to the game will be whether Notre Dame can cut out the red zone turnovers. Michigan State knows what South Florida and Michigan did to Notre Dame, and they will be looking to exacerbate those problems of the Irish. If Notre Dame falls behind, the house of cards may fall once more. However, this could be the week that finally changes, as Michigan State is due for a couple of turnovers.

Notre Dame wins by 3.

Washington at Nebraska

These two teams played in Seattle last year and in the bowl game, splitting the two games. Thus, this opponent may know Nebraska better than any other opponent this season. Washington does not have Jake Locker anymore, but receivers Jermaine Kearse and Devin Aguilar have kept the passing numbers going into 2011. Nebraska will need to play better than they did against Fresno State on defense to stop the Huskies.

The key to the game will be whether Washington can contain Taylor Martinez. They certainly failed to do so in a 30-point loss in Seattle last season, and Martinez is ready to have another breakout performance. The Huskies defense will need to improve dramatically and tackle better to slow the Nebraska attack, which should be back to full speed this week.

Nebraska wins by 20.

Ohio State at Miami

Call it the "Ineligi-Bowl" if you must, but this is one of the more compelling games of the weekend, since each team gets back about half of the players that have been suspended since the beginning of the season. These returning players include Miami starting quarterback Jacory Harris and Ohio State starting (for now) running back Jordan Hall. Each team struggled in their previous game, but it is difficult to get a good read on teams missing so much of their critical talent. This week will go a long way to seeing if either of these teams is good enough to compete for a conference crown.

The key to the game will be whether Jacory Harris continues to make mistakes in big games. Last year, he threw an astounding four interceptions at bad times in Columbus, and there is no way the Hurricanes can survive that kind of performance even against a depleted OSU team. However, Ohio State usually struggles in their first road game and this will be no different. In a true coin flip game, Harris finally is the different in a positive way.

Miami wins by 4.

So there's the week. Michigan State, Iowa, and Ohio State can go a long way to improving the conference perception with wins this week. However, none of these wins will make a difference in conference play, so losses are not critical at this point. Expect some more good games, but the Big Ten should improve on last week's 7–5 record.