10 Games That Will Shape the Big Ten Title Race

While Wisconsin has emerged as the favorite in the Leaders Division, the Legends Division race is about as clear as a foggy morning along Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.

With conference play now in full force, here's a look at the 10 games that will most impact the race to the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis on Dec. 3.

Michigan at Michigan State, Oct. 15

The only two teams without a conference loss will square off on Saturday afternoon in East Lansing, as the Michigan senior class looks to avoid going 0-for-4 against their "little brother."

Sparty has handed the Wolverines their first loss in each of the past two seasons, and Michigan will bring a 6-0 record into Spartan Stadium. The teams have split the last six meetings in East Lansing.

Illinois at Penn State, Oct. 29

Two teams off to 2-0 starts in conference play will square off in a crucial Leaders Division battle on the final Saturday of October in State College.

Both teams face Wisconsin in late November, and the winner of this game could very well go into their game with the Badgers with a chance to win the division with an upset. Illinois was victorious in last year's meeting, also in Beaver Stadium, after having lost the previous two.

Michigan State at Nebraska, Oct. 29

The Spartans will be a concluding a three-week stretch that has them facing the three highest-ranked teams in the league when they make their first visit to Lincoln since 1996.

The Cornhuskers catch a break, as they have a week off and a game with Minnesota before the showdown with MSU. The contrast of styles between Kirk Cousins and Taylor Martinez should make for a very interesting game at Memorial Stadium.

Wisconsin at Ohio State, Oct. 29

While the Buckeyes are a shell of their former selves, they catch Wisconsin at a good time, as the Badgers will be coming off of a tough non-divisional game at Michigan State, while the Buckeyes have a bye the week before.

Ohio State's only loss of the 2010 season was to the Badgers, so the revenge factor will come into play in a primetime game in Columbus. Wisconsin has not won in Ohio Stadium since 2004, but won three straight there between 1999 and 2004.

Nebraska at Penn State, Nov. 12

Nebraska will go on the road in consecutive weeks to face two teams who were part of national title controversies with the 'Huskers in the mid-90's, with the first coming in State College against Penn State.

This game is the only non-divisional game to make the list, but both teams could play themselves out of the race in their respective divisions before closing with two divisional opponents.

Michigan State at Iowa, Nov. 12

The Spartans rolled into Iowa City at 9-0 last season, and left with a humbling 37-6 defeat at the hands of the Hawkeyes. They'll return to Kinnick Stadium this year for a key Legends Division clash.

Iowa faces all of the other three Legends Division contenders in November, with the Spartans being the middle of those three games. They'll likely need this win to have a chance to play for the division title at Nebraska on the day after Thanksgiving.

Nebraska at Michigan, Nov. 19

If you like accurate passers, this might not be the game for you. However, Denard Robinson and Taylor Martinez are two of the most exciting players in the conference, and the Legends Division may be up for grabs when the Cornhuskers visit Michigan Stadium.

The teams shared a national title in 1997, and last met in the 2005 Alamo Bowl, as Nebraska upset the Wolverines. 'Huskers coach Bo Pelini is an Ohio State graduate, so a win in Ann Arbor would be extra special for the former Buckeye.

Wisconsin at Illinois, Nov. 19

These two teams have not met since 2008, but the only two remaining unbeatens in the Leaders Division might play their biggest game ever in Champaign in late November.

Nathan Scheelhasse and Russell Wilson are two of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in college football, and the Badgers and Illini are arguably the two best defensive fronts in the Big Ten.

Iowa at Nebraska, Nov. 25

This border war will be played on Black Friday for the next two seasons, giving it the spotlight throughout the Midwest as the only Big Ten game on the day after Thanksgiving.

Expect a physical, hard-nosed game in the inaugural "Heroes' Game" and possibly the winner to be crowned Legends Division champion. These two teams last met at the turn of the century, with Big Red sweeping a home-and-home in 1999 and 2000.

Penn State at Wisconsin, Nov. 26

Penn State has a nasty finishing kick to the season, following up a home game with Nebraska and a trip to Columbus with the season finale at Wisconsin.

The Nittany Lions' schedule is set up nicely to keep them in the Leaders Division race well into November, and their defense has been one of the best in the country to aid a struggling offense. Penn State rolled over the Badgers in 2008 in their last meeting, also at Camp Randall Stadium.