Week 6 Big Ten Preview

12:00 PM | #6 Penn State @ Purdue (ESPN)

This game features two teams going in opposite directions. Penn State looks like they may be the best team in the Big Ten and their ranking reflects that. Purdue, on the other hand, lost to Notre Dame a week ago and is really struggling. The Boilermakers have been playing poorly ever since they choked away the Oregon game. They nearly were upset by Central Michigan a couple weeks ago and now have to rebound from a disappointing loss to Notre Dame.

Although Penn State has to make sure they don’t get too overconfident in a game like this, they should win fairly comfortably. I would normally say that Purdue has a chance to pull off the upset since this game is in West Lafayette, but considering how their last two home games have went, that really doesn’t mean anything. Penn State should get out to a big lead early and have the chance to put it on cruise control the rest of the way.

Prediction: Penn State wins comfortably

12:00 PM | Iowa @ Michigan State (ESPN2)

If Iowa was the home team in this game I would be predicting a Hawkeyes victory. After all, Michigan State had a meltdown last year on the road and lost to Iowa in double overtime after leading 17-3 at the half. Since this game is in East Lansing, though, I expect the Spartans to win by a comfortable margin. I could see this as a type of game where it’s close after a half and Michigan State slowly starts to pull away. As usual, expect Javon Ringer to carry the ball 40+ times for around 150 or more yards. He is the workhorse for MSU and as long as he plays well the Spartans will win.

Prediction: Michigan State wins comfortably

12:00 PM | Indiana @ Minnesota (BTN)

Indiana did put up a fight against Michigan State a week ago, but I actually like Minnesota to win in this matchup. Before the season I would have told you that IU wins without any doubt in my mind. However, Minnesota appears to be much improved from a year ago and Indiana is really an up and down team. They got beat by three touchdowns against Ball State a couple weeks ago and then had Michigan State on their toes last Saturday. If the team from last week shows up then a win is possible, but I expect to see a performance that looks more like the Ball State game, meaning Minnesota wins.

Prediction: Minnesota wins a close one

8:00 PM | #14 Ohio State @ #18 Wisconsin (ABC)

This game really is one that sets the tone for the rest of the season for both teams. If Ohio State wins then they are on track to challenge for a Big Ten title. If the Badgers come out with a victory, though, then they will have their season back on track after their meltdown against Michigan. A loss here for either team would be their second of the season, which definitely would be disappointing since it’s only the first week of October.

What this game boils down to for me is how Wisconsin’s defense plays against Terrelle Pryor and Beanie Wells. I expect the Badgers to have a tough time putting up points, but if they can contain Terrelle Pryor and Beanie Wells then they have a chance. There will be a big play or two during the course of this game, but whether that big play goes for a TD could be the difference for both teams. In the end, I do expect Ohio State to win simply because I don’t think Wisconsin’s offense is good enough for them to come out with a victory. OSU should be able to score at least a few TDs, so as long as Terrelle Pryor doesn’t make any freshman mistakes, this should be a Buckeyes victory.

Prediction: Ohio State wins a close one

Predictions Update:

Last week: 3-3

Overall: 37-7