Week 13 Big Ten Preview

12:00 PM | Indiana @ Purdue (ESPN2)

In this battle of two 3-8 teams, I think Purdue will come out on top to send Joe Tiller out with a victory. Both of these teams have been inconsistent all season long, and this really is quite evenly matched. However, with this being Joe Tiller’s final game as the coach of Purdue, I have a feeling the Boilermakers will step it up to take back the Old Oaken Bucket.

Prediction: Purdue wins a close one

3:30 PM | #15 Michigan State @ #8 Penn State (ABC)

Something is fishy with the line for this game. Penn State is a 15.5-point favorite, which is very large for a game like this. I understand that MSU hasn’t won at Penn State since 1965, which was the year before Joe Paterno became the head coach, but it still seems like an awfully big spread. There have been rumors, just like every year, that this will be Joe Paterno’s final regular season game at PSU. It doesn’t seem like the day that Paterno retires will ever come, but perhaps the folks in Las Vegas know something.

Regardless of the spread, Penn State is playing for a trip to the Rose Bowl. All they have to do is win and the Big Ten title is theirs. If Ohio State wins as well, PSU would have to share the title with the Buckeyes, but the Nittany Lions would win the tiebreaker to clinch a Rose Bowl berth. For Michigan State, a win would make them Big Ten champions as well, but they need Michigan to beat Ohio State to go to the Rose Bowl. Either way, it would be a huge accomplishment to win the Big Ten in only Mark Dantonio’s second season as head coach.

When it comes down to it, I see this as being a game that is fairly close throughout all four quarters. In the end, though, I believe Penn State will pull away to win the game by a touchdown or so. I don’t think they will cover the spread, but I do believe the Nittany Lions will be on their way to Pasadena thanks to a win over the Spartans.

Prediction: Penn State wins a close one

3:30 PM | Cal Poly @ Wisconsin (BTN)

This is certainly a strange time to play a team like Cal Poly, especially since Cal Poly is pretty good. They are ranked 3rd in the FCS, beat San Diego State at the start of the season, and have scored at least 42 points in the last seven games. Even so, Wisconsin should still win this game, but I don’t think it will be in blowout fashion.

Prediction: Wisconsin wins comfortably

3:30 PM | Illinois @ Northwestern (BTN)

Illinois’ bowl hopes are on life support, as they have to beat Northwestern to become eligible for the postseason. A win for the Wildcats would better their position in the standings, possibly leading to a better bowl game. Although this game is at Northwestern, I think Illinois will remember how to play good football again and will get the much needed victory.

Prediction: Illinois wins a close one

7:00 PM | Iowa @ Minnesota (BTN)

The Golden Gophers need to stop the bleeding, as they have dropped three straight games. They went from having a shot at playing in a New Year’s Day bowl to potentially looking at a trip to Detroit in a matter of a few weeks. Unfortunately for them, they have to welcome an Iowa team to town that has played well lately. Their game with Purdue was closer than I expected, but they still won, and that’s all that matters. I think we’ll see a similar result Saturday night in the Metrodome. Shonn Greene will have another big day and will lead the Hawkeyes to victory.

Prediction: Iowa wins a close one

Predictions Update:

Last week: 4-1

Overall: 62-20