Big Ten Preview: Week Fourteen

In honor of the Thanksgiving holiday, the B1G gives you meaningful games all over the place.

Nebraska @ Iowa

When: Friday, 12pm ET ABC

Line: Pick

Over/Under: 56

Farmageddon! Nebraska has been consistent with their on-field performance this season. The Huskers have handled everyone below the top level Big Ten teams, leading to the hot seat Bo Pelini currently occupies. Iowa, on the other hand, has been all over the map. If the Hawkeyes can summon the type of performance to send Nebraska to a bowl riding a three game losing streak, chances are it will the last we see Pelini (and his cat) walking the Cornhusker sideline. Then the question is who would want to replace him? Iowa fans suggest Kirk Ferentz.

Purdue @ Indiana

When: Saturday, 12pm BTN

Line: Indiana -2.5

Over/Under: 58.5

The most meaningless game on the slate this week without bowls or (presumably) head coaching jobs on the line, still has the Old Oaken Bucket to play for and Tevin Coleman's quest for 2,000 yards (he's just 94 shy). Indiana is also hoping to avoid going winless in the conference, Purdue was already able to steal a win at Illinois earlier this season. The Boilermakers would love nothing more than to keep the Hoosiers winless and claim the bragging rights in the state of Indiana.

#6 Ohio State @ Michigan

When: Saturday, 12pm ET ABC

Line: Ohio State -20.5

Over/Under: 52.5

"The Game" gets a noon kick-off. Michigan are huge underdogs, but ruined plenty Buckeye national champion dreams in the 90's and are looking to turn back the clock. Ohio State nearly got caught looking ahead last week against Indiana, so expect the plan to be run roughshod over the Wolverines as they close out their playoff argument before the B1G Championship Game next week. There's always the sliver of hope for Brady Hoke if Michigan manages to pull of this upset.

Illinois @ Northwestern

When: Saturday, 12pm ESPNU

Line: Northwestern -8

Over/Under: 52

Bowl eligibility bowl, win or go home as both Illinois and Northwestern are back into a position to extend their seasons. In the case of Tim Beckman, he's potentially coaching for his job. If Penn State's loss managed to keep him in the conference another year, last week has a silver lining after all. Northwestern seemed to have found their offense during their last drive against Michigan and gotten a pair of wins since. The Illini still have Mike Dudek, but which quarterback is getting him the ball is still up in the air and will he be enough to top a streaking Wildcat team?

Rutgers @ Maryland

When: Saturday, 3:30pm ET ESPNU

Line: Maryland -8

Over/Under: 54

Battle of the newbies. Former Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen returns to College Park and wouldn't mind lighting up the Terps considering how his time there ended. Rutgers has been on the receiving end more than giving beatings lately with a wounded Indiana the lone win down the stretch, but expect some extra fire this week. I, for one, can't wait to see what foolish shenanigans Randy Edsall has in store for this "rivalry."

#18 Minnesota @ #14 Wisconsin

When: Saturday, 3:30pm ET BTN

Line: Wisconsin -14

Over/Under: 51.5

Paul Bunyan's Axe is also the de facto B1G West Championship Game this year. Wisconsin has won the last 10 games and 17 of the last 20 in this rivalry to nearly even the series. Melvin Gordon enters the game just a yard short of Ron Dayne's Big Ten season rushing record and looks to set his sights on Barry Sanders' NCAA mark, meanwhile David Cobb is uncertain for Minnesota. Unfortunately, the odds do not look good for the Gophers to end the streak this year.