Big Ten Preview: Week Twelve

This week is your appetizer for the long weekend of Thanksgiving football action coming up, so make sure you leave plenty of room.

Rutgers (3-7, 1-6) @ Army (2-8)

When: Saturday, 12pm CBSSN

Line: Rutgers -4.5

Over/Under: 54.5

The Scarlet Knights takes a break from the B1G to face the once and former Black Knights of Army West Point. Rutgers and Leonte Carroo should snap their losing streak and keep their dim hopes of a bowl opportunity at 5-7. The biggest upset of the weekend will be if the weekend is Rutgers' students manage not to boo a service academy.

Purdue (2-8, 1-5) @ #5 Iowa (10-0, 6-0)

When: Saturday, 12pm ESPN2

Line: Iowa -22

Over/Under: 57.5

The Hawkeyes are currently sitting in a prime spot for the playoff. As long as they hold serve, the B1G Championship Game is really Iowa's only remaining hurdle. This is the game is a mismatch in every way imaginable and precisely where Ferentz and the Hawkeyes would trip up in the past.

Indiana (4-6, 0-6) @ Maryland (2-8, 0-6)

When: Saturday, 12pm BTN

Line: Maryland -2.5

Over/Under: 64

Someone's finally getting a conference win. Last week, Indiana, like Minnesota, let Michigan pull out a victory at the death. The Hoosiers still have postseason plans that would disappear if they let Maryland steal a game here. The Terps turn the ball over a lot, which is good news for an Indiana defense that needs a little help sometimes.

Illinois (5-5, 2-4) @ Minnesota (4-6, 1-5)

When: Saturday, 12pm ET ESPNN

Line: Minnesota -4.5

Over/Under: 47

A lot of bowl hopes ride on this game, a loss either way could be the end of a season. Minnesota is still looking for their first victory since Tracy Claeys took over. With the job openings adding up and a new AD on the way, Bill Cubit could potentially get another year at the helm with Illinois if they take the last two games of the year. Statistically, both teams are evenly matched, so you'd have to give the Gophers the edge at home.

#20 Northwestern (8-2, 4-2) @ #25 Wisconsin (8-2, 5-1)

When: Saturday, 3:30pm ET BTN

Line: Wisconsin -10

Over/Under: 40

Second place is up for grabs in the B1G west this week in Madison. Wisconsin is coming off a bye and staring at a record currently without a victory against a team with a winning record. Corey Clement was assaulted last week, but could still play and may be needed. Northwestern just continues to eke out victories, sometimes inexplicably.

#9 Michigan State (9-1, 5-1) @ #3 Ohio State (10-0, 6-0)

When: Saturday, 3:30pm ET ABC

Line: Ohio State -13

Over/Under: 53

This is it, the game of the everyone was anticipating entering the year, though it would have had a little more luster if both teams were undefeated. A likely date with Iowa in the B1G Championship Game and a playoff spot is on the line for the winner. The Buckeyes offense has been sputtering all year, but Connor Cook being dinged up should be more of an issue for Michigan State. I'd like the odds of a healthy Michigan State, however, Ohio State has too much going their way at this point in the season.