The B1G Preview: Indiana vs Michigan Highlight Week

Nov. 7

Michigan State at Iowa

Maryland at Penn State

Purdue at Wisconsin

Rutgers at Ohio State

Michigan at Indiana

Minnesota at Illinois

Nebraska at Northwestern

Northwestern and Purdue atop the Big Ten West. Indiana Tied with Ohio State for the Big Ten East lead. This is exactly how we predicted it at the beginning of the season. Yet, this is how things are going as of today. Last week saw some exciting games, and some, uh, not so exciting results depending on what your rooting interests are. Let’s take a look at this week’s slate.

No. 23 Michigan (1-1 Big Ten) at No. 13 Indiana (2-0)

Noon Eastern, FS1
Michigan -3.5

Indiana gets another opportunity to shed its “close, but no cigar” image as it hosts Michigan on Saturday. Can the Hoosiers go two for two on giant slaying, or did they blow their load against Penn State? Michigan, on the other hand, not only is the lower ranked team in the matchup, they come off a crushing loss against a Michigan State team that was slated to compete for last in the division. Ouch.

Should You Watch? Yes.
Prediction: Indiana 27, Michigan 17

Purdue (2-0) at No. 10 Wisconsin (1-0)

Noon Eastern, BTN

Just kidding COVID!

Nebraska (0-1) at Northwestern (2-0)

Noon Eastern, BTN
Northwestern -3.5

Payton Ramsey has saved the Northwestern offense! The issues that plagued the Wildcats a season ago seem to be a thing of the past, and now they find themselves scoring nearly at will against their opponents. Nebraska missed a week due to their game against Wisconsin being canceled, but when they did play they moved the ball pretty well against Ohio State. Can they keep it up?

Should You Watch? Between commercial breaks in the Michigan/Indiana game, sure!
Prediction: Nebraska 27, Northwestern 21

Michigan State (1-1) at Iowa (0-2)

Noon Eastern, ESPN
Iowa -6.5

Iowa, once in a while, has a great season that comes out of nowhere. Just as often, though, they have a clunker of a season that seemingly comes out of nowhere as well. That’s what happens when you build the sort of consistency that makes you good, but not great. Anything else seems like an anomaly. But when you look further, it’s not surprising to see Iowa struggle early given what they lost. As per Michigan State, was last week their anomaly?

Should You Watch? No. The two other games on this time slot are much more compelling.
Prediction: Michigan State 13, Iowa 10

Minnesota at Illinois

3:30 PM Eastern, BTN
Minnesota -7

Well, definitely didn’t foresee this being a game between two winless teams. Minnesota’s defense has been unable to stop anyone so far, and Illinois has not been able to keep up with anyone on their own accord. Someone has to win?

Should You Watch? No, you have other obligations.
Prediction: Minnesota 31, Illinois 28

No. 3 Ohio State (2-0) at Rutgers (1-1)

7:30 PM Eastern, BTN
Ohio State minus does it actually matter?

The death machine that is Ohio State makes its way through Rutgers, a team that does not look as dreadful as it did last season, but still shows signs of not being where they need to be in Greg Schiano’s first season in his comeback tour. Will Ohio State eclipse 70? Will Rutgers score more than 10? The people need to know!

Should You Watch? We all know you’re watching Clemson vs Notre Dame so yeah.
Prediction: Ohio State 63, Rutgers 20

...and of course, our very own.

Maryland (1-1) at Penn State (0-2)

3:30 PM Eastern, BTN
Penn State -25

Nothing like facing Maryland after having your dreams dashed yet again. The Terps had their annual “how’d they pull THAT off” game last Saturday against Minnesota, and they come into this game with more confidence than they otherwise would. The Nittany Lions, on the other hand, are playing for pride more than anything. Will it be more of the same, or will Maryland actually give Penn State a game this time around?

Should You Watch? You know what I won’t blame you if you sit this one out.
Prediction: Penn State 56, Ohio State 17