The B1G Preview: Ohio State’s Playoff Hopes In The Balance

My oh my! How fun it is to write these after a win! The Nittany Lions looked like a team who hadn’t yet quit on the season, whereas the folks across the field did not particularly look like they wanted to be there. Sound familiar? In other news, the Ohio State Buckeyes need to play this weekend in order to remain eligible for the Big Ten Championship game. For all intents and purposes it appears they will, but if Michigan continues to pause activities for the next two weeks, it might not matter. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.

No. 4 Ohio State (4-0, 4-0 Big Ten) at Michigan State (2-3, 2-3 Big Ten)

Noon Eastern, ABC
Ohio State -24

The real question here is whether this game is going to be played. If it is, don’t expect the Spartans to have a similar performance to what they had last week. Ohio State is not a team that’s content with winning games 3-2, like Northwestern is. As such, they don’t normally find themselves in situations where the opposing team might score four points.

Should You Watch? No, you have other obligations.
Prediction: Ohio State 48, Michigan State 10

Nebraska (1-4) at Purdue (2-3)

Noon Eastern, BTN
Purdue -2

Purdue had a lead on Rutgers from early in the second quarter until about 7:50 left in the fourth. After that, Rutgers went up a touchdown and closed the game out. Now the Boilers need to bounce back quickly if they want to make sure Nebraska’s only win this season comes against Penn State.

Should You Watch? No, you have other obligations.
Prediction: Purdue 27, Nebraska 24

No. 12 Indiana (5-1) at No. 16 Wisconsin (2-1)

3:30 PM Eastern, ABC
Wisconsin -14

This is the effect Covid has had on the season. Indiana comes into this game having played six times, while Wisconsin, mostly due to their own carelessness, has played three. News that Michael Penix Jr. being out for the season has skewed the line to the Badgers, but offense hasn’t been the only reason Indiana has done well. I don’t expect thik game to be as lopsided as Vegas thinks.

Should You Watch? Yes. It’s the only matchup between ranked teams.
Prediction: Indiana 21, Wisconsin 17

No. 14 Northwestern (5-1) at Minnesota (2-3)

3:30 PM Eastern, BTN
Northwestern -13

Just kidding covid!

No. 19 Iowa (4-2) at Illinois (2-3)

3:30 PM Eastern, FS1
Iowa -13.5

The Hawkeyes are another team that will only cover if it absolutely must, and this game being on the road, whatever that means this season, still gives me pause given that their most recent common opponent, Nebraska, lost by six to the Hawkeyes and a bajillion to the Illini.

Should You Watch? Yes
Prediction: Iowa 28, Illinois 24

Maryland (2-2) at Michigan (2-4)

3:30 PM Eastern, BTN
Michigan -4.5

Maryland looked listless against Indiana last week, but lucky for them, Michigan is not Indiana! Can the Wolverines simply out talent the Terps the way they did with Rutgers? Has Michigan given up on the season? We shall see!

Just kidding covid!

...and of course, our very own.

Penn State (1-5) at Rutgers (2-4)

Noon Eastern, FS1
Penn State -10

I think it says something about these programs when this game is actually, genuinely exciting. In any other season, this is just another team standing in Penn State’s way en route to a 10-2 season. This time, it’s a team searching for a turnaround against a team looking for a signature win. Maybe one day this game will mean something.

Should You Watch? Actually yes, yes you should.
Prediction: Penn State 56, Rutgers 17