Big Ten football preview - Week #7

The Big Ten Football season continues this weekend with 5 conference match-ups and a single non-conference game. This weekend features Purdue @ Michigan, Minnesota @ Northwestern, #18 Illinois @ Iowa, #19 Wisconsin @ Penn State, Indiana @ Michigan State and the Kent State @ #3 Ohio State. As always, look to Big Ten Fans for your updated Big Ten football scores andstandings throughout the weekend, and don't miss out on our Big Ten football midseason review.

Minnesota @ Northwestern

Minnesota Golden Gophers 1-5 (0-3 Big Ten) @ Northwestern Wildcats 3-3 (1-2 Big Ten) - 12 pm

In a battle of two teams near the bottom of the Big Ten standings, I have to give the upper hand to Northwestern after their impressive 48-41 victory @ Michigan State last weekend. Minnesota has losses to a MAC and a Sun Belt team and has lost all three of their Big Ten match-ups by at least two touchdowns. While their offense had ben pretty sharp in the first four games, they have scored just 27 points in the past two weeks. While Northwestern isn't exactly setting the world on fire, their defense has allowed nearly 50 less points than Minnesota's defense and their 315.7 yards passing per game ranks 16th nationally. Expect C.J. Bacher and the Northwestern offense to have another solid day against the Minnesota defense.

Northwestern 34 - Minnesota 23

Purdue @ Michigan

Purdue Boilermakers 5-1 (1-1 Big Ten) @ Michigan Wolverines 4-2 (2-0 Big Ten) - 12 pm

Purdue comes off a highly disappointing loss at home to (now #3) Ohio State while Michigan defeated Eastern Michigan by just 11 points. Expect to see Michigan ride Mike Hart in this game (big surprise!) as Michigan's rushing attack is ranked #22 in the nation entering the game. Curtis Painter averaged over 3.5 TD and 65% pass completion per game before just 1 TD and 51.7% against Ohio State, so look for Painter to get back on track against a much weaker Michigan defense. While Purdue could very well hand Michigan their 3rd loss at The Big House this season, I see Michigan squeaking by with the victory.

Michigan 28 - Purdue 24

#18 Illinois @ Iowa

Illinois Fighting Illini 5-1 (3-0 Big Ten) @ Iowa Hawkeyes 2-4 (0-3 Big Ten) - 12:05 pm

For the first time in 6 years the Illinois Fighting Illini are ranked in the Top 25 after consecutive wins over Top 25 teams. Now we will see if the Illini can handle a Big Ten opponent that is not ranked. Featuring the 5th best rushing attack in the nation, the Illini average 30.2 points per game and face an Iowa team who has struggled on both sides of the ball during their current 4-game losing streak. Iowa's offense has produced an average of 17.3 ppg ranking them 117th of 119 Division I-A (Football Bowl Subdivision) teams. Meanwhile, the Illini bring 6 players with 96+ rushing yards on the season led by junior RB Rashard Mendenhall who has 772 yards and averages 6.8 yards per carry. Considering Iowa's weak offense and the Illini's strong showing this season this pick is an easy one.

Illinois 24 - Iowa 13

Kent State @ #3 Ohio State

Kent State Golden Flashes 3-3 (1-2 MAC) @ Ohio State Buckeyes 6-0 (3-0 Big Ten) - 12 pm

While Kent State was picked to win the MAC East this season, the Golden Flashes have been a disappointment at 3-3 and just 1-2 against MAC opponents. The Golden Flashes are led by QB Julian Edelman and RB Eugene Jarvis who have combined for over 1,200 yards rushing and 9 rushing TDs on the season. Jim Tressel finally has the Buckeyes built around the running game and defense, much like his 2002 National Championship team, so expect to see a lot of attention paid to the Kent State ground game. While Edelman can be extremely elusive, Ohio State's defense is much faster than the defenders he is used to seeing in the MAC. Ohio State's offense is starting to click and Kent State will not be able to contain the Buckeyes as Ohio State rolls.

Ohio State 41 - Kent State 10

#19 Wisconsin @ Penn State

Wisconsin Badgers 5-1 (2-1 Big Ten) @ Penn State Nittany Lions 4-2 (1-2 Big Ten) - 3:30 ABC

Wisconsin comes off their first loss of the season and just the 2nd loss in Brett Bielema's two years of coaching the Badgers. Wisconsin is unfortunately hurt by the loss of WR Luke Swan to a career-threatening hamstring injury. While Wisconsin has won 5 of the past 7 match-ups between these two teams, Penn State has won 8 straight overall at home and 18 of their last 19 games in Happy Valley. If the Penn State defense can contain P.J. Hill and the Wisconsin running game, the Nittany Lions will be in position to win this game in the 4th Quarter.

Penn State 27 - Wisconsin 24

Indiana @ Michigan State

Indiana Hoosiers 5-1 (2-1 Big Ten) @ Michigan State Spartans 4-2 (0-2 Big Ten) - 7 pm

After a 4-0 start for the Spartans where the defense allowed just 62 points (15.5 ppg), MSU's defense has allowed 85 points in the past two games - both losses. Indiana has started the season strong winning 5 of 6 games and 2 of 3 against Big Ten competition, but their strength of schedule leave much to be desired. This game will come down to which rushing defense plays better as both teams rank in the Top 25 nationally in rushing yards per game. I expect a lower-scoring games based on the run-dominated attacks of both teams with the home team prevailing.

Michigan State 27 - Indiana 24