Big Ten football preview - Week #12

The Big Ten Football season continues this weekend with the standard 5 conference match-ups and a single non-conference game. This weekend features Northwestern @ #19 Illinois, Purdue @ Indiana, Penn State @ Michigan State, #25 Wisconsin @ Minnesota, Western Michigan @ Iowa and the marqee match-up of #7 Ohio State @ Michigan. After losses last week, sales of Ohio State apparel have surely calmed down now that the Buckeyes are no longer a leading National Championship contender. Both Ohio State and Michigan look to go 7-1 with a win to earn the Big Ten Championship and a trip to the Rose Bowl

As always, look to Big Ten Fans for your updated Big Ten football scores andstandings throughout the weekend and for you basketball fans, check out our 2007-2008 Big Ten basketball preview.

Western Michigan @ Iowa

Western Michigan Broncos 3-7 (2-4 MAC) @ Iowa Hawkeyes 6-5 (4-4 Big Ten) - 3:30 pm - Big Ten Network

Iowa has bounced back nicely from a mid-season 4-game losing streak with 4 wins in their past 5 games and look to finish the season at 7-5 as they host MAC-member Western Michigan. The Broncos were picked as the preseason favorites to win the MAC West, but have been a huge disappointment this season at just 3-7 overall. Iowa's offense has struggled this season scoring just 18.5 ppg which ranks 116th in the nation in 2007, but in the past 3 games, all wins, Iowa is scoring 27.7 ppg.

There's no reason to think that Iowa should have any trouble in this game. WMU's defense allows 32+ ppg and they just do not have the firepower to hang with Iowa.

Iowa 34 - Western Michigan 14

Penn State @ Michigan State

Penn State Nittany Lions 8-3 (4-3 Big Ten) @ Michigan State Spartans 6-5 (2-5 Big Ten) - 3:30 pm - ABC

The Nittany Lions look to head into bowl season at 9-3 and ranked in the Top 25, while Michigan State, looks like a great draw for the Motor City Bowl if they can win. Only Michigan, Illinois and Ohio State, the Big Ten's top 3 teams in 2007, have defeated Penn State this season. Michigan State, on the other hand, has lost to Big Ten teams both good an mediocre, including a perplexing home loss to Northwestern.

Penn State is a better team with a much better defense. Michigan State will make this a good game, but Penn State will pull away in the 4th Quarter for the win.

Penn State 31 - Michigan State 21

Wisconsin @ Minneosta

Wisconsin Badgers 7-3 (3-3 Big Ten) @ Minnesota Golden Gophers 1-10 (0-7 Big Ten) - 12 pm - Big Ten Network

Wisconsin comes off a thrilling home victory over Michigan and should ride their momentum into Minnesota and handle a struggling Golden Gophers team that should never have fired Glen Mason. While the Badgers did not live up to expectations in 2007, there's nothing to be ashamed with when a team goes 9-3 as the Badgers should solidify a good Big Ten bowl game.

Minnesota's defense allows a whopping 36.3 ppg and Wisconsin will take advantage of it. Look for the Badgers to win by 2-3 touchdowns or more.

Wisconsin 41 - Minnesota 17

Northwestern @ Illinois

Northwestern Wildcats 6-5 (3-4 Big Ten) @ Illinois Fighting Illini 8-3 (5-2 Big Ten) - 12 pm - ESPN

The Illini come off one of the biggest wins in the history of their football program. Ron Zook has come into Illinois and turned the program completely around. Not bad for a guy who can only recruit and can't coach.

On paper, this should be an easy Illini win, but after a game of such emotion last week it could be time for a let-down if Northwestern can take advantage of opportunities. The Wildcats' 11th-ranked passing offense will need to spread the ball around the field and challenge the Illini defense, but Northwestern's defense, which allows over 30 ppg, will have a hard time stopping the 6th-ranked running game in the nation.

I see this being a close game; too close for Illini fans. But in the end the better team will come away with a victory.

Illinois 31 - Northwestern 27

Purdue @ Indiana

Purdue Boilermakers 7-4 (3-4 Big Ten) @ Indiana Hoosiers 6-5 (2-5 Big Ten) - 3:30 pm - Big Ten Network

The Hoosiers host the Boilermakers in a rivalry game in the Big Ten that should prove to be an entertaining match-up. Purdue's 17th-ranked passing offense behind Junior QB Curtis Painter will be tough for the IU defense to stop, but so will Indiana's Lewis to Hardy connection. Expect a offensive explosion on the field as Purdue squeaks by with a road victory.
Purdue 41 - Indiana 40

#7 Ohio State @ #21 Michigan

Ohio State Buckeyes 10-1 (6-1 Big Ten) @ Michigan Wolverines 8-3 (6-1 Big Ten) - 12 pm - ABC

This is what Ohio State/Michigan is all about. The Big Ten title is on the line as is a trip to the Rose Bowl; exactly what an Ohio State/Michigan game should be. Both teams come into their big rivalry game coming off losses; the first time this has happened since 1959. So which team will step up?

It is hard to bet against Ohio State in any game. They seemed well on their way to another BCS National Championship game when Illinois came into the Horseshoe and rode out of town with a 28-21 win. Now it is time to see how the Buckeyes deal with adversity. An article I read on Ohio Sports Time earlier this week entitled Ohio State faces rare adversity mentions that these Buckeye players are not used to losing. It all depends on how the players deal with a rare loss and how well they listen to their coaching staff. Jim Tressel is 5-1 against Michigan since taking over at Ohio State; he knows how to win big games.

For Michigan there seem to be several factors at play. First, there's the health of their star QB Chad Henne and RB Mike Hart. How much they play, if at all, will be a key factor in the outcome. Secondly, the future of Lloyd Carr @ Michigan seems to be clouded with rumors that Carr will retire following this game and at the ned of the season. This could be a major factor in motivating the Michigan players, but really, nobody should need any extra motivation in this game.

The game is for the Rose Bowl and the Big Ten Championship, and Ohio State still has a shot, albeit a slim one, at jumping up to #2 in the BCS by season's end. Tressel rallies his troops and the healthier team wins.

Ohio State 34 - Michigan 26