A potential Big Ten Championship preview headlines week six
It’s conference games only for everyone here on out. Week six also brings about a break in action for four schools, leaving us with just five Big Ten games this weekend.
While it’s a thinner week on the schedule than usual, the games we do have are shaping up to be pretty solid.
Maryland @ #7 Ohio State – Saturday, 12:00 PM EST
The Buckeyes play host to Maryland on Saturday, and it’s a game that before the season I thought had potential to challenge OSU’s defense.
That may still be the case, as I am not 100 percent sold on Ohio State’s defensive turnaround. However, Maryland will be without star wideout Dontay Demus Jr. for this game and the rest of the season. His injury creates a void for the Terrapins that I don’t believe they will be able to fill the rest of this year.
If Maryland is to have any chance at winning, they will have to match points with an OSU offense that enters fourth in the country in scoring offense, averaging 45 points per game. I don’t have much faith they will be able to do so.
Ohio State: 49 – 17
#11 Michigan State @ Rutgers – Saturday, 12:00 PM EST
It’s the battle for the chop, as Michigan State travels to Rutgers this weekend.
After starting 3-0 to the year, Rutgers has dropped their past two games against Michigan and Ohio State. They’ll try to avoid falling to .500 overall and 0-3 in divisional play this week. MSU enters undefeated at 5-0, and will continue to try and build momentum towards the second half of their schedule.
MSU possesses a solid offense that is 24th in rushing and 48th in passing. The unit is lead by running back Kenneth Walker III, who enters the contest as the leading rusher in the NCAA with 680 yards. If Rutgers is to pull off the upset at home, they must contain Walker, and put MSU in constant third and long situations. That’s easier said than done.
Michigan State: 38 – 20
Wisconsin @ Illinois – Saturday, 3:30 PM EST
Brett Bielema welcomes in his former team as Wisconsin travels to Illinois.
After suffering an injury against Michigan last week that saw him unable to finish the game, quarterback Graham Mertz is expected to return to action against the Illini. Whether Mertz returned this week or not, I would expect head coach Paul Chryst to take the ball out of his hands, and look at establishing the ground game this week.
Illinois may have a difficult time scoring anything this Saturday. After running back Chase Brown had record breaking game last week, he is now facing the number one rushing defense in the country. Illinois can try to attack Wisconsin via the air, but the Illini haven’t been consistent or impressive in that phase this season.
Wisconsin: 24 – 6
#4 Penn State @ #3 Iowa – Saturday, 4:00 PM EST
The game of the week, and a potential Big Ten Championship preview. Undefeated Penn State travels to Iowa City to play undefeated Iowa.
Unless you just woke up from wherever you’ve been sleeping this past month, you know Iowa possesses an elite defense. What you may not realize, is Penn State isn’t too shabby themselves. In terms of scoring defenses, Iowa is 2nd in the country while Penn State is 3rd.
Needless to say, the contest is shaping up where points will be at a premium. It’s my opinion that PSU has the more explosive and dynamic offense. However, Iowa’s defense has been so good at creating turnovers, and scoring off those turnovers, that any mistake Penn State makes can be game altering.
This truly feels like a coin flip of a game. Ultimately though I think the talent advantage wins out, and will pick Penn State in a close one.
Penn State: 20 – 17
# 9 Michigan @ Nebraska – Saturday, 7:30 PM EST
In what could be one of the better under the radar games this week, Michigan travels to Lincoln to face-off against Nebraska.
Michigan has started off the year in solid form, using a physical ground game to overwhelm opponents. However, my opinion is their defense is probably more responsible for their strong start than anything else. The Wolverine D is 35th against the rush, 16th against the pass, and 6th overall in scoring at 12.80 points per game.
That said, Nebraska’s offense will be the most significant challenge the Wolverine defense will have faced this year. The Cornhuskers, led by dual-threat QB Adrian Martinez, are 14th rushing, 40th passing, and average 32.3 points per game, good for 50th in the country.
If head coach Scott Frost can pull the upset, he may be able to build off the win and redefine his tenure at the school.
Michigan: 24-20