Big Ten Week 5 Breakdown
Conference games are finally kicking off! This week has tons of great games; highlighted by the clash between Nebraska and Wisconsin in Camp Randall Saturday night. Let the games begin!
Lock of the Week: Minnesota at Michigan
The Golden Gophers have struggled so far this year and the Wolverines have been better than advertised. Brady Hoke has the team firing on all cylinders and is looking to pick up his first conference win. Denard Robinson has been nothing short of sensational this year, although he has thrown too many interceptions. He continues to improve on a weekly basis. Don’t be shocked if he has a two hundred yard day on the ground and through the air. The Wolverines will walk all over Minnesota and win this game in a blowout to seal Hoke’s first Big Ten victory.
Michigan 45 Minnesota 24
Upset Alert! Northwestern at Illinois
Illinois is off to a very strong start (4-0) and is looking to pick up their first conference win. They did struggle last week and Northwestern is a team not to be taken lightly. There are rumors that Dan Persa may be available and is officially listed as questionable. If Persa plays Illinois could be in for a dog fight. Illinois has had a solid rushing attack this year, with senior running back Troy Pollard averaging an absurd 10.4 yards per carry. Dual threat quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase is having an excellent year. He has thrown for four scores and rushed for two. He is completed a healthy 71.2% of his passes. Illinois will need the same type of play out of him in this game if they want beat Northwestern, regardless if Persa or Kain Colter is at quarterback for the Wildcats.
Game of the Week! Nebraska at Wisconsin
The Badgers are playing host to the Cornhuskers first ever Big Ten game. Nebraska might not feel all that welcomed though, facing a packed and rowdy house in Camp Randall. This game is one of the Madness Top 5 games of the week. You can also read an in depth breakdown of the game. The Badgers are not expected to be warm hosts, and will punish Nebraska with an overwhelming rushing attack that the Cornhuskers have never seen. Quarterback Russell Wilson is having a monster year, already over 1,000 yards with 11 scores. Running backs James White and Montee Ball look to carry this Badger team to victory. Taylor Martinez, Nebraska’s quarterback, hopes to build on a strong start to the year and lead this team to victory for his first signature win of the year. I just don’t see it happening this week.
Badgers 38 Nebraska 24
Best of the Rest
Michigan State at Ohio State
Neither team is ranked after both suffered a bad loss. Both of these squads have a lot of pride and getting off on the right foot in the Big Ten is a big deal. The Spartans defense has only allowed 11 points per game, but in their only true test against Notre Dame, they were embarrassed as Notre Dame hung 31 on them. The offense has good balance, led by senior signal caller Kirk Cousins. Michigan State will need him to be on his A game as he faces a very tough test against the Buckeye defense. On the other side, Ohio State has had a strong rushing attack, averaging 184 yards a game, good for 32nd in the nation. Sophomore Carlos Hyde is a big physical back, averaging 4.6 yards per rush to go along with three scores. Junior Jordan Hall has also seen his fair amount of touches in the last two weeks, carrying the ball 32 times for 171 yards and a score. Ohio State will attempt to pound the rock, so the Michigan State defense better be ready. Joel Worthy, the Spartans stud nose tackle, is a guy to keep an eye on in this game. Overall, Ohio State is the more balanced team and will prevail in this contest.
Ohio State 34 Michigan State 27
Penn State at Indiana
Indiana is off to a horrendous 1-3 start. However this team still has weapons so they can be dangerous. The Nittany Lions may not have been all that impressive this year, but their lone loss was to a superior Alabama team. Penn State’s defense has carried them to victory so far this season, only allowing 12 ½ points per game, 10th lowest in the nation. This week may be much of the same. Offensively expect another solid performance from Silas Redd as he continues to look solid for Penn State. He has scored four touchdowns this year and is averaging 4.9 yards per carry. The Nittany Lions offense may not strike fear into defenses, but they are extremely balanced, ranking 75th in rushing yards and 76th in passing yards. QB Matthew McGloin has appeared to be the favorite in Happy Valley and is having a solid year, tossing for 421 yards, three scores and no interceptions. Senior WR Derek Moye is Penn State’s go to guy and, at 6’5, he is a tough guy to defend. Look for him to have a big game as Penn State steam rolls Indiana with a balanced attack on offense and stymies them with great defense.
Penn State 27 Indiana 10
Notre Dame at Purdue
Purdue has yet to be impressive, losing at Rice and just edging Middle Tennessee. Last week they annihilated Southeast Missouri State, but that is just Southeast Missouri State. This is a big time D1 football program. Purdue’s rushing attack ranks in the top 30 in the nation, as junior Ralph Bolden is having an outstanding bounce back season. He has carried the ball 39 times for 223 yards. He is averaging 5.7 yards per rush and has two scores. Purdue will need this rushing attack to be effective if they wish to slow down the Irish this week, who are coming off back to back victories over quality opponents. Although Purdue will be successful running the ball they will have a tough time slowing down Tommy Rees and the Notre Dame passing attack in this one.
Notre Dame 37 Purdue 31
Game of the Week: 3-1
Lock of the Week 4-0
