Big Ten Football Week 6 Breakdown
Conference play finally got underway. The week was highlighted by Wisconsin dismantling Nebraska in front of a boisterous crowd in Camp Randall. Michigan massacred Minnesota 58-0. This week’s action features Nebraska’s first ever home game in the Big Ten and a feisty Northwestern team hosting a surging Michigan squad.
Lock of the Week: Illinois at Indiana
Illinois escaped the jaws of defeat by bursting out with a 21 point fourth quarter. Northwestern’s Dan Persa played in his first football game since injuring his achilles a year ago and almost stole the show. He went 10 of 14 through the air for 123 yards with an impressive four scores. Illinois was able to overcome this in large part due to Nathan Scheelhaase. The sophomore quarterback has guided Illinois to a flawless 5-0 record to start to year. Against Northwestern he went 21-32 and amassed 391 yards and tossed three of his four total scores. Scheelhaase has clearly found his number one target in senior A.J. Jenkins, who reeled in all three of Scheelhaase touchdown passes. Indiana fell a little short in their attempt to spoil Penn State’s home Big Ten opener, falling 16-10. Indiana’s defense played well, but they were unable to muster up anything offensively. Quarterback Dusty Kiel completed a miserable 48.9% of his passes for only 184 yards and a score and one interception. Kiel is going to need a much better performance if Indiana wants to win its second game of the season. While Scheelhaase is hooking up with Jenkins, Kiel will likely be hooking up with 6-5 senior receiver Damarlo Belcher. These two combinations are dangerous and the tandems to watch during this game. However, Illinois will win this game, not only with a superior aerial assault, but also an extremely effective ground game. Dual threat quarterback Scheelhaase leads the rushing attack, but is complimented by senior running back Troy Pollard, who has rushed for 269 on just 28 carries, which equates to 9.6 yards per carry. Illinois will take Indiana to the woodshed in this contest.
Illinois 38 Indiana 10
Upset Alert!: Michigan at Northwestern
This Northwestern team is talented and dangerous. A week removed from giving Illinois all they could handle, they get a chance for redemption by hosting the 17th ranked team in the nation, the Michigan Wolverines. By all indications it appears that Dan Persa is ready to play again and will have the Wildcats inspired and ready to win. Taking down a top 20 team in the nation would be the signature win that Persa and the Wildcats need. To avoid this upset, the Wolverines will turn to their stud, Denard Robinson. He played a monster role in the annihilation of the Golden Gophers. Robinson had only four incompletions on his 19 attempts. He threw for two scores and 169 yards. On the ground is where the Wolverines did the majority of their damage, grinding out a total of 363 yards on 48 attempts as a team.
Game of the Week: Ohio State at Nebraska
Nebraska was dealt a major blow by Wisconsin in their first ever Big Ten conference game, getting thwarted by the Badgers. Ohio State fell short against Michigan State at home, 10-7. The Spartans defensive line manhandled Ohio State and they were never really able to get anything going. The bad news for the Buckeyes is that the Nebraska defensive line is even better than the Spartans. Nebraska will handle Ohio State at the point of attack on both sides of the ball, which will be the difference in this game. Nebraska’s rushing attack, lead by both quarterback Taylor Martinez and running back Rex Burkhead, is very potent and will be the key to the Cornhuskers snatching their first ever Big Ten win.
Nebraska 27 Ohio State 10
Best of the Rest
Minnesota at Purdue
The Golden Gophers were flat out embarrassed last week by the Wolverines and are looking to rebound this week. Purdue is 2-2 and was dominated by Notre Dame last week, losing 38-10. Both teams are struggling this year and this game could be a great boost for the eventual winner. Minnesota will turn to junior quarterback Marqueis Gray. This dual threat stud is the catalyst for the Golden Gophers offense. Purdue will have to keep him in check to win this game. Gray has thrown for over 500 yards and three touchdowns so far this season. He has also rushed for over 351 yards, averaging 4.9 yards per carry. Purdue would have their hands full trying to stop him; however they might be catching a break because he is listed as questionable for this upcoming game. Purdue will turn to their workhorses Ralph Bolden and Akeem Shavers. These two running backs have five touchdowns and 430 yards. The Boilermaker’s offense runs through these two backs and Minnesota will have to be keying on these guys if they want to win this game. Purdue’s ability to pound the rock will be the difference.
Purdue 27 Minnesota 17
Iowa at Penn State
Penn State barely outlasted Indiana, winning 16-10. Penn State has managed to hold onto a 4-1 record, despite not really playing as well as expected. Iowa has not looked impressive this year either and is entering a very hostile environment in Happy Valley. Penn State quarterback Matt McGloin has continued to separate himself from Rob Bolden, but the Nittany Lions continue to use both quarterbacks. McGloin went 10 of 22 through the air, notching 204 yards and a touchdown. Bolden went 6 of 14 for 67 yards and an interception. Penn State turned to their best offensive player, Silas Redd, to carry them to victory last week. He carried the ball 29 times for 129 yards. He will continue to be the focal point of their offense and Penn State still has to sort through their mess at quarterback. Iowa has had two weeks to prepare for this game, as they were off last week. Iowa’s quarterback, James Vandenberg, had a big game against Louisiana-Monroe in Iowa’s last contest. He tossed three scores, bringing his total to ten to only one interception all year. He will be the key to game for Iowa. He needs to continue to have a mistake free season if Iowa is going to beat Penn State. Iowa will win this game because they will win the turnover battle.
Iowa 24 Penn State 13
Lock of the Week: 5-0
Game of the Week: 4-1
