Big Ten Preview: Week 9
· Yahoo Sports
Penn State is back in action on Saturday against Purdue. It’s a busy week all around the conference on Saturday outside of the Lions 4:15 p.m. kickoff.
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SATURDAY AFTERNOON
No. 25 Wisconsin (5-2) at Iowa (5-2), 12 p.m. on FOX
Details: Remember when Wisconsin was down 17-0 at Beaver Stadium? Those were the days. Now, Wisky is a ranked road underdog headed into Kinnick for a Noon start. The Hawkeyes offense was lifeless last week in a narrow loss at Minnesota. The winner gets a big bronze trophy. That trophy figures to be more attractive than the play in this game. But, one of these teams is going to be bowl eligible and at least still on the fringe of playoff talk in a wild season.
Line: Iowa -3.5, Total 36.5
Should I watch this one: Sure – it’s the most appealing of the early Big Ten games.
Illinois (4-3) at Maryland (2-5), 12 p.m. on FS1
Details: Maryland has an interim coach, while the Illini are coming off a solid home win against Oregon. I don’t think many have any idea what to expect from the Terrapins, so maybe that makes this one sort of fun.
Line: Illinois -2.5, Total 54.5
Should I watch this one: Quad Box at best.
Michigan (4-3) at Rutgers (2-5), 12:30 p.m. on BTN
Details: Greg Schiano figures to be next on the Big Ten coaches waiting to be fired list – though there is some question about his buyout, etc. Meanwhile, the spread is big for a Michigan offense that mustered only six points last week against Indiana. It’s hard to generate a lot of excitement about this one and it fits right in with this bland early window of conference games.
Line: Michigan -14.5, Total 45.5
Should I watch this one: I wouldn’t.
SATURDAY LATE AFTERNOON
Minnesota (5-2) at No. 4 Indiana (7-1), 3:30 p.m. on CBS
Details: Minnesota has a bad loss on the road in the state of Indiana, getting blown out against Purdue in West Lafayette. This is a tougher challenge and the spread reflects it. The Gophers haven’t handled success well either with that Purdue loss coming just a week after a big home win against Michigan. This time, it’s a week after a huge home victory against a ranked Iowa team. Indiana’s offense was stymied last Saturday against Michigan. There are some questions about transfer quarterback Josh Hoover – and specifically his overall health. This weekend could go a long way toward answering doubters and putting the Hoosiers back in the driver’s seat for a repeat conference title.
Line: Indiana -20.5, Total 41.5
Should I watch this one: Check in on the first quarter, but then you’re busy.
No. 20 Northwestern (6-1) at Oregon (4-3), 3:30 p.m. on Peacock
Details: Oregon is struggling, but they’re still a home favorite here. Northwestern’s offense has been humming and Duck fans are well aware who that offensive coordinator is for the Wildcats. This is a real fork in the road kind of game for both teams. The rest of the schedule is tricky for both, so a win here would go a long way toward each of their goals. For Northwestern, that’s a potential 10-win season. Meanwhile, it’s a lot about pride for Oregon and trying to salvage something from this failed season.
Line: Oregon -3.5, Total 47.5
Should I watch this one: Once again, check in on the first quarter and then you’re busy.
Nevada (3-4) at No. 7 UCLA (7-0), 4:15 p.m. on BTN
Details: It’s a late season non-conference game for the unbeaten Bruins. November will be a tricky and telling month for first-year coach Bob Chesney and his squad. But everything has been roses so far and that figures to continue on Saturday afternoon at the – ahem – Rose Bowl.
Line: UCLA -22.5, Total 44.5
Should I watch this one: Nah.
SATURDAY EVENING
No. 2 Ohio State (6-1) at USC (6-2), 7:30 p.m. on NBC
Details: As much as the noon Fox game has been dominated by Ohio State over the years, the Trojans have settled into the 7:30 NBC slot pretty consistently. Last week, they looked bad in a loss at Wisconsin. Now, back home, and desperate, USC has a shot at a marquee win against an Ohio State team with a backup quarterback. That will be the story line. Can Ohio State stay in the conference and national title races with Julian Sayin sidelined?
Line: Ohio State -6.5, Total 51.5
Should I watch this one: Absolutely, it’s a big one.
Washington (4-3) at Nebraska (5-2), 8 p.m. on BTN
Details: Both teams are back in action after bye weeks. The Huskers are coming off two narrow losses – each by three points to Indiana and Oregon. Meanwhile, Washington was struggling before getting a win against Purdue. Much like the Northwestern/Oregon game, this match-up will likely set the tone for each team for the remainder of the season.
Line: Nebraska -7.5, Total 49.5
Should I watch this one: Penn State is heading to Seattle next weekend, so keep an eye on this one.