Now that Judgment Day is over, the fight for seeding, bowl bids begins

At the start of each season, every team dreams of playing in a game around New Year's Day. In the Big Ten, the dreams are rosy. Now that the season is almost over, and only a few teams are left in contention for the Rose Bowl, the teams with winning seasons are looking to finish strong with the hopes of playing somewhere in December.

The conference is one of the most prestigious conferences in all of college football. As a result, it usually sends five or six teams to postseason games.

This year, an amazing thing has happened. In mid-November, the Big Ten still has six teams ranked in the top 25 in the nation. The bowl race is still wide open in the conference. These last three weeks of conference play will impact in which sunny

FILE PHOTO Curtis Enis and his Penn State Nittany Lions hope to rebound from a disappointing loss at the hands of Michigan by gaining revenge this Saturday at Purdue. Other Big Ten teams in contention also are active this weekend.

state the various teams will land.

While Judgment Day has passed for Michigan, several other teams face the most important matches of their seasons this week.

No. 6 Penn State (4-1 Big Ten 7-1 Overall) at no. 20 Purdue (5-1, 7-2)

This game should be an interesting contest between two teams still in contention for the Rose Bowl. The formerly high-and-mighty Nittany Lions were knocked off their pedestal last weekend, while Purdue beat Michigan State. Trailing, 21-10, with two minutes to go, the Boilermakers came back to win. That kind of a victory says something about Purdue. The Boilermakers have drive and the will to win.

Purdue is facing a Penn State team that is coming off its most embarrassing loss under coach Joe Paterno. Perhaps tight end Brad Scioli said it best: "To lose in this fashion just hurts."

So, the Boilermakers are on an emotional high and Lions are just trying to regain their footing. In an intense emotional battle, chances are Purdue could come out on top.

But, the fact is this is still Penn State. One of the most storied programs in college football under one of the most legendary coaches is probably not likely to roll over and play dead.

If the Lions' offensive line can recover from the five sacks it allowed, if Mike McQueary can return to the old days of passing for more than a measly 68 yards and if Paterno can rally his troops, then the game will most likely go the Lions' way. But, it'll be close.

Since Michigan's Rose Bowl chances could depend on the Lions winning out, folks around Ann Arbor are hoping that's what happens.

Penn State 24, Purdue 22

Illinois (0-6, 0-9) at No. 4 Ohio State (5-1, 9-1)

It's true that Illinois hasn't won a game all season. It's also true that the Illini are currently riding a 15-game losing streak.

Ohio State, on the other hand, has only lost to Penn State, and is moseying along comfortably behind it's talented tandem of quarterbacks - Joe Germaine and Stanley Jackson.

Last Saturday, Ohio State blew out a Minnesota team that also hadn't won a Big Ten game.

Wouldn't it be interesting if in a last ditch, all out effort to break its horrible streak, the Illinois offense behind freshman quarterback Tim Lavery were to finally find its footing.

And, what if under the sudden shock of seeing an Illinois offense, Ohio State's heralded defense behind All-America linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer were to crumble.

If Illinois were to win this game, Michigan would definitely be able to breathe a little more easily under the knowledge it'd be going to the Rose Bowl. Can this happen? Not a chance.

The most probable scenario is that the Buckeyes will have an easy warm-up before they head to Ann Arbor.

Ohio State 42, Illinois 6

No. 22 iowa (3-3, 6-3) At Northwestern (2-5, 4-7)

Iowa came into the season ranked among the nation's top 25. Nine games later, the Hawkeyes are still there. But Iowa is coming off a loss to a previously unranked Wisconsin. The Boilermakers were the Badgers' first ranked victim all season.

The interesting thing about Iowa is that at 6-3, it has the worst record of all the teams in the AP Top 25. But it is important to remember that Iowa's other two losses came against No. 1 Michigan and No. 4 Ohio State.

The Hawkeyes are not a bad football team. In fact for a while, the Boilermakers were considered one of the top teams in the conference.

The problem last week was that the Hawkeyes were playing without quarterback Matt Sherman, and star running back Tavian Banks was slowed with a sprained ankle.

Two years ago, Northwestern stunned the nation by changing from perennial conference doormats into a Cinderella team.

Last year, the fairy tale continued. But now it seems as though the Wildcats have returned to reality.

Although Northwestern has only two wins in the Big Ten, it did upset a previously ranked Michigan State team.

If the Hawkeyes are not at full strength by this Saturday, it's possible they may be able to do it again.

Northwestern 21, Iowa 17

Indiana (1-5, 2-7) AT Minnesota (0-6, 2-8)

A few weeks ago, Indiana proved it was not the worst team in the conference when it knocked off winless Illinois. Now, the Hoosiers are once again facing a winless opponent.

When it comes to strength of schedule, Indiana has it pretty easy.

For the fans warmly roasting inside the Metrodome, the game could have huge importance. It's one of the last chances their Gophers will have to salvage at least one victory from this Big Ten season.

The problem with this season is there are so many great teams in the conference that the weaker teams simply have no chance.

Since Indiana already has a win in the conference, it has the mental edge saying they can at least win in the conference. The game should be close since neither team is very good.

Indiana 10, Minnesota 7

11-13-97