The Big Ten season is at its peak. Michigan can reach the top of the mountain and earn its first championship in four years, but Ohio State has other thoughts. Penn State has two games left and a good bowl on its agenda, plus a chance to share the Big Ten crown.
But not all is lost for four other Big Ten teams - Iowa, Michigan State, Purdue and Wisconsin. They can all make a big impact on their bowl placement - or non-placement - with victories this weekend.
It's crunch time, and the trash heaps of the Big Ten once again have an opportunity to play spoilers and crush bowl hopes.
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| AP PHOTO Iowa started off the season 4-0 but has since lost four of its past five games. The slide began when the Hawkeyes fell to Michigan, 28-24. The Hawkeyes will try to get back on track and secure a bowl bid when they take on Minnesota this weekend. The Golden Gophers have just one conference victory, but came close to defeating Penn State last month. |
Wisconsin (5-2 Big Ten, 8-3 Overall) at Penn State (5-1, 8-1):
This game is especially interesting because Wisconsin is the only team that has never lost in Happy Valley.
But the Nittany Lions are still angry after being blown-out by Michigan.
This is Penn State's last home game of the season, and it will be particularly special because the team will say goodbye to 15 seniors, including wide receiver Joe Jurevicius and possibly Curtis Enis, who may leave early for the NFL.
The Badgers sport an excellent running attack that was able to run on the No. 1 Michigan defense last weekend.
Even if tailback Ron Dayne, fourth in the nation in rushing, is not back from injury, Eddie Faulkner and Carl McCullough can pick up the slack, which they have done in the past two games.
But if Wisconsin's running game is shut down, and quarterback Mike Samuel is forced to pass, it could be a long day for the Badgers.
The Badgers' defense kept Michigan's injured running game at par, but the Lions have Heisman candidate Enis, who is all-too healthy.
If Penn State can get some great play out of its offensive line, Enis would love to have his best game of the season to increase his chances of winning the Heisman.
Penn State is also coming off of a superb performance this past weekend, thanks to Enis' domination of the Boilermakers, with 186 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
Penn State probably still hurts from the loss to Michigan, and emotions will be running high in Happy Valley - which could mean the difference in a close game.
Penn State 24, Wisconsin 20
Minnesota (1-6, 3-8) at Iowa (3-4, 6-4):
What happened to Iowa? After starting the season 4-0 and looking to sneak in a hand on the Big Ten championship, the Hawkeyes have lost four of their past five games. Their latest debacle was a horrendous performance against Northwestern.
Last week, four missed field goals and a high punt snap leading to a safety meant five more reasons for coach Hayden Fry to retire.
Still, Iowa can get a bowl bid if it can win its last game against Minnesota. A loss earns the Hawkeyes a living room seat for the holidays.
The Golden Gophers are ready to spoil Iowa's bowl aspirations. For the Hawkeyes to beat Minnesota and capture the golden pig - Floyd of Rosedale (where do they come up with these names?) - they will need better performances on special teams.
Luckily for Iowa, the only thing that the Gophers can say so far is, "Well, at least we almost beat Penn State."
The Iowa defense can and will stop the run as easily as it did last week, when it held the Wildcats and Adrian Autry to only 85 yards on 38 attempts.
But Minnesota's defense has little hope in stopping tailback Tavian Banks, another Heisman candidate, who would also like to make an impressive showing.
Fry hopes to make sure the game doesn't come down to field goals, especially at home. But if it does, expect the Gophers to be putting a pig where the Little Brown Jug used to be.
Iowa 31, Minnesota 10
Michigan State (2-4, 5-4) at Illinois (0-7, 0-10):
Michigan State lost another game last week due to special teams. It boggles the mind that college recruiters don't try to get better kickers and other special teams players.
Michigan State's Chris Gardner missed a 43-yard field goal with three seconds left in a 22-21 loss to Purdue.
Statistics mean nothing in college football - a few bad plays can cancel out the best performance.
The Spartans dominated every other aspect of the game and even came into the fourth quarter with a 21-10 lead, but it wasn't enough to compensate for their poor special teams play.
But all is fine and dandy this week.
Nick Saban can sit back, relax and laugh. His team is playing Illinois, also called the team that could - do nothing, that is. The Fighting Illini, who couldn't even beat Indiana, could possibly lose to a high school team, too.
They have the Big Ten's worst defense, worst offense and worst turnover ratio at -10.
Winless in 10 tries, Illinois can earn a spot as one of the worst teams in NCAA history with a loss Saturday.
The Spartans, on the other hand, could make their season worse and lose any chance at a bowl bid with a loss in Champaign.
But that's doubtful - it is Illinois.
The Illini will cruise to six second-half touchdowns after Michigan State's defense is unable to stop itself from laughing, but that still won't be enough for the Illini's first victory.
Michigan State 45, Illinois 42
Purdue (5-2, 7-3) at Indiana (1-6, 2-8):
Instead of a golden pig, this game is played for a wooden bucket. What's next? Playing for a roll of toilet paper?
Indiana should have won that for its impressive win over Illinois three weeks ago in the Big Ten toilet bowl.
Besides that victory, not much separates the Hoosiers from the Illini.
The Hoosiers are at a loss with a terribly weak offense that has failed to score more than seven points in six out of 10 games.
Their running game has only amassed 864 total yards rushing and is struggling without the graduated Alex Smith. Sophomore quarterback Jay Rodgers has had a rough season with 12 interceptions and just five touchdowns.
Indiana is the second-worst team in the Big Ten - behind Illinois -in almost every category defensively, too.
The Boilermakers won't need another prayer or divine intervention - the only thing that helped them beat Michigan State two weeks ago.
Instead, Purdue probably sees an opportunity to rebound after its blowout loss to Penn State last weekend.
With a victory, the Boilermakers can increase their chance to travel to a high-quality bowl - or at least one that's 80 degrees and sunny.
They should have no problem.
Purdue 30, Indiana 6
11-20-97
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