Strong Brees may blow into Pasadena

By Nick Kacher

Daily Sports Writer

Saturday marks the end of the Big Ten football season, which makes this rivalry week. Besides having various weapons and tools turned trophies on the line, many teams' chances of a bowl game hang in the balance. The way the Big Ten season has gone thus far, no one really knows what's going to happen.

Indiana (3-7 Big Ten, 2-5 overall) at No. 17 Purdue (5-2, 7-3): Purdue has a chance to clinch the Rose Bowl for only the second time in school history - the first time being in 1967. The Boilermakers hope to turn around a big loss at the hands of Michigan State last week.

In a big game you want to put the ball in the hands of your team's leaders, so expect Drew Brees to connect with wide receiver Vinny Sutherland as much as possible to put this game away.

For Indiana to win, it will need a big game from its one-man team, Antwaan Randle El. Indiana has an explosive offense that averages 450.6 yards per game. Indiana is extremely effective in the redzone - scoring 87 percent of the time, but can they get there?

Purdue wants to keep the Old Oaken Bucket and take it to Pasadena.

Purdue 44, Indiana 32

Illinois (2-5, 5-5) at Northwestern (5-2, 7-3): Northwestern is hoping to gain a piece of the conference title, as well as the traditional Tomahawk Trophy with a victory over in-state rival Illinois. After last week's less-than stellar performance at Iowa the Wildcats definitely want to end the season on a positive note. Quarterback Zak Kustock and running back Damien Anderson hope to spark the Wildcats' offense and return it to the form that averaged 36.3 points per game.

Illinois lost another heartbreaker last week when the ball split the goalpost on the last play to lift Ohio State to a 24-21 victory, putting the Fighting Illini in a must win situation if they want to become bowl eligible. Unfortunately for them, quarterback Kurt Kittner will have to watch it from the sidelines after suffering a concussion in last week's game. Don't expect the Tomahawk to be making its way back to Champaign when it's all said and done.

Northwestern 38, Illinois 24

Michigan State (2-5, 5-5) at Penn State (3-4, 4-7): Michigan State hopes to keep its momentum as it roles into State College after a huge upset over Purdue. The Spartans hope again to prove that a good defense is the best offense and grab the cherished Land Grant Trophy.

Penn State just wants the season over with. The seven losses it has acquired is the most ever by a Joe Paterno team. What does he have to say about it? "We're just not that good, really."

With their lack of confidence starting from their coach to their field-goal kicker - whose glory days ended with kickball at recess - don't expect the Nittany Lions to end the season on a good note.

Michigan State 24, Penn State 15

Iowa (3-4, 3-8) at Minnesota (3-4, 3-8): Rumor has it that Iowa and Minnesota are also going to play football this Saturday - not that anyone really cares.

Minnesota has a chance to become bowl-eligible. But it has to win, which it hasn't done in three games. To win, the Golden Gophers will have to pound the ball down the middle with their running back Tellis Redmon, who is second in the conference in all-purpose yardage.

Iowa has won two straight games for the first time since 1997. Iowa struggles with one of the worst defenses in the country, but Minnesota's offense is nothing to write home about either.

Look for Iowa to complete the miracle and win three in a row.

Iowa 20, Minnesota 13