Week 9 Big Ten Preview

It’s hard to believe we’re already nine weeks into the season. What we have seen play out is that the conference is not nearly as good as originally thought:

• Ohio State is on to a backup quarterback, which is always harrowing no matter who else is on the field.
• Oregon was wildly, hilariously overrated and could struggle to reach bowl eligibility after being the preseason No. 2.
• Indiana has some issues on offense and is damn lucky to not be 4-4, escaping late against Northwestern, Nebraska, and Michigan.
• Michigan’s offense would have to improve to be bad.
• Penn State is just funny to see them fail.
• Several teams like Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and, yes, even Purdue are quite mercurial.
• Maryland already fired its coach.
• Rutgers lost to UMass. Badly.

There are some positives though:

• UCLA is really damn good, it turns out, and might be a playoff lock as long as they take care of business.
• Northwestern has a fun offense.
• Purdue is not nearly as bad as it has been, and has even played Wake Forest and UCLA, two top 15 teams, better than a lot of others.
• Several teams are downright bitey, if not careful, and Purdue is one of them.

This seems to be following the general college football trend. There is no dominant team. Miami comes the closest, and even they needed double overtime against a bad Florida State team to stay undefeated, and they have a tricky trip to South Bend next week.

UCLA and Ohio State appear to have the inside track for the conference title game. Indiana needs a loss by Ohio State due to tiebreakers, while Minnesota can shockingly jump into the race if they upset the Hoosiers this week.

I am just basking in the fact that Purdue is not complete and total ass after the last two seasons, and this weekend it can pull off a nice win AND make a horrendous program suffer.

#25 Wisconsin (5-2, 3-1) at Iowa (5-2, 2-2) B1G NUDE SATURDAY

Wisconsin is a weird team. They are better than expected, but they have still struggled against good teams (sidebar, is USC really a good team?). Iowa might be one of the stranger teams out there. They have had games with a dominant offense and games where they revert to the typical Iowa form. This being one of their rivalry games, expect Iowa form. Iowa 16, Wisconsin 13

Illinois (4-3, 2-2) at Maryland (2-5, 0-4) Noon, Fox Sports 1

The Terrapins are running out of chances for a win, and this might be their last good one. Even then, Illinois has enough in the tank to take care of business here. Their defense had a really good week against Oregon, though they did benefit from three missed field goals. This can be classified as “yes, it is a college football game.” Illinois 31, Maryland 17

Michigan (4*-3, 1-3) at Rutgers (2-5, 1-3) 12:30, BTN

This might be the sickos game to watch this week. The Michigan defense is fantastic. They could easily pull a shutout here, and they pretty much shut down Indiana entirely last week. Michigan’s offense is beyond bad. Despite the defense holding all opponents to less than 20 points the Wolverines are (in reality) 3-4 on the year. This game could finish in negative points. Michigan 10, Rutgers 3

Minnesota (5-2, 3-1) at #4 Indiana (7-1, 4-1) 3:30pm, CBS

Minnesota is one of the stranger teams out there. They are clearly solid. The defense has often been good, but when it is bad, things like, “give up 41 points and lose by four touchdowns to Purdue” happen. I think they have a bit of a puncher’s chance here. The Hoosiers have not been great offensively, but they are still incredibly clutch as they have managed to pull out game after game late. Indiana 24, Minnesota 20

#20 Northwestern (6-1, 3-1) at Oregon (4-3, 2-2) 3:30pm on the ‘cock

Oregon’s reward for losing at Illinois is to go home and face a better team that has their old head coach as offensive coordinator. I have to admit that Northwestern has been a lot of fun to watch. The offense is innovative and the defense has been effective. They have the look of a potential 10-win team and I think they can even give Ohio State a game in a few weeks. The Ducks’ season of misery continues. Northwestern 27, Oregon 17

Nevada (3-4) at #7 UCLA (7-0) 4:15pm, BTN

Purdue is the only team that has really moved the ball this year against the Bruins. The Boilermakers had 38 points against them. Since then, UCLA has given up just 35 points total in the ensuing four games. Purdue defense being awful that night stands out. Their remaining schedule is extremely favorable too. Bob Chesney has done one of the best coaching jobs in all of college football this year. UCLA 49, Nevada 14

Purdue (3-4, 2-2) at Penn State (3-4, 0-4) 4:15pm, BTN

Here is a test for Purdue’s defense. Penn State has been very bad offensively. They average less than 5 yards per play and they are exactly what the Purdue defense needs after a poor showing against Washington. If those struggles continue, Purdue can get its second ever win in Happy Valley. We may never get another shot this good at pulling off a win there, and said win opens the door for a bowl game. Purdue 31, Penn State 24

#2 Ohio State (6-1, 4-0) at USC (6-2, 3-2) 7:30pm, NBC

This is basically an elimination game for any USC playoff hopes. They desperately need a marquee win, and getting Ohio State at home is their shot at it. Luke Fahey has just 13 career pass attempts, but if there is a better situation for a backup quarterback to go in to I’d like to see it. This is still Ohio State. It is loaded with talent across the board, making Fahey’s job that much easier. Ohio State 31, USC 20

Washington (4-3, 1-3) at Nebraska (5-2, 2-2) 8pm, BTN

Here are two teams where I have no idea if they are good or not. Yes, Washington beat Purdue, but it was one of the sloppiest games you will ever see as they committed five turnovers and were only bailed out by a flailing defense. Nebraska continues to be stuck in the mode where they lose close games by every way possible, even if it means inventing new ways for that. When in doubt, pick the home team. Nebraska 27, Washington 24