Week 5 Big Ten Preview

This is one of the more interesting weeks on the Big Ten schedule because many of the big name programs in the league face tricky road games. Penn State is at Northwestern, who is fresh off of putting a scare into defending champ Indiana and they would love to open their new home right. Michigan is at Minnesota as the Gophers are coming off of a big win. Ohio State is also at Iowa, which can always be tricky.

It is also a week where maybe, just maybe, Purdue can finally win another Big Ten game.

Friday

Penn State (3-1, 0-1) at Northwestern (2-1, 0-1) 8pm, FOX

The new Ryan Field is here and it honestly looks gorgeous. Northwestern spared no expense for this and now they finally get to play in it. It should be a fascinating game, too. The Northwestern offense is pretty dangerous under Chip Kelly and Penn State is coming off of messing itself at home against Wisconsin. I don’t think we can underestimate the emotion the Northwestern will have of opening their new stadium. Northwestern 31, Penn State 28

Saturday

Michigan (3*-1, 0-1) at Minnesota (3-1, 1-0) B1G NUDE SATURDAY

This is a weird game to figure out. Michigan has been all over the map and its offense struggles mightily. Minnesota got blasted at home by Mississippi State, but had a pretty impressive late night win at Washington. Minnesota has won the Little Brown Jug only twice in the last 40 years (2005 and 2014), and they have not beaten Michigan in Minneapolis since 1977! I think that streak ends this year. Minnesota 21, Michigan 17

Michigan State (2-2, 0-1) at Wisconsin (3-1, 1-0) 12:30pm, BTN

It is nice to see that Wisconsin figured out it is good again. They made a late push in Happy Valley that may have saved Luke Fickell in the long run. Assuming they can hold serve at home against a bad Michigan State team they will be a pleasant surprise at 2-0. The Badgers have gotten better each week since week 1, but they need this one because they have three straight games against ranked teams coming up. Wisconsin 34, Michigan State 17

#5 Ohio State (3-1, 1-0) at #14 Iowa (4-0, 1-0) 3:30pm, CBS

I admit I want to watch this sheerly out of morbid curiosity. Ohio State has every advantage possible and was the preseason No. 1, but there is a very real chance They could be under .500 with four games against top 20 teams in the next five. Three of them are on the road, too. If they get through this stretch unscathed they will be well on their way to the playoff, but a loss to an Iowa team that is very Iowa could cause a huge tumble. Ohio State 27, Iowa 21

Maryland (2-2, 0-1) at Nebraska (4-0, 1-0) 4pm, Fox Sports 1

I am officially dubbing Maryland as our first dead team walking this year. They looked awful at home last week against UCLA and now they get Nebraska and Ohio State on the road in consecutive weeks. Will Mike Locksley make it to November 7^th when they come to West Lafayette? I hope so, because I really would like to win another home game. Nebraska 42, Maryland 10

Purdue (1-3, 0-1) at Illinois (2-2, 0-1) 4:15pm, BTN

There is some strong sickos potential here as neither team really has a functional defense. The Illini have had more cupcakes than Purdue, but Purdue has played better against tougher competition. I have seen how this goes before, as it seems any time Purdue plays a team missing a key player or having just lost a coach said opponent does much better. That said, I have a good feeling here. I think we break the 19 game Big Ten losing streak. Our last trip to Chambana was a wild shootout and I think we see more of the same. Purdue 45, Illinois 42

Washington (3-1, 0-1) at #18 USC (4-1, 1-1) 7:30pm, NBC

Why is a Pac-12 game here? USC is currently on the list of hated teams after the way they celebrated Dante Moore’s injury last week. That said, they have been a lot more consistent than Washington, who is edging towards “most disappointing Big Ten team” status. USC 34, Washington 27

#6 Indiana (4-0, 1-0) at Rutgers (1-3, 0-1) 8pm, BTN

While I would find it absolutely hilarious for Indiana to lose at Rutgers after UMass went to Piscataway and dominated the Scarlet Knights, I am also a realist. This is going to be a bloodbath, both because Rutgers is bad and Curt Cignetti is probably upset Indiana did not play very well last week. Indiana 55, Rutgers 10