Big Ten Week Eight Preview
No. 3 Ohio State (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten) goes for its nation-leading 19th-consecutive win, hosting Iowa (4-2, 1-1 Big Ten). The Buckeyes have not played since rallying for a 40-30 win over Northwestern two weeks ago, while Iowa also sat idle in week seven following a 26-14 loss to Michigan State. The Buckeyes have rushed for over 280 yards per game this season, spearheading an offensive attack that has averaged 46.8 points per game. Iowa has not won in Columbus since 1991, dropping 12 of the last 13 contests.
After beating Penn State for the first time ever two weeks ago, Indiana (3-3, 1-1 Big Ten) looks to break another long-losing skid, traveling to No. 24 Michigan (5-1, 1-1 Big Ten). The Wolverines have won the last 17 meetings between the teams with the last Hoosiers win coming in 1987. Michigan’s only loss of the season came last weekend in four overtimes at Penn State. The Wolverines and Hoosiers have each scored more than 39 points per game.
Northwestern (4-2, 0-2 Big Ten) and Minnesota (4-2, 0-2 Big Ten) face off in Evanston, Ill. Northwestern has opened up Big Ten play with back-to-back losses, but can make up ground in the division race as it starts the first of five-straight games against divisional opponents. The Wildcats fell on the road, 35-6, in week seven, while Minnesota sat idle following a 42-13 defeat at Michigan. Northwestern has won three-in-a-row over the Golden Gophers and has never had a four-game winning streak in the series.
Purdue (1-5, 0-2 Big Ten) travels to East Lansing to face Michigan State (5-1, 2-0 Big Ten). The Spartans have opened up Big Ten play with back-to-back double-digit wins over Iowa and Indiana, while Purdue has lost four-straight, including a 44-7 setback versus Nebraska last weekend. Michigan State has allowed only 15.8 points on defense, while relying on seven rushing touchdowns from RB Jeremy Langford on the offensive side of the ball.
Wisconsin (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) plays its second-straight game against a team from the Land of Lincoln, traveling to Illinois (3-2, 0-1 Big Ten). The Badgers stifled Northwestern last week on way to a 35-6 home victory. The Fighting Illini had a week seven bye after dropping their conference opener, 39-19, at Nebraska. Wisconsin ranks in the top five nationally in both points allowed (13.2) and rushing yards (298.2).