Big Ten Week Five Preview

Two of the best offenses in the Big Ten face off as No. 24 Wisconsin (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) visits No. 3 Ohio State (4-0) in a pivotal Leaders Division matchup. The Badgers hold a slight edge in yards per game, while the Buckeyes have scored more points, but both teams are extremely explosive, averaging greater than 40 points and 500 yards per game. Wisconsin opened up Big Ten play with a win over Purdue in week four, while Ohio State finished its non-conference slate with a shutout against Florida A&M. Wisconsin has lost its last three at the Horseshoe with its last win coming in 2004.

The Floyd of Rosedale is on the line as Iowa (3-1) visits Minnesota (4-0) in the first Big Ten game for both teams. The teams have met 105 times since 1901 with Minnesota holding a 60-43-2 series record, but Iowa has had the upper hand lately, winning nine of the last 12. The Hawkeyes and Gophers went a combined 7-1 in non-conference play with the only loss coming in week one when Northern Illinois defeated Iowa.

Illinois (2-1) caps off non-conference play with a home game against Miami (Ohio) (0-3). The Illini were idle in week four after losing to Washington at Soldier Field. Illini WR Ryan Lankford had a big day in the losing effort, catching three passes for 100 yards and a touchdown, his second 100-yard game of the season. Illinois and Miami have each played Cincinnati in the first four weeks of the season. The Illini defeated the Bearcats in week two, 45-17, while Miami was shutout at home against Cincinnati this past weekend.

Purdue (1-3, 0-1 Big Ten) steps back from conference play for its final non-conference matchup of the season, hosting Northern Illinois (3-0). The Boilermakers have lost consecutive games to ranked opponents, while Northern Illinois has squeaked by with wins by scores of 45-35 and 43-39 in the past two weeks against Idaho and Eastern Illinois, respectively. Purdue and Northern Illinois have met once before with the Huskies claiming a 28-21 win in 2009.