Big Ten Week Nine Preview

No. 22 Michigan (5-2, 3-0 Big Ten) at Nebraska (5-2, 2-1 Big Ten) is the game of the week in the Big Ten Conference, pitting the top two programs in the Legends Division. The trip to Lincoln is Michigan’s first in 101 seasons. Brady Hoke’s Wolverines will try to duplicate last year’s result when they defeated the Cornhuskers, 45-17. The game marks 50 years of consecutive sellouts at Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium.

Minnesota (4-3, 0-3 Big Ten) hosts Purdue (3-4, 0-3 Big Ten) at TCF Bank Stadium Saturday. The Gophers look for their first win in October after starting the season 3-1. Purdue’s ball-hawking secondary will try to add to its conference-leading three pick-six interceptions this season.

Iowa (4-3, 2-1 Big Ten) faces Northwestern (6-2, 2-2 Big Ten) in Evanston. The schools have split the last 12 meetings, but the Wildcats have prevailed in five of the last seven. The turnover game will play a major part in the outcome as the two teams have combined to force at least one turnover in 115 of their last 129 combined games.

Indiana (2-5, 0-3 Big Ten) travels to Illinois (2-5, 0-3 Big Ten) as both teams try to pick up their first conference win. The Fighting Illini are 4-2 against the Hoosiers on Homecoming. The two programs have dropped their last nine combined games leading to this weekend.

No. 25 Wisconsin (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten) welcomes Michigan State (4-4, 1-3 Big Ten). The Badgers look to extend the second-longest home win streak in the nation (21 games). The matchup pits the two most successful squads in Big Ten play since 2010, as they have combined for 31 conference victories.

Ohio State (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten) are in for a “white out” against Penn State (5-2, 3-0 Big Ten) at Beaver Stadium. The two programs are the only two remaining programs to boast spotless records in the Leaders Division. The Beavers are outgained the Iowa Hawkeyes by nearly 300 yards last week en route to a 38-14 victory. This game is the rubber match of a series that is knotted at 13 wins apiece.