Big Ten Week Ten Preview
No. 22 Michigan State (7-1, 4-0 Big Ten) welcomes No. 21 Michigan (6-1, 2-1 Big Ten) to East Lansing as the teams battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy and first place in the Legends Division. The Spartans sit atop the division as the only undefeated team after cruising by Illinois, 42-3. Michigan State’s defense has allowed just 12.3 points per game and has only allowed more than 14 points once in conference play. The Wolverines bring in a high-powered offense that has put up at least 40 points in three-straight games, including 63 points in a shootout victory against Indiana two weeks ago. Michigan won the rivalry game last year, but the Spartans have won four of the last five.
No. 4 Ohio State (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten) takes its 20 game winning streak on the road to face Purdue (1-6, 0-3 Big Ten). The Boilermakers have been tough against the Buckeyes at home, winning three of the last four home games against Purdue, despite not winning more than seven games in any of those seasons. Ohio State played its most complete game of the season in week nine, jumping out to a 28-0 lead en route to a 63-14 victory over Penn State. Purdue sat idle following a 14-0 defeat at Michigan State.
Iowa (5-3, 2-2 Big Ten) goes for its second-straight Big Ten win as it hosts No. 24 Wisconsin (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten). The Hawkeyes defeated Northwestern, 17-10, in overtime last weekend to even up their Big Ten record heading into the rivalry game against the Badgers. Wisconsin has rebounded from a loss at Ohio State to win back-to-back games against Northwestern and Illinois. The Badgers lead the Big Ten in rushing yards per game at 296.9 behind running backs Melvin Gordon and James White. Wisconsin last played the Hawkeyes in 2010, defeating them on the road, 31-30.
Minnesota (6-2, 2-2 Big Ten) seeks its first three-game Big Ten winning streak since 2008 as it travels to Indiana (3-4, 1-2 Big Ten). The Golden Gophers have upset two-straight opponents, winning at Northwestern and defeating then No. 24 Nebraska last weekend. Minnesota has played smart in the two wins, not turning the ball over in either game. Indiana has won eight of its last nine home games against Minnesota, and can even its Big Ten record after four games for the first time since 2007.
Penn State (4-3, 1-2 Big Ten) returns home to face Illinois (3-4, 0-3 Big Ten). The Nittany Lions were blown out on the road at Ohio State last week, falling 63-14, but still sit only one game below .500 in the Big Ten with a favorable remaining schedule. After starting 3-1, the Illini have dropped their last three games, including a 42-3 loss at home against Michigan State in week nine. Sophomore running back Josh Ferguson leads the team with 361 rushing yards and 361 receiving yards.
Nebraska (5-2, 2-1 Big Ten) welcomes Northwestern (4-4, 0-4 Big Ten) to Lincoln. Both teams are coming into the game off of losses as Nebraska was upset at Minnesota, while Northwestern has dropped four-straight, including a loss at home to Minnesota two weeks ago. Ranked earlier in the season, Northwestern and Nebraska both look to jump start a strong finish to the 2013 campaign. The Wildcats and Cornhuskers have exchanged road victories since Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2011.