Predicting every Big Ten college football game in Week 11
There was one upset last weekend in the Big Ten. Michigan State went to Illinois and took down the Fighting Illini in stunning fashion.
While Ohio State gained the win against Northwestern, it wasn’t pretty. The Buckeyes weren’t able to throw the ball in gusty winds and the run game failed to do much against the Wildcats. But the Buckeyes prevailed, 21-7.
Once again, there are no top-25 games in the conference for Week 11. But there are a few intriguing story lines.
Illinois has a one-game lead in the West division. There is a four-team tie for second behind the Fighting Illini. Purdue is one of those teams, and it faces Illinois this weekend. Iowa and Wisconsin, the other teams in second place, face each other.
Here are my predictions for every Big Ten football game this weekend.
Indiana vs. Ohio State
AP Photo/AJ Mast
Ohio State, shockingly, had its hands full with Northwestern last week. The Buckeyes won, 21-7, but it bad weather conditions hindered the Ohio State passing game. But the nagging issue from that game was the Buckeyes’ inability to run the ball against Northwestern.
The Wildcats found some success on the ground against Ohio State last week, but this week, the Buckeyes will go up against a pass-heavy Indiana team. The Hoosiers will try to pass on Ohio State, and I look for the Buckeyes to avenge last weekend by crushing Indiana.
Ohio State 48, Indiana 14
Purdue vs. Illinois
Nikos Frazier/Journal & Courier via AP
Illinois lost its second game of the year last weekend to Michigan State. That loss also happened to be the Illini’s second loss in the conference. So there is a lot at stake in this game.
If Purdue could upset Illinois it would have a leg up on Illinois for the Big Ten West title. But Aidan O’Connell has been wildly inconsistent this season throwing 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Illinois has Chase Brown running the ball against a Boilermakers team that gives up 120 yards on the ground. I think the Fighting Illini gets a win in a tough-fought contest.
Illinois 27, Purdue 17
Rutgers vs. Michigan State
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
After a loss to Michigan, the Spartans went on the road against Illinois and won, 23-15. It was a good boost for MSU, which should see another win this weekend against a struggling Rutgers team.
The Scarlet Knights looked competitive against Michigan in the first half last weekend but were outscored 38-0 in the second half. Gavin Wimsatt threw three interceptions, and Rutgers looks lost on offense.
I expect Michigan State to win handily here.
Michigan State 31, Rutgers 13
Nebraska vs. Michigan
Photo: Isaiah Hole
It’s still up in the air if Nebraska quarterback Casey Thompson will get to play Saturday, but all indications point to him being unavailable.
The Cornhuskers have a bottom-tier defense in all facets, and the Wolverines should be able to run the ball at will. J.J. McCarthy should find some success in the passing game, too.
Offensively, Anthony Grant and Trey Palmer have been the Cornhuskers’ impact players; the Michigan defense looks to shut them down.
Michigan 41, Nebraska 10
Maryland vs. Penn State
Photo: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Maryland had quite the letdown last weekend against Wisconsin. The offense looked average, at best, and Taulia Tagovailoa threw for just 77 yards.
I expect those numbers to improve this weekend against Penn State but the Nittany Lions are a tough out at home. Penn State had all the chances to take out Ohio State a few weeks ago in Happy Valley but costly mistakes cost it.
Got to take Penn State at home.
Penn State 34, Maryland 21
Wisconsin vs. Iowa
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
This could be the lowest scoring game of the weekend. I’m kidding — maybe.
Iowa has the No. 3 defense and Wisconsin enters ranked No. 23. Both offenses have done really well the past two weekends. It’s just hard to imagine either offense mustering much against the opposing defense.
With a potential Big Ten West title on the line, I would have to think the home team gets the win here.
Iowa 17, Wisconsin 13
Northwestern vs. Minnesota
Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports
We have to give credit to Northwestern for weathering the wind last weekend and staying with Ohio State, but the Wildcats are 1-8 for a reason.
Minnesota is one game behind Illinois in the West, and this is a must-win game for the Gophers to retain title hopes. I believe Mo Ibrahim will be way too much for the Wildcats to handle.
Minnesota 27, Northwestern 6
