Big Ten Football: Predicting Every Big Ten Final Score In Week 7
There are six games this weekend that revolve around Big Ten football. There are three teams who are on a bye week (Nebraska, Minnesota, and Northwestern), but most of the conference will be suiting up on Saturday.
Out of the six games being played, all but one of them are projected blowouts. The only game that doesn't have a team favored to win by two scores is MSU vs. Rutgers. But as we've come to know and love about football -- anything can happen on any given Saturday.
Here's what I think will happen on Saturday.
Trent's SU win/loss record through five weeks: 54-6
Michigan State vs. Rutgers -- Sat. Noon ET
On paper, this is by far and away the most competitive game on the slate for the weekend. The Scarlet Knights are favored by 4.5 points against the Spartans, and Vegas may not be giving MSU enough points. The game is being played in Piscataway, Rutgers is a tough-nosed team, and Greg Schiano has the Scarlet Knights as competitive as they've been in years. On the other sideline, Michigan State is a mess. The program is a mess, a few players have left since Mel Tucker was fired, and the team just isn't very good. I really like Rutgers to get win No. 5 on the year.
Rutgers 28, Michigan State 13
Ohio State vs. Purdue -- Sat. Noon ET
It took Ohio State three quarters to take out Maryland, but Saturday against the Boilermakers shouldn't be as much of a test for the Buckeyes. While Kyle McCord may not be elite like past Ohio State QBs, he is still more than serviceable and is a quality player. He shouldn't have too much issue with Purdue and it's hard to image the Boilermakers making enough plays to keep up with Ohio State -- especially with how much they turn the ball over.
Ohio State 38, Purdue 17
Indiana vs. Michigan -- Sat. Noon ET
If you thought Michigan looked dominant the past two outings, the Wolverines have a chance to look really, really dominant this weekend. The Hoosiers go to Ann Arbor after soaking in a bye week in which Tom Allen fired the offensive coordinator. Indiana has a bad defense to go along with a really, really bad offense. This game could get really ugly as long as Michigan doesn't turn the ball over and maintains a killer instinct.
Michigan 48, Indiana 6
UMass vs. Penn State -- Sat. 3:30 p.m. ET
Just as James Franklin was complaining about soft schedules, Penn State hosts 1-6 UMass! How ironic. Anyway, the Nittany Lions look like the real deal and Don Brown's team doesn't look very good at all. I look for the Nittany Lions to try and really establish their ground game this weekend.
Penn State 45, UMass 10
Illinois vs. Maryland -- Sat. 3:30 p.m. ET
Who would have envisioned Illinois, a team that almost won the Big Ten West, is so bad this year? Not only does the Illini have a not-so-good offense, but the usually strong defense is bad. After losing a game in which Maryland had plenty of chances -- against Ohio State -- the Terps are looking to get back on track. Maryland has a chance to win big on Saturday.
Maryland 34, Illinois 13
Iowa vs. Wisconsin -- Sat. 4:00 p.m. ET
This game feels like it could determine the winner of the West. Wisconsin, 2-0 in conference play, is facing Iowa who is 2-1 in Big Ten play. If the Badgers win, they have a two-game lead, but if the Hawkeyes win, they hold the tiebreaker over Wisconsin. Too bad Cade McNamara cannot play for Iowa, it would give Iowa a much stronger chance to win in Madison.
Wisconsin 17, Iowa 10
