Breaking B1G: Week 6 Preview

It's the first full week of Big Ten play! With 4 schools still ranked in the national polls, let's not let those voters down.

My Picks
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 45-5

Saturday, October 5th

ILLINOIS @ #-/25 NEBRASKA | 12:00 | ESPNU
The Illini have been on a bit of a roll lately. Aside from a close rather loss to Washington two weeks ago, they've looked impressive in wins against Cincinnati and Miami of Ohio. There's no questions that if Nathan Scheelhaase is on, their offense can score some big points. Nebraska still has much to prove coming off their bye week. This one could be a shootout of two teams with high powered offenses, and not much defense. Illinois 42 Nebraska 35

MICHIGAN STATE @ IOWA | 12:00 | ESPN2
On the flip side of the game above, this one could be a knock-down drag-out offensive struggle. We all know Michigan State's defense is maybe one of the best in the nation, buy major questions remain on offense. Iowa seems to be playing better each and every week as they gain more confidence since their opening season loss to Northern Illinois.
Michigan State 17 Iowa 6

PENN STATE @ INDIANA | 12:00 | BTN
The good news for Hoosier fans is that it's October. And that means the basketball season is just around the corner. The bad news is the football team still has 8 games left to play against opponents such as Penn State (this week), Michigan State, Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio State. Right now it's looking like the season finale against Purdue could determine the cellar-dweller of the league. Penn State 31 Indiana 20

MINNESOTA @ #19/17 MICHIGAN | 3:30 | ABC/ESPN2
Well what can I say, it's the battle for the Little Brown Jug...the 3rd oldest sports trophy in North America still awarded. Minnesota averages a win in this series about once every generation years. Since 1968, the Gophers have bested the Wolverines only 3 times – 1977, 1986 and 2005. Will 2013 be added to that list? You'll have to find out in our game preview this Friday.

#4/3 OHIO STATE @ #16/15 NORTHWESTERN | 8:00 | ABC
Easily the biggest Northwestern game that I can ever remember. College Gameday is in town and the stage is set for a Saturday night primetime thriller. It's a battle of the two teams that everyone assumes will be playing each other again in Indy in December. While I do think this could be a close game, I think experience prevails as Ohio State rolls. They're well accustomed to this national stage. Ohio State 35 Northwestern 24

Bye: Purdue and Wisconsin