LAST WEEK…Coming off a disastrous loss to Wisconsin the week before, Nebraska needed to make a statement in the Big 10, and did they ever! It was one of the greatest comebacks seen this season in college football. Down 27-6 to Ohio State in the Cornhuskers backyard, Braxton Miller went down with an injury. The next thing you know, Taylor Martinez and Rex Burkhead are taking over the game. Martinez passed and ran over the Buckeyes defense, then Burkhead put the finishing touches on them. Nebraska scored 28 unanswered points in the second half to take the lead, 34-27, and their first-ever Big 10 Conference win. #19 Illinois and #12 Michigan remained undefeated with impressive wins by both teams. The Illini did it more conventionally, gritting one out against a horrible Indiana squad, 41-20. The Wolverines had a much tougher test, as they battled Northwestern on the road in Evanston. The Wildcats took the lead into halftime, 24-14, looking for the major upset. However, Denard Robinson wasn’t going to let that happen, as he went off in the second half alongside his Michigan defensive mates. The Wolverines shutout the Wildcats in the second half, as they cruised to four touchdowns and 28 unanswered points against Northwestern for the 42-24 win. Purdue smoked Minnesota, 45-17, as the Boilermakers grab their third win of the season. Penn State slipped past Iowa, 13-3, in a defensive struggle from Pennsylvania. With the victory, silent Penn State moves their record to 5-1, enhancing their chances of a nice bowl-bid.
THIS WEEK…After a bye week, the #4 ranked Wisconsin Badgers (5-0) host the Indiana Hoosiers (1-5) at 11:00 a.m. from Camp Randall Stadium. I do not see this game being close. This is a college powerhouse versus a high school team, and a mediocre one at best. The game of the weekend pits two in-state rivals against one another, as #23 Michigan State (4-1) hosts #11 Michigan (6-0) from East Lansing. The winner of this game will be making a huge statement, not only in their division, but to the entire Big 10 Conference and nation at 11:00 a.m. Saturday. How good is Michigan on the road? How good is Michigan State’s No. 2 nationally ranked defense? And can it slow down Denard Robinson? Those questions will all be answered Saturday, but look for a Spartan upset of the Wolverines. Ohio State (3-3) visits #16 Illinois (6-0) in Champaign on Saturday, but Ohio State hopes to be doing the celebrating with the champagne. The Buckeyes are coming off one of their worst losses in school history, blowing a 27-6 lead in the second half to Nebraska. Now they must get back on the track and knock off a top-20 team in the nation at their place. If Braxton Miller plays, Ohio State will have a chance for the upset. However, if he isn’t playing, look for the Ohio State team from the second half last week to show up against the Fightin’ Illini. Purdue (3-2) is at Penn State (5-1) for an 11:00 a.m. showdown. I can see Purdue sneaking up on Penn State, who has played no real competition besides Alabama where they were destroyed. From Iowa City, the nightcap will feature Northwestern (2-3) against Iowa (3-2), with each team looking to rebound from tough losses last weekend. I see Northwestern answering the bell in this one, as they should handle Iowa’s offense. Meanwhile, the spread offense of the Wildcats will keep the Hawkeyes off balance just enough, to win Saturday night. Minnesota and Nebraska are on their bye week.
PLAYERS TO WATCH THIS WEEKEND…
1) Denard Robinson, QB Michigan: Is he healthy? If he is, watch out because this will be an all-time rivalry series game against MSU to watch this weekend. Both teams combined have just one loss between them, and it’s already week seven! This is going to be a great match-up about whose offense can withstand more ups and downs. I see the Wolverines getting pummeled if Denard doesn’t play, but if he does, they could beat the No. 2 nationally ranked defense of the Spartans.
2) Kirk Cousins, QB Michigan State: Cousins is in the same boat as Robinson this weekend. His offense will sneak up on you, as the Spartans boast the 32nd best pass offense in the nation, as opposed to Michigan’s 83rd ranked passing offense. Michigan State can pass on teams, and should throw all over the Wolverines as long as Cousins makes proper decisions. He can’t play outside his ability, as he has tried and failed with in the past.
3) Nathan Scheelhaase, QB Illinois: Here is his opportunity to keep the momentum going for Illinois. He has to step up and defeat a tough and upset Ohio State Buckeyes team. His team is on the verge of being 7-0 and in the top-15, with Ron Zook still at head coach! Zook might actually be able to keep his job now. Illinois has to get up early, and Scheelhaase must keep them up throughout.
4) Braxton Miller, RB Ohio State: The Buckeyes signal caller made huge strides last week against Nebraska. The only problem is, he left the game with an injury, only to watch a 27-6 lead he got his teammates, disappear in one half of football. Miller is a player with great running ability and he can definitely throw when needed. He is a player to watch for the rest of this season if he can stay on the field.
5) Ralph Bolden, RB Purdue: Bolden has been a horse for the Boilermakers. Now, he has to do it against a tough Penn State team. The Purdue RB has rushed 273 yards off 57 carries, for a 4.8 yard per carry average this season. He is going to have to do that and a little bit more to upset 5-1 Penn State, but I can see it happening if Bolden runs wild.
