Big Ten Previews and Predictions for Week 6

Big Ten Previews and Predictions: Week 6

The Big Ten has seen five ranked teams a couple weeks ago dwindle down to just three in the top-25. This doesn’t exactly mean the conference in spiraling out of control; it just means teams are starting to beat up on each other while other teams plant themselves in Big Ten relevancy talks.

In one big-time matchup in week five, the Wisconsin Badgers travel to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes on the road and it wasn’t a pretty sight for the once-potent offense. They were basically shut down for most of the game until the fourth quarter rolled around. Ohio State proved once again that it is the top team in the conference and week six will see another tough team face off against the Buckeyes.

The Northwestern Wildcats are set to host the No. 4 team in the nation and no one is more excited than head coach Pat Fitzgerald who desperately wants a statement win for his Wildcats. It will be interesting to see if Braxton Miller can lead his team, once again, to a win after suffering an injury in week two and missing the better part of three games.

Other teams are looking to fight their way into conference title talks and two perfect examples of that are the matchups between the Illinois Fighting Illini versus Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Michigan State Spartans hitting the road to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes. The winners of those games will enter the talks for the best teams in their respective divisions.

Take a look at the previews and predictions for each week six game in the Big Ten.

Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at [email protected].

Penn State at Indiana

Penn State is 3-1 this season, but has been lightly tested. On the other side of the field, the Indiana Hoosiers are 2-2 with two poor losses. The difference in this game will be Indiana's poor defense against Penn State's stellar defense. Christian Hackenberg will have a field-day.

PREDICTION: Penn State 37, Indiana 24

Illinois at Nebraska

Illinois and Nathan Scheelhaase have been great this season, but the Nebraska Cornhuskers are playing angry ever since they lost to UCLA in blowout fashion on their home field. If Taylor Martinez comes back for this game, the Cornhuskers will roll. If not, they will sneak one out, but they won't lose at home for the second time in two games.

PREDICTION: Illinois 20, Nebraska 31

Michigan State at Iowa

Two of the best defenses in the nation are facing off against each other in this game. Michigan State hits the road as the nation's top team in terms of yards allowed per game and that doesn't bode well for a young, inexperienced Iowa offense. Michigan State's lowly offense will score just enough to sneak out a win.

PREDICTION: Michigan State 14, Iowa 10

Minnesota at No. 19 Michigan

Michigan has struggled ever since its win against Notre Dame in week two, but the Wolverines host another struggling offense in Minnesota. If Devin Gardner can limit his turnovers -- hopefully to zero -- the Wolverines will have no problem disposing of the Gophers at home, ending their slump.

PREDICTION: Minnesota 14, Michigan 31

No. 4 Ohio State at No. 16 Northwestern

Ohio State is coming off a win against the Wisconsin Badgers in week five. This was big for two reasons. One, it showed that Braxton Miller's injury didn't slow him down a bit and it hasn't hampered his play, and two, Ohio State is the best team in the conference and maybe even the nation. Northwestern is not ready for this big of a stage just yet.

PREDICTION: Ohio State 34, Northwestern 28