Another Great Big Ten Football Weekend!

There is some great Big Ten football coming up this weekend, but before we get to that let's take a look at the standings.

West first.

The West is pretty clear-cut. Obviously, Wisconsin has a lead, a strong lead that would require them to collapse completely in order for them to lose it. Their schedule is weak from here on out.

Now the East.

Ohio State has a bye this week, then a meeting with Penn State the following week. If you’re thinking that game will determine the East winner, Sparty would like a word with you. Michigan State will play both of them in consecutive weeks starting in November.

Michigan at Penn State - 6:30 pm

Penn State is favored In the double digits in this game. The Wolverine defense will have to win this game for them. That’s a pretty tall order and I don’t think they’ll be able to do it. I would also enjoy it immensely if Michigan loses because the screaming about Jim Harbaugh will get louder. If I can’t have nice things then no one else should either.

Wolverine QB John O’ Korn is 14th in conference in passing yards per game with two quarterbacks from Purdue and Indiana ahead of him. He’s also 14th in passer rating. This is a problem.

OTOH, has Penn State really played anyone of note?

Michigan vs. Penn State Game Preview: How to watch, stream, listen and prediction - Maize n Brew
Michigan heads to Happy Valley with its season on the line on Saturday Night Football

Fee Fi Foe Film: Penn State Defense | mgoblog
Michigan's struggling, one-dimensional offense heads to Happy Valley to take on a top-ten defense coming off a bye week. This projects to go not well, believe it or not.

Interviews with Football Frenemies: Michigan Wolverines Edition - Black Shoe Diaries
What does a Michigan blogger think about his team’s chances against the Penn State Whiteout?

Indiana at Michigan State - 2:30 pm

Keep in mind that the only reason Indiana is at the bottom of the East is because they’ve lost to Ohio State, Penn State, and Michigan in overtime. That’s a pretty tall order. Now they get Michigan State because someone at the Big Ten office really hates them. The good news is is that only get easier after this. Maybe they can finish ahead of Michigan – that would be hilarious.

Indiana at Michigan State: preview, stats, odds, kick time, tv and more - The Crimson Quarry
The Hoosiers take the Brass Spittoon up to East Lansing and the Spartans are hoping to make them leave it there.

Iowa at Northwestern - 11:00 am

Northwestern was supposed to be a dark horse in the West. They did play Wisconsin fairly well, but the Badgers zombie walked through a lot of that game.

Why Northwestern football will or won’t beat Iowa on Saturday - Inside NU
Can the Wildcats get back to .500 in conference play?

Iowa Football Opponent Preview: Northwestern Wildcats - Black Heart Gold Pants
Bring on the Cats!

Maryland at Wisconsin - 11:00 am

I have no idea what Maryland’s going to do to try to keep this game close. Remember that they lost two quarterbacks that were pretty good quarterbacks and now they’re down to the last quarterback before they have to start playing a linebacker quarterback. And you thought our luck was bad.

Maryland football vs. Wisconsin preview - Testudo Times
The Terps are back in action, and they’ve got a top-five opponent to greet them.

Wisconsin vs. Maryland 2017 preview: What to know about the Terrapins - Bucky's 5th Quarter
Testudo Times takes a look at D.J. Durkin’s team.

Purdue at Rutgers - 11:00 am

Purdue should get this win against Rutgers and then we can continue to talk about how Jeff Brohm has done an excellent job this season.

Interviews with the Enemy: A Q&A with On the Banks - Hammer and Rails
Purdue and Rutgers were the Big Ten factories of football sadness a year ago, going a combined 1-17 in league play. That won’t happen this year as both teams already have a win!

Illinois at Minnesota - 2:30 pm

The Gophers need this win against Illinois if for no other reason than to gather some confidence and to make sure their boat is going in the right direction before they come up against Iowa, Michigan, and I dare say it, Nebraska.

Illinois vs. Minnesota 2017 Game Preview, Time, Analysis, and more - The Champaign Room
"I have to laugh cause I've outsmarted even myself. My foe, is an animal. In order to conquer the animal, I have to think like an animal. And, whenever possible, look like one."