The penultimate weekend of the Big Ten regular season has arrived, and all signs point to Michigan and Ohio State tuning up for their Nov. 25 showdown in Ann Arbor for the East Division title. In the West, Iowa aims to secure the division title outright, while the five teams tied for second hope the Hawkeyes lose. (The Gophers-Ohio State prediction will be published later in the week.)
Will Badgers' nightmare stretch continue? Find out in Randy Johnson's Big Ten picks.
The Gophers aren't the only Big Ten West team in misery. Wisconsin has dropped four of the past five.
November 17, 2023 at 1:33AM
Three with intrigue
No. 3 Michigan at Maryland, 11 a.m., FOX
The Terrapins eked out a win at Nebraska last week to gain bowl eligibility. They won't have the horses to hang with the Wolverines, no matter who's serving as Michigan's coach. Michigan 49, Maryland 10
Illinois at Iowa, 2:30 p.m., FS1
The Hawkeyes have won a share of the Big Ten West Division title but will be without defensive back Cooper DeJean, who'll miss the remainder of the season because of a lower leg injury. That's an opening for the Fighting Illini, but the Hawkeyes will close it. Iowa 16, Illinois 13
Nebraska at Wisconsin, 6:30 p.m., NBC
Winner of this game reaches six wins for bowl eligibility. The Cornhuskers need a win and an Iowa loss to keep their faint West title hopes alive. Nebraska ends a nine-game skid against the Badgers, who have lost four of five. Nebraska 23, Wisconsin 20
And the rest
Rutgers at No. 12 Penn State, 11 a.m., FS1
The Nittany Lions fired offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich after a 24-15 loss to Michigan. They'll break out against the Scarlet Knights, who were blanked at Iowa. Penn State 34, Rutgers 10
Purdue at Northwestern, 11 a.m., BTN
The Boilermakers played their best game of the season in rolling up 49 points and 604 yards against the Gophers. Coach David Braun, who has the Wildcats on the verge of a bowl berth, had the interim status removed from his title. Look for Northwestern to ride that emotion. Northwestern 27, Purdue 24
Michigan State at Indiana, 11 a.m., BTN
Winner of this game gets the Old Brass Spittoon. Loser cements last place in the East Division. Go with the Hoosiers, who have more offensive talent. Indiana 31, Michigan State 21
Gophers’ final home game of season comes against Nittany Lions team in contention for College Football Playoff.
