One weekend – bowl futures and potentially millions of dollars on the line. This may be the most important weekend for Big Ten play this season, and all five contests have something riding …
*For Minnesota, it could be life or death. A win in Champaign would give the Gophers a sixth win, and possibly their first bowl trip since the 2009 season. If they blow their opportunity they may not be able to make up for it, with games remaining in Nebraska and at home against Michigan State.
*Indiana is in a similar predicament. Kevin Wilson’s club needs to win two of three, but has more at stake than Minnesota. A win over Wisconsin would give the Hoosiers the edge in the Leaders race (they would share the division lead with Wisconsin at 3-3 but own the head-to-head tiebreaker). After Wisconsin, Indiana has road dates at Penn State and Purdue. Some are calling this week’s contest the Hoosiers’ most important game in two decades.
*Iowa’s easiest remaining contest is at home this weekend against Purdue. After that the Hawkeyes must beat either Michigan or Nebraska. If they somehow lose to the Boilermakers it’s all but over for Iowa.
*Northwestern needs help to claim the Legends crown but they could essentially make it a two-team race by beating Michigan on Saturday. The Wildcats beat the Wolverines in their last trip to Ann Arbor in 2008.
*Not as much is riding on the conference’s only other contest – Penn State at Nebraska – although it is probably the last challenge on Bo Pelini’s schedule. A win would further solidify the Cornhuskers’ position in their division.
— Big Ten Notes —
• Last year, four players gained 1,000 or more yards receiving: Marvin McNutt, B.J. Cunningham, A.J. Jenkins and Jeremy Ebert. There is a possibility that no Big Ten player will reach that mark this year. At present, no receiver has more than 700 yards. Penn State’s Allen Robinson (689) and Wisconsin’s Jared Abbrederis (675) both have an outside shot if they keep up their current pace.
• The Illinois offensive line probably can’t wait for the season to end. The Illini have surrendered 32 sacks this season – 10 more than any other team in the conference. The sacks have led to 214 negative yards for Illinois.
• One player who has been lost in end-of-year discussion is Indiana junior tailback Stephen Houston, who ranks among the conference leaders in scoring. Houston has rushed for nine scores, caught three more, and has averaged 4.7 yards per carry. Houston now has 20 touchdowns in two years of action.
— This week’s schedule —
Saturday, Nov. 10
Wisconsin at Indiana, 11 a.m.
Northwestern at Michigan, 11 a.m.
Purdue at Iowa, 11 a.m.
Penn State at Nebraska, 2:30 p.m.
Minnesota at Illinois, 2:30 p.m.
**all times CT
— Spotlight —
QB Kain Colter, Northwestern
Colter has been instrumental in each of the Wildcats three conference victories this season. He rushed for three touchdowns in last week’s win over Iowa, was 10-for-10 passing in a win over Minnesota, and rushed for 161 yards and four touchdowns in a victory over Indiana. The Wildcats need all Colter has to offer this week against a Michigan defense that ranks second in the conference in both yards and points allowed.
–– He Said It (quote of the week) —
Nebraska sophomore wide receiver Jamal Turner commenting after his last-second five-yard touchdown helped the Cornhuskers beat Michigan State 28-24: “I can’t believe that I won the game. I’ve been dreaming about this my whole life.”
— Big Ten Mailbag —
Mel from Illinois: What is the toughest environment in the Big Ten?
First, full disclosure, I’ve never played in a Big Ten stadium. But based on what players and coaches have said through the years, the most popular answer may be Beaver Stadium (Penn State). The stands are tight to the opposing bench, and the fans at Happy Valley fill the air with noise. Of course, playing at the Horseshoe or Big House is no picnic, and night games at Camp Randall can be brutal for opponents.
Tweet your questions to Mike Beacom @mikebeacom, or email him at [email protected]. Each week one question will be selected for this column. Be sure to include your first name and city/state.
Mike Beacom is the Big Ten football editor for Lindy’s. Follow him on Twitter @mikebeacom