by Kevin Trahan (@k_trahan) and Chris Johnson (@ChrisDJohnsonn)
Every Friday we give you our predictions for Northwestern’s game that week, but since the Wildcats are off this week, we changed things up and are predicting every Big Ten game.
Michigan at Minnesota
Chris: Michigan 17, Minnesota 13: After taking it on the chin in Lincoln last week, Michigan gets back on the winning track in a low-scoring affair.
Kevin: Minnesota 21, Michigan 20: This is a pick I’m sure I’ll want back, but I don’t trust the Wolverines’ QB situation. The Gophers get their first home win against Michigan since 1977 and become bowl eligible.
Nebraska at Michigan State
Chris: Michigan State 17, Nebraska 14: I'm starting to think the Legends Division race will come down to the final weekend. Frontrunner Nebraska makes it interesting by going down here.
Kevin: Michigan State 17, Nebraska 16: Michigan State’s defense has shown up all year, but the offense finally did enough against Wisconsin. Nebraska’s road woes continue for important Big Ten games.
Penn State at Purdue
Chris: Penn State 27, Purdue 21: This season has not gone as planned for Purdue (3-5, 0-4 Big Ten). Penn State will add injury to insult, and in the process ratchet up the pressure on Danny Hope.
Kevin: Penn State 35, Purdue 13: The Boilermakers implode for another huge loss, ending any chances Danny Hope had of saving his job.
Iowa at Indiana
Chris: Iowa 24, Indiana 21: If Indiana pulls this one out it retains an outside shot at winning the Leaders Division. The Hawkeyes will rebound from last week to end the Hoosiers' hopes of reaching Indianapolis for the B1G championship game.
Kevin: Indiana 31, Iowa 27: Plain and simple, Iowa is not a very consistent team. The offense has been consistently bad, I suppose, but the defense has been way too up-and-down to help the Hawkeyes achieve more than mediocrity. Indiana wins its second straight Big Ten game.
Illinois at Ohio State
Chris: Ohio State 41, Illinois 17: There may be no FBS team that's been a greater disappointment than Illinois this season. Tim Beckman meet Braxton Miller; the Illini's misery continues in Columbus.
Kevin: Ohio State 53, Illinois 13: This margin is probably too high, and Illinois has the talent to keep this much closer, but considering how this year has gone, a 40-point margin isn’t far-fetched.