Key Big Ten Football Match-ups in Week 9

Oct 22, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines players celebrate after the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won 41-8. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The key Big Ten football match-ups in week 9 are here.

Heading into week nine and the sixth week of conference play in Big Ten football, there are three interesting match-ups that we will examine. It marks one of two remaining games that ranked Big Ten teams square off. Following the games, we will follow-up with the scores and highlights.

Big Ten football Game #1:

October 29, 2016 – 12:00 PM
2 Michigan (7-0) @ Michigan State (2-5)

In the battle of Michigan, the Michigan Wolverines travel into East Lansing and take on their inner-state rival Michigan State Spartans.

The Wolverines have lost seven of eight to the Spartans, but Michigan is ranked No. 2 and Michigan State is on a five-game losing skid. But Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh will not be taking the Spartans and head coach Mark Dantonio lightly.

With Michigan proving that they are Big Ten royalty all season long, it would be difficult to think that the Wolverines will not blow out a reeling Spartan team which has lost five straight.

It will be surprising if the Spartans are able to score much through the air against the Wolverines and their stud safety/running back/returner Jabrill Peppers.

This will be a yawner, but will solidify Michigan as one of the Big Ten’s elite.

Prediction: Michigan 34 Michigan State 13

Big Ten football Game #2:

Oct 22, 2016; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Justin Jackson (21) is tackled by Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Tyler Green (3) and defensive back Tony Fields (19) in the second half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

October 29, 2016 – 3:30 PM
Northwestern (4-3) @ 6 Ohio State (6-1) – 12:00 PM

The Ohio State Buckeyes, coming off a devastating loss at Penn State last week will try to turn things around and get their offense back on the page it was on the first four weeks of the season.

This week, the Northwestern Wildcats stand in their way. Northwestern has played well in the last few weeks and feel good heading into Columbus, Ohio riding a three game winning streak.

But Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer has had to swallow a tough pill losing to an unranked Penn State on the road, snapping the 20 road game win streak he had established since being hired to coach the Buckeyes.

While the loss last week was tough, Meyer is still very positive. “Every goal is still alive,” Meyer said after the loss. “We’re not a great time right now.”

The next two games, both being played at home can define who the Buckeyes truly are.

Northwestern comes into town for a 3:30 PM on Saturday (ESPN), and the following Saturday the now undefeated No. 7 Nebraska Cornhuskers are in Columbus.

Ohio State needs to take this game as serious as if it were a potential season ender. Buckeyes offensive coordinator Ed Warinner, who looked like a genius in weeks 1-5, now faces scrutiny, as do all the young Ohio State players.

J.T. Barrett has had a difficult time connecting with receivers, so the ties that bind quarterback and receivers need to be strengthened. We also learned that Barrett’s legs cannot win a game in and of itself versus good defenses.

Northwestern has rebounded after losing three of its first four games to start the season, winning three straight Big Ten games against Iowa, Michigan State and Indiana.

Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald understands he has a tough opponent in Ohio State on the road.

“Now the heavy lifting starts” Fitzgerald said. “Nobody has a stiffer challenge than us. We have to take on the Buckeyes.”

Northwestern has some talent they can leverage against Ohio State. The Wildcats have the leading rusher in the Big Ten, with Justin Jackson who has amassed 792 yards in seven games. Austin Carr is the conference’s leading receiver with 50 catches for 720 yards and nine touchdowns, and Clayton Thorson is the third-best quarterback in the conference. He averages 240.9 yards in the air per game with 14 touchdowns.

This will be another exciting Big Ten showcase, with Northwestern playing better than they have in many years. On defense the Wildcats have the conferences leading sack leader Ifeadi Odenigbo – a Dayton, Ohio native – who has 8 sacks to his credit.

Expect a close game, and if their defense is able to pressure Barrett the way Penn State did, look out!

Prediction: Ohio State 31 Northwestern 21

Big Ten football Game #3:

Oct 22, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Purdue Boilermakers safety C.J. Parker (26) tackles Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. (4) in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska won 27-14. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

October 29, 2016 – 7:00 PM
7 Nebraska (7-0) @ 11 Wisconsin (5-2)

The Nebraska Cornhuskers are still at the top of the Big Ten West, head into Madison WS to take on the Wisconsin Badgers. The Badgers plan on changing that this week, as they are 8.5 point favorites.

Though Nebraska/Wisconsin is a No. 7 vs. No. 11 meeting, the lower-ranked Badgers are seen as the obvious favorite against the undefeated Huskers. Nebraska may be 7-0, but the Huskers trailed Purdue as the half last week and are still looking for a marquee win.

While the Huskers have learned to win this season, they have yet to play a team that is of the Badgers stature. It will be an uphill climb for the Huskers offense going against arguably a top 2 Big Ten defense in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin’s defense has held its opponents to an average of 12 points per game. This is where Nebraska will find it difficult. They have a good quarterback in Tommy Armstrong Jr., but the defense will keep him out of the end zone and force them to run the ball into the heart of this defense.

With Nebraska ranked 14th in the nation in scoring defense and allowing only 17.7 points per game, ball security on offense is critical, and the team currently owns a +5 turnover margin.