Around The Big Ten: Week Ten

Audio/Story posted November 5, 2015 in CommRadio, Sports by Sports Staff

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ComRadio's own Brandon Pelter, John McHugh, Tom Shively and Dave Arroyo break down the week ten games around the conference. 

 

Football in the Big Ten continues this week with every team in action. As we get later into the season, the action heats up as teams push for a spot in the Big Ten Championship.

Illinois @ Purdue – Noon, BTN
Both teams enter this game not having the best of seasons. Illinois was shut out by Penn State last week 39-0 in a game that they never seemed to get off of the bus for. They look to shake off that loss when they travel to West Lafayette to take on the Boilermakers. Purdue had the upset of the week in the Big Ten last week when they defeated Nebraska 55-45. They need to feed off of the momentum gained in that big win, in order to slow down Wes Lunt and the Illini.

No. 9 Iowa @ Indiana – 3:30 p.m., ESPN
The undefeated Iowa Hawkeyes travel to Bloomington to take on Indiana this week in front of a national television audience. Led by C.J. Beathard and Jordan Canzeri, this Iowa team has turned heads all over the nation, and they have a big test this weekend. Indiana comes into this matchup well rested after having a bye last week. With key players beginning to return from injuries, this matchup is going to be good. Indiana will need its defense to step up in this game in order to have a chance at breaking up Iowa’s College Football Playoff hopes.

Rutgers @ No. 17 Michigan – 3:30 p.m., BTN
Rutgers ventures into the Big House reeling, coming off of two straight blowout losses at the hands of Ohio State and Wisconsin. Rutgers is also dealing with some serious injury problems as star wide receiver Leonte Carroo is reportedly out. Michigan escaped by this skin of its teeth last week at Minnesota when the Golden Gophers went for the touchdown as time expired instead of kicking the field goal to send it into overtime. Michigan will have the home field advantage in this one as they try to fight off the Scarlet Knights.

Wisconsin @ Maryland – 3:30 p.m., BTN
Both teams enter this matchup traveling in opposite directions. Maryland has had an awful season so far at 2-6, which also includes a coaching change. They lost at Iowa last Saturday 31-15, which now has them on a five-game skid. Wisconsin hasn’t lost since week five when they were defeated by Iowa. Coming off of a huge win over Rutgers, the Badgers will look to harness the momentum gained by that win to lead them past the struggling Terrapins.

No. 7 Michigan State @ Nebraska – 8:00 p.m., ESPN
Michigan State is still unbeaten and controls its own destiny to reach the College Football Playoff. They defeated the Indiana Hoosiers last week 52-26 and will hope to continue their success against a struggling Cornhusker team. Nebraska has not had a good year in Mike Riley’s first year as head coach. Currently at 3-6, they lost in a shootout at Purdue last week. They will need their leaders on both sides of the ball to step up if they hope to derail Michigan State’s perfect season.

Minnesota @ No. 3 Ohio State – 8:00 p.m., ABC
Minnesota nearly pulled off a huge upset over Michigan last week losing when they tried to score a touchdown on the last play instead of just kicking a chip shot field goal that would have sent the game to overtime. The Golden Gophers seemed to adjust well to having a new head coach after Jerry Kill resigned midweek due to health reasons. Ohio State seemed to have caught its stride before the bye week after trouncing Rutgers. However, during that bye, starting quarterback J.T. Barrett was cited for operating a vehicle impaired. This may be the matchup of the week in the Big Ten and it is sure to entertain its viewers on Saturday night.

Zach Green is a sophomore majoring in Broadcast Journalism. To contact him, email zag5035@psu.edu.