The Big Ten has had marquee matchups featuring Ohio State in each of the past two weeks. This week, the top game involves the teams that lost to the Buckeyes in those marquee matchups. Northwestern and Wisconsin are in different divisions, but a loss would hurt the Wildcats in their quest to win the Legends Division.
Also this weekend, Legends Division favorite Michigan travels to Penn State in the first of the Wolverines' four league road games.
Here is a look at all the contests involving league teams this week, ranked from worst game to best:
4. Nebraska at Purdue, Saturday, 12 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network
Rating: 1 star
The skinny: This will be the first start for Purdue true freshman Danny Etling (6-foot-2, 218 pounds), who has the skill-set to develop into a solid quarterback. Keep an eye on Purdue senior DT Bruce Gaston (6-2, 310), who is trying to work his way up team draft boards. He'll be going against a strong Nebraska interior led by stud senior guard Spencer Long (6-4, 315). The Gaston-Long matchup is one that will be repeated in the NFL. The Huskers look to have way too much offense for the Boilermakers.
3. Indiana at Michigan State, Saturday, 12 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Rating: 2 stars
The skinny: Indiana is coming off a 20-point win over Penn State, but the Hoosiers' offense faces a vastly stronger defense this week. Michigan State's defense is loaded with NFL prospects, especially in the back seven. Indiana has a big-time weapon in junior WR Cody Latimer (6-3, 215), who will spend a lot of his day trying to get open against Michigan State's Darqueze Dennard (5-11, 197), one of the top five senior cornerbacks in the nation. Michigan State senior SS Isaiah Lewis (5-10, 208) will be busy with Indiana senior TE Ted Bolser (6-6, 252). And Michigan State senior LBs Denicos Allen (5-11, 218) and Max Bullough (6-3, 245) will need to worry about Indiana sophomore TB Tevin Coleman (6-1, 205). Michigan State sophomore DE Shilique Calhoun (6-4, 250) is a star on the rise; the same goes for big-armed IU sophomore QB Nate Sudfeld (6-5, 230), the brother of New York Jets TE Zach Sudfeld. This is the first road game of the season for the Hoosiers (3-2).
2. Michigan at Penn State, Saturday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN
Rating: 2.5 stars
The skinny: This game has lost a lot of luster since Penn State lost to Central Florida and Indiana. The Wolverines are coming off a rout of Minnesota in which they were turnover-free for the first time in more than two years. Michigan should be able to line up and run right at the Nittany Lions. Penn State needs star senior DT DaQuan Jones (6-3, 318) to control the middle of the line. Penn State sophomore DE Deion Barnes (6-4, 245) has had a disappointing season, and he'll spend most of Saturday going against Michigan senior OT Taylor Lewan (6-8, 315), one of the top three tackles in the nation. Penn State needs to pressure Michigan junior QB Devin Gardner (6-4, 210), who can be flustered into mistakes. Penn State junior WR Allen Robinson (6-3, 210) is having a huge season and should be able to find room against Michigan's secondary. The Wolverines haven't allowed a rushing TD in six games, dating to last season's Outback Bowl.
1. Northwestern at Wisconsin, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC regional/ESPN2
Rating: 3.5 stars
The skinny: Each team has one league loss, and Ohio State is responsible for both. Wisconsin sophomore TB Melvin Gordon (6-1, 207) has skyrocketed up draft boards with his performance this season, and he and senior TB James White (5-10, 195) will be going against a defense that wore down last week against Ohio State. Badgers senior WR Jared Abbrederis (6-2, 190) faces a solid secondary headed by junior SS Ibraheim Campbell (5-11, 210). Northwestern senior DE Tyler Scott (6-4, 265) vs. Wisconsin junior OT Rob Havenstein (6-8, 327) is a matchup of guys looking to impress NFL scouts. Active Wisconsin senior LB Chris Borland (5-11, 246) will spend a lot of his time trying to track down Northwestern senior RB Venric Mark (5-8, 175). Northwestern's passing attack can exploit Wisconsin's secondary.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
