Big 10 Conference
Still In the Hunt: Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Maryland, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Iowa, Purdue
Elimination Mode: Penn State, Indiana, Rutgers, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska
While Ohio State looks to pull away in the East, Michigan is not letting them have much ground to run with, as the Wolverines continue to win as well, albeit not as dramatically as the Buckeyes have. Ohio State was completely uninspired against Minnesota over the weekend, and did not pull away until the final quarter against the Gophers, who have not won a conference game this season. Ohio State is looking more vulnerable, given a defense that allows big plays at inopportune moments.
Michigan has been winning, and while sometimes they are winning ugly (see Northwestern game), they are still finding ways to win with talent that does not seem up to par with the Buckeyes, especially on offense. The Wolverines have not lost since their opener at Notre Dame, and still have Ohio State in the finale. They should also be favored in almost every game from here out, including against Penn State.
Michigan State is a completely confusing team on every level. The team that lost to Northwestern by 10 turned around and beat Penn State by 4, and practically eliminated the Nittany Lions from the East race. The Spartans could end up in elimination mode this week, as Michigan is coming up.
Maryland has the long odds in this division race, as they have already lost to Michigan, and still have Ohio State, Penn State, and Michigan State still ahead of them. They cans till get two more wins in league play against the likes of Indiana and Illinois, but elimination time could come as early as this week, as the Terps travel to take on Iowa.
In the West, it's Northwestern currently in charge after beating Michigan State and Nebraska in back to back weeks. The Wildcats were in spiral mode prior to this run, and are still just 3-3 overall. The Cats should cruise against Rutgers this week, but then have Wisconsin the week after, and will then travel to Notre Dame before taking on Iowa. The grinder is in full effect here.
Wisconsin is now 1-2 in their last 3 games, and came apart at the seems against Michigan. The Badgers have an uphill race to run now, but they should be favored in their next 3 games against Illinois, Northwestern, and Rutgers. A 2 week run against Penn State and Purdue will tell whether or not the Badgers can hang around to get into another conference title game in December.
Iowa has been quietly making a run, but they have lost to Wisconsin this season, and they simply need to win out, while the Badgers take on another loss. If the Hawkeyes can pull that off, they will be in the Big 10 title game in December. Iowa has Maryland this week, and then has to go to Penn State, which will be a highly important game. Purdue and Northwestern come on after that, so again, we have the Grinder in action with Iowa.
Purdue was falling apart in September, but the Boilermakers are finding a footing. Purdue has a loss to Northwestern already, but the Cats will likely lose at least once more before the season is over. Of course, so will Purdue, who takes on Ohio State this week. Purdue also still has Michigan State, Iowa, and Wisconsin still on the schedule, and the odds are stacked against winning all of those games, or possibly, any of them. Purdue may only be favored in 2 of their final 5 games, with both on the road against Minnesota and Indiana
Coaches On the Hot Seat: Chris Ash, Rutgers; Lovie Smith, Illinois
Top Games This Week: Michigan at Michigan State; Maryland at Iowa; Ohio State at Purdue
Bowl Eligible: Ohio State, Michigan
Bowl Eligible With Win This Week: Iowa
Bowl Ineligible: None
Bowl Ineligible With Next Loss: Rutgers, Nebraska
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