Your Week Seven Big Ten Preview

Really there is just one major game this week in the Big Ten. For the second week in a row the game of the week is in Madison, Wisconsin at night. The state will cease the production of cheese for a few hours while another Big Ten favorite comes to town, this time the Nittany Lions of Penn State.

Penn State's transition back to a spread attack reminiscent of Michael Robinson's days at Happy Valley has gone very well and they'll need to keep it on track against a tough Wisconsin defense. PSU's defense meanwhile hasn't been bad either, giving up only six points last week to a solid Purdue attack. The Badgers will need to run the ball well early to open things up for quarterback Allan Evridge. I can't decide which team to pick here. I'll write about some insignificant games first.

Actually, I'd be lying if I called Michigan State and Northwestern an insignificant game. I've been hyping it since last week, and as we learned yesterday, J Leman will be in the booth! Pressure for both teams to impress there. These teams have combined for about 200 points over their last two meetings and it will probably be more of the same this week. MSU struggled against Indiana's spread "offense" and Northwestern can execute the spread as well as anyone. For MSU, Ringer could run wild this week and MSU's hopes ride with him. As always.

Purdue travels to Ohio State this week hoping to catch the Buckeyes looking ahead to back to back games against Michigan State and Penn State. Probably won't happen, but I hope it will.

Illinois takes on Minnesota and will try and avoid a letdown after a big win in Ann Arbor. Shouldn't be much of a problem, but the Gophers have played pretty good defense this year, including an impressive showing at Ohio State a few weeks ago.

Michigan hosts Toledo and Iowa takes on Indiana. Picks?

Picks:

Penn State 24 - Wisconsin 27
Northwestern 42 - Michigan State 38
Purdue 13 - Ohio State 30
Minnesota 17 - Illinois 38
Toledo 16 - Michigan 28
Iowa 21 - Indiana 14