Big Ten Week 11 Wrap-up

"It will be the last game away from Beaver Stadium and a possible trap game for Penn State." Sometimes I know what I'm talking about when I do these things. Of course, then I go against my gut and pick PSU to win. What a great win for the Hawkeyes, even though their fan base showed it learned nothing from the Texas Tech fans last week and rushed the field with time on the clock. Shonn Greene needed to be great and he had 117 yards and two scores; Stanzi had to come through and he did, leading the Hawkeyes down the field, setting up the game-winning kick with a pass to the Penn State 15 with under 20 seconds to play. The final drive started when Daryll Clark overthrew Derrick Williams for an interception at the Iowa 29 with 3:46 left in the game. After the 24-23 loss, the Nittany Lions dropped to 8th in the BCS and saw hopes of giving Joe Pa another national title fade into the Iowa night.

Another MAC team brought down a Big Ten foe as Western Michigan beat Illinois 23-17 at Ford Field Saturday in what might be the only win for the home team in Ford Field for years. The MAC's four wins against the Big Ten is the most ever. Illinois will need a win against either Ohio State or Northwestern to earn bowl eligibility. Ron Zook's thoughts: "We can fold our tent and put it away if that's what they want to do. Obviously, the coaches are going to preach and demand and push, but still, they're going to need to step up and play the way they're capable of playing." Pitch that tent and secure a return trip to Ford Field for the Motor City Bowl!

Michigan's 29-6 win against Minnesota has fans wondering where this team has been all season. Even with walk-on Nick Sheridan starting at quarterback, the Wolverines outgained the Gophers 435-188. Michigan retained the Little Brown Jug and since Minnesota will be moving out of the Metrodome, the Wolverines clinched a perfect 12-0 record in the rotten venue.

Michigan State kept its conference championship hopes alive with a 21-7 win over Purdue Saturday. The Spartans will have a week off before going to Happy Valley to take on Penn State in the final week to play for at least a share of the Big Ten Championship and a possible Rose Bowl berth. Ugh, please no.

Northwestern kept it close with Ohio State early, then Ohio State opened up a big lead and didn't slow down, winning 45-10. Wisconsin had three running backs top 100 yards Saturday as the Badgers beat Indiana 55-20.