MICHIGAN (2-7, 1-4) at MINNESOTA (7-2, 3-2)
Time: 11 a.m.
Place: Minneapolis
Line: Gophers by 7.5
TV: ESPN

What’s at stake: Minnesota doesn’t beat Michigan very often, so the Golden Gophers should relish the victory they’ll achieve against the Wolverines on Saturday. Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez is running out of ways to say “we saw some positives” after every loss, and he might want to start rehearsing his post-game speech before this contest.

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No. 12 Ohio State (6-1, 3-0) at No. 20 Michigan State (6-1, 3-0)

Time: 2:30 p.m.
Place: East Lansing, Mich.
Line: Buckeyes by 3.5
TV: ABC

What’s at stake: The marquee Big Ten match-up this week features a running backs duel. Ohio State’s Chris “Beanie” Wells looks like he’s back to his old form, rushing for more than 100 yards in every game he’s played except for last week against Purdue. In that game, he missed the century mark by only six yards. Michigan State’s Javon Ringer will enter the game as a Heisman Trophy hopeful and is sure to see a large serving of carries. The game likely will come down to which quarterback can be most efficient. Neither Terrelle Pryor or Brian Hoyer, needs to carry their offenses — they just need to not get in the way. Hoyer was very efficient last week against Northwestern, completing 70 percent of his passes. Pryor had a similar completion percentage, but only threw 14 passes against Purdue, signifying that Ohio State was trying to live by the run rather than the pass. It will come down to the very end, and Ohio State’s winning pedigree should come through.
Prediction: Ohio State 27, Michigan State 23.
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No. 6 Penn St. (6-0, 2-0) at Wisconsin (3-2, 0-2)
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Madison, Wis.
Line: Penn State by 6
TV: ESPN

What’s at stake: Things just don’t get easier for Wisconsin. First, a stunning loss at Michigan, then a close defeat at the hands of Ohio State, and now the Badgers face the Big Ten-leading Nittany Lions. Penn State has won every game by at least two touchdowns, but with Wisconsin’s recent history in close games — losing to Michigan and Ohio State by two and three points, respectively — even keeping pace offensively with Joe Paterno’s Nittany Lions doesn’t mean the Badgers will win. Even if Wisconsin limits Penn State offensively (and a limited offensive game for Penn State is still a good offensive game for most teams), the Badgers will have a tough time scoring, since the Nittany Lions lead the conference in total defense, allowing only 250 yards per game.

Prediction: Penn State 35, Wisconsin 13
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