Andy Greder takes a look at this week’s Big Ten football games:
SATURDAY
PURDUE at No. 2 MICHIGAN STATE, 11 a.m., ESPN2
Prediction: The Spartans have injury concerns, and their win over then-No. 7 Oregon was diminished when the Ducks got dismantled 62-20 by No. 10 Utah last week. But Purdue has real problems and will lose its third straight heading into Oct. 10 game against Gophers. Michigan State, 30-3
IOWA at No.
19 WISCONSIN
, 11 a.m., ESPN
Prediction: The 4-0 Hawkeyes take their strong rushing defense to Madison to play a ranked team that wants to run the ball, although Badgers RB Corey Clement is out four to six more weeks. I
owa, 17-16
ARMY at PENN STATE, 11 a.m., ESPNU
Prediction: The Gophers believe they’ve got great freshman running backs, but the Nittany Lions’ Saquon Barkley is averaging nearly nine yards a carry. Penn State continues to distance itself from Temple loss in opening week. Penn State, 24-10
NEBRASKA at ILLINOIS, 3 p.m., BTN
Prediction: Some pundits pondered how QB Tommy Armstrong would fit in new coach Mike Riley’s system. Early returns: Armstrong leads Big Ten with an average of 346 yards of total offense. Nebraska, 28-20
No. 1 OHIO STATE at INDIANA, 2:30 p.m., KSTP Ch. 5
Prediction: Buckeyes QB Cardale Jones took the reins and passed for 288 yards, two touchdowns and one interception vs. Western Michigan. Ohio State, 31-10
No. 22 MICHIGAN at MARYLAND, 11 a.m., BTN
Prediction: The Wolverines defense limited then-ranked Brigham Young to 105 yards of total offense and earned a spot on the Associated Press Top 25 poll for the first time this season. Michigan, 28-7
Record: 41-11