[ad_1]
It’s do or die time within the Huge Ten for the convention’s finest groups, with one big recreation on the docket.
Whereas Michigan travels to Maryland, Iowa hosts Illinois, and Wisconsin lastly performs Nebraska, all eyes will probably be on the midday recreation between No. 4 Ohio State and No. 7 Michigan State in Columbus. These aren’t the one video games with postseason implications, as just a few groups are working to get bowl eligible, together with the Terps, Rutgers, and the Illini. Minnesota and Purdue are each trying to bounce again after some robust losses this previous week.
So, how will all of it play out? The WolverinesWire workers has predictions on each recreation.
Listing
The most recent Faculty Soccer Playoff rankings after Week 11
No. 7 Michigan State (9-1) at No. 4 Ohio State (9-1)
(AP Picture/Adam Starvation)
Trent Knoop: I used to be improper final week once I stated I assumed Purdue would simply cowl the unfold towards the Buckeyes, however I’m going to say the identical factor right here — MSU will cowl the 19 level unfold. Ohio State nonetheless permits groups to maneuver the ball on it, and Kenneth Walker III goes to be tough to cease. The opposite facet, the Spartans nonetheless have one of many worst passing defenses within the nation, so there isn’t a means that MSU can cease CJ Stroud. I’ll take the Buckeyes. Ohio State 41, Michigan State 28
Isaiah Gap: Ohio State has the nation’s No. 6 passing offense. Michigan State has the nation’s worst move protection, a hundred and thirtieth general. This isn’t a superb matchup for the Spartans on the street. Nonetheless, Ohio State isn’t significantly better, 108th general — however MSU’s passing offense is forty eighth, and Kenneth Walker III may have a tough time towards the No. 14 speeding protection — the hardest the Spartans may have confronted all yr. To me, it’ll take a miracle for MSU to beat this specific matchup provided that disparity — nevertheless it’s not unimaginable. If OSU is in any respect waiting for Michigan and doesn’t get correct kind when tackling Walker, it might be simply sufficient. Ohio State additionally hasn’t seemed pretty much as good towards higher groups, save for Purdue. If the Buckeyes stall out within the crimson zone and accept discipline targets, it might be simply sufficient. I simply don’t see that occuring. Ohio State 48, Michigan State 31
Purdue (6-4) at Northwestern (3-7)
(AP Picture/Michael Conroy)
Trent Knoop: Northwestern has but to attain greater than 14 factors in every of the final 5 video games — not going to win many video games that means. The Boilermakers are coming off a loss towards OSU final weekend, however they nonetheless managed to place up 31 factors. So long as Purdue can rating 20 or extra, which it should, then the Boilermakers will win this one. Purdue 31, Northwestern 10
Isaiah Gap: Simply when Northwestern appeared prefer it was getting one thing from Andrew Marty, it needed to go up towards Wisconsin. The excellent news for the Wildcats is that they did an admirable job shifting the ball on the bottom towards the top-ranked speeding protection. Purdue will probably be simpler, however the Boilermakers will probably be trying to avenge final week’s loss to Ohio State. The excellent news for Northwestern is that it might decelerate Purdue’s passing offense simply sufficient — nevertheless it received’t be sufficient. Purdue 24, Northwestern 10
Rutgers (5-5) at Penn State (6-4)
Trent Knoop: Rutgers had the sport of its life final weekend, offensively, by placing up 38 factors towards Indiana. Sadly, that will probably be one-and-done now that the Scarlet Knights need to face the robust Nittany Lions protection. Sean Clifford appears to be getting more healthy, and Jahan Dotson stays a stud, so give me PSU. Penn State 27, Rutgers 7
Isaiah Gap: Penn State is healthier than its file and solely has one inexplicable loss on its file — the 9 OT thriller towards Illinois. Had Sean Clifford been at full-strength, it might have possible received that recreation and the sport vs. Iowa. I nonetheless suppose that the Nittany Lions are extra the staff that beat a superb Auburn and Wisconsin staff, and Rutgers, whereas improved, shouldn’t be that. The Scarlet Knights must wait yet another week to seek out out in the event that they’re going bowling. Penn State 31, Rutgers 12
Illinois (4-6) at No. 17 Iowa (8-2)
Picture: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports activities
Trent Knoop: Whereas the Illinois protection has been getting higher and higher, Alex Padilla seemed nice final week for Iowa towards Minnesota in a spot begin. After throwing for over 200 yards and two scores, I’d suppose we’ll get the beginning once more this week for the Hawkeyes. The Combating Illini could also be getting higher on protection, however the offense nonetheless struggles scoring factors — it’ll be laborious to attain factors towards Iowa. Iowa 24, Illinois 10
Isaiah Gap: At this level, who is aware of which of both of those groups will present up. Illinois has wins over Nebraska and Penn State, considerably inexplicably, and has a tricky protection. That can possible make issues laborious on the not-great Iowa offense. Nonetheless, particularly if Spencer Petras comes again and is shut to completely wholesome (which experiences point out would be the case), I’ve extra religion that Iowa may have greater than sufficient to deal with the Illini. Plus, Illinois, more often than not, seems allergic to offense. Iowa 24, Illinois 9
Nebraska (3-7) at No. 15 Wisconsin
Picture: Isaiah Gap
Trent Knoop: The Badgers are doing every little thing appropriate on the proper time. Graham Mertz is steadily getting higher, the run recreation is nice, and the protection stays superb. I do suppose the Nebraska offense will give Wisconsin some points, particularly if Adrian Martinez can deal with the soccer, however the Badgers will probably be an excessive amount of in the long run. Give me Wisconsin in a a lot nearer recreation than anticipated. Wisconsin 24, Nebraska 21
Isaiah Gap: Nebraska picked a foul time to make a journey to Madison. Whereas the Huskers have been on the verge of wins each single week, Ohio State included, this would be the hardest protection Nebraska has confronted, and Wisconsin appears to have found out the way to play offense, led by working again Braelon Allen. Count on one other shut recreation, however the Badger protection will probably be an excessive amount of for the Husker offense — and vice versa. Late errors doom Nebraska, as soon as once more. Wisconsin 24, Nebraska 21
Minnesota (6-4) at Indiana (2-8)
Picture: HawkCentral
Trent Knoop: Minnesota is again to wanting like a foul staff as soon as once more, however fortunate for them, it has to face arguably the worst staff within the Huge Ten this week in Indiana. The Hoosiers had an opportunity to get out of the underside cellar final week whereas going through Rutgers, however they solely managed to place up three factors in a killer loss. No potential means Indiana can beat Minnesota this week. Minnesota 34, Indiana 14
Isaiah Gap: Minnesota gave Iowa all it might deal with, nevertheless it simply couldn’t get the job finished late. Indiana is at present the worst staff within the Huge Ten. Even with Jack Tuttle returning final week, in stretches, it wasn’t almost sufficient in a blowout loss to Rutgers. Count on a Gopher bounceback. Minnesota 30, Indiana 7
No. 6 Michigan (9-1) at Maryland (5-5)
Picture: Isaiah Gap
Trent Knoop: Taulia Tagovailoa is essentially the most explosive passer within the Huge Ten, he has the ninth most yards thrown in the complete nation, however he’s turnover susceptible. The Terrapins signal-caller has thrown 10 interceptions this yr, and he seems to get very antsy when stress comes his means. That is the place Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo come into play. They’re No. 1 and No. 2 within the Huge Ten in sacks, and so they each ought to have one other eventful day attending to the quarterback on Saturday towards the Maryland offensive line. So long as Michigan doesn’t do something loopy on offense, like flip the ball over a number of occasions, then it ought to come away with a win. I search for Hassan Haskins to have one other big-time recreation. Michigan 38, Maryland 17
Isaiah Gap: This would be the recreation the place we learn how nicely — or not — Michigan will be capable of deal with Ohio State’s passing offense. Maryland is No. 13 within the nation in passing, the perfect the Wolverines may have seen all yr. Nonetheless, and this can be a huge nonetheless, the Terps have been past terrible defensively, ranked No. 91 within the nation — the third-worst within the Huge Ten. They’re 77th towards the run and one hundred and fifth towards the move. This needs to be a giant day for the Michigan offense, and Maryland hasn’t seen a move rush like what the maize and blue current. It has confronted one protection higher — Minnesota — and solely managed 16 factors. Count on to see the Wolverines get examined to some extent, nevertheless it needs to be straightforward sledding after the Penn State recreation if Michigan isn’t waiting for Ohio State. Michigan 33, Maryland 17
1
1
[ad_2]
supply