B1G Football Week 12 Preview: PUNT!

I love Big Ten football; it's what I grew up with. But this weekend is going to be horrendous to watch. Indiana/Wisconsin may be the only game that is even remotely competitive all day.

12:00 PM Eastern

Purdue at Penn State (BTN):

It's unknown why the FCC is even allowing the continuation of televised Purdue games. It's offensive. At the very least, there should be the TV MALV warning before each showing.The Boilermakers have rushed for over 100 yards only twice this year. They're YPC average is a disgustingly low 2.41, and I believe I just threw up in my mouth. Their defensive rushing numbers show that they're allowing 5.29 YPC.

Whether Penn State was playing Purdue or someone else, I'd call this game a win for the Nittany Lions. They haven't won or lost consecutive games since the first two games to begin the year. So with that back and forth schedule, this would be a win. With Purdue giving up 7.4 yards per pass attempt, you have to figure that Christian Hackenberg and Allen Robinson will have a very good game. There is absolutely nothing about this match-up that says Purdue even has a chance.

Inaccurate prediction: Robinson goes for 300 yards receiving, Bill Belton gets 200+ rushing and the Nittany Lions destroy the Boilermakers 49-6.

Indiana at Wisconsin (ESPN2):

Indiana is averaging 327.4 passing yards per game, but we already know about that, don't we? What else is it going to take to keep Indiana in this game? Something Indiana doesn't have...defense. And although Tevin Coleman had a good game last week, he won't be playing against the Badgers this week.

Indiana RB Tevin Coleman unlikely to play against Wisconsin http://t.co/YwDlAS76Nj

— CollegeFootballTalk (@CFTalk) November 12, 2013

That sets up the Hoosiers for a tough outing in Madison.

Bucky's 5th Quarter has review of Wisconsin's defense after the BYU game, so you can see how this team ranks going into the Indiana game. Keep in mind that Wisconsin did allow 319 yards to Illinois and 352 to Arizona State. So the defense may have made some improvements, but they can be exploited.

Inaccurate prediction: Sure, Indiana will be able to put up a bunch of points, but it won't be as many as usual. Playing in Madison will hurt the Hoosiers, as well. Wisconsin 38 - Indiana 28. Beth Mowins and Joey Galloway will say some pretty stupid shit, too.

Ohio State at Illinois (ESPN):

The Buckeyes are creeping ever closer to a spot in the BCS Championship game, but need some help from one of the top two teams to lose. Facing a struggling Illinois team won't pose any roadblocks to remaining in the top three in the country. Ohio State is 8th in rushing yards: 301.1; 8th in points against: 17, and 5th in points for: 48.2.

Illinois, on the other hand, is ranked poorly in just about everything except for passing yards: 23rd, at 288.9 YPG. I'm sorry to say, Illinois, but you just don't have the firepower to stay competitive with the Buckeyes.

Inaccurate prediction: Ohio State blows out the Illini 59-0.

3:30 PM Eastern

Michigan State at Nebraska (ABC/ESPN2):

The Spartans lost to Nebraska the first two years that the Cornhuskers were in the league; the first loss was by 21 and the second by only four. You can expect this game to go the other way. Say what you will about State's offense, Connor Cook has been relatively solid in B1G play; he's averaging 216.8 YPG and has nine touchdowns to only three interceptions. The defense has had six interceptions, while allowing only four TDs since the beginning of league play (no passing TDs in the last three games). Running the ball, Nebraska? Don't plan on it.

It sounds like Taylor Martinez's career has come to an end in Lincoln, which means that it will be another Armstrong/Kellogg show. Although Nebraska is 7-2, they are similar to Michigan in that the record is a very fragile one. Having to match up against the juggernaut that is the Michigan State defense spells doom for the Huskers. Ameer Abdullah has had ninety-three carries in the last two games (Northwestern and Michigan) and has averaged just 3.44 yards per carry. He's had decent yardage totals at the end of those games, but it took a long time to get those yards. You have to believe that the Spartans will be able to bottle him up and also stop the young QBs.

Inaccurate prediction: Michigan State will get their first win against the Huskers with two pick-sixes and a fumble recovery for TD. State 42 - Nebraska 10.

Michigan at Northwestern (BTN):

Ugh! I can't even get into any stats for this game. It's not just me; this is going to be a hard game to watch. Because Northwestern is 0-5, you just know that they'll get their first conference win against our team and break all of us. Our team sucks, their team sucks. It's probably a safe bet to say that if Michigan loses this game, many fans won't even bother watching the last two games.

Inaccurate prediction: After another broken leg for Fitz on his longest carry of the day (2.3 yards), three pick-sixes by Devin Gardner, and a bad case of the dropsies by all of Michigan's receivers, Northwestern will pull out the victory on a safety after 16 overtime sessions. Northwestern 2 - Michigan 0.