Michigan football has an extremely tough matchup with Wisconsin on Saturday afternoon, but they should still be able to pull out a victory.

We do a lot of scoreboard watching here at Maize n Brew, as I’m sure the readers at home do as well. Despite not being loyal to other schools, we still find ourselves rooting for other teams during the weekend.

If you’re a Michigan fan, here is your rooting interest guide for this weekend with Big Ten and College Football Playoff implications on the line:

Big Ten slate

Northwestern (1-3, 0-1) at Iowa (3-1, 1-0), 12 p.m. ET - ESPNU

Root for: Northwestern

Games featuring the Big Ten West can be kind of a coin flip for Michigan fans in terms of who they root for. Pat Fitzgerald’s team has struggled this year and is a friend of the program, so we’ll pull for the Wildcats getting themselves back on track.

Rutgers (2-2, 0-1) at #2 Ohio State (3-0), 12 p.m. ET - Big Ten Network

Root for: Rutgers

Michigan fans will root for OSU to lose every game. That is just the way it is. Rutgers has absolutely no shot in this game and will be caught looking ahead to next week’s big rivalry game* with the Wolverines.

*= riiight

Purdue (2-1) at Maryland (3-0), 3:30 p.m. ET - Big Ten Network

Root for: Purdue

We want nothing but the best for D.J. Durkin during his rebuilding job at Maryland, and they will likely win this game, but Purdue could use a win to perhaps make Darrell Hazell’s seat a little less hot.

Minnesota (3-0) at Penn State (2-2, 0-1), 3:30 p.m. ET - Big Ten Network

Root for: Minnesota

Penn State was a disaster last week in Ann Arbor and they do not look like much of a factor in the Big Ten East. A Gophers victory could put the Nittany Lions in an 0-2 hole with games against MSU and OSU still ahead.

Illinois (1-2) at #15 Nebraska (4-0, 1-0), 3:30 p.m. ET - ESPN2

Root for: Nebraska

Nebraska was my pick to win the West this year and I like looking smart (even though I’m not). The West division has been kind of bland the last few seasons, but Nebraska and Wisconsin are two legitimate teams that could make the Big Ten title game interesting if they get there.

#8 Wisconsin (4-0, 1-0) at #4 Michigan (4-0, 1-0), 3:30 p.m. ET - ABC

Root for: Michigan (duh)

Not much of an explanation is needed here on this website. If Michigan wins big, they will have announced themselves as a legitimate conference title and playoff hopeful.

#17 Michigan State (2-1, 0-1) at Indiana (2-1), 8 p.m. ET - BTN

Root for: Indiana

MSU is in the OSU category of “hope they get swallowed by a sinkhole at midfield” among fans, but this is an interesting one. On one hand, another MSU loss makes them less of a threat to win the East, but it also could take away some cache from the matchup with Michigan on Oct. 29. In the here and now, pull for the Chaos Team.

Out of conference games

#7 Stanford (3-0, 2-0) at #10 Washington (4-0, 1-0), 9 p.m. ET (Friday night) - ESPN

Root for: Washington

Chris Peterson has done a great job in turning around Washington and they have a chance to make a big statement in week five. Different is always good!

#11 Tennessee (4-0, 1-0) at #25 Georgia (3-1, 1-1), 3:30 p.m. ET - CBS

Root for: Georgia

An undefeated SEC team is a recipe for some silliness when it comes to the polls. A loss for Fightin’ DeBords takes another program out of striking distance of the top ten and out of the playoff conversation for now.

#3 Louisville (4-0, 2-0) at #5 Clemson (4-0, 1-0), 8 p.m. ET - ABC

Root for: Clemson

This is kind of a coin flip. A Louisville loss opens the door for Michigan to get into the top three, but Clemson could also just flip spots and move into that slot. We’ll go with the Tigers seeing as it’s the best chance for the Wolverines to climb up the polls.

What are your thoughts on this week’s slate of games? Sound off in the comments below!