Ohio State Buckeyes

Key Big Ten Football Match-ups in Week 6

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Oct 3, 2015; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Zander Diamont (12) is hit by Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Gareon Conley (8) in the fourth quarter of their game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kryger-USA TODAY Sports

The key Big Ten football match-ups in week 6 are here.

Heading into week six and the third week of conference play in Big Ten football, there are three interesting match-ups that we will examine. Following the games, we will follow-up with the scores and highlights.

Big Ten football Game #1:

October 8, 2016 – 3:30 PM

Indiana (3-1) @ 2 Ohio State (4-0)

This has the makings of a second test for the Ohio State Buckeyes. With the Indiana Hoosiers coming off an upset win versus Michigan State, they hope to improve their record by upsetting what is one of college football’s most prolific scoring offense (averaging 57 points a game – 3rd in the nation)

Indiana also faces a dominant defense that leads the nation in scoring (4 INT returned for touchdowns).

The Ohio State defense also has not allowed a rushing touchdown this season (also leads the nation). Ohio State is a team with a plus-eight turnover margin (nine interceptions, two fumble recoveries which is good for 2nd in the FBS).

Indiana gave Ohio State a tough game last season, but with a talented, well coached Buckeyes team ahead of them, expect a game that will be a test… a test that Ohio State will excel at.

The Hoosiers are certainly no push-overs. They have three straight Big Ten wins (going back to last season). They also lead the Big Ten in passing offense (320.8 yards per game), and rank 2nd behind the Buckeyes in total offense (496.8 yards per game).

Kevin Wilson, in his sixth season as the head coach of the Hoosiers respects what Ohio State has done so far this season and realizes he has a battle ahead of him. Wilson said “They’re first basically in every offensive and defensive stat in the conference”

Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer knows the Hoosier team they will face today is the best they have put together in the four years Meyer has faced them. Last year’s eye opening 34-27 win was their hardest fought battle against this Wilson-led team.

Prediction: Ohio State 42 Indiana 28

Big Ten football Game #2:

Nov 7, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Wyatt Shallman (33) rushes in the fourth quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won 46-16. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

October 8, 2016 – 7:00 PM

4 Michigan (5-0) @ Rutgers (2-3)

Last week the Michigan Wolverines played a tough-fought, grind it out style of game and beat the Wisconsin Badgers in the 4th quarter after being tied 7-7 most of the game. It was a true defensive battle.

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights were shutout by the Ohio State Buckeyes 58-0. This will be the verification of Michigan’s Big Ten dominance, as they should be able to put up similar number to what Ohio State did last week against the Scarlet Knights.

Michigan doesn’t posses the quarterback that Ohio State has, but their offense has been dynamic, winning its contests by an average of 32 points per game.

Jim Harbaugh, in his first season as the Wolverines head coach must be given credit for turning around this football program.

The Wolverine defense is also given much credit for their 5-0 start, ranked 5th in the nation allowing just 247.6 yards per game.

The Scarlet Knights have had issues with their offensive passing game with junior quarterback Chris Laviano completing just 49 percent of his passes. But the Scarlet Knights have a good running back in Robert Martin (398 yards in four games).

If Rutgers head coach Chris Ash can figure out a way to make their passing game more effective, they have a chance at giving the Wolverines a game.

That is a big if though, so expect the Scarlet Knights to have a long day against the 4th ranked team in the nation.

Prediction: Michigan 44 Rutgers 9

Big Ten football Game #3:

Oct 24, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs for a gain against the Maryland Terrapins at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

October 8, 2016 – 12:00 PM

Maryland (4-0) @ Penn State (3-2)

The undefeated Maryland Terrapins head into Happy Valley to take on the 3-2 Penn State Nittany Lions. Happy Valley has always been a benefit to the Nittany Lions, with the crowd their giving their opponents a tough time hearing in such a loud, turbulent environment.

But the Terps have one thing going for them… they play the same whether home or away with a silent snap count. Maryland head coach DJ Durkin states “We’re not a huddle-up and then verbal snap count (team).”

And while the Terrapins devastated the Pudue Boilermakers last week 50-7, don’t expect Durkin to take the Nittany Lions lightly. With a win today, Maryland could get into the AP Top 25 with a 5-0 record.

Senior quarterback Perry Hills doesn’t expect the Penn State home crowd to distract him from his goal of going 5-0. “It feels good to be 4-0, but that doesn’t mean anything yet. We’re just concentrating on having an opportunity to go 5-0,” Hills added. “Not get too high on ourselves or anything like that because games we’ve won, okay, that’s in the past. Now what do we have to look forward to?