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Dec 6, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Doran Grant (12) makes an interception and is tackled on the run back by Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon (25) during the Big Ten football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
The key Big Ten football match-ups in week 7 are here.
Heading into week seven and the fourth week of conference play in Big Ten football, there are two interesting match-ups that we will examine. It marks one of three remaining games that ranked Big Ten teams square off. Following the games, we will follow-up with the scores and highlights.
Big Ten football Game #1:
October 15, 2016 – 8:00 PM
2 Ohio State (5-0) @ 8 Wisconsin (4-1)
After a hard-fought 21 point victory for the Ohio State Buckeyes, many wonder if head coach Urban Meyer and his No.2 ranked Buckeyes will regain the dynamic passing offense we saw the first four games.
The No.8 ranked Wisconsin Badgers come into this game following a bye-week after losing in the 4th quarter to the Michigan Wolverines 14-7 in week 4. Head coach Paul Chryst will have his Badgers ready for the battle on their home field.
This game figures to be another defensive battle, with both teams in the top 13 in opponent-adjusted defense leaders. Ohio State leads the list with an average (opponent-adjusted) -191.974 rating, while Wisconsin is found at 13 on the list with an average (opponent-adjusted) -286.456 rating.
So while we expect a low scoring game, remember that if the Buckeyes are able to recapture their offensive magic, this could be a game with a higher score than predicted.
Wisconsin enters the game with a “must-win” attitude, knowing full well that a loss could take them out of any consideration for the CFP (College Football Playoffs).
For the Buckeyes, playing in Madison at Camp Randall Stadium is never an easy proposition. But Ohio State players look at road games as a way to grow closer together and shine on a stage other than their own.
Wisconsin is in the midst of the rigorous part of its Big Ten schedule. Coming off a bye-week after the tough loss at Michigan (14-7) and facing the prime-time matchup with Ohio State, the Badgers travel to Iowa the following week and then return home to face another top ten ranked team in Nebraska.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Alex Hornibrook will have his work cut out for him, even though playing at home. He faces a defense that is easily ranked in the Top 10 statistically in every major category. He also had trouble with Michigan’s defense which is comparable to Ohio State. He need to cut out the turnovers (he had three interceptions) when playing one of the finest ball-hawking defenses in the nation.
Ohio State has had 13 defensive turnovers to date, with a secondary that easily ranks in the top 5 in all of college football.
Defensively, the Badgers are able to shut down opponents. In the loss to Michigan, their defense slowed a Wolverines offense that piled up 77 points against Rutgers last week. Wisconsin held Michigan to one touchdown until the fourth quarter when the Wolverines scored the final game-winning touchdown.
This weeks contest is true smash-mouth football. The most dynamic offense will win this game
Prediction: Ohio State 24 Wisconsin 14
Big Ten football Game #2:
Oct 1, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr (4) waits during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska won 31-16. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
October 8, 2016 – 7:00 PM
10 Nebraska (5-0) @ Indiana (3-2) – 3:30 PM
After their own bye-week, the Nebraska Cornhuskers come into this matchup undefeated against a good Indiana Hoosiers team that has faced both Michigan State (a win) and Ohio State (a well fought defeat).
This is the first time since 2011 that the Cornhuskers are a top 10 ranked team in college football.
After suffering a difficult 2015 season Huskers head coach Mike Riley has continued developing a balanced offensive attack and has managed to stay on top of the Big Ten West so far this season – his second year in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Saturday’s game against the Hoosiers could well prove to be their toughest challenge to date this season. This will be the first meeting between the two programs since 1978. Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson is in his sixth season and has continually improved this program.
While both of these teams can score, one of them need to establish a rushing attack early, to help balance their offenses.
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Devine Redding is Indiana’s workhorse back, averaging 4.7 yards per carry. Nebraska’s rush defense is among the worst in the country, allowing opponents 4.8 yards per carry. This could spell disaster for the Huskers.
The Husker rushing attack is well within the top third of the nation in terms of effectiveness, averaging 4.9 yards per carry and punching it into the end zone 14 times. But they lack that work-horse tailback that makes an offense dominant.
What they do have is a dual-threat quarterback in senior Tommy Armstrong Jr., who can create havoc amongst the opponents defenses. Indiana on the other hand have quarterback Richard Lagow, a QB who is No.1 in the Big Ten in passing (292.0 yards per game), hitting 60 percent of his throws and amassing 1,460 yards, 11 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. This could be the quarterback battle of the week in the Big Ten.
Prediction: Nebraska 24 Indiana 20
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