With everyone focused on the big matchup between the Penn State and the Ohio State in Happy Valley, don’t sleep on the other intriguing Big Ten storylines that have serious conference and College Football Playoff implications. Let’s dive into the key storylines shaping Week 10.
Can Penn State Finally Surpass the Buckeyes?
As our very own Kyle Golik mentioned on this week’s episode of Outside the Gridiron, “Penn State football fans are assured of three things in life…death, taxes and losing to Ohio State in football.”
Not only would a win pretty much guarantee the Nittany Lions a College Football Playoff spot, but it would put them in great position for the Big Ten title game. It’s time for James Franklin to take his great program to elite status. On the flip side, a loss for Ohio State would lock in Ryan Day for job uncertainty. A 10-2 Ohio State would need some help making the CFP depending on how many one-loss teams finish the year.
Everyone hyped up the Buckeyes for having the most talent in college football. Losing both of their toughest games leaves nothing for them to hang their hat on.
Will Indiana Survive it’s Toughest Test in East Lansing?
Indiana star QB Kurtis Rourke will start Saturday at Michigan State after missing last week’s home game against a struggling Washington Huskies team.
The Spartans are no slouch at home this year— just ask Iowa! MSU is a team that has hurt itself way too many times and could easily be a 6-2 or 5-3 team. First-year starting quarterback Aidan Chiles has shown flashes of greatness and some immature moments that have cost them. Putting points on the board will be key to beating the high-scoring Hoosiers.
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I expect this to be the most hostile environment Indiana has faced all year. Considering that Rourke may not be 100%, this one will be close. Michigan State needs to win this to realistically make a bowl game, while Indiana will make it’s path to the CFP very likely with a win. A mere loss at Ohio State won’t hurt their chances.
Michigan Looking to Shock the Ducks
Wolverines have an amazing opportunity Saturday in Ann Arbor. Top-ranked Oregon comes to town in what is the Ducks first real road test. Michigan hasn’t had the season they had hoped for, but winning Saturday would bring a vibe that changes the entire complexion. They currently look like a 6-win team at the moment. Rotating Davis Warren and Alex Orji could be key for the Wolverines the rest of the way.
Oregon needs this one to stay on track for the Big Ten title game with two other undefeated teams still in league play. It’s no secret Dan Lanning‘s Ducks are the favorite this season to win the Big Ten. Dillon Gabriel can’t have an off game. While it’s doubtful he wins the Heisman, an off game could hurt his chances of making it to NYC. Playing in front of 100,000 fans is never easy; this is one the Ducks can’t let slip.
Minnesota Favored Against Ranked Illinois
NBC really missed the mark on this game. No offense to Iowa and Wisconsin but there is no CFP hope or Big Ten title shot for either team.
This Minnesota and Illinois showdown in Champaign deserves the primetime spotlight. Minnesota is playing really good football right now led by Max Brosmer and a plethora of very good wideouts. Defensively, they have a great secondary led by stud freshman Koi Perich and some other ball-hawking corners, ready to test Illinois talented receiving core. The main question is whether can they stop the run.
For Illinois, the key to winning will be the ground game. Health will also be a factor, as they lost four players mid-game against Oregon last week. Will Pat Bryant play? If I were a betting man, I’d say yes. If Luke Altmyer can find his early-season form and the Illinois ground game finds its rhythm, we’re in for a true Big Ten battle.
