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This is it. The final weekend of October is upon us, meaning we’ve reached the last Saturday until the College Football Playoff rankings are released. It’s hard to believe we’re already knocking on November’s door.
Week 9 provides us with some pretty intriguing B1G matchups, and will answer a few questions, as well.
If Iowa can defeat Penn State on the road, it proves it’s a contender in the West and the B1G. Either Wisconsin or Northwestern will register their second conference loss of the season, temporary eliminating one team from the West race. And then there’s Purdue-Michigan State, a key game that will be important for both teams.
It’s going to be a fun weekend in B1G country. Here are five bold predictions to kickstart the weekend.
Adrian Martinez throws for 400 yards
The freshman quarterback has already eclipsed the 300-yard mark twice this year and is more than capable of airing things out against Bethune-Cookman. With Nebraska having just one win, Scott Frost will be unrelenting and the Huskers will have their foot on the gas from wire to wire, resulting in a huge day for Martinez.
Purdue has its first five game winning streak since 2007
It’s been over a decade since Purdue has strung together five straight victories, but it will get the job done Saturday. With so many injuries to Michigan State’s roster, including a shoulder issue with Brian Lewerke, it’s hard to imagine the Spartans can summon enough offense to stick with the Boilermakers.
A fourth B1G team earns bowl eligibility
Wisconsin and Penn State both enter the weekend at 5-2 and a win on Saturday gets those two teams to the all-important six-win mark. The Badgers travel to Evanston to take on Northwestern and the Nittany Lions host Iowa in Happy Valley. Ohio State, Michigan and Iowa have already reached bowl eligibility. Wisconsin or Penn State — or both — will join those three this week.
Ty Johnson and Reggie Corbin both rush for 100-plus yards
Both Johnson and Corbin have shown off some explosive playmaking skills this season — and in prior years. Neither defense is qualified enough to keep the other in check. Illinois has given up 222 yards per game on the ground this season. Each of the last three weeks, Maryland has surrendered 170 yards or more. Johnson and Corbin should be licking their chops.
Indiana and Minnesota combine for at least five turnovers
The Hoosiers and Gophers have combined to turn the ball over 29 times this season. That’s quite a bit. With the two teams playing on a shorter schedule and both having lengthy losing streaks — Minnesota has lost four straight and Indiana has lost three in a row — things are going to be sloppy in TCF Bank Stadium. Winning the turnover battle will be important in this one, but we’ll see both teams cough it up at least two or three times.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB