There isn’t much quantity in Week 5 of the Big Ten schedule with five teams on a bye week, but there’s plenty of quality. We’ve been salivating over Saturday night’s showdown with Ohio State and Penn State for months, and it’s finally here.

It’s the game of the year so far in the Big Ten, with a ton at stake. All of it, really, the Big Ten East race, the conference title overall and the big-picture College Football Playoff spot.

With that said, there’s a heavy lean to that game in our list of players with a lot to prove this week. Here’s five guys with a lot to prove this weekend in Week 5:

Trace McSorley, Penn State quarterback

Trace McSorley came back to Penn State for his senior season because he felt he still had some unfinished business. Sure, he has a Big Ten title on his resume, but that was hampered a bit by the College Football Playoff snub in 2016. The veteran QB completely understands the importance of Saturday night’s game, and his role in it. He’s going to need to score some points and make some big throws throughout this game. He’s fully capable, so now it’s time to deliver.

Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State quarterback

I was concerned if it might take time for Dwayne Haskins to become a dominant force in the Ohio State offense, but I was completely wrong. He’s been great so far, throwing for 16 touchdowns and just one interception during the Buckeyes’ first four wins. At Penn State under the lights in a white-out is completely different from what he’s experienced so far this year, so we do have to be curious about how he handles the big moments, but he’s given us no reason to doubt him so far.

Miles Sanders, Penn State running back

Miles Sanders was the top running back recruit in 2016 and he’s bided him time behind Saquon Barkley at Penn State, waiting for his moment to shine. It has arrived in a big way with Saturday’s huge showdown with Ohio State, and he’ll be critical to keeping drives alive for the Nittany Lions. He’s certainly ready, off to a good start so far in 2018. He’s already gained 495 yards in four games, and that’s in limited duty in a few blowouts. Look for him to have a huge game Saturday night.

David Blough, Purdue quarterback

Purdue finally got off the schneid last week with a big win over No. 23 Boston College, finally winning a game after losing its first three, all at home. David Blough has been great the past two weeks, throwing for an amazing 866 yards and six touchdowns in the past two games. This trip to Nebraska might be tricky, because the struggling Cornhuskers still haven’t won and they are stoked to end that losing streak. Blough will have to be at his best for the Boilers to come out with a win.

Paddy Fisher, Northwestern linebacker

Northwestern was 10-3 last year, but they’ve struggled out of the gate in 2018, losing to Duke and Akron as a home favorite. Their once-vaunted defense is ranked a shocking 75th in total defense so far this year, so the pressure is on veteran leader Paddy Fisher to get that defense capable of competing against Michigan’s red-hot offense. Everyone in Evanston is fired up for this high-profile home game, and it’s up to Fisher and the defense to give them a chance.