We’ve reached the halfway point in the college football schedule and there’s a few games in the Big Ten  this week that are worthy of our attention. Even though Wisconsin and Ohio State have both won huge division showdowns in the past two weeks, there’s still plenty to be decided on both sides of the league.

Our look at players with a lot to prove this week is a bit quarterback heavy, but that’s understandable. Here’s our weekly look at players with a lot to prove in Week 6:

Minnesota quarterback Zack Annexstad

Starting a true freshman at quarterback always brings along a certain set of problems, and that’s been the case with Minnesota so far in getting Zack Annexstad acclimated to Big Ten play. Annexstad will make his fifth start Saturday at home against Iowa, and he’s done OK so far. The first three weeks, through an easy nonconference schedule, he played well enough in three victories, throwing four touchdown passes without an interception. But he threw two interceptions in an ugly 42-13 loss at Maryland two weeks ago. He also lost a fumble and was sacked four times. Welcome to the Big Ten. Now comes Iowa’s stout defense, so Annexstad will have to grow up quickly.

Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson

Northwestern is a very surprising 1-3 and the Wildcats are a desperate team ready to get an important win. That upset might come Saturday at Michigan State, and quarterback Clayton Thorson is the key to that. The three losses have all been by four points or fewer and last year they won three straight overtime games. It always seems to be a battle, and one more play from Thorson could make a difference.  “I couldn’t tell you why we’re in so many of those darn games,” Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said. “We very rarely beat ourselves. Philosophically, we try to make every team earn it.”

Michigan defensive end Chase Winovich

He’s been the best player on the best defense in the country, so adding him to this list might seem odd. It’s not a criticism in any way of the fifth-year senior because he’s been great so far and  Michigan leads the country in total yards allowed. Winovich has been a big reason why. With running mate Rashan Gary banged up a little bit, it’s up the Winovich to help get this unit off to a good start. The only flaw in Michigan’s season so far has been some early holes that have been dug against Notre Dame and Northwestern. It’s time for the veterans to fix that.

Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins

Ohio State found a  way to win at Penn State last Saturday and now they’re in the driver’s seat in the Big Ten East race. Quarterback Dwayne Haskins struggled at time in a hostile environment, but now it’s time to move on. The Buckeyes host Indiana Saturday and there can be no letdown. “Definitely, in college football, every game matters,” he said.  “We want to be there and win every game, so we’re not going to take Indiana for granted at all. We’re going to come out and play really hard.

Marcelino Ball, Indiana

The best player on Indiana’s defense knows how to make big plays from his spot in the Hoosiers’ secondary. He’s also great off the blitz and he’ll play a big role in trying to keep Haskins uncomfortable. “He’s a very, very gifted quarterback, he throws it well, quick release. (He’s a) big tall guy that seems to have a good comfort level in their offense and has been very productive,” Indiana coach Tom Allen said of Haskins, and the Hoosiers’ role in stopping him. “You have to be able to mix it up and keep him on his toes and try to figure out what we are doing whether it is post-snap type things, pre-snap type of looks, those kind of things. That’s the challenge, the chess match you kind of go through, but yeah very gifted player.”