5 bold predictions for Week 12 in the B1G
And then there were two.
We have just two Saturdays remaining in the 2018 regular season. There’s plenty on the line in the B1G this weekend, too.
Ohio State and Michigan should cruise to victories, setting up a winner-take-all matchup in the season finale. Four teams — Purdue, Indiana, Maryland and Minnesota — are all 5-5 and sit just one win away from bowl eligibility. Illinois, at 4-6, has to win to avoid being eliminated from the postseason.
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It should make for a fun weekend of football. Before the weekend kicks off, let’s dive into five bold predictions for Week 12 in the B1G:
Scott Frost gets his first marquee win at Nebraska
Earlier this week, Frost said his team has become “dangerous” and is capable of beating just about anyone in the conference. He’s right. This weekend, the Huskers will get their first marquee win of the Frost era with a victory over Michigan State. While the Spartans own one of the best defenses in the country, Adrian Martinez and Devine Ozigbo will be too much to contain.
Nate Stanley has his first big game in over a month
Stanley hasn’t played poorly, he just hasn’t had one of those big-time performances in awhile. Since the Iowa quarterback threw six touchdown passes against Indiana, he has three touchdown passes and three interceptions in the last four games. Not great. He should have no trouble tearing apart the Illinois defense this weekend.
Two long losing streaks get even longer
Rutgers hasn’t beaten Penn State since 1988. Indiana hasn’t beaten Michigan since 1987. It’s hard to imagine a scenario in which the Scarlet Knights or Hoosiers pull off an upset this weekend. Maybe next year.
Jonathan Taylor is held under 100 yards for the second time this year
Northwestern shut down the superstar running back a few weeks ago, limiting him to just 46 yards, the only time he’s been held under the century mark. Make it twice this weekend, because the Purdue defense will contain the Badgers back. The Boilers will focus their attention on Taylor all afternoon, much like they did with Boston College’s A.J. Dillon earlier this year.
Ohio State looks impressive again
It’s been a few weeks since the Buckeyes last looked like one of college football’s top-tier teams. But they’ve got a great opportunity to score some style points this weekend against Maryland. Look for Ohio State to put the pedal to the floor and refuse to slow down against the Terrapins. It should result in a bump in the College Football Playoff rankings, too.