Bold predictions for Week 6 in the B1G

Who’s ready for a fun weekend in the B1G?

For the first time in the 2021 season, we have a full slate of conference games. Not all 14 teams are in action, with Indiana, Minnesota, Northwestern and Purdue all enjoying an off week. Still, we have 5 B1G contests to occupy our Saturday.

And what an interesting lineup we have.

All 5 ranked teams are in action, highlighted by a Top 5 matchup between No. 4 Penn State and No. 3 Iowa. No. 9 Michigan’s showdown against an improved Nebraska team is also garnering plenty of attention.

It should make for an entertaining weekend.

Because it’s such a limited number of games this week in the B1G, there are a limited number of bold predictions. I won’t keep you waiting any longer, though:

Special teams is the difference (again) for Nebraska

As well as Nebraska played last week against Northwestern, there’s still the lingering special teams concerns. Those issues were costly in losses to Illinois, Oklahoma and Michigan State — all one-possession losses. Michigan has a pretty good return man in Blake Corum, who could be a difference-maker in this contest. Yes, the Huskers have looked a lot better in recent games, but something tells me the demons return to Lincoln against a Top 10 Michigan team and cost the Huskers a win.

TreVeyon Henderson is considered legit Heisman contender

Some have already labeled the Ohio State freshman running back as a dark horse candidate, but if he has a big day against Maryland’s defense, Henderson could easily work his way up the ladder. He’s rushed for 510 yards and 7 touchdowns in 5 games with a 9.4 yards per carry average. That’s pretty impressive for a first-year player. The Terrapins’ defense has looked better that previous years, but it hasn’t faced a player like Henderson yet. Look for the back to have another explosive outing against Maryland.

Penn State wins the turnover battle vs. Iowa

Iowa’s defense has received the lion’s share of attention heading into Saturday’s Top 5 showdown, and for good reason. The Hawkeyes have hauled in 12 interceptions, forced 16 turnovers and are +12 in the turnover battle — leading the nation in all categories. But Penn State has gotten its fair share of takeaways, gaining 9 through 5 games. I think Sean Clifford protects the ball better than any quarterback Iowa has faced this year, and the Nittany Lions’ secondary is pretty opportunistic. Look for Brent Pry’s defense to make enough plays to win the turnover battle.

Chase Brown and Josh McCray find success against Wisconsin’s run defense

Let’s get crazy in Week 6. Why not? Sometimes bold predictions are a gut feel. There isn’t much to point to that would lead you to believe Brown and McCray would carve up a Badgers defense that is allowing just over 45 yards per game on the ground. But this combination of speed and power might be able to have just enough success against Wisconsin to make things interesting. Illinois has rushed for 175 yards or more in each of its last 3 games. We’ll see if the Fighting Illini can make it 4 straight.

Rutgers forces its first turnover since Week 2

A lot of turnover talk in this week’s bold predictions. Here’s a crazy stat: Rutgers has forced 8 turnovers this season, but all of those came in the first 2 weeks of the season. In the last 3 games, the Scarlet Knights have come away with 0 takeaways. Maybe this isn’t exactly the boldest prediction of the weekend, but that drought will be snapped on Saturday.