
Predicting every B1G team’s record after Week 6
We’ve reached the halfway point of the B1G schedule.
The biggest game on the docket was by far No. 3 Iowa vs. No. 4 Penn State at Kinnick Stadium. It sure lived up to the billing as the Hawkeyes held on to beat the Nittany Lions 23-20. Could it be part of a perfect season for Iowa?
It very well could be. That’s part of our Week 6 record predictions:
Iowa — 12-0
Penn State had its opportunities against Iowa, but the Hawkeyes prevailed. ESPN’s FPI predicts a perfect 12-0 season for Kirk Ferentz’s group, and there’s no reason to think it can’t do it.
If you haven’t taken notice of what’s happening in Iowa City, you need to watch these last 6 games.
Illinois — 3-9
You won’t win a lot of games if you don’t score, and Illinois didn’t get on the board once in its 24-0 loss to Wisconsin Saturday afternoon. It continues to be a rough go for the Illini in the first year of the Bret Bielema Era. The 2-4 Illini enter a grueling part of the schedule now, starting with Penn State next week.
Indiana — 4-8
The Hoosiers had a bye this week. We’ll see if Tom Allen adjusted the game plan during the time off.
Maryland — 7-5
Maryland got thrown into the deep end to start B1G play with two top-10 opponents. Last week, it was Iowa that blew out the Terps. This week, Ohio State sprinted past them, 66-17. That 4-0 start is long gone, and Maryland fans should prepare for a bumpy road ahead.
Michigan — 9-3
Well, that was fun. Michigan survived a scare at Nebraska this week. The 9th-ranked Wolverines managed to have a well-rounded offense, with 255 passing yards from Cade McNamara and 212 rushing yards from Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum. ESPN’s FPI predicts the Wolverines to lose 1 game — Ohio State, of course — but watch out for Penn State and Michigan State.
Michigan State — 9-3
It’s time to start seriously talking about what Kenneth Walker III is doing for Michigan State. He’s a huge reason why the Spartans are 6-0. There are some tough games ahead, but Mel Tucker has done an incredible job turning his program around this year.
Minnesota — 7-5
It was a bye week for the Golden Gophers.
Nebraska — 5-7
The Cornhuskers have looked much better lately and nearly pulled off the upset of Michigan on Saturday night. They might not finish .500, but they’ve certainly improved since the season-opening loss to Illinois. Can Scott Frost keep his job? Let’s not go there yet. Let’s focus on the rest of the season: Nebraska could still play spoiler in the B1G.
Northwestern — 4-8
Pat Fitzgerald got a much-needed bye week to re-evaluate things. Can the Wildcats shore up the defense after the break? We’ll see.
Ohio State — 11-1
The Buckeyes beat Maryland, 66-17. Enough said. Ohio State’s still Ohio State.
Let’s just fast-forward to Buckeyes-Hawkeyes in the B1G title game.
Penn State — 9-3
The Nittany Lions put up quite a fight against a tough Iowa team this week. If nothing else, it proved they’re a legit threat in the B1G. Penn State has a bye week next week to regroup before facing Illinois in Week 8.
Purdue — 4-8
Purdue had a bye week this week.
Rutgers — 5-7
The Scarlet Knights’ run defense couldn’t contain Kenneth Walker III in their loss to Michigan State this week. After a 3-0 start, Greg Schiano’s group is 0-3 in B1G play — and the schedule doesn’t get much easier from here.
Wisconsin — 6-6
Wisconsin found its offense! The Badgers scored 3 touchdowns en route to a 24-0 win over Illinois. It’s the type of bounceback performance Paul Chryst’s team needed. We’ll see if it can carry over into the rest of the B1G schedule.