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Unbelievable.
When this week comes to an end, every team in the B1G will have reached the midway point of the schedule. Time really does fly by when you’re having fun.
Last week, we finally had our first major upset with Michigan State knocking off Michigan in Ann Arbor. With no top 25 matchups in Week 7, it’s the prime opportunity for another unranked team to come out of nowhere and shock the world. Will that happen in the B1G again this Saturday?
Maybe it’s foolish, but I believe there will be at least one massive upset this weekend. Which team will pull it off?
That and four other bold predictions for Week 7 in the B1G.
Indiana upsets Michigan and ends 30-year drought
Since July, I’ve been clamoring that this is the year Indiana finally puts an end to a nasty 30-year losing streak to Michigan. I can’t turn away from that prediction at this point, regardless of how nervous I am about the Hoosiers actually following through.
Indiana has played Michigan tough each of the last two seasons but has come up short. This might be one of the best teams the Hoosiers have had in some time — though performances against Ohio State and Penn State certainly suggest that’s the case. I think Indiana has just enough offensive firepower and is just tough enough defensively to pull off a stunner in Bloomington.
J.T. Barrett throws an interception vs. Nebraska
Barrett has gone four straight games without throwing an interception. The defenses haven’t been that great, but it’s further evidence that the Ohio State quarterback is making smarter decisions and isn’t trying to force passes to his receivers.
Though I think the Buckeyes put away Nebraska with relative ease Saturday, I do believe the Huskers pick off Barrett at least once. Nebraska has intercepted seven passes this season, including four picks in three B1G games. It might be the only highlight of the night for the Cornhuskers.
The race for the West title ends Saturday
Yeah, all I’m really suggesting here is that Wisconsin beats Purdue and Nebraska falls to Ohio State this weekend. If that’s the case, every team in the West will have at least two B1G losses while the Badgers sit atop the division without a single blemish.
Wisconsin still has bouts against Iowa and Michigan left on the schedule which will be tough, but it’s hard to imagine a scenario in which another team makes a bush for the division unless Purdue knocks off the Badgers this weekend.
Neither Maryland’s Ty Johnson or Northwestern’s Justin Jackson hit the 100-yard mark
Two of the top running backs in the B1G going up against defenses that have had some success against the run. The statistics don’t necessarily support the defenses in this case, but Northwestern did a good job of keeping Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor and Penn State’s Saquon Barkley in check the last two weeks. Maryland’s run defense ranks 13th in the conference, but the Terrapins have held three of their five opponents under the 100-yard mark.
Northwestern will key in on Johnson while Maryland’s defense will eliminate Jackson. Both players will still make a difference in this game, I just don’t see them hitting the 100-yard mark.
Michigan State-Minnesota goes over the 40-point mark
Everything says this game will come in under the 40-point total that was set. Both Michigan State and Minnesota have relied heavily on their defense, and both offenses have had their struggles. But this might be one of those instances when everything starts clicking for both teams.
A poor offensive outing cost Minnesota against Purdue last weekend. And struggles for Michigan State nearly bit the Spartans in Ann Arbor. Both teams will be looking to bounce back. The point total isn’t going to be super high, but don’t be surprised if this game eclipses the 50- or 60-point mark.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB