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One of the biggest weekends in the B1G has finally arrived. There are seven conference games on the schedule this Saturday, but there’s only one that everyone is talking about.
No. 2 Penn State vs. No. 6 Ohio State.
It’s not just the headliner in the B1G, it’s college football’s main attraction heading into Week 9, and with good reason. Division, conference and national implications ride on the outcome of the game, so it’s easily one of the most important matchups of the 2017 season.
While we could talk about that one game until kickoff at 3:30, there are plenty of other interesting games in the B1G, just not any with that same type of magnitude.
Here are the five bold predictions for the B1G in Week 9.
Wisconsin will have a three-game lead in the West by Sunday morning
Remember when we thought Northwestern, Minnesota, or maybe even Nebraska could challenge Wisconsin in the West? Good times.
The Badgers already own a two-game advantage in the division and I believe Purdue knocks off Nebraska and Michigan State beats Northwestern. Assuming Wisconsin takes care of a really bad Illinois team, the Badgers will be undefeated while everyone else in the division has at least three losses.
Saquon Barkley locks up the Heisman Trophy
Every time he’s faced off against a top-notch defense, Barkley has delivered. He accounted for 358 all-purpose yards against Iowa in the B1G opener. Last week, he totaled three touchdowns against Michigan. What makes anyone thing the Heisman frontrunner won’t have another huge outing against Ohio State?
Kirk Herbstreit has already said that Barkley will secure the Heisman Trophy if he performs well this Saturday in Columbus. I just don’t see any way the Buckeye defense can take him out of the game. Clear space in your trophy case, Mr. Heisman.
Indiana finally gets a B1G win
Welcome to B1G football, Tom Allen.
Seriously, the Hoosiers started conference play with Ohio State, played three non-league games, then returned to the B1G slate to follow up with Penn State, Michigan and Michigan State. So yeah, that 0-4 mark is a bit deceiving. But Indiana finally finds itself in a position to add a tally in the “W” column. Maryland has been a bit bipolar this season and the Hoosiers should be able to take advantage.
Michigan State-Northwestern hit under the 40.5 mark
Neither team can score many points. Don’t expect that to change this Saturday in Evanston.
This is going to be another one of those hard-nosed, smash-mouth, classic B1G games that involves plenty of kicking. It’s also the same kind of football we’ve seen from the Spartans each and every week. This defensive bout will be decided in the teens, even if it goes to overtime.
Rutgers actually gives Michigan a game (sort of)
Disclaimer: giving Michigan a game and having a chance to win are two entirely different things. Despite Rutgers’ drastic improvement, the Scarlet Knights still don’t have much of a prayer against the Wolverines.
But this won’t be a 78-0 blowout like Rutgers suffered last year. The Scarlet Knights are grittier on both sides of the field, and should be competitive against a struggling Michigan offense. The scoreboard may not indicate a close game, but don’t be surprised if Rutgers hangs around — maybe within two scores — for most of the afternoon.
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