Purdue at Michigan
When: Noon today
TV: Big Ten Network
Last week: Purdue lost to Ohio State, 23-7; Michigan def. E. Michigan, 33-22.
The Boilermakers will attempt to recover from their first defeat of the season by facing an underachieving Michigan team. Purdue quarterback Curtis Painter was shut down last week by the conference's top pass defense, and Purdue coach Joe Tiller said the Michigan defense is just as challenging.
"They're stepping up and playing up to a higher level than they did to start," Tiller said. "It's a typical Michigan defense, quite frankly."
The Wolverines step back into conference play after a non-conference game last week. Michigan hasn't lost since being defeated by Oregon and is receiving votes in both the Associated Press and coaches' polls. But UM coach Lloyd Carr is just as concerned with Painter as Purdue is about the Wolverines defense.
"He's in an offense where, because of the way you're spread out, you know, he's got ample opportunity," Carr said. "There are only so many things you can do defensively when there's five wide receivers or four wide receivers and a tight end, or there's nobody in the backfield."
No. 18 Illinois at Iowa
When: Noon today
TV: ESPN 2
Last week: Illinois def. Wisconsin, 31-26; Iowa lost to Penn State, 27-7.
The Fighting Illini look to continue their improbable run in the Big Ten this week when they come into Iowa to face a Hawkeyes team that's in the midst of a four-game losing streak.
This has all the makings of a trap game for the Illini, as they may be overlooking the Hawkeyes toward their Oct. 20 matchup with Michigan. And if Iowa is thinking upset, it'll have to improve on an offense that ranks last in the conference.
Stopping the dynamic duo of Juice Williams and Rashard Mendenhall should be the top concern for Iowa's defense, as it looks to slow down the Illini attack that's already wreaked havoc with the rest of the conference.
Minnesota at Northwestern
When: Noon today
TV: Big Ten Network
Last week: Minnesota lost to Indiana, 40-20; Northwestern beat MSU, 48-41.
This game features two teams that rank 10th and 11th respectively in overall defense within the Big Ten.
Minnesota freshman quarterback Adam Weber enters the game having thrown 13 touchdown passes on the season, but also has 12 interceptions to his credit. His opponent on the other sideline, junior quarterback C.J. Bacher, hasn't done a much better job protecting the football, throwing seven interceptions to go along with his nine touchdown passes.
The loser of this contest will have a leg up in deciding who will finish last in the Big Ten contest come the end of the season.
Kent State at Ohio StateWhen: Noon today
TV: Big Ten Network
Last week: Ohio State def. Purdue, 23-7. Kent State lost to Miami, 20-13.
No team has come within two touchdowns of beating the Buckeyes so far this year. Today, Ohio State will look to continue its home winning streak, which currently stands at 15 games.
Quarterback Todd Boeckman, who is completing 64 percent of his passes and has already thrown 14 touchdowns, has led them.
Kent State brings an even 3-3 record into today's game.
"We're a young team," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said this week. "In the preseason we were at one stage and we got a little bit better. We certainly don't want to regress or stay the same."
Indiana at Michigan State
When: 7 tonight
TV: Big Ten Network
Last week: Indiana def. Minnesota, 40-20. Michigan State lost to Northwestern, 48-41.
Michigan State's four-game winning streak to start the season came to an abrupt end two weeks ago, against Wisconsin, and has turned into a two-game skid that the Spartans will try to stop today.
"We lost last week in a close game," Spartan coach Mark Dantonio said. "We are what we are, but football has become a game [of] inches."
Their offense has been solid behind junior quarterback Brian Hoyer, who will celebrate his 22nd birthday today. He has thrown 10 touchdown passes and only three interceptions.
The Hoosiers will head into East Lansing to face their first big test since losing against Illinois in the season's fourth week.
