Wow, what a week last week. Records were set, hearts were broken, and some of the best football of the year was played. No doubt we will look back on week eight and get chills as the year goes on, but that doesn't mean week nine doesn't have the potential to give us a double dose of those chilly willys. Let's check out the four best games being played in the Big Ten conference this week.
Michigan State at Illinois
The Spartans own a dominant defense for the second year in a row yes, but the offense specifically the quarterback play since losing running back Le'Veon Bell has been a circus act to say the least. After eight weeks of play it seems the carasel has landed on Connor Cook. Cook started out the season as the starter and was pulled in consecutive weeks due to poor performances. Since then however, he has put up some outstanding outings followed by some mediocor ones. The most important thing to keep in mind is Michigan State's defense. The defense is a brick wall that is giving up just 13 points a game and allows the quarterback to be a game manager that is asked to convert third downs and play mistake free than a gun slinging comeback kid. Cook has done that as of late throwing nine touchdowns and just tow interceptions thus far and is making this Spartans team a scary team to face as the weather gets cold in a smash-mouth conference. They search for their seventh win of the season and fourth in as many games against an Illinois team who has lost two in a row. The Illini, who only won a total of two games all of last season have already surpassed that total (3) with six games to play.
However, they are in the middle of the toughest strecth of opponents they will face this year. After getting routed by Nebraska and Wisconsin they now have a hot Spartans team that will give them a tough test. Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase who started out his first four games throwing 12 touchdowns has zero in the last two games. He will need to bounce back and get his offense clicking against one of the best defense in the country. Expect a low scoring affair with the team who can limit their turnovers and make the most big plays on offense to come out the winner in this one.
Northwestern at Iowa
A true up-and-down season to say the least thus far for the Wildcats. Starting out a perfect 4-0 out of the gate they have dropped their last three games that all started with a dramatic game against Ohio State as they have yet to recover. Still searching for their first win in the Big Ten they play an Iowa team who owns the same 4-3 record. Last week Northwestern lost a home game to the Gophers, a game many expected them to win. It must be noted however that the Wildcats were without arguably their two best players in quarterback Kain Colter and running back Venric Mark along with their starting cornerback and defensive tackle. This week they get Colter back and will be a completely energized team with their back against the wall in a much win situation. The Hawkeyes have lost their last two games in a row but have been competitive, most recently to Ohio State in a game in which they were ahead at half time but watched their lead slip away as the game went on.
Iowa plays great defense lead by their trio of stud linebackers and are only allowing 19 points a game which ranks 19th in the nation. On top of that they are led by quarterback Jake Ruddock who plays smart football, shows up every week, and gives his team a chance to win no matter the opponent. Ruddock has 11 touchdowns to his seven interceptions on the year along with 1,447 yards passing. The two quarterback system has been very successful for the Wildcats however, and that combined with the return of other healthy starters will be to much for Iowa. If for some reason Colter can't play, Ruddock is more than capable of putting the game on his back and leading his team to a victory. After all, this is a must win game for both teams.
Nebraska at Minnesota
After a well needed second week of rest since the season began the Cornhuskers are fresh and ready to roll. The rest was specifically needed for starting quarterback Taylor Martinez who has been sidelined the last three games due to a turf toe injury. But Martinez practiced this week and could play said his head coach Bo Pelini. At 5-1 Nebraska is just one game back in the Legends division to Michigan State and need to take care of business with just six weeks left starting with Minnesota. The Gophers however, are a sneaky 5-2 team and have shown the ability to beat good teams like they did against Northwestern last week. The Gophers head coach Jerry Kill who is on leave of absence to recover from epileptic seizures surprised his team by showing up to give an emotional half time speech. Players said is was a very special moment and gave them a tremendous amount of confidence for the second half. The X-factor in this game is if Martinez is healthy enough to play. If not, Tommy Armstrong Jr will saddle up for his fourth start in as many games. The Cornhuskers have won 16 straight against the Gophers including a win at home last year on November 17th 38-14.
Penn State at Ohio State
It's not always pretty, but the Buckeyes always find a way to win. An ongoing theme for Ohio State thus far this season. A consistency of lackluster performances against Big Ten rivals are the main reason Ohio State has been stuck at number 4 in the Associated Press media polls. As far as Urban Meyer is concerned however, the Buckeyes are a perfect 7-0 this season and hold a country best 19 victories in a row. After letting Iowa Quarterback Jake Ruddock excel in the passing game last week tho it will be interesting to see up and coming freshman star quarterback Christian Hackenberg and the type of success he is able to achieve against Ohio State's secondary. No doubt the boys in blue will be amped up coming of a week of rest preceded by a four overtime win against number 18 Michigan. A game that was so dramatic it should win an Emmy. With how much Ohio State struggled against the run last week against Iowa there is not doubt Penn State's Zach Zwinak should be able to find room to run. Lets not forget Braxton Miller is still battling a nagging knee injury he suffered a month ago. All this adds up to a sneaky test for the Buckeyes as game 20 of their streak will have to be earned. The Buckeyes own the all time edge with a head to head record of 15-13, but the Nittnay Lions last two victories against Ohio State have taking place in Columbus. Dun Dun Dun!