Games of the Week/Big Ten Rundown 9

#5 Michigan State (8-0, 4-0) @ #18 Iowa (5-2, 2-1)
- There is something about this Spartan team that screams destiny all over them, and it is certainly hard to ignore. However that is exactly what a lot of people thought about Iowa around this time of the year last season, and they ended up losing two games in the conference. MSU's time is up, and it ends Saturday at Iowa. The Hawkeyes are hurting after a narrow loss to Wisconsin, but they will be up the task of fighting off a tough team in Kinnick Stadium. Sparty loses this one, but they go on to still have a fantastic season.

MSU- 23
Iowa- 24

#6 Missouri (7-0) @ #14 Nebraska (6-1)
- I liked the way that the Tigers played against Oklahoma, but they probably will fall short against the Cornhuskers. I have thought all year that while Nebraska is flawed they still possess a strong enough defense to get them through to the Big 12 championship game and an offense that when clicking is good enough to win it all for them. They lost their first big home game of the year in upset fashion to Texas, and they won't go 0 for two in Lincoln this early in the year versus big time teams. Missouri's unbeaten run will end.

Missouri- 27
Nebraska- 42

#2 Oregon (7-0) @ USC (5-2)
- I was dead on last week when I said that Oklahoma was going down, and I am now extremely confident in the fact that there really isn't a top ranked team in the country right now. Oregon sits on top of the human polls, and probably feels that they will thrash USC much like they did last season. I like the Trojans to get their first big win of the year en route to an upset over the Ducks. I'm telling you right now: this season is about to get even crazier.

UO- 31
USC- 35

Big Ten Rundown-

#11 Ohio State @ Minnesota- TBA

#5 Michigan State @ #18 Iowa- See Above

Michigan (5-2, 1-2) @ Penn State (4-3, 1-2)
- The Wolverines will have had two weeks to prepare for this game, so I am guessing that they will come out and execute better than they have in their last two Big Ten losses. The Nittany Lions, while not exactly a spectacle to watch, are coming off a win without their top QB. I think that confidence booster along with a strong running game will give PSU a close win over Michigan.

Northwestern (5-2, 1-2) @ Indiana (4-3, 0-3)
- The Wildcats feel they should be undefeated and they will play like it on Saturday. Indiana will surrender a lot of points and will feel the hurt after Northwestern becomes bowl eligible with a big win over the Hoosiers.

Purdue (4-3, 2-1) @ Illinois (4-3, 2-2)
- I have been saying all season long that I think Purdue is a bad team - albeit a scrappy one - and now I am saying that they have maybe slightly improved. That still won't be enough to beat Illinois in my opinion.