Week two match-ups by (tentative)
Power Rankings:
- #1 tOSU AT #5 PSU
- #2 UW AT #10 UNL
- #3 M vs #13 MSU
- #4 IU AT #11 RU
- #6 NU AT #9 Iowa
- #7 PU AT #12 IL
- #8 MN AT #14 UMD
In six of the seven games the higher ranked team is on the road. That could lead to some wacky results.
#1 tOSU @ #5 PSU:
Penn State's loss in Bloomington took some of the luster off of what was projected to be a #1 vs #2 game in Happy Valley this week, but that still looks to be easily the biggest game of the weekend since only NU/IA features teams ranked closer together.
A loss for Penn State effectively eliminates them from B1G-E contention. They'd be two games down on tOSU and the IU/RU winner and they would have almost no chance to catch up.
#2 UW @ #10 UNL:
This game should give us a much clearer picture not only of these two teams but also of the teams that they played last week (IL and tOSU). If UW throttles UNL that looks good for IL and bad for tOSU. If the game is close or UNL wins that looks good for tOSU and bad for IL.
#3 M vs #13 MSU:
Based on our rankings this is the most lopsided match-up of the weekend and it is also the only game in which the higher ranked team is at home. Michigan should cruise even if MSU fixes a lot.
#6 NU @ #9 Iowa:
Iowa is in a similar situation to PSU. A loss would practically eliminate them from B1G-W contention.
#7 PU @ #12 IL:
Can Purdue sustain momentum and take it on the road? Can Illinois get off the mat?
#8 MN @ #14 UMD:
The key issue for both teams, I think, is getting past last week. The winner might just be the team that doesn't let M/NU beat them twice.