This week the Big Ten lacks any high profile match-up and three teams are playing out-of-conference games, including Penn State. there are a pair of statement games on the schedule though as undefeated Wisconsin heads to Ohio State looking to declare themselves as the top team in the conference. Iowa will play host to a rejuvenated Michigan team, although the Wolverines are coming off a loss last week.

Time now for me to offer my take on the weekend slate of games. don’t forget to see what the rest of the quebecpenspinning crew has to say about this week’s games as Charlie keeps tabs on each of us. I find myself now tied for the overall lead with Devon. This week should be interesting.

Northwestern (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten) vs. Miami (Ohio) (0-5, 0-2 MAC)
12:00 pm Big Ten Network

The Wildcats should be a favorite to pick up their fourth win of the season and will inch closer to bowl eligibility. The Miami Red Hawks are still in search of their first victory of the 2009 season. I anticipate they will still be in search of that elusive first win after Northwestern beats them.

Prediction: Northwestern wins 23-17

Illinois (1-3, 0-2) vs. Michigan State (2-3, 1-1)
12:00 pm Big Ten Network

The Spartans are riding a wave of emotion this week after knocking off the hated Wolverines last week. Illinois is left scratching their collective heads after being steamrolled by Penn State last week. The Fighting Illini have made a switch at quarterback, benching Juice Williams. Will it work? Hard to tell. What I do know is that the Spartans seem to have the better team and should come away with a road victory. The problem with Michigan State is you do not know which team is going to show up on a week-to-week basis. I will still give the nod to the Spartans.

Prediction: Michigan State wins 23-20

Minnesota (3-2, 1-1) vs. Purdue (1-4, 0-1)
12:00 pm ESPN2, ESPN360

I am not as high on the Gophers as I once was this season but I still find them entertaining to watch. With Eric Decker on the offense how can you turn away? The Boilermakers have really turned out to be the kind of team most experts predicted they would, and that is not a good thing. Purdue struggles to do anything consistently and I see Minnesota more likely to rebound this week after a bitter loss at home to Wisconsin. Go with the Gophers here.

Prediction: Minnesota wins 28-20

Virginia (1-3, 1-0 ACC) vs. Indiana (3-2, 0-2)
3:30 pm ESPN360

Indiana is the lone Big Ten team playing out of conference on the road this weekend. Virginia has had another rough season that has seen a loss to FCS opponent William & Mary but last week they earned their first victory with a surprising win against North Carolina. With the Cavaliers off to a 1-0 start in the ACC the most loyal fans have wild dreams of an ACC championship game appearance (not going to happen). Indiana has lost two straight Big Ten games and they may win on Saturday. But I’m going with Virginia.

Prediction: Virginia wins 17-14

#9 Ohio State (4-1, 2-0) vs. Wisconsin (5-0, 2-0)
3:30 pm, ABC

This is the highlight game in the Big Ten this weekend. The Buckeyes are still considered a favorite to win the Big Ten and the Badgers of Wisconsin are looking to make a big statement to the rest of the conference. Only Wisconsin and Iowa are undefeated entering this weekend and a win for Wisconsin could propel them to a Big Ten title run (they do not play Penn State this season). Ohio State won last year in Madison 20-17 and last lost to Wisconsin in 2004 (the schools did not play in 2005 and 2006). As much as I feel that the Badgers can take Ohio State to the limit, I think the overall talent of Ohio State will prevail in the end.

Prediction: Ohio State wins 24-20

#12 Iowa (5-0, 1-0) vs. Michigan (4-1, 1-1)
8:05 pm ABC

The Hawkeyes make their second prime time appearance on ABC and this time they look to avoid the home upset. Michigan comes to town but they may have lost a bit of their swagger that they had before last week’s road game at East Lansing. Michigan will have their hands full with the Iowa defense, which will be very tough to overcome (just ask Penn State). Call me crazy but I am smelling an upset here. A loss for Iowa would certainly take them out of the running for a BCS game unless they can beat Ohio State and Wisconsin down the line. A win for Michigan would be big for the program and head coach Rich Rodriguez.

Prediction: Michigan wins 21-20

#14 Penn State (4-1, 1-1) vs. Eastern Illinois (4-1, 2-1 Ohio Valley Conference)
12:05 pm ESPN Classic, ESPN360

What are some of YOUR predictions for this weekend?