Big Ten: Ranking the games -- Week 12
There are six games on the Big Ten slate this weekend. Three teams have bowl eligibility on the line while Ohio State and Nebraska hope to move a step closer to division titles.
1. No. 6 Ohio State (10-0, 6-0 Big Ten) at Wisconsin (7-3, 4-2), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC): The Badgers clinched a trip to the Big Ten championship game next month, but the Leaders Division title is still on the line when they host the Buckeyes. Wisconsin shared the division crown with Penn State last year.
2. Northwestern (7-3, 3-3) at Michigan State (5-5, 2-4), Saturday, 12 p.m. ET (ESPN2): The visiting Wildcats are out of the running for the Legends Division but can still claim a spot in a New Year's Day bowl with a strong finish. Meantime, the Spartans are simply trying to get bowl eligible despite touting one of the top defenses in the nation.
3. Minnesota (6-4, 2-4) at No. 16 Nebraska (8-2, 5-1), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network): The Gophers became bowl eligible for the first time since 2009 and now will try to improve their destination against the Cornhuskers. Nebraska needs a victory to stay in the Legends Division driver's seat.
4. Iowa (4-6, 2-4) at No. 23 Michigan (7-3, 5-1), Saturday, noon ET (ESPN): The visiting Hawkeyes have dropped four straight overall but are still riding a three-game winning streak against the Wolverines. Iowa is averaging nearly 31 points per game in those wins and needs an explosive day if it is to stay in the hunt for a postseason berth.
5. Indiana (4-6, 2-4) at Penn State (6-4, 4-2), Saturday, noon ET (Big Ten Network): The Hoosiers are coming off a 62-14 loss to Wisconsin in a game that could have put them in control of their own fate for a berth in the Big Ten title game. However, the Nittany Lions also have lost some steam, dropping two of their past three games.
6. Purdue (4-6, 1-5) at Illinois (2-8, 0-6), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network): The Boilermakers snapped a five-game losing streak and kept their faint bowl hopes alive with a win over Iowa last week. Now, the team must find a way to get past a struggling Illinois team that is having Senior Day for 23 players on Saturday.
For more Big Ten coverage, follow Mike Singer and Dave Carey @CBSSportsBigTen.
