With all the non-conference cream puffs out of the way, it’s time for the conference season to begin. After the Big Ten’s poor showing against non-conference opponents like USC, Oregon and Utah, all the teams know that the only Big Ten school invited to the Bowl Championship Series will be the one who wins the conference and secures a Rose Bowl berth. As a result, every game, even in the conference’s first week, is crucial.

Michigan State at Indiana
These are two teams that will eventually find themselves in the middle of the Big Ten, but the Spartans look to be the superior team. With each squad averaging over 25 points per game, this match-up should be a shootout. There’s no such thing as home-field advantage in Bloomington, and there’s not much of a run defense there, either. It is extremely unlikely that the Hoosiers will find a way to stop Spartans running back and Heisman candidate Javon Ringer.
Spartans 38, Hoosiers 24

Minnesota at No. 14 Ohio St.
Tim Brewster made it clear at Big Ten Media Day that the Gophers should be taken seriously in 2008, and by sweeping their non-conference slate he doesn’t seem so crazy anymore. But Minnesota has yet to beat anyone good and does not have the defense to stop the Buckeyes. Chris “Beanie” Wells is expected to return to the Buckeyes’ backfield and, along with Terrelle Pryor, will give Ohio a dynamic rushing attack. Expect the Gophers to score a lot of points, but still get a reality check in Columbus.
Buckeyes 42, Gophers 21

No. 9 Wisconsin at Michigan
This is usually one of the most exciting games of the season in the Big Ten, but this is not a usual Michigan Wolverines team. Michigan is 1-2 and could end up missing a bowl game for the first time in over 3 decades. The Badgers, who behind running back P.J. Hill have the 13th best rushing attack in the country, haven’t won in the Big House in 14 years. Michigan’s offense has found little success this season, but they are still Michigan and don’t lose often at home. The Wolverines should give Wisconsin a good battle, but just miss out on an upset.
Badgers 27, Wolverines 21

Purdue at Notre Dame
The Boilermakers, the only Big Ten team not playing a conference game this week, head to South Bend for their annual rivalry game with the Irish. Despite a big win over Michigan, Notre Dame lost badly to the Spartans last week and has to deal with Curtis Painter, one of the best quarterbacks in the country. This should be a close game and will tell us a lot about a Purdue team that doesn’t have as many offensive playmakers as they have in recent years.
Boilermakers 31, Fighting Irish 24

No. 22 Illinois at No. 12 Penn State
This is the Big Ten game of the week as the Illini head to Happy Valley to play an offense-happy Penn State team. The Nittany Lions have started the season 4-0, outscoring opponents 211-40. Illinois is 3-1, their only loss coming to national championship contender Missouri. But the Illini did not play well last week against an inferior Louisiana-Lafayette team. It will be Ron Zook’s spread offense vs. the new Spread HD that has excelled this year. This is one of those games that will test how high the scoreboard can reach, but home-field advantage is always a factor in Happy Valley and it will help bring Penn State a win on Saturday night.
Nittany Lions 45, Fighting Illini 35