Chris Wells and the Buckeyes look to remain undefeated in conference play heading into next week’s epic showdown with Penn St. Photo illustration by SuperCanonDude / Flickr.com

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After three weeks of the Big Ten season, Penn St. continues to roll while Wisconsin continues to fade. The Buckeyes are back to the form most people expected them to be in and Michigan is shocking people with their dismal rebuilding season. In week four, the Spartans have a chance to prove themselves to the country while Illinois and Northwestern look to get back on track with games against struggling opponents.

Wisconsin @ Iowa
Since the amazing second-half comeback by the Wolverines three weeks ago, Wisconsin has lost two in a row at Camp Randall. Those two losses were to two of the best teams in the conference, Ohio St. and Penn St, but Wisconsin has still failed to live up to expectations that it would contend for the Big Ten Championship. They travel to Kinnick Stadium this weekend to play an Iowa team on the rise. The Hawkeyes won big last week against the Hoosiers and, with surprise superstar running back Shonn Greene, are looking to get back to .500 in conference play. Expect a defensive battle when these two pro-style offenses face off in Iowa City.
Prediction: Badgers 20 Hawkeyes 17

#12 Ohio St. @ #20 Michigan St.
This is the game of the week in the Big Ten as both the Buckeyes and Spartans are undefeated in conference play. It is also a potential trap game for the Buckeyes, who have a big matchup against Penn St. looming next weekend. Michigan St. is coming off a convincing win in Evanston and with a victory against the Buckeyes, the Spartans would establish themselves as the second-best team in the conference. Javon Ringer and Chris “Beanie” Wells, two of the best running backs in the nation, face off in what should be a great game. The Spartans have the home-field advantage, but the Buckeyes have the defense to prevail.
Prediction: Buckeyes 27 Spartans 21

Michigan @ #3 Penn St.
The Wolverines continued their trend of losing in the Big House this season by falling to the Toledo Rockets last Saturday. Meanwhile, Penn St. is at the other end of the spectrum. They rolled over Wisconsin in Madison last week and moved up to #3 in the country. Like Ohio St., the Nittany Lions could get caught looking ahead to next week’s big match up. I don’t expect Joe Pa to let that happen. Even if it does, a half-interested Penn St. team is good enough to beat the Wolverines.
Prediction: Nittany Lions 38 Wolverines 17

Indiana @ Illinois
The Hoosiers, after posting a winning record in 2007, have not found the offense that made them successful last year. They are 0-3 in the Big Ten after getting annihilated against a mediocre Iowa team. Illinois is also having problems repeating their successes from last year. Last Saturday they lost at home on homecoming to Minnesota. But, Ron Zook won’t let the Illini get upset at home two weeks in a row and Juice Williams and wide reciever Arrelious Benn should have a field day with Indiana’s defense.
Prediction: Illini 42 Hoosiers 20

Purdue @ Northwestern
This is a huge game for the Wildcats. They couldn’t handle being in the spotlight last week and turned the ball over too much to have any real shot at a victory. The Cats face a Boilermakers team that is 0-2 in the Big Ten. Purdue is struggling on offense for the first time in the Joe Tiller era and Curtis Painter is not having the senior season many expected, having thrown five TD’s and six INT’s. Northwestern has turnover issues of its own. CJ Bacher threw two more picks last week to bring his season total to eight. Bacher must limit the turnovers if the ‘Cats are to become bowl eligible and send their fans home happy this homecoming.
Prediction: Wildcats 24 Boilermakers 21

Bye Week: Minnesota

Last week’s Record: 3-3
Season Record: 10-6