Skip to content

3 games to watch in the Big Ten: Buckeyes look to rebound from stunning loss

Rich Schultz / Getty Images Sport / Getty

It’s been a trying week for the Buckeyes. The loss to Michigan State, Ezekiel Elliott declaring he's going to the NFL before the Michigan game, and lots of questions surrounding Ohio State's inability to develop what had the potential to be one of college football's most explosive offenses has probably led to some sleepless nights for Urban Meyer.

And it doesn't get any easier for the Buckeyes, as they close their regular season with college football's most storied rivalry game against a strong Michigan team.

No. 8 Ohio State at No. 10 Michigan
Saturday, Nov. 28, 12 p.m. ET (ABC)

The Wolverines have been hitting their stride as of late thanks to the excellent play of quarterback Jake Rudock, whose gaining confidence with every game. In the past three weeks, he’s thrown for 1,033 yards and 10 touchdowns, including a 256-yard, two-touchdown performance last week against Penn State.

As good as Rudock has been, he still has the tendency to zero in on one receiver. Expect Ohio State's defense to disguise its zone looks and read Jake's eyes to make plays. The Buckeyes' secondary has to come up with turnovers to create short fields for its offense, which might struggle to move the ball.

Ohio State enters the final week of the regular season with no identity on offense, and if that isn't bad enough, it faces the nation's second-best defense. One thing that might work in the Buckeyes' favor is Meyer will be calling more of the plays, which means they should have a more aggressive approach. While the Wolverines' defense is extremely talented, teams have made big gains on the ground between the tackles.

With this in mind, expect a steady diet of Elliott. Ohio State would also be wise to attack vertically by using crossing routes to open up the field. It's likely Michigan will use a similar defensive approach to Michigan State's in that they will stack the box to force the Buckeyes to win with the passing game. This means it's likely the play of J.T. Barrett – who will only be making his fourth start of the season – could be a determining factor.

There's much at stake for the winner of this game: selection into a good bowl game and a chance to win the Big Ten East Division title, if Penn State is somehow able to knock off Michigan State.

Penn State at No. 5 Michigan State
Saturday, Nov. 28, 3:30 pm. ET (ESPN)

For the Spartans, everything they worked for comes down to this. If they win, they move on to the Big Ten title game. To do so, they will need another stellar defensive effort to thwart Penn State.

The Nittany Lions have struggled with offensive consistency all season. Not only have they failed to protect Christian Hackenberg regularly, but the junior pivot hasn't been consistent either, as he's only completing 53 percent of his throws. He will have to have a big game against Michigan State, whose secondary has given up big plays this year.

The only way this happens is if Penn State's offensive line can give Hackenberg enough time to make the right reads. This will be a tall task considering how good the Spartans' defensive line is. This is the same unit that held Ohio State to 132 total yards. Therefore, if Michigan State can have similar success and shut down the Nittany Lions, the Spartans should clinch the Big Ten's East division.

No. 4 Iowa at Nebraska
Friday, Nov. 27. 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)

The Hawkeyes clinched their spot in the Big Ten title game, but it doesn't mean they should take this week easy. Nebraska's 5-6 record is deceptive, just ask Michigan State. Friday provides another opportunity for Iowa to improve and it must take advantage of that, especially on defense where it has given up 20 points or more in its last three games.

The key for Nebraska is to play smart. Tommy Armstrong Jr. has thrown five interceptions in his past two games, and if he has a similar performance against Iowa's opportunistic defense, it will be difficult for the Cornhuskers to win. Iowa gives up over 11 yards per completion, so there are big plays available if Tommy is patient and takes what the defense gives him.

For Iowa, it comes back to the simple formula it used to win 11 games: play smart and aggressive. The Hawkeyes have to set the tempo from the start to take the crowd out of the game. Nebraska is notorious for fourth-quarter rallies, so if Iowa keeps them around, it could lead to a dramatic ending.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox