Big Ten Preview: No. 5 Spartans' visit to Purdue tops slate

Updated Nov. 4, 2021 2:29 a.m. ET

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Things to watch during Week 10 of play in the Big Ten Conference:

GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 5 Michigan State at Purdue

The Spartans (8-0, 5-0, No. 3 CFP) have won eight straight against Purdue and three in a row in West Lafayette since 2007. But this is a tricky game. Michigan State is coming off the high of beating rival Michigan, and the Boilermakers have a habit of beating ranked teams. Mel Tucker has his team on high alert. The Boilermakers (5-3, 3-2), for a change, enter November with a lot at stake. They head into their first crossover game in a three-way tie for second place behind Minnesota in the Big Ten West.

BEST MATCHUP

Penn State at Maryland

This is an intriguing matchup because Penn State (5-3, 2-3) has lost three in a row. Maryland (5-3, 2-3) saw its offense spring to life again after it went dormant going through the Iowa-Ohio State-Minnesota gauntlet, and both teams need a win for bowl eligibility. Taulia Tagovailoa threw for a career-high 419 yards to lead the Terrapins past Indiana last week, and he has confidence from winning at Penn State last year.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Wisconsin (5-3, 3-2) goes into its game at Rutgers (4-4, 1-4) with a defense ranking in the top 10 nationally in every major category and allowing just 8.5 points and 180.3 yards per game during its four-game win streak. The Badgers have held four of their eight opponents to less than a yard per rushing attempt. ... Iowa's Spencer Petras enters his game at Northwestern (3-5, 1-4) having completed just 52% of his passes (43 of 82) for two touchdowns and 161 yards per game, with five interceptions. The Hawkeyes (6-2, 3-2) are the only Big Ten team averaging fewer than 300 total yards per game.

LONG SHOT

Nebraska (3-6, 1-5 ) is a 14 1/2-point underdog at home against No. 6 Ohio State (7-1, 5-0, No. 5 CFP),

IMPACT PLAYERS

Mar’Keise Irving and Ky Thomas go into Minnesota's home game against Illinois (3-6, 2-4) as the Gophers' only healthy scholarship running backs. They'll carry the load after Bryce Williams became the team's third running back to get hurt for Minnesota (6-2, 4-1). Both have ample experience, having combined for 122 carries, 689 yards and five touchdowns.

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Spencer Petras

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