College Football

Iowa Football: Predicting Big Ten's Week Six Matchups

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:35 p.m. ET

foxsports

Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

A prediction for every game in the Big Ten this week

Despite the love for the SEC, the Big Ten has arguably been the best conference in the nation. Even though the Iowa Hawkeyes and Michigan State Spartans have fallen out of the top-25, the conference still has four teams in the top-12.

Not to mention, Ohio State and Michigan are ranked second and fourth in the AP Poll, respectively. That makes the Big Ten the only team projected to have two teams in the College Football Playoff. While there is a lot of season left to be played, the conference is sitting well halfway through the season.

This week, there are five conference games. Michigan State is the only team taking on a non-conference opponent. While there are no top-25 matchups this week in the Big Ten, there are still many great games. Iowa football and Minnesota is just one, as the Hawkeyes look to defend the Floyd of Rosedale trophy.

Not many people are expecting any big upsets this week, however an upset wouldn’t just shake the Big Ten picture but also the AP Poll drastically. Here’s a look at how each team in the Big Ten will fare this week.

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

4 Michigan Wolverines (-30) @ Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Michigan might be the best team in the nation. They’re coming off an impressive 14-7 win over Wisconsin and scored at least 45 points in each of their first four games, which included a 45-28 win over now-21st ranked Colorado. Not to mention that Colorado is the only team to top 20 points against them this season, and Jabrill Peppers is just a small part of a defense that ranks seventh in the nation in points allowed per game.

On the other side of the ball, Rutgers has been a complete mess. They’re 2-3 and have already been blown out by two ranked teams this season — Washington and Ohio State. The Scarlet Knights were outscored 106-13 against Washington and Ohio State, including a 58-0 victory for Ohio State last week.

More from Dear Old Gold

Back-to-back tough losses, a banged up team and hosting a hungry team who is a lot better than their record is never a good combination.

Tyler O’Connor returned to form against Indiana after throwing three interceptions against Wisconsin. He tossed three touchdowns versus the Hoosiers, however Scott only gained 3.5 yards per rush, hindering the offense as a result. Just like many teams in college football, this is a make or break week for the Spartans.

They’re not going to return to the College Football Playoff and most likely won’t win the Big Ten East. However, ranking outside of the top-50 in both points per game and points allowed per game is very uncharacteristic for a Mark Dantonio coached team.

BYU is a respectable program who have been just a couple of scores away from entering this game undefeated. These are the types of games that Michigan State needs to win to get their season back on track. Being at home will help, but players on their defense will need to step up in the absence of key contributors.

Prediction: Michigan State 27 BYU 24

Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Maryland Terrapins (-2.5) @ Penn State Nittany Lions

Say what you want about Maryland’s opponents, but three of their first four wins have come by more than 35 points. As a result, Maryland is starting to get a little consideration to be ranked in the AP Poll and travel to Happy Valley as a -2.5 favorite.

Penn State is coming off a tough 29-26 overtime win over Minnesota to improve to 3-2 on the year. Their only losses came in a thriller to Pittsburgh, in which they fell 42-39, and a blowout loss to Michigan. Penn State isn’t a bad team, but they’re underachieving once again under James Franklin.

The problem is we don’t know what to expect from Maryland. They haven’t played anyone remotely tough this season and Penn State enters this game very battle-tested.

That being said, Maryland has looked impressive. They’re completing 60 percent of their passes, averaging 6.5 yards per carry and are fifth in the nation in points allowed per game — 11.6 points allowed per game.

If the Terrapins stifling defense transfers over against respectable competition like Penn State, then Maryland should be even bigger favorites. Although, the uncertainty that comes with this team is scary.

For Penn State, Saquon Barkley is one of the best running backs in the nation. He’s rushed for 380 yards and seven touchdowns on 4.4 yards per carry this season. Not to mention, he’s also a very good pass-catching back with 11 receptions on the year. That being said, Minnesota held him to 3.2 yards per carry and Maryland will look to do the same with their defense that has allowed a mere 3.1 yards per rush.

On defense, Maryland needs to stop Barkley and Chris Godwin. On offense, seven players have at least 10 rushing attempts and a touchdown on the season. That’s an insane amount. If they establish the run and use all their weapons they should walk away with a win.

This is a huge game for the Maryland football program. Although, I’m not sure if buying into the Maryland hype is safe, yet. Penn State isn’t a great offensive team, but is Maryland’s defense for real?

Prediction: Penn State 27 Maryland 21

Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa Hawkeyes (-1) @ Minnesota Golden Gophers

Both teams have their season riding on this game. It’s a crucial game for both teams to get back on track after suffering a loss a week ago. With neither team significantly better than the other this season, it’s tough to understand why Iowa is a one-point favorite on the road.

The Hawkeyes are coming into this game following their best offensive showing since week one. They scored 31 points, rushed for three touchdowns and C.J. Beathard threw for 204 yards and a score. It wasn’t pretty, however Desmond King set them up in the return game and Iowa managed to get into the end zone, something they’ve struggled with.

Want your voice heard? Join the Dear Old Gold team!

That being said, it was the first time Iowa has given up more than 30 points in a single game this season. After a bend but don’t break mentality the past couple of weeks, Iowa’s defense couldn’t bend anymore and broke badly.

They now take on a rushing attack who is averaging five yards per carry. After struggling with an athletic quarterback against Easton Stick earlier in the year, Iowa will need to be much better against Mitch Leidner. Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks will get the majority of the carries, however Minnesota would rather use Leidner’s legs than let him air it out.

Defensively, the Gophers rank outside the top-50 in points allowed per game. They’ve allowed at least 20 points in every game this season, even Indiana State burned them for 28 points. The Hawkeyes should be able to score, however that’s what everyone thought when they played Rutgers.

If Minnesota punches a hole through the heart of the defense like North Dakota State and Rutgers did, Iowa won’t leave Minneapolis with a victory. The Hawkeyes can bounce back this week, but they have to get off to a fast start.

Prediction: Minnesota 28 Iowa 20

This article originally appeared on