The Final Score - Your source for Big Ten Sports

Get Gamm - Week 10
Amazing how fast time goes by when you are swamped with life! Alas, it is already Friday and that means football is upon us. Two big boys - PSU and OSU - get to rest for the stretch, but everyone else is ready and rarin' to go.

BruceS will be picking with me this week and I have an overall two game lead with four regular season weeks and bowl season to go. Can anyone catch me?

Central Michigan at Indiana - Well, the Hoosiers finally got back on a winning track last weekend, but can they pull off another win this go around? Central Michigan is arguably one of the best teams in the MAC and IU already got bull-whipped by a MAC foe at home. The Hoosiers need wins to get back to a bowl game. Kellen Lewis is due back, but is he healthy enough to spell the difference? The Hoosiers are clearly different when he is at his best and running the show. CMU has been escaping of late, but won't be the latest MAC team to beat a Big Ten team. Indiana 31 - CMU 27.

BruceS says ... CMU has the QB to cause problems most teams. However, IU's big win last weekend will give them enough momentum to carry them through to another "W" this week against a good MAC team. IU 31 CMU 27.

Michigan at Purdue - The Loser Stays Home for the Holidays Bowl! Had you asked me back in August, I would have guessed this would have New Year's Day implications, not Motor City Bowl or Bust implications. Michigan has lost four straight. Purdue has lost five of six and sits in dead last. Both teams have major offensive challenges. Purdue's are tougher yet though with former Heisman candidate Curtis Painter likely on the rack with a bum shoulder. Purdue can't lose every league tilt, can they? Michigan can't keep looking completely helpless, can they? If ties were possible, that would be my call. Michigan 13 - Purdue 9.

BruceS says ... A game pitting two teams under performing according to everyone's preseason predictions. Purdue, at home, will be able to throw on a weak UM defense enough to get the win. Michigan is just not very good this year and it is payback time for a lot of teams. Purdue 31 Michigan 24.

Northwestern at Minnesota - A week ago, this would have been an epic battle of two of the nicest stories in the Big Ten this fall. That was before Tyrell Suton was lost for the season and C.J. Bacher came up lame at Indiana. Minnesota is firing on all cylinders and its offense will provide all sorts of trouble for the Wildcats' defense. The Gophers are also taking the ball from teams more than a bully takes candy from the neighborhood nerd. Too many chips are against NU so Minnesota keeps on rolling. Minnesota 45 - Northwestern 31.

BruceS says ... Minny playing very well and should prevail against a banged up NW team. NW just won't be able to outscore the Gophers with Sutton out and Bacher hurt. Minnesota 34 Northwestern 20

Wisconsin at Michigan State - My game of the week. Wisconsin surely isn't as bad as their 4-4 (1-4) record. Michigan State has to prove it can overcome jubilation (win over Michigan) much in the same way it did adversity (ugly loss to OSU). The Badgers seem to be moving forward now that Sherer is at the helm and the stable of dinged but good tailbacks are a force to be reckoned with. The Spartans have a shot at a Big Ten title and that keeps them focused. Ringer might run on UW like Greene did a few weeks back and look for Hoyer to be solid again. It will be close, just like Vegas is calling, with redemption for Swenson... Michigan State 27 - Wisconsin 24.

BruceS says ... The Spartans are on a mission and seem to be focused each and every week. Wisconsin has been up and down, but coming off a good win to help their confidence. I give the edge to the home team with more to fight for. Another win for the good guys. GO GREEN! Michigan State 35 Wisconsin 24

Iowa at Illinois - This is a close runner-up to MSU-WIS as the game of the week. Both teams are in the bowl hunt. Illinois is due to come back up after another head-scratching performance last weekend. Iowa should be fresh off its bye and has a chance to get bowl eligible just ahead of its biggest game of the year (PSU comes to town). Iowa has one of the best defensive units in the Big Ten. Illinois moves the ball at will on most. Something's gotta give. Iowa has won five straight in the series and 8 of the last 10. Which Illinois team will show up? In a game like this, the better defense wins... make it: Iowa 26 - Illinois 24.

BruceS says ... These two teams are like two elevators traveling in opposite directions; one going up while the other is going down. Iowa is playing like many predicted at the beginning of the season while Illinois has been a disappointment to many. Iowa continues their winning ways with a good road win in Champaign. Iowa 24 Illinois 21