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Get Gamm - Week Nine

Nothing too exciting on tap around the Big Ten this week... which makes me wonder. Are we due for another shocking upset? Is this the right time for Iowa to fall? Will Illinois put it together? Can Northwestern tap the well again? Every week is critical from here on out, even if there is no marquee game on the slate.

Picking with me this week is Phats... our first back-to-back winner on the season.

Indiana at Iowa - It might sound funny, considering the way IU crumbled with a big lead in Evanston last weekend and with the way Iowa has magically pulled out some wins this season, but this might well be the "upset alert" game for the weekend. Indiana has nothing to lose. Iowa has everything to lose. In fact, Iowa already has lost a bit - with another tailback down for the season, not to mention a solid piece of the offensive line (Dace Richardson). Honestly, I don't expect Iowa to lose here, but hey, stranger things have happened (think WMU to end the season a few years back). All that hot air aside, Iowa makes it 13-straight. Barely. Again. Iowa 20 - Indiana 16.

Phats says ... How many bullets can the Hawkeyes dodge? Shouldn't need to against IU. Finally an easy victory will come for the Hawkeyes at home. IOWA 31 indiana 10

Purdue at Wisconsin - The Badgers are well rested. The Boilermakers are finally on a roll. UW still has an outside shot at a Big Ten title in sight. Purdue needs to win out to go bowling. It all sets up for an interesting game in Madison. Weather won't be a factor but turnovers will. As in, Purdue still coughs it up like a cat coughs up hairballs (often) and Wisconsin is great at forcing the rock to come loose. I think the mini-run by the Boilers comes to an end in Mad-town. Wisconsin 27 - Purdue 14.

Phats says ... Anyone want to take a guess here who I will pick in this one? Of course my Boilers for two reasons, they're my team and I would never pick against them, and I truly believe we have a shot at Wisconsin with the way we are playing. The most shocking thing that came out of the ho hum win over Illinois was no turnovers, if that happens again we can play with anyone remaining on our schedule. Carson Wiggs, the best field goal kicker in the country is the difference making the game winner. Boiler Up.. Hammer Down Baby! PURDUE 24 wisconsin 21

New Mexico State at Ohio State - This one is a tune-up game for the Buckeyes who face a stretch run of at Penn State, Iowa, at Michigan. Ohio State 45 - New Mexico State 3.

Phats says ... YAWN this one will be over at halftime. OHIO STATE 41 new mexico state 3

Michigan at Illinois - At a surface level, this game seems like a no brainer. Illinois has been flat out horrible this season. Michigan is young and mistake prone, but better than most expected. This seems like it should be an easy pick. But you know that the Illini are going to show up at some point, even if it is just one time the rest of the way. I wasn't gutsy enough to call an Indiana win over Iowa, but I'll go out on a limb here - maybe a long limb - and predict that Juice gets it flowing and Illinois rises up for its first D1 win of the season. Illinois 23 - Michigan 21.

Phats says ... Could the Illini get their first big ten win against the wolverines, it's possible, but not probable. While I am not on the Michigan love train like a lot of people, they are still better than Illinois home or away. MICHIGAN 28 illinois 17

Penn State at Northwestern (tiebreaker) - The cardiac cats are going to have to show up earlier for this game than they did against Indiana. Penn State is finally starting to hit its stride. This is a potential trap game with Ohio State coming to State College next weekend, but something tells me JoePa will have his men focused and ready to roll. NU is thinking 1995 with this one (except the Rose Bowl is not in range). Penn State has other ideas. Penn State 34 - Northwestern 17.

Phats says ... How many lives do these cats have?! My Boilers should have beaten them, IU should have beaten them, now they take on a red hot Penn State team. Penn State is playing really well on defense, that's enough to get it done over the Cats. PENN STATE 38 northwestern 10

Michigan State at Minnesota - On paper, we have two 4-4 teams fighting for their bowl lives. In reality, we have a team that is two plays from 6-2 (4-1) and a tie for first in the Big Ten and another that has scored all of seven points in the last two games. Michigan State was stung hard by another heartbreaking loss last week, but has shown great resolve under Mark Dantonio when faced with these situations. Minnesota is without Eric Decker, moving to a two QB rotation and just hasn't had the "it" factor of late. Michigan State 31 - Minnesota 20.

Phats says ... Trust me all of Boiler Nation can relate to the Spartans, we have seen that happen to us many a times, and even some this year. The real question will be can they recover from this heartbreaking loss. Minnesota on the other hand also had what could potentially be a heartbreaking loss if Decker isn't playing Saturday. I think it will be a back and forth game, I think this one comes down to the wire again, but don't worry State fans you'll pull it out. MICHIGAN STATE 28 minnesota 21