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Big Ten Bold Predictions: Week 4

Here's a look at all of the action in the Big 10 this weekend and how the games might play out.

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We are at the midpoint of the College Football season, but just embarking on week 4 of the Big 10 Season. 
Things are starting to take shape in the race for conference supremacy, but there is a lot of football to be played. 
Here's a look at how each game might play out this weekend in the Heartland.
Don't be surprised if there is a shocker to shake up the standings.

Delaware State at Michigan
Despite Michigan's recent history of letting inferior teams hang around, this week will feel like a practice and week off. Michigan's much improved offense will be fine no matter which quarterback plays this week. Michigan is too much for Delaware State at the Big House and wins rather easily:

Michigan 34
Delaware State 16

Ohio State at Purdue
Purdue has not found easy sledding thus far in the Big 10 as Danny Hope is still trying to notch his first ever Big 10 win. It won't happen this week as Ohio State comes to town to bully the Boilermakers around. 

If Purdue can hang onto the ball for once, they might make it close. Ohio State's offense shows some signs of life, but it is the defense that makes the difference again in a closer game than many might think.

Ohio State 27
Purdue 13

"Things are starting to take shape in the race for conference supremacy, but there is a lot of football to be played."

Minnesota at Penn State
Minnesota has been competitive in every league game this season. Penn State still believes that they are the best team in the Big 10 and is out to show everyone that the loss to Iowa was a fluke. 

The game is at Happy Valley and Penn State is on a mission. Darryl Clark and gang will be too much for the Minnesota defense, while the Penn State defense will be able to hold down the Minnesota offense on the road.

Penn State 30
Minnesota 16

Illinois at Indiana
Where have you been Illinois? Where did you go Indiana? Two teams that thought they were going to be relevant will try to right the ship. 

Indiana would like to defend the rock, while Illinois would like to stop the rocks being thrown at its program. 

Indiana is able to muster just enough offense at home to keep the gum in Bill Lynch's mouth. The nightmare continues for Illinois, but barely.

Indiana 28
Illinois 24

Northwestern at Michigan State
In a battle to stay in the upper divisoin of the Big Ten and remain relevant in the race, both offenses will be able to move the ball. 

The difference will be the physicality of the Michigan State offense and Northwestern's inability to trade scores. If this game were at Northwestern perhaps it is a different outcome. 

Sparty pulls it off in a thriller as always.

Michigan State 34
Northwestern 31

Marquee Matchup: Iowa at Wisconsin
This is by far the biggest game on the slate for the Big 10 this weekend. It what will no doubt be an extremely physical matchup, with the difference being one of attrition. 

Iowa has had a stellar season this far, but in a bit of a shocker, Wisconsin's tandem of running backs will do what nobody has been able to do thus far in the season, and where down the Iowa defensive line. 

Scott Tolzein's timely passing will also loosen up the Iowa defense just enough to make the difference in the end.

Wisconsin 24
Iowa 20

That's it for this week.  Check back on Thursday of next week to get the Week 5 Big Ten Bold Predictions. 

Tags: big 10 football, college football, ohio state football