Stop. Don't even think about getting off that couch. Although there is plenty of action left to be seen the fact remains that this season is flying by in record fashion. Week six is already here and is stocked with tasty match-ups much like your fridge full of cold beverages of your choice. The five games on tap have many sub-plots of their own. Some teams are coming off a weeks rest while others have to rebound from tough losses or dramatic wins. Either way, last week is history so bringing any emotion into week six from previous games will be a big psychological setback for any team. This week continues to delve into head-to-head Big Ten action in what is promised to be some entertaining Saturday smash-mouth football. So grab your cooler, get comfy, and don't change that channel.
Penn State at Indiana - 12:00 PM EST, Big Ten Network
Both these teams should be fresh, energetic, and ready to hit someone as they've had two weeks to prepare for this match-up after an off week. This is also the first taste of Big Ten action for both squads and will be a big turning point for each team one way or another. Indiana is 2-2 and coming off a shoot-out loss to Missouri 45-28. Quarterback Nate Sudfeld has been one of the few bright spots for the team helping the team rank eighth in the nation in overall passing. The sophomore has 1,146 yards while throwing 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. A big reason for his inflated numbers has been due to Indiana's defense giving up 32.8 points per game and putting the offense in many "catch-up" situations. This will be their fifth home game in a row and face a daunting road schedule starting next week. The opposite sidelines main focus besides getting their first in conference win will be the continuation of progress for freshman quarterback Christian Hackenberg. Hackenberg was the number one recruit coming out of high school last year and was given the starting job in week one. While he has had his fair share of ups and downs it's clear that he has the potential to be one of the premier quarterbacks in the nation in time. Hackenberg has 1,027 yards with five touchdowns and four interceptions in his first four games. Surrounded by the 13th ranked defense in the country (14.5 points against per game), a productive running game, and a growing rapport with stud receiver Allen Robinson, Hackenberg is using his resources wisely and effectively. The Nittnay Lions will be the favorite, but will be wise not to look past the Hoosiers as they have the ability to put up big points any given Saturday.
Illinois at Nebraska - 12:00 PM EST, ESPNU
The Illini have been one of the feel good stories of the conference so far already surpassing their win total from last year (2-10) thanks to the arm of quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase. Scheelhaase threw five quick first half touchdowns and then was pulled the next half as they rolled past Miami (Ohio) 50-14. He now has thrown for 1,162 yards 12 touchdowns and three interceptions and has been one of the most efficient passers of the Big Ten if not the nation helping his team rank 19th in the nation is passing yards with 307 yards per game. Their only loss this season came to 19th ranked Washington by far their toughest opponent and showed they can hang with the big boys with a score of 24-34. They travel to Nebraska this week where the Cornhuskers have been very vulnerable on the defensive side of the ball giving up an average of 27 points per game (75th in the nation). Scheelhaase will have the opportunity to have another productive performance threw the air. The question is who's defense can stop the opposing team the longest? There is no doubt Cornhuskers quarterback Taylor Martinez will be able to continue his rampage of offensive success. Martinez does his damage through the air and on the ground and is equally efficient at both. He only has 528 yards passing thus far but has thrown nine touchdowns to just one interception. This will be one of the most entertaining games of the day in the conference with a back-and-forth touchdown-paloza.
Michigan State at Iowa - 12:00 PM EST, ESPN2
The Spartans got a much needed week of rest after they hit their first road block of the year in a tough loss to Notre Dame by a score of 17-13. The theme hasn't changed for Michigan State, the defense remains supreme keeping the team in every game while the offense is still searching for an effective quarterback and some sort of identity as a unit. Expect a mix of Connor Cook and Andrew Maxwell again against Iowa as they hope one of the two can make a leap forward and progress into the full time starter. They currently rank 113th in the country in passing yards (153.8). Because of their lack of a passing game, teams continue to stack the box and shut down their running game and the stats prove it. After ranking in the top 15 in rushing last year with workhorse Le'Veon Bell (now in the NFL) the Spartans have dropped to 57th in the nation in rushing yards. Iowa is still polishing their Floyd of Rosedale trophy they held onto from the Gophers last week in what was a convincing win in Minnesota 23-7. The Hawkeyes played typical Iowa football running the ball effectively, limiting turn overs, and playing great defense. These teams match-up well on paper with two great defenses and a lack of offensive firepower. The game will come down to who can execute and make one or two more big plays than the other as the winner will be in a great position in the Big Ten.
Minnesota at Michigan - 3:30 PM EST, ABC/ESPN2
During their rest week head coach most likely made his team sit in the naughty corner for their embarrassing play against two weak opponents in back-to-back weeks. Much of the blame has been on quarterback Devin Gardner who has been careless with the football over that two week span with ill advised throws turned to interceptions and costly fumbles, mistakes that Hoke and Gardner know are unacceptable. Hoke is hoping the week off will give his team ample time to fix these self inflicting mistakes as they head into their first Big Ten game. There is no doubt Michigan has the capability to be one of the best teams in the conference after putting up the performances they had earlier in the year whooping Central Michigan 59-9 and dethroning Notre Dame 41-30 on prime time television. Safe to say they have as high of expectations for themselves as anyone. Although they're 4-0, players and coaches were furious with their play or lack there of and execution the past two games and admit they have a lot of work to do. The Gophers will be playing for their second trophy in as many weeks hoping to steal the "Little Brown Jug" from the Wolverine sideline as the clock hits zeros. They will have their work cut out for them however as history is against them. Michigan has won 21 of the past 22 meetings and are three touchdown favorites this time around.
Ohio State at Northwestern - 8:00 PM EST, ABC
This isn't just the biggest game of the conference, this is the biggest game of the country this Saturday. When skimming Ohio State's schedule you could make a strong case that if the Buckeyes were to lose one game this season it would be this one. Sure they still have to play Michigan State, but do they have the offense to pierce through the Ohio State defense? Then there is the highly anticipated season ender in Ann Arbor against Michigan, but do they have the defense to stop Braxton Miller and his crew? Northwestern has the most balanced team up and down their roster to give the Buckeyes their last real test in what will be a four-quarter fight in Illinois. Teams like Georgia and LSU will have their eyes glued to this game as well as they would like nothing more than to see the Buckeyes uprooted in their chance at a BCS title game. A win for Ohio State would almost certainly knock out some top-tier teams out of the championship hunt like the ones mentioned above. Northwestern who has been a solid team the past couple of years is still searching for that program defining win against one of the top teams in the nation and is in a great position to do so coming off a week of rest and playing in front of their home crowd. They also will get their leading rusher from last year Venric Mark back from a leg injury that forced him to miss the last three games. Combining him with dual-threat quarterback Kain Colter is a dangerous threat and gives defenses a daunting task to contain. If the Wildcats want to leave with a victory they'll have to stop the hottest team in the country. The Buckeyes have won a nation best 17 games straight and have beat Northwestern in 28 of the last 29 meetings between the two. The game itself won't have a shortage of cameras, bright lights, or hype surrounding it as ESPNs College Gameday will be previewing the game in Evanston prior to kick-off and ABC will air the game on prime time television. If you have to go to the in-laws or take care of house chores Saturday that's fine, just make sure your back on your couch for this sundown showdown.