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Here are my Big Ten Rankings and Predictions goining into week 9...

1- Penn State (8-0 overall, 4-0 in Big Ten))

2- Ohio State (7-1, 3-1)

3- Minnesota (6-1, 2-1)

4- Michigan State (6-2, 3-1)

5- Northwestern (6-1, 2-1)

6- Iowa (5-3, 2-2)

7- Illinois (4-3, 2-2)

8- Wisconsin (3-4, 0-4)

9- Purdue (2-5, 0-3)

10-Michigan (2-5, 1-2)

11-Indiana (2-5, 0-4)

In reality, noteam is really deserving of the #3 spot in the conference right now.  The gap between Penn Sttae, Ohio State, and the rest of the conference looks as big as ever.  I still think Michigan Sttae is the 3rd best team in the Big Ten, but they looked absolutely terrible in the 45-7 loss at home against Ohio State.  On the other hand, Minnesota has one "quality win" this year against Illinois, in a game where their defense looked terrible and they were badly outgained, but still got the win.  Iowa is probably playing liek the 3rd best team right now, but I can't put them ahead of MSU or Northwestern since they lost to both.  So hereare my predictions for wek 9...

Minnesoat at Purdue....Should be interesting to see if Purdue has packed it in for the year.  I don'tr think that they have (yet), and  I still think Minnesota is mostly smoke & mirrors so far this year.  Make it Purdue 24, Minnesota 21

Illinois at Wisconsin...Another game where you have the possiblity of a team simply giving up on their year (Wisconsin).  I think this game could get out of hand if Illinois puts up a couple quick scores.  The Badgers are emotionally fragile and their new quarterback didn't look too hot in his first start last week.  Make it Illinois 31, Wisconsin 17

Northwestern at Indiana...It doesn't get any easier than playing Indiana without Kellen Lewis.  Enough said about this game.  MAke it Northwestern 35, Indiana 14

Michigan State at Michigan...An absolue must win for Michigan State.  Michigan seems to be strangely confident going into this game (I wonder if they felt this way with Toldeo coming to town), but the bottom line is that Michigan is simply a bad team with very bad coaching.  The fact that MSU is only a 4 poiunt favorite is mindboggling to me.  I guarantee that MSU comes to play on Saturday (something they chose not to do last week against Ohio State).  Make it Little Brother (MSU) 27, Meeeeechigan 10

Penn State at Ohio State...Obviously the game of the year in the Big Ten.  As a Big Ten fan, I am desperately hoping for a Penn State win (and hopefully a convincing one at that).  I think Penn State is the real deal this year, but Ohio State always seems to come through in the Big games (except, of course, against the SEC or USC).  The 'Spread HD" should be just enough for Joe Pa under the lights in the Horseshoe.  Make it Penn State 21, Ohio State 17

 Well, there you have it.  Overall a pretty decent slate of games this week.  We should have a better idea where all the teams stand on Sunday.