Nov 17, 2012; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Imani Cross (32) celebrates his touchdown against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Memorial Stadium in the first half. Nebraska won 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-US PRESSWIRE

1. Ohio State, 11-0 (7-0 Big Ten). Last Week: W 21-14, OT over Wisconsin. Next: vs. Michigan, 11 a.m. Ohio State has looked totally unstoppable at times. Last week’s victory over Wisconsin was not one of those times. Michigan is firing on all cylinders and is looking to mar the Buckeyes’ season. Upset alert.

2. Nebraska, 9-2 (6-1). Last Week: W 38-14 over Minnesota. Next: at Iowa, Friday 11 a.m. Tom Osborne led the Tunnel Walk on Senior Day. Running back Rex Burkhead suited up, but didn’t see any playing time. He wasn’t needed. Quarterback Taylor Martinez went 21-for-29 passing for 308 yards, nine of those passes went to receiver Kenny Bell for 136 yards with two scores. Martinez now holds the career passing record at Nebraska as a junior. RB Ameer Abdullah had his streak of 100-yard rushing games come to an end, but he did eclipse the 1,000-yard mark for the season with his 79 yards. Nebraska can clinch the division title with a win at Iowa on Black Friday.

3. Michigan, 8-3 (6-1). Last Week: W 42-17 over Iowa. Next: at Ohio State, 11 a.m. Michigan may actually be a better team without Denard Robinson at the helm; good enough to defeat Ohio State. Quarterback Devin Gardner went 18-for-23 passing with 314 yards, three touchdowns and an interception, and ran for three more scores against the hapless Hawkeyes. Running back Fitz Toussaint suffered a broken his leg early in the contest. Robinson came back from his elbow injury to play a little bit of everything, running the ball 13 times for 98 yards. He did not throw a pass.  Expect the Wolverines to take shots at big plays while not turning the ball over much as they try and ruin their rival’s perfect year.

4. Wisconsin, 7-4 (4-3). Last Week: L 21-14, OT to Ohio State. Next at Penn State, 2:30 p.m. Running back Montee Ball ran roughshod over the Buckeye defense. Ball ran 39 times for 191 yards and a touchdown that tied him for the career touchdown record. Of course, Ball unnecessarily diving for the end zone on fourth down when a half of a yard would have given the Badgers a first down may have cost them the game. Ball jumped, stretched and had the ball knocked from his hands into the arms of a OSU defender. Thanks to double secret probations, that game didn’t really matter. The trip to Happy Valley doesn’t matter, either. Another tough game against a surging Penn State squad could beat Wisconsin up a bit before the title game.

5. Northwestern, 8-3 (4-3). Last Week: W 23-20 over Michigan State. Next: vs. Illinois, 11 a.m. Northwestern finally gets lobbed a softball after a tough tour of Michigan. It should be interesting how much Pat Fitzgerald’s name comes up in coaching searches this off-season.

6. Penn State, 7-4 (5-2). Last Week: W 45-22 over Indiana. Next: vs. Wisconsin, 2:30 p.m. QB Matt McGloin and receiver Allen Robinson joined forces to produce career days. McGloin threw for 395 yards and four scores, with 197 yards and three scores going to Robinson. Running back Zach Zwinak added 135 yards on the ground on 29 carries. A win over Wisconsin would go a long way to show that the Nittany Lions are for real and not just the benefactors of bad football.

7. Michigan State, 5-6 (2-5). Last Week: L 23-20 to Northwestern. Next: at Minnesota, 2:30 p.m. Michigan State plays like a good team, yet the Spartans’ record doesn’t reflect that. The Spartans need one more win to gain bowl eligibility, and Le’Veon Bell along with a staunch defense should be more than enough to handle the Golden Gophers.

8. Purdue, 5-6 (2-5). Last Week: W 20-17 over Illinois. Next vs. Indiana, 11 a.m. The Boilermakers won the pillow fight against Illinois and now need only defeat in-state rival Indiana to be bowl eligible.

9. Indiana, 4-7 (2-5). Last Week: L 45-22 to Penn State. Next: at Purdue, 11 a.m. The Hoosiers haven’t been able to put up the gaudy offensive numbers that they were earlier in the year. Rival Purdue will check to see if Indiana has truly ran out of gas.

10. Iowa, 4-7 (2-5). Last Week: L 42-17 to Michigan. Next: vs. Nebraska, Friday 11 a.m. Tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz was the lone bright spot for the Hawkeyes, catching 8 passes for 99 yards. Mark Weisman started at running back after being hobbled with injuries. Weisman ran for 63 yards and caught a TD pass, but was otherwise ineffective against a tough Michigan D as Iowa was knocked out of bowl eligibility. Iowa will try to get a run game going against Nebraska to open up the tight end passing game over the middle. A bleak prospective considering how well the Big Red has been tackling as of late.

11. Minnesota, 6-5 (2-5). Last Week: L 38-14 to Nebraska. Next: vs. Michigan State, 2:30 p.m. That was the worst opponent on Nebraska’s schedule since Idaho State. The Golden Gophers were overwhelmed at pretty much every aspect of the game and didn’t score until garbage time against the Husker second- and third-stringers. Minnesota had 98 total yards and no points  going into the fourth quarter. The Gophers face a frustrated Michigan State team that needs a win in the finale to gain bowl eligibility.

12. Illinois, 2-9 (0-7). Last Week: L 20-17 to Purdue. Next: at Northwestern, 11 a.m. Expect Illinois to go 0-8 in conference play with the way Northwestern has been playing lately.

By Steve Siedlik

Nov 10, 2012; Bloomington, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Montee Ball (28) breaks away for a long touchdown run against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Wisconsin defeats Indiana 62-14. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

1. Ohio State, 10-0 (6-0 Big Ten). No. 6/Ineligible for Coaches/BCS polls. Last Week: Bye. Next: at Wisconsin, 2:30 p.m. Ohio State not only has to defeat Wisconsin and Michigan to round out the season, but the Buckeyes need to do so with style if they want a chance at the AP National Title. Ohio State’s defense probably won’t let Wisconsin get away with throwing the ball only seven times the entire game.

2. Nebraska, 8-2 (5-1). No. 16/No. 14/No. 14. Last Week: W 32-23 over Penn State. Next: vs. Minnesota, 2:30 p.m. Nebraska came back from its fourth double-digit deficit of the season. Running back Ameer Abdullah extended his streak of 100-yard games to four as he carried the ball a career-high 31 times. The Cornhuskers won the turnover battle with a Penn State team that rarely turns the ball over. It would be scary to see what Nebraska could do if the Huskers stopped shooting themselves in the foot. There are slightly louder rumblings about Rex Burkhead’s return this week. Minnesota may seem like a speed bump to the Big Ten Championship, but the Golden Gophers bring a scrappy defense, decent running back and a freshman quarterback who likes to run around a little bit.

3. Wisconsin, 7-3 (4-2). Last Week: W 62-14 over Indiana. Next: vs. Ohio State, 2:30 p.m. The question last week was whether Indiana could slow down Wisconsin’s stable of running backs. That stable was unleashed and a school-record stampede ensued. Montee Ball ran 27 times for 198 yards and three touchdowns, James White ran 14 times for 161 yards and two TDs, and Melvin Gordon added 8 runs for 96 yards and a TD. Ball now stands at second on the NCAA career TD list with 77, one shy of Travis Prentice’s record of 78. Stand-in QB Curt Phillips went a whopping 4-for-7 passing for 41 yards and a TD. The Badgers may have clinched the Leaders crown with the win, but must now run a gauntlet of Ohio State and Penn State that should have them nicely tenderized for the Big Ten Championship game.

4. Michigan, 7-3 (5-1). No. 23/No. 23/No. 21. Last Week: W 38-31, OT over Northwestern. Next: vs. Iowa, 11 a.m. The Wolverines needed a crazy circus catch of a tipped pass by Roy Roundtree to help force overtime and knock Northwestern out of contention for the Legends Division while remaining in that hunt themselves. Michigan better not overlook slumping Iowa before the big finale against Ohio State.

5. Northwestern, 7-3 (3-3). Last Week: L 38-31, OT to Michigan. Next: at Michigan State, 11 a.m. The Wildcats played the game of their lives only to come up short again. Northwestern can prove it belongs in the upper echelon of the Big Ten with a win over the Spartans. A loss, however, would do little to silence critics who say Northwestern lacks a signature win this season.

6. Penn State, 6-4 (4-2). Last Week: L 32-23 to Nebraska. Next: vs. Indiana, 11 a.m. Penn State came out inspired, disciplined and hit Nebraska right in the mouth in the first half. Then the Nittany Lions began to wear out and were outscored 26-3 in the second half. QB Matt McGloin was pressured, sacked thrice, picked off and flagged for a critical intentional grounding penalty in the end zone for a safety. McGloin was not as efficient as advertised as he went 18-for-37 passing for 240 yards and a TD with a 48.6 percent completion rate. RB Zach Zwinak tore off a 50-yard TD run down the middle on his way to 141 tough yards on 21 carries. Indiana literally got ran over by Wisconsin last week so Zwinak might be due for another big day.

7. Michigan State, 5-5 (2-4). Last Week: Bye. Next: vs. Northwestern, 11 a.m. Northwestern gave Michigan all it could handle last week. Michigan State has underachieved this season, second only to Purdue in the Big Ten. The Spartans can silence some critics and get into a decent bowl with a strong finish to the season.

8. Indiana, 4-6 (2-4). Last Week: L 62-14 to Wisconsin. Next: at Penn State, 11 a.m. Indiana’s offense couldn’t get anything going in its most important game of the year. Penn State will most likely knock the Hoosiers out of bowl eligibility this week.

9. Minnesota, 6-4 (2-4). Last Week: W 17-3 over Illinois. Next: at Nebraska, 2:30 p.m. Jerry Kill has coached the Golden Gophers to bowl eligibility on a diet of cupcakes. It will take a miracle for Minnesota’s rushing attack to keep up with Nebraska’s and playing from behind would turn Minnesota away from what it does best: run the ball.

10. Purdue, 4-6 (1-5). Last Week: W 27-24 over Iowa. Next: at Illinois, 2:30 p.m. A win streak against fellow Big Ten cellar dwellers Illinois and Indiana could make Purdue bowl eligible, and maybe save Danny Hope’s job.

11. Iowa, 4-6 (2-4). Last Week: L 27-24 to Purdue. Next: at Michigan, 11 a.m. Kirk Ferentz didn’t seem to have any answers during the press conference after Iowa gave Purdue its first Big Ten win of the season. Bowl eligibility may not be in the cards after facing Michigan and Nebraska in back-to-back weeks.

12. Illinois, 2-8 (0-6). Last Week: L 17-3 to Minnesota. Next: vs. Purdue, 2:30 p.m. Purdue may be Illinois’ last hope of winning a conference game.

By Steve Siedlik

November 3, 2012; East Lansing, MI, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Taylor Martinez (3) runs the ball during 2nd half at Spartan Stadium against the Michigan State Spartans. Nebraska won 28-24. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-US PRESSWIRE

Well Husker fans, Nebraska squeaked out another win, this time against Michigan State. Nebraska is now 7-0 all-time against the Spartans. This marks the third time this season that Nebraska has had a double-digit comeback. That’s enough for one season, guys. Just lead the entire time for the rest of the year. Let’s get right down to business.

First Down: Dr. Taylor and Mr. Martinez.

It’s nothing new. When Taylor Martinez is good, he’s one of the most exciting players in college football, but when he’s bad, he’s really terrible. He still catches heat from Nebraska fans. Some is deserved and some isn’t. People claim that he makes the same mistakes he’s made all of his college career. That’s not necessarily true.

Martinez has improved. Sure he still occasionally chicken-wings the ball, throws off his back foot, inexplicably throws to a defender, fumbles or pitches the ball back-handed nine yards down the field into coverage – honestly, this isn’t supposed to sound like I’m bashing him – but he’s made many improvements.

He has a short memory when it comes to mistakes, his throwing percentage has gone up 10 percent, he’s running smarter, his play fakes are improving, his throwing motion is all-around better, he’s playing through injuries, and he’s gotten better under pressure as the year has gone on.

Not to say it isn’t frustrating for fans to watch. But last year you had to worry about whether “Good Taylor” or “Bad Taylor” was going to show up. Now it seems like they are both there at the same time. Hideous turnovers and explosive plays can happen at any moment.

And it’s not just Martinez. The entire team has been playing like this. Sometimes bad, sometimes great. It’s still a work in progress, but it’s an improvement from previous teams Bo Pelini has coached where if the wheels started to come off the wagon you knew the whole thing was going to turn into a wreck. Credit them for keeping things from snowballing out of control and staying in games this season.

Second Down: Things that were worse than the refereeing in East Lansing.

-The field was in terrible shape. I’ve seen Heinz Field in Pittsburgh look better lately. Players on both sides were falling down. I wouldn’t be surprised if kicks and punts were off because of the torn up turf. This definitely favored Michigan State, the slower team.

-Spartan cheap shots. As I watched the game again, I realized there were a lot more extracurriculars  going on than I first noticed. One of the announcers said, “This is not a Mark Dantonio coached team,” at one point. Yes, it was. I’m pretty sure these players knew from watching previous games that you might be able to draw penalties from Huskers by frustrating them and fighting with them.  That came back to bite them in the end when an unnecessary blindside hit on Kenny Bell negated a touchdown that would have put MSU up 31-14. Hope that hit was worth losing the game over.

-Michigan State attendance. The amount of booing was just sad. It’s also sad when your coach has to plead with fans to attend a divisional game against a ranked team that could keep your division title hopes/bowl hopes alive and you still don’t come close to filling your stadium. I expected more from the storied Big Ten, especially from a team with the capacity to hold nearly 80,000. I’ll enjoy seeing a Spartan Stadium half filled with red for years to come.

Third Down: How good is Penn State, really?

I’ve been reading a lot about how people think Penn State is going to win this game. They have their rationale behind the predictions. Matt McGloin has been efficiently running the offense. The Nittany Lion defense is stout. Nebraska hasn’t played anyone who can throw the ball. Turnover margin.

I’m not going to refute that Penn State is a good team. They are disciplined. They have some talent. I’m not going to predict the outcome. I don’t do that – at least not here. But I will provide you with some facts you might find interesting.

-McGloin is efficient? Then he must be at the top of pass efficiency in the nation, right? He is currently No. 47 in pass efficiency. Martinez is No. 34, with a slightly better completion percentage than McGloin. Saying he’s efficient without backing it up with anything tangible is a nice way of putting the term “game manager.” Don’t do anything stupid with the ball while dinking and dunking down the field.

-Nebraska is coming off of back-to-back weeks of playing defenses better than Penn State’s.

-Nebraska leads the nation in opposing quarterback completion percentage at just over 46 percent. Nebraska also has the No. 5 passing defense despite not generating a lot of turnovers.

-If Nebraska hasn’t played anyone who can throw, let’s see what Penn State has done against the run. PSU has played two teams with a good rushing attack. Ohio State and Ohio. Both teams wore Penn State down in the second half. Neither of those teams is as prolific at running the ball, even with Braxton Miller in the equation. Michigan State thought they were ready for Nebraska’s run game. The Spartans had been giving up fewer than 92 yards per game on the ground. Nebraska eclipsed that mark before the end of the first quarter. And Rex Burkhead may be back to add to the run game this week.

-Turnovers have hindered the Big Red, but haven’t cost them a game since Ohio State.

Fourth Down: Kudos.

Congratulations to Martinez for becoming the leader in career total offense all-time at Nebraska. He’s cracked the Top 15 in rushing, as well. The junior still has a lot of time to pad those stats and improve as a player.

Extra Points: Penn State’s turnover margin might change when Eric Martin meets up with Mr. McGloin. … Watch for the nefarious “pick” routes in this one. All the cool kids in the Big Ten are doing it. And refs aren’t calling it. … I hope Burkhead does make it back for this game. Nebraska could use a boost around the goal line. … I also hope the refs get to keep their flags and whistles in their pockets more than last game.

By Steve Siedlik