Big Ten games at a glance

Publication Date: 11/20/2009

The Associated Press

Ohio State (9-2, 6-1) vs Michigan (5-6. 1-6), Saturday, Noon ET.

Line: Ohio State by 12.

Series Record: Michigan leads 57-42-6.

Last meeting: 2008, Ohio State 42-7.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

Ohio State has already accepted a Rose Bowl bid and won at least a share of a fifth straight Big Ten title. It can win an outright championship with a sixth straight win against rival Michigan. The Wolverines need a victory to become bowl eligible, take some heat off coach Rich Rodriguez and avoid consecutive losing years for the first time since 1962-63.

KEY MATCHUP

Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor vs. Michigan DE Brandon Graham. Pryor, who considered attending Michigan after it hired Rodriguez, has thrown three touchdowns and run for two scores without throwing an interception in his last three games. Graham, who leads the nation with 21 tackles for losses, is Michigan’s best hope to force Pryor into mistakes.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ohio State: Justin Boren will be play in the Big House for the first time since earning Michigan letters in 2006 and ‘07. He transferred to Ohio State, parting with a shot that “family values have eroded” in the transition from Lloyd Carr to Rodriguez.

Michigan: WR Roy Roundtree has emerged as a go-to option for QB Tate Forcier, making 21 catches for 274 yards and two TDs in the last three games.

FACTS & FIGURES

Ohio State has won a school-record five straight in the series for the longest streak since Michigan won six in a row in the 1920s. ... Michigan has lost four straight games – giving up an average of 39 points – and six of seven since a 4-0 start. ... The Buckeyes will wear throwback uniforms, honoring their 1954 national championship team. ... Michigan will hope to channel energy from a reunion of the 1969 team, which beat one of Woody Hayes’ best Ohio State squads in Bo Schembechler’s debut season in Ann Arbor.

Minnesota (6-5, 3-4) vs. Iowa (9-2, 5-2), Saturday, Noon ET

Line: Iowa by 10

Series Record: Minnesota leads 59-41-2

Last Meeting: 2008, Iowa 55-0.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

Despite a pair of losses, Iowa will likely be a contender for an at-large BCS bowl bid with a win. Minnesota is playing for bowl positioning and payback after getting crushed by the Hawkeyes 55-0 a year ago. Also up for grabs is the “Floyd of Rosedale” bronze pig given annually to the winner. Floyd has resided in Iowa City in seven of the last eight years.

KEY MATCHUP

Iowa QB James Vandenberg vs. Minnesota’s pass defense. Vandenberg, a redshirt freshman, will make his second career start against a defense that’s allowed nearly 2,500 yards passing this season. Vandenberg threw for 233 yards and two TDs last week against Ohio State.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Minnesota: QB Adam Weber. The Gophers’ career leader in completions and passing yards was just 10-of-21 passing for 94 yards in last week’s narrow win over South Dakota State. This week, he’ll be facing the best passing defense in the Big Ten.

Iowa: RB Adam Robinson. He returned from a high ankle sprain to rush for 74 yards in last week’s loss. Fellow freshman back Brandon Wegher missed last week’s game because of injury, and Robinson might be asked to carry the load this week.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz called last year’s blowout win at the Metrodome an “aberration.” The Hawkeyes outgained Minnesota 483-134 and held the ball for nearly 38 minutes. ... Minnesota coach Tim Brewster would be just the third coach in school history to take the Gophers to consecutive bowls if they get a bid. ... Iowa is shooting for just its fourth 10-win regular season and first since 2002, when it went to the Orange Bowl.

No. 13 Penn State (9-2) at Michigan State (6-5), 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday (ABC)

Line: Penn State by 3.

Series Record: Penn State leads 13-12-1.

Last meeting: 2008, Penn State 49-18.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

Penn State likely must win the regular-season finale to have a shot at an at-large BCS berth. If Penn State wins and Michigan upsets Ohio State, the Nittany Lions would get a share of the Big Ten title, though the Buckeyes already have earned the conference’s Rose Bowl slot. Michigan State is bowl eligible and would improve its destination prospects with a victory.

KEY MATCHUP

Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins vs. Penn State LBs Navorro Bowman, Sean Lee and Josh Hull. Cousins leads the Big Ten in passing efficiency and the Spartans lead the conference in total offense. Penn State has the Big Ten’s stingiest defense, allowing just 11.6 points per game. Penn State also leads the conference in sacks.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Penn State: DT Jared Odrick. He leads Penn State with six sacks and also is a menace to the rushing game. He’s even a game-changer on special teams, with a field goal block against Northwestern setting up a go-ahead score.

Michigan State: WR Keshawn Martin. He had 166 yards on five kickoff returns in last week’s victory against Purdue. Martin also is playmaker from the line of scrimmage with a 91-yard TD reception against Wisconsin, an 84-yard rushing TD against Minnesota and a 30-yard TD pass against Notre Dame.

FACTS & FIGURES

Michigan State appears headed to a bowl for the third straight season, which hasn’t happened since 1995-97. ... Penn State’s Evan Royster is the Big Ten’s second-ranked rusher with 990 yards. ... The home team has won 11 of the last 13 meetings in the Penn State-Michigan State series.