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Big Ten Update

Things became more interesting in the Legends division after this weekend's games and more awful in the Leaders division. With Michigan's 23-9 loss to Nebraska, the Wolverines are in a first-place tie in the Legends division at 3-1, with Nebraska now holding the tie-breaker advantage. Northwestern and Iowa each have two losses in-conference following the Wildcats' beatdown of the Hawkeyes. Michigan State and Minnesota are each two games back with three losses a piece. All six teams in the Legends division could potentially make bowl games.

The Leaders division is like the Legend division's farm team. Its two leaders - Ohio State and Penn State - are bowl ineligible due to NCAA violations. The other four teams in the division are a combined 4-13 in conference play. The only one of those four to win this weekend was Indiana, when they defeated another Leaders division team - Illinois. Wisconsin will still likely play in the Big Ten Championship Game, yet lost to struggling Michigan State in overtime this weekend. Purdue got pummeled by Minnesota, who was 0-3 in conference play going into the game. Illinois fell to Indiana to match Purdue's 0-4 record in Big Ten play. It is possible that only one team from this division - Wisconsin - will play in a post-season game.

There aren't many big in-conference games next weekend, but games where the favorite will need to stay focused or else they could wind up sleepwalking to a loss and wondering what in the world just transpired. Michigan, coming off a disappointing loss to Nebraska and wondering if starting quarterback Denard Robinson will return after being hurt in that game, will face Minnesota on the road, who is one win away from becoming bowl eligible. If Michigan isn't focused, they'll fall to 5-4. Iowa travels to Bloomington to take on Indiana. If the Hoosiers find a way to win at home, both teams will wind up being 2-3 in conference and 4-5 overall. Nebraska travels to East Lansing to play Michigan State. Both teams are coming off big wins - Nebraska defeating Michigan and Michigan State upending Wisconsin in overtime. Nebraska can't suffer a hangover or else they could travel back to Lincoln looking up at Michigan in the standings. The conference's best and worst teams square off, as unbeaten Ohio State will play host to 2-6 Illinois. Lastly, Penn State goes on the road to play Purdue. Both clubs are coming off disappointing losses, with the Nittany Lions suffering their first conference loss of the year in falling to Ohio State by a couple scores and Purdue (Purdon't more like) got stomped yet again to fall to 0-4 in Big Ten play. If Purdue doesn't win this game, they'll need to win their final three in order to become bowl eligible.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/standings

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/scoreboard?confId=5&seasonYear=2012&seasonType=2&weekNumber=10
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