TV: ABC

ZC: Let’s look at the facts: MSU leads Wisconsin (marginally at some points) in scoring offense, scoring defense, pass offense, pass defense, kickoff return average (not that it means much, but hey, anything to give the Spartans more of an edge), punt average, turnover margin, rushing defense, total offense, total defense and sacks and are a mere two yards per game behind in rushing offense. Facts don’t lie. MSU 24, Wisconsin 20

JS: OK, so Colnasty hogged all the statistics, but here’s another reason for Spartans fans to be optimistic heading into this weekend. Wisconsin struggled with their past two home games, so just the fact that the Spartans will be in Madison on Saturday does not mean too much. In fact, the Badgers went into halftime tied with lowly The Citadel before eventually winning 45-31. Wisconsin has not performed well enough to deserve a No. 9 ranking. MSU 21, Wisconsin 17

EF: Spartans fans have a right to be optimistic heading into this weekend after starting the season a perfect 4-0. But Spartans fans must remember that they’re going up against the No. 9 Badgers in the hostile territory of Wisconsin. Every team has to go through a little bump in the road every season. This will be MSU’s. Wisconsin 31, MSU 24

DR: Not a pick that will make me particularly popular among State News readers, I’m sure. I think this is an evenly matched game between two teams that really mirror one another. My concern over the offensive line injuries for the Spartans is the only thing that prevents me from picking the upset, but Mark Dantonio clearly has this program headed in the right direction. Wisconsin 21, MSU 17

Michigan at Northwestern

Noon Saturday

TV: Big Ten Network

ZC: All right, I’ve missed on all four U-M picks this year. That stops here. This isn’t going to be a Zak Kustok-Damien Anderson repeat performance in Evanston. The Wolverines are back to their winning ways, and they’ll continue that this weekend. U-M 37, Northwestern 10

JS: Northwestern lost to Duke. That’s almost as bad as losing to Appalachian State. U-M’s got momentum, and that ball should roll right over the Wildcats, who could very well be at the bottom of the Big Ten when all is said and done. U-M 46, Nothwestern 17

EF: I don’t know how you could pick the Wolverines not to win this game. They’ve clearly rebounded from a not-so-good start, and Northwestern on the other hand is, well, bad. U-M 37, Northwestern 9

DR: In theory, this is a good matchup for Northwestern, since they run the same spread offense that the Wolverines have struggled with. So much for the theory. The Wildcats’ confidence is shot, the spread isn’t clicking and I just don’t see how they can stop anyone.U-M 42, Northwestern 7

No. 8 Ohio State at Minnesota

8 p.m. Saturday

TV: ESPN 2

ZC: For whatever reason, I’m not a believer in Ohio State. They have a solid defense and, yes, their offense seems to be doing just fine without Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith and graduated wide receivers Ted Ginn, Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez. They’ll win this one – come on, Florida Atlantic beat the Golden Gophers.Ohio State 31, Minnesota 14

JS: Ohio State quarterback Todd Boeckman leads the Big Ten in pass efficiency and has already notched 10 touchdowns on the season. He’s hooked up with wide receiver Brian Robiskie for half of them. Minnesota has the worst pass defense in the Big Ten. ‘Nuff said. Ohio State 46, Minnesota 10

EF: Everyone is picking Ohio State to win and rightfully so. Minnesota gives up the most passing yards per game in the country, and the Golden Gophers are just not the package that they’ve been in the past. I think the football gods will be smiling over Minneapolis this weekend, though. Well, not really, but just to be stubborn. Minnesota 26, Ohio State 24

DR: No one gives up more passing yards per game in the nation than the Gophers, and it’s tough to see that trend reversing itself against Robiskie and company. The Gophers should be able to move it a bit on Ohio State but not nearly as much as Ohio State will move it on them. Ohio State 56, Minnesota 17

No. 21 Penn State at Illinois

Noon Saturday

TV: Big Ten Network

ZC: It would be too easy to take Penn State in this game, so I won’t. Plus, they screwed me over last week. Ron Zook will have his Fighting Illini ready to defend their home turf, and they’ll force the Nittany Lions to scrap for everything they can on offense this week. Illinois 17, Penn State 13

JS: This should be a fun one to watch, Penn State has gobbled up runners, allowing a meager 54.8 rushing yards per game. Illinois has the No. 2 running back in the Big Ten in Rashard Mendenhall. Look for Penn State to bounce back from their loss at the Big House. Penn State 21, Illinois 10

EF: Can Penn State bounce back from a loss at the Big House, or will Illinois upset the Nittany Lions like they did MSU last season after the Spartans lost a tough one to Notre Dame? I’ll take Penn State. There’s only so much that Juice Williams can do. Penn State 20, Illinois 13

DR: Illinois is legit, and this is the day the nation finds out. The only team that can beat Illinois in this one is Illinois. If they can avoid the turnovers and mistakes that have plagued them the last five years, they should be able to win. They’re tough to defend, and, frankly, Penn State really isn’t. Illinois 17, Penn State 14