ABC

ZC: I picked MSU to lose against Purdue (I was far from the only person to do it), and the Spartans won. Whenever I pick Michigan to lose, they win, and vice versa. Although I’m not doing justice to my credibility as a prognosticator, I feel confident the opposite of what I say will happen Saturday. So, since I will be perpetually wrong, I’m going with Penn State in this one. Their defense is next to amazing (amazing is defined as “Ohio State”), and the Spartans couldn’t handle the Buckeyes’ defense in Columbus. Hopefully, though, my theory about my picks holds up. Penn State 28, MSU 21

JS: Looking at records, you might think Penn State is a lock to win this game. But realistically, other than their run defense, the Nittany Lions are not too impressive. They don’t have any major weapons on offense, and the Spartans simply have more riding on this game. A win Saturday would completely change the outlook on the season, giving them seven wins and a better shot to play in a bowl game. MSU takes it by a field goal. MSU 20, Penn State 17

EF: It’s about time MSU gets back to a decent bowl game. And no, I’m not talking about the Motor City Bowl. The Spartans will prevail because they pretty much have to in order to get where they want to be. Chalk them up for a win, and put a smiley face next to the 2007 season and head coach Mark Dantonio’s first year — regardless of the close losses and mishaps along the way. MSU 31, Penn State 28

DD: Last week’s victory changed the perception of this MSU team and program somewhat rapidly. The Spartans bring a lot of momentum into this game. They’ve been receiving tons of praise this week. But if you’ve followed MSU, you know that quite often over the years “praise” comes before the fall. Nevertheless, I’ll take MSU. MSU 28, Penn State 24

No. 7 Ohio State at No. 21 Michigan

Noon Saturday

ABC

ZC: OK, who’s going to make a “little brother” joke? Considering U-M running back Mike Hart will be on the stationary bike, crying on the sidelines or thinking of a type of relative to call the Buckeyes, Ohio State will have no problem beating the Wolverines yet again. Even if Hart does play, the Buckeyes will ride their conference-best defense to victory and U-M seniors quarterback Chad Henne, offensive lineman Jake Long and Hart will end their careers winless against the superior Buckeyes. Ohio State 31, U-M 17

JS: No, Colman. U-M is not the little brother to Ohio State. The Buckeyes are more like the abusive stepfather who brings out the whooping stick when the Wolverines get out of line. U-M’s been misbehaving lately, and big daddy Ohio State has been hitting the whiskey. It’s going to be an old-fashioned beatdown in the Big House. Ohio State 38, U-M 10

EF: Shucks, all the good “little brother” jokes were exhausted by Colman and Schultz. I’ll make this prediction simple. Hart and Henne will play — it’s the way Ohio State wants it to be – but in the end the Buckeyes will prevail, sending the U-M seniors home without a career win against their archrivals. Ohio State 24, U-M 13

DD: Despite it being U-M week, I suspect it was tough for the Buckeyes to put their heart into preparations after having their national-championship dreams (orange) crushed unexpectedly. With the home-field advantage combined with a senior class who desperately wants to finally beat Ohio State, I’m picking the Wolverines. But it’s a tough game to call not knowing the real status of Hart and Henne. U-M 20, Ohio State 17

Purdue at Indiana

3:30 p.m. Saturday

Big Ten Network

ZC: The Spartans will be pulling for Purdue in this in-state rivalry, and the Boilermakers won’t disappoint. Purdue produced several big plays against MSU last week, and they should have no problem doing the same against an Indiana team that allowed 52 Spartan points Oct. 13. Purdue 35, Indiana 24

JS: Purdue is too high powered on offense for Indiana, who ranks ninth in the conference in scoring defense. The Boilermakers will simply out-gun the slumping Hoosiers, who have lost four of their last five games, with their only win coming at home to Ball State. Purdue 28, Indiana 17

EF: Talk about a game I couldn’t care less about. In the battle of the two Big Ten teams (so far) MSU has beaten, I’ll take the Boilermakers to get out of their funk and play like the team many thought they were going to be. Purdue 37, Indiana 21

DD: The Big Ten doesn’t have a clear-cut first-team quarterback, which explains why the conference has struggled in the national picture. Two of the possible candidates will be on the field in Bloomington with Indiana’s Kellen Lewis and Purdue’s Curtis Painter. I think Purdue will bounce back from last week’s loss to MSU to pull out the road victory. Purdue 35, Indiana 31