ESPN2

CK: With Iowa’s history of being a hard-hitting team and the MSU football program proudly embracing toughness, players from both sides will think they’re in an intense match of Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots. Javon Ringer will carry the load and the MSU defense may bend, but it will never break.

MSU 34, Iowa 17

JC: The big plays let up by MSU’s defense last week at Indiana scare me. Luckily, Iowa’s offense couldn’t find fireworks if it was the Fourth of July. The Spartans defense blows up Hawkeyes quarterback Ricky Stanzi for three sacks and two picks while Javon Ringer continues his ground assault with 140 yards on 35 carries.

MSU 31, Iowa 13

AA: With 103 yards, Javon Ringer will break 1,000 rushing yards this season. No problem, right? Not necessarily so. Iowa boasts a pair of the best defensive tackles in the conference who will be hell-bent on clogging Ringer’s running lanes. But even if Ringer plays his worst game of the season, the Spartans will be fine. Brian Hoyer will throw three touchdowns and MSU’s defense will stifle Iowa’s one-dimensional offense.

MSU 31, Iowa 17

Sparty: As Herky and his Hawkeyes continue to struggle, Heisman hopeful Javon Ringer and the Spartans offense will unleash their fury on the weak Iowa defense. Following a shaky performance against the Hoosiers offense, the Spartan “D” will flex their muscles and force four turnovers against the Hawkeyes and sack the quarterback five times. This will show the Big Ten that the Spartans mean business.

MSU 56, Iowa 3

No. 14 Ohio State at No. 18 Wisconsin

8 p.m. Saturday

ABC

CK: Wisconsin is to play Ohio State, Penn State and Illinois this year, but luckily, they are all at home. Before the season I figured the Badgers would fall to either the Buckeyes or Penn State, and with Wisconsin coming off a loss it only reaffirms that I made the correct pick.

Ohio State 31, Wisconsin 21

JC: Somebody needs to roll out a red carpet in front of Camp Randall this weekend. It’s the world premiere of the Terrelle Pryor show Saturday. The dual-threat freshman runs and throws for two touchdowns each, dismantling a solid Badgers defense in their home stadium.

Ohio State 34, Wisconsin 17

AA: Watching Wisconsin’s offense against Michigan last week was as exciting as watching paint dry. If the Badgers want to move the ball offensively, quarterback Allan Evridge will need to make big throws to stretch the defense against the best secondary he’s faced all season. I don’t trust he’ll be able to do that.

Ohio State 24, Wisconsin 20

Sparty: Following a tough road loss for the Badgers, Bucky will rally his troops and pull off a classic win in Camp Randall. The Buckeyes offense will show some more signs of life with the return of injured running back Beanie Wells, but they will not be able to muster enough strength to overcome a vindictive Badger defense.

Wisconsin 27, Ohio State 24

Illinois at Michigan

3:30 p.m. Saturday

ABC

CK: It’s a week later and I still don’t believe U-M managed to pull the upset over Wisconsin. In the Wolverines’ case, the win gives a team struggling with its identity some much needed confidence. The test is much stiffer this week against the Illini, and although Illinois’ offense is better than Wisconsin’s, I have a feeling the Wolverines are going to take another game down to the wire.

Illinois 28, U-M 20

JC: Could Rich Rod really be the immediate answer to all of U-M’s problems? Not quite yet. A more explosive Illini offense scores on the stingy Wolverines defense and U-M quarterback Steven Threet’s struggles continue in a humbling loss.

Illinois 27, U-M 17

AA: After watching U-M come back from 19 points down against Wisconsin last week, I considered purchasing 21 lotto tickets — one for each yard the Wolverines gained in the first half. But I did the math, and the chances of two miracles happening in one night were statistically impossible. Such are the chances that U-M beats a hungry Illinois team this week.

Illinois 31, U-M 13

Sparty: The Wolverines will struggle again going up against an Illini team desperate for a win in the Big Ten. Steven Threet will not produce much offense and will be out-dueled by Juice Williams in the Big House. Plus, it’s Michigan and I couldn’t possibly pick them to win …

Illinois 21, U-M 20