Whether it be in the Big Ten, Big 12 or Pac-10, conference pictures may look clearer soon
Minnesota at Michigan
11 a.m., ESPN Classic (also on ESPN if Anaheim-Boston baseball series is over)
How huge would it be for Minnesota to beat the Wolverines? Check out the rest of Minnesota’s schedule–at Michigan State, Illinois, at Indiana, at Wisconsin, Iowa. Among those, only Wisconsin is a certifiable bowl team. The Gophers could run the table without having to face Ohio State or Purdue.
Oklahoma vs. Texas
in Dallas
11 a.m., WLS-Ch. 7
Oklahoma has beaten Texas four straight times, leading Longhorns coach Mack Brown to issue this mea culpa: “Bob [Stoops] has done a better job coaching his team than I have ours. This game isn’t about pressure, it is about pride. I sure haven’t been very proud walking out of that stadium the last four years, and a team is a reflection of its coach.”
California at USC
2:30 p.m.
USC has a 13-game winning streak, but Cal has a one-game winning streak against the Trojans. The Bears beat the Trojans last year 34-31 in triple overtime.
Wisconsin at Ohio St.
2:30 p.m., WLS-Ch. 7
Ohio State coach Jim Tressel has never lost two consecutive games. Then again, Tressel has always had a solid running game. Until now.
Purdue at Penn State
3:30 p.m., ESPN
Purdue’s Kyle Orton (below) has thrown 17 touchdown passes without an interception. Could Lovie Smith borrow him next weekend?
