Big Ten Football Preview: Week Eight

The chase for the Big Ten title is heating up. Penn State, Ohio State, and Michigan State seem to have separated themselves from the pack, and games between the three schools in the next three weeks will likely decide the champion. This week sees two of those contenders facing off when Ohio State travels to Spartan Stadium to take on a surging Michigan State team.  The Buckeyes are coming off a less than impressive performance against lowly Purdue, while the Spartans are coming off a dominating win over previously undefeated Northwestern. That likely won't matter when the teams meet on Saturday.  The teams share more than their identical records.  Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio was an assistant coach and defensive coordinator for Jim Tressel at Ohio State, and the two men are great friends.  For Ohio State, the game against this Michigan team may carry more importance this season than the game against that other team from up north.  Meanwhile, a Michigan State ... (link)