FILE - In this Nov. 21, 2015, file photo, Michigan State quarterback Tyler O'Connor plays against Ohio State during an NCAA college football game in Columbus, Ohio. Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook said after the Ohio State game he was having some pain in his right shoulder so weâll see if he is ready to go against Penn State on Saturday.(AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
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Some things to watch in the Big Ten during Week 13 of the season:
GAME OF THE WEEK: Penn State (7-4, 4-3) at Michigan State (10-1, 6-1, No. 5 CFP). Lots of people wrote off the sixth-ranked Spartans after they were upset by Nebraska in Lincoln three weeks ago. But they're back, fresh off beating Ohio State without star QB Connor Cook and one win away from representing the East Division in the Big Ten title game against Iowa. Cook's sore right shoulder is still healing, and if he can't play, Tyler O'Connor is in line for his second start. Penn State is out to play spoiler and spruce up its bowl resume.
BEST MATCHUP: Ohio State (10-1, 6-1, No. 8 CFP) at Michigan (9-2, 6-1, No. 10 CFP). Motivation is never an issue when these two games get together for "The Game," and fans have been waiting all season for the coaching matchup between Urban Meyer and Jim Harbaugh. But let's see how the eighth-ranked Buckeyes respond to having their 23-game win streak ended last week at home by Michigan State. They better arrive at the Big House ready for 12th-ranked Michigan's best shot because the winner goes to the conference championship game if Michigan State is upset by Penn State.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Northwestern (9-2, 5-2) plays Illinois (5-6, 2-5) at Soldier Field in Chicago and has won nine games for the fifth time since 1995. Coach Pat Fitzgerald has been part of each nine-win squad, playing on the 1995-96 teams and coaching the 2008, 2012 and 2015 teams.
LONG SHOT: Purdue (2-9, 1-6) is a touchdown underdog at home to Indiana (5-6, 1-6) in the battle for the Old Oaken Bucket and is all that stands between the Hoosiers and bowl eligibility. The Boilermakers played Northwestern within a touchdown two weeks ago and hung with Iowa deep into the second half last week, with both of those games on the road. Do the Boilers, who beat Nebraska at home on Halloween, have one more surprise left in them?
PLAYER TO WATCH: Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard might need to play his best game of the season against improving Nebraska (5-6, 3-4) for the Hawkeyes (11-0, 7-0) to get out of Memorial Stadium with a win Friday. It's been hard for offenses to run against the Cornhuskers, and the Blackshirt defense is sure to be motivated with bowl eligibility at stake. This is Beathard's stage to make his argument for best QB in the Big Ten, and to get Iowa a step closer to the College Football Playoff.
FILE - In this Oct. 24, 2015, file photo, Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook is examined on the field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana, in East Lansing, Mich. Cook said after the Ohio State game he was having some pain in his right shoulder so weâll see if he is ready to go against Penn State on Saturday. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Nov. 21, 2015, file photo, Michigan State quarterback Tyler O'Connor plays against Ohio State during an NCAA college football game in Columbus, Ohio. Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook said after the Ohio State game he was having some pain in his right shoulder so weâll see if he is ready to go against Penn State on Saturday.(AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
The Associated Press
In this Aug. 16, 2015, file photo, Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott speaks to reporters during the university's NCAA college football media day in Columbus, Ohio. Elliott apologized for the critical comments he made about play calling after the Michigan State game and says it was the wrong time to make it known he would not be returning to school next season. Elliott posted a long apology on Twitter on Monday, Nov. 23, 2015, saying, "My intentions were not to point fingers at anyone for OUR failures." (AP Photo/Paul Vernon, File)
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FILE - In this Nov. 21, 2015, file photo, Michigan State quarterback Damion Terry plays against Ohio State during an NCAA college football game in Columbus, Ohio. The Big 12 championship could be decided by backup quarterbacks _ as could a few other rivalry games this weekend. Michigan State gave no clue that Connor Cook was not going to play against Ohio State until he didnât. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
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FILE - In this Oct. 4, 2015 file photo, Northwestern wide receiver Austin Carr (80) is tackled by Wisconsin safety Lubern Figaro during an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill. Northwestern faces Illinois Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, in Chicago. The Wildcats will try to tie a school record for wins and strengthen their case for a prestigious bowl. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
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FILE - In this Nov. 21, 2015, file photo, Iowa linebacker Parker Hesse sacks Purdue quarterback David Blough during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Iowa City, Iowa. Nebraska, which knocked off an unbeaten Michigan State two games ago, gets an opportunity to ruin an opponent's perfect record. This time it's third-ranked Iowa. (AP Photo/Justin Hayworth, File)
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FILE- In this Sept. 5, 2015, file photo, Nebraska fans fill Memorial Stadium during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Brigham Young in Lincoln, Neb. After knocking off an unbeaten Michigan State two games ago, Nebraska gets an opportunity to ruin third-ranked Iowa's perfect record on Friday. Iowa has clinched a spot in the Big Ten championship game, but the Hawkeyes also have playoff hopes, while the Cornhuskers are trying to lock up a bowl bid. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
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FILE - In this Nov. 7, 2015, file photo, Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook (18) is tackled by Nebraska safety Nate Gerry (25) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb. Nebraska, which knocked off an unbeaten Michigan State two games ago, gets an opportunity to ruin an opponent's perfect record. This time it's third-ranked Iowa. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)
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