This week’s sorry slate of Big Ten games tested my what-to-watch detective skills. Are there really 10 things to watch around the league on Saturday? You bet, and here they are. 1. The Brady Bowl: Michigan coach Brady Hoke goes up against his former team as San Diego State visits the Big House. There’s a lot of familiarity on both sides, and it will be interesting to see the coaches match wits, particularly longtime colleagues Al Borges (Michigan’s offensive coordinator) and Rocky Long (San Diego State’s head coach). The Aztecs players will be geared up to face Hoke, and the Wolverines much match their intensity. 2. Miller time or Cup ‘o Joe: Ohio State coach Luke Fickell was noncommittal Tuesday about his starting quarterback for Saturday’s game against Colorado, although he seemed to lean toward true freshman Braxton Miller . Fickell wants more big plays from the offense and Miller can provide them. He also elevates the risk for mistakes, committing two turnovers in the loss to Miami. Miller clearly is Ohio State’s future at quarterback, but Fickell needs to win now as his own future is in doubt. It’ll be interesting to see what the young coach does with his signal callers. 3. Illini defense to be tested again: Illinois’ defense carried the team to a signature win last week against Arizona State. Vic Koenning’s unit faces another test Saturday against Western Michigan and talented quarterback Alex Carder , who ranks 12th nationally in passing efficiency. If the Illini don’t tighten up a bit in the secondary or pressure the pocket like they did last week, Carder will capitalize. Illinois also must avoid the letdown factor against a team it lost to in 2008. 4. Blackshirts look for boost: We’re still waiting for the Nebraska defense to live up to the lofty expectations placed on the unit — both inside and outside the program — entering the season. The Blackshirts have allowed 68 points in their last two games and rank in the middle of the pack nationally in most major defensive statistical categories. The Pelini brothers will look for a more polished performance against 3-0 Wyoming before a much tougher game next week at Wisconsin. 5. The Bison are coming: Most games against FCS opponents are glorified practices, but not for Minnesota. The Gophers lost to South Dakota last year and North Dakota State in 2007, and they barely escaped against South Dakota State in 2009. Jerry Kill might be the perfect coach to prepare Minnesota for a rematch with North Dakota State, as he spent a lot of time at the FCS level and knows how motivated those teams are to face the big boys. The Bison are ranked No. 6 in the latest FCS poll and provide a significant challenge for Kill’s Minnesota squad. 6.

Read the original post:
What to watch in the Big Ten: Week 4