We have favorites and we have loyalties, but if the Big Ten is going to continue to gain national respect, we're going to have to do it together. That means that we have to all be pulling in the same direction. Here's what I want to see from each Big Ten team in their non-conference battles this week.
11 AM
Rice at Northwestern - BTN
I want to see Kain Colter continue progressing as a quarterback. Last week's surprise in Lincoln gives the Wildcats a shot at playing in a bowl. They need to take advantage of that opening by winning the next two weeks against beatable opponents. Rice isn't good. This shouldn't be hard.
What I Want
I want Northwestern to crush the Owls and avenge Purdue.
What I Expect
I expect Northwestern to win going away.
What We Have So Far
The Big Ten sits at 34-13 (.723) out of conference - that's fair. The league is 7-7 against BCS Conference teams (plus Notre Dame) - that's meh. The league has six losses (North Texas, North Dakota State, Ball State, New Mexico State, Rice, and Army) to non-BCS teams - that's pathetic.