Capsules of the Big Ten Conference pairings for Saturday from The Associated Press:

Ohio State (9-2, 6-1 Big Ten) at Michigan (5-6, 1-6), Noon, ABC Line: Ohio State by 12. Series record: Michigan leads 57-42-6. Last meeting: 2008, Ohio State 42-7.

What’s at stake No. 9 Ohio State has accepted a Rose Bowl bid and won at least a share of a fifth straight Big Ten title. It can win an outright championship with a sixth straight win against rival Michigan. The Wolverines need a victory to become bowl eligible, take some heat off coach Rich Rodriguez and avoid consecutive losing years for the first time since 1962-63.

Key matchup Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor vs. Michigan DE Brandon Graham. Pryor, who considered attending Michigan after it hired Rodriguez, has thrown three touchdowns and run for two scores without throwing an interception in his last three games. Graham, who leads the nation with 21 tackles for losses, is Michigan's best hope to force Pryor into mistakes.

Players to watch Ohio State: G Justin Boren will be play in the Big House for the first time since earning Michigan letters in 2006 and '07. He transferred to Ohio State, parting with a shot that "family values have eroded" in the transition from Lloyd Carr to Rodriguez. Michigan: WR Roy Roundtree has emerged as a go-to option for QB Tate Forcier, making 21 catches for 274 yards and two TDs in the last three games.

Facts & figures Ohio State has won a school-record five straight in the series for the longest streak since Michigan won six in a row in the 1920s. ... Michigan has lost four straight games — giving up an average of 39 points — and six of seven since a 4-0 start. ... The Buckeyes will wear throwback uniforms, honoring their 1954 national championship team. ... Michigan will hope to channel energy from a reunion of the 1969 team, which beat one of Woody Hayes' best Ohio State squads in Bo Schembechler's debut season in Ann Arbor.

Minnesota (6-5, 3-4) vs. Iowa (9-2, 5-2), Noon Line: Iowa by 10 Series record: Minnesota leads 59-41-2 Last meeting: 2008, Iowa 55-0.

What’s at stake Despite a pair of losses, Iowa will likely be a contender for an at-large BCS bowl bid with a win. Minnesota is playing for bowl positioning and payback after getting crushed by the Hawkeyes 55-0 a year ago. Also up for grabs is the "Floyd of Rosedale" bronze pig given annually to the winner. Floyd has resided in Iowa City in seven of the last eight years.

Key matchup Iowa QB James Vandenberg vs. Minnesota's pass defense. Vandenberg, a redshirt freshman, will make his second career start against a defense that's allowed nearly 2,500 yards passing this season. Vandenberg threw for 233 yards and two TDs last week against Ohio State.

Players to watch Minnesota: QB Adam Weber. The Gophers' career leader in completions and passing yards was just 10-of-21 passing for 94 yards in last week's narrow win over South Dakota State. This week, he'll be facing the best passing defense in the Big Ten. Iowa: RB Adam Robinson. He returned from a high ankle sprain to rush for 74 yards in last week's loss. Fellow freshman back Brandon Wegher missed last week's game because of injury, and Robinson might be asked to carry the load this week.

Facts & figures Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz called last year's blowout win at the Metrodome an "aberration." The Hawkeyes outgained Minnesota 483-134 and held the ball for nearly 38 minutes. ... Minnesota coach Tim Brewster would be just the third coach in school history to take the Gophers to consecutive bowls if they get a bid. ... Iowa is shooting for just its fourth 10-win regular season and first since 2002, when it went to the Orange Bowl.

Penn State (9-2) at Michigan State (6-5), 3:30 p.m. (ABC) Line: Penn State by 3. Series record: Penn State leads 13-12-1. Last meeting: 2008, Penn State 49-18.

What’s at stake No. 13 Penn State likely must win the regular-season finale to have a shot at an at-large BCS berth. If Penn State wins and Michigan upsets Ohio State, the Nittany Lions would get a share of the Big Ten title, though the Buckeyes already have earned the conference's Rose Bowl slot. Michigan State is bowl eligible and would improve its destination prospects with a victory.

Key matchup Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins vs. Penn State LBs Navorro Bowman, Sean Lee and Josh Hull. Cousins leads the Big Ten in passing efficiency and the Spartans lead the conference in total offense. Penn State has the Big Ten's stingiest defense, allowing just 11.6 points per game. Penn State also leads the conference in sacks.

Players to watch Penn State: DT Jared Odrick. He leads Penn State with six sacks and also is a menace to the rushing game. He's even a game-changer on special teams, with a field goal block against Northwestern setting up a go-ahead score. Michigan State: WR Keshawn Martin. He had 166 yards on five kickoff returns in last week's victory against Purdue. Martin also is playmaker from the line of scrimmage with a 91-yard TD reception against Wisconsin, an 84-yard rushing TD against Minnesota and a 30-yard TD pass against Notre Dame.

Facts & figures Michigan State appears headed to a bowl for the third straight season, which hasn't happened since 1995-97. ... Penn State's Evan Royster is the Big Ten's second-ranked rusher with 990 yards. ... The home team has won 11 of the last 13 meetings in the Penn State-Michigan State series.

Wisconsin (8-2, 5-2) vs. Northwestern (7-4, 4-3), 3:30 p.m. Line: Wisconsin by 7. Series record: Wisconsin leads 55-32-5 Last meeting: 2006, Wisconsin 41-9.

What’s at stake The No. 17 Badgers can still have a 10-win season — they play at Hawaii in their finale — and carve out a spot in a top-notch bowl with a victory. Northwestern, headed to its second straight postseason, is also eyeing a spot in a warm New Year's Day bowl after impressive back-to-back road wins at Iowa and Illinois.

Key matchup Badgers QB Scott Tolzien vs. Northwestern's pass rush led by DE Corey Wootton. When Tolzien has time to throw, he can find the end zone. He had four TD passes against Michigan last week. He's completed 62.3 percent of his passes for 1,957 yards, with 14 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.

Players to watch Wisconsin: QB Tolzien; RB John Clay, the Big Ten's leading rusher with 1,124 yards and 12 TDS; and WR Nick Toon with 42 catches. Northwestern: WR Andrew Brewer. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound converted QB has become a prime pass catcher for the Wildcats, is averaging 16 yards per reception and has become a key target for QB Mike Kafka. Kafka has four 300-yard passing games this season.

Facts & figures It's the first meeting between the schools in three years and first in Evanston since 2005. .... Northwestern defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz held the same position with the Badgers from 2006-07 but was not retained by Bret Bielema. ... The rivalry with Wisconsin is Northwestern's oldest among Big Ten teams, dating to 1890. Only Northwestern and Illinois have played more games (103) than NU and Wisconsin (92).

Purdue (4-7, 3-4) at Indiana (4-7, 1-6), 3:30 p.m. Line: Purdue by 3. Series record: Purdue leads 69-38-6. Last meeting: 2008, Purdue won 62-10.

What’s at stake Both teams lost last week and now are out of bowl contention, so their battle for the Old Oaken Bucket will amount to their bowl game. Both teams lost several close games this season and would like to end it with something positive to take into the offseason. Indiana remembers Purdue's blowout victory from last season.

Key matchup Purdue QB Joey Elliott vs. Indiana pass defense. Elliott leads the Big Ten in yards passing per game and total offense. Indiana has the worst pass defense in the Big Ten. Indiana's best chance is if Jammie Kirlew, a defensive end who has 5.5 sacks this season, can pressure Elliott.

Players to watch Purdue: WR Keith Smith. He had career highs of 15 catches for 152 yards in last week's 40-37 loss to Michigan State. He has 86 catches for 1,015 yards this season, and coach Danny Hope believes he is one of the best receivers in the nation. Indiana: QB Ben Chappell. Perhaps because Indiana hasn't won the big games, Chappell's success has been a bit overlooked. He ranks only behind Elliott in the conference in yards passing per game. He has 15 touchdown passes, though his 13 interceptions have played a role in Indiana's struggles.