Here's a look at capsule previews for every Big Ten game taking place this weekend:

OHIO STATE (5-1) AT PURDUE (1-5)

Line: Ohio State by 13.

Series record: Ohio State leads 37-12-2.

Last meeting: 2008, Ohio State 16-3.

What's at Stake
Ohio State has worked its way back into the national championship picture, but a loss to a 1-5 Purdue squad would end its hopes. Purdue is trying to salvage a season that has been derailed by mistakes and an inability to win close games.

Key Matchup
Purdue QB Joey Elliott vs. Ohio State defense. Elliott leads the Big Ten in total offense and yards passing per game, and has averaged 300 yards passing in his past three games. He faces a defense that ranks second in the Big Ten is scoring defense (12 points per game) and third against the pass (182.7). Elliott has been sacked just nine times, while Ohio State is tied for No. 2 in the league with 18.

Players to Watch
Ohio State: RB Brandon Saine. He will carry the workload in his third straight start while Dan Herron recovers from an undisclosed injury. Saine ran for 58 yards on 14 carries last week in the Buckeyes' 31-13 win over Wisconsin.

Purdue: WR Keith Smith. Smith has gained more than 100 yards receiving for the past three weeks. His totals of 42 catches and 585 yards are second in the conference.

Facts & Figures
Ohio State has 16 straight Big Ten road wins. A victory Saturday would tie the conference record ... Purdue has the worst turnover margin in the Big Ten. Its minus 1.5 per-game average ranks 115th out of 120 FBS teams. ... Purdue WR Aaron Valentin leads the conference in all-purpose yardage. ... Ohio State ranks 11th in the nation in total defense and seventh in scoring defense. ... Purdue hasn't beaten a ranked opponent since 2003.

NORTHWESTERN (4-2) at MICHIGAN STATE (3-3), Noon ET (ESPN2)
Line: Michigan State by 12½.

Series record: Michigan State leads 33-16.

Last meeting: 2008, Michigan State 37-20.

What's at Stake
Both teams harbor hopes of quality bowl bids this season. The winner moves into position to finish higher in the pecking order for Big Ten-affiliated bowls. The loser slides and could wind up scrambling for a lower-tier bid.

Key Matchup
Northwestern QB Mike Kafka vs. Michigan State DBs Chris L. Rucker and Danny Fortener. Kafka ranks second in the Big Ten in passing yardage and attempts. Kafka has thrown four interceptions this season, relatively few considering his 208 pass attempts. Michigan State's front seven will try to pressure Kafka into mistakes that Fortener, Rucker and others can convert into turnovers.

Players to Watch
Northwestern: DE Corey Wootton. Potentially one of the best defensive players in the Big Ten, Wootton has been slowed by offseason knee surgery and now a sore ankle. He didn't play much last week against Miami of Ohio but Michigan State expects him to be back Saturday. The Wildcat defense isn't the same without a healthy Wootton.

Michigan State: RB Larry Caper. The freshman is averaging 10 carries and 46 yards per game so far this season. But his workload could increase substantially now that RB Glenn Winston is gone for the season with a knee injury. Caper easily could get 20 to 25 carries.

Facts & Figures
Northwestern has won the last two meetings in Spartan Stadium. ... The Wildcats are looking for their fourth straight Big Ten road win. ... Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones leads the Big Ten and ranks third in the nation averaging 11.8 tackles per game. ... Michigan State has allowed just six sacks this season, fewest in the Big Ten.

MINNESOTA (4-2) vs. No. 14 PENN STATE (5-1), 3:36 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN)
Line: Penn State by 17.

Series record: Penn State leads 6-4.

Last meeting: 2006, Penn State 28-27, OT

What's at Stake
The game starts a brutal two-game road trip for Minnesota: at Penn State, followed by a visit to Ohio State next week. An upset either week would give the Gophers a huge confidence boost. The Nittany Lions hope to keep momentum after two straight double-digit wins, with a trip to Michigan looming.

Key Matchup
Minnesota QB Adam Weber vs. Penn State pass rush. One of the Big Ten's worst pass-blocking teams (15 sacks allowed) faces the conference leader in sacks (20). Gophers star WR Eric Decker won't be a factor if Weber doesn't have time to get him the ball.

Players to Watch
Minnesota: Decker. The Gophers' big-play receiver (five TDs) must shine for the Gophers to have any chance of pulling an upset.

Penn State: LB Sean Lee. After sitting out the last three games with a left knee sprain, the team captain returned to practice this week. He's eager to get back into a game, though coach Joe Paterno remained cautious at midweek.

Facts & Figures
With Florida State struggling, Paterno's lead over the Seminoles' Bobby Bowden for most wins among major college coaches has swelled to four (388-384). ... Decker is Minnesota's leader in career receiving yardage (3,050). He has a catch in 32 straight games. ... Minnesota last beat Penn State in 2004, 16-7. ... Nittany Lions QB Daryll Clark needs two rushing touchdowns to tie Michael Robinson on the school's career list for most running scores by a quarterback (20).

INDIANA (3-3, 0-2) at ILLINOIS (1-4, 0-3), 7 p.m. Eastern

Opening Line: Illinois by 3.

Series record: Illinois leads 43-21-2.

Last meeting: 2008, Illinois 55, Indiana 13

What's at Stake

Hope. Both teams enter on three-game losing streaks, are still searching for a Big Ten victory and are dreaming of a bowl bid. Illinois has tried to everything to turn its abysmal season around, even benching quarterback Juice Williams last week. The Hoosiers, meanwhile, have lost their last two games by a combined 80-21 and now get a chance to avenge last season's embarrassing loss at Illinois.

Key Matchup

Illinois WR Arrelious Benn vs. Indiana CBs Ray Fisher and Donnell Jones. Benn burned the Hoosiers for 130 yards and one touchdown last season, and he has a four-inch height advantage over Jones and a five-inch advantage on Fisher. Benn left last week's game early with a head injury and has only 13 receptions for 176 yards this season.

Players to Watch

Indiana: WR Tandon Doss. The sophomore receiver has been making plays all season for Indiana, and all over the field. He has 41 catches for 546 yards, seven carries for 64 yards and has averaged 21.0 yards on eight kickoff returns. When the Hoosiers have been most successful this season, Doss has led the way. The Illinois pass defense is ranked eighth in the Big Ten.

Illinois: QB Juice Williams or QB Eddie McGee. Coach Ron Zook isn't saying who will start. But Williams has had some of his best games against the Hoosiers. Last year, Williams threw for 271 yards and 3 TDs while and ran for another score against Indiana.

No. 11 IOWA (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten) at WISCONSIN (5-1, 2-1), 11 a.m. CT, ESPN

Line: Wisconsin by 2½.

Series record: Tied 41-41-2.

Last meeting: 2008, Iowa 38-16.

What's at Stake
Iowa's unbeaten march to a Big Ten title faces its second major road challenge at Camp Randall Stadium after a win three weeks ago at Penn State. Wisconsin didn't make the hoped-for splash last week at Ohio State. Last year, the Badgers fell apart after a loss to the Buckeyes and don't want a repeat performance.

Key Matchup
Wisconsin OL vs. Iowa DL. The Badgers' offensive line this season is good, but with three new starters it's not great and allowed QB Scott Tolzien to be sacked six times at Ohio State. Iowa's front four of Karl Klug, Christian Ballard, Broderick Binns and Adrian Clayborn have all eight Hawkeyes sacks this year as well as 16 QB hurries and five forced fumbles.

Players to Watch
Iowa: Iowa TE Tony Moeaki. Moeaki returned to the Hawkeyes against Michigan after missing three games with an ankle injury and made a huge impact. The 6-foot-4 senior caught six passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns.

Wisconsin: RB John Clay. Clay wants to come off the bench, but he'll likely be thrust into the starter's role because of a concussion to RB Zach Brown. Wisconsin's pipeline of RB talent includes freshmen Montee Ball and Erik Smith, who may get bigger roles.

Facts & Figures
The teams play for the Heartland Trophy, which started in 2004. The trophy was designed and crafted by artist and former Iowa football player Frank Strub and features a bull mounted on a walnut base. ... Iowa has won 10 straight dating back to last season and are 6-0 for the first time since 1985. ... Clay leads the Big Ten with 106.8 yards rushing per game and seven TDs.

DELAWARE STATE (1-3) at MICHIGAN (4-2), Noon ET

Series record: First meeting.

What's at Stake

Michigan faces Delaware State with not much to gain and a lot to lose. The Wolverines lost to another team from the Football Championship Subdivision — formerly I-AA — in 2007, and they're still hearing about the stunner to Appalachian State. Michigan likely will give much-needed snaps to freshman QB Denard Robinson. The Hornets have a chance to put their school in Dover, Del., on the college football map if they can stun the Wolverines.

Key Matchup

Michigan RB Brandon Minor vs. Delaware State LB Mike Gable. Michigan will want to establish the run with Minor and Delaware State is giving up 200-plus yards rushing a game against weaker competition. Gable leads the Hornets with 30 tackles and will have a chance to shine on the biggest stage of his college career.

Players to Watch

Delaware State: RBs Tahree McQueen and Jason Randall have combined to average almost 93 yards rushing per game. DB Greg Ligon had two interceptions in the Hornets' win last month at Hampton.

Michigan: Robinson will likely get an opportunity to play more than he has in the previous six games. Robinson's nickname is "Shoelace" because he says he has never tied the laces on his football cleats.