We usually look at the Big Ten game of the week in this space, but that clearly is happening in East Lansing on Saturday.

Since we have plenty of Michigan-Michigan State coverage elsewhere and will have plenty more leading up to, during and after the game -- let's broaden our B1G horizons and take a look at a different game of note.

Call it, the Big Ten game of the week, version two.

Michigan's quick start this season has turned a few heads, but over the years, the Wolverines have been here before.

As for Illinois? Not so much. The 6-0 Illini are off to their best start since 1951. And rare territory gets even more interesting this weekend when No. 16 Illinois enters a home date with Ohio State as a favorite.

The Buckeyes' sluggish start and off-field turmoil hasn't fooled Illini coach Ron Zook, though.

"We will get everything they've got," Zook said earlier this week. "And in turn, we've got to give them everything we've got."

Illinois has relied on the big play offensive connection of quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase and receiver A.J. Jenkins, who leads the country with 815 receiving yards this season.

But Zook is a defensive coach by trade, and so far this season, his pass rush has been the best the Big Ten has to offer. Illinois has a league-leading 22 sacks with Whitney Mercilus and Michael Buchanan doing their best Simeon Rice-Kevin Hardy impression.

Mercilus, a defensive end, and Buchanan, a lineman/linebacker hybrid, are Nos. 1 and 2 on the Big Ten sacks list this season. Mercilus has notched 8 1/2 and Buchanan 4 1/2.

"The coaches have done a great job putting those guys in a position to make plays, and they've done the job they're supposed to," Zook said. "But this will be a little bit different ballgame this week in terms of how physical it will be."

While things couldn't be any better for Illinois, the punchline continues to get worse for Ohio State.

The Buckeyes squandered a 21-point second half lead in a 34-27 loss at Nebraska last week. A loss this week would drop Ohio State to 3-4, below .500 for the first time since dropping the season opener in 1999.

"It's not something they're used to here," Ohio State interim coach Luke Fickell said of the struggles. "You don't have to like it and it doesn't have to feel good, but how you respond is really the important thing."

Asked if he was getting concerned about keeping his job beyond this season, Fickell said no.

"I'm not worried about that, those are things that will take care of themselves," he said. "I'm just focused on the young men that we've got and making sure they're ready to get better and understand that this is a part of life."

B1G Predictions

The AnnArbor.com sports department are picking the winners of Big Ten football games this season with bragging rights in our corner of the newsroom at stake. Check out last week’s results below, after you play along with us by choosing your own winners.

Note: To avoid redundancy, you won’t find Michigan’s game here. A Michigan-Michigan State poll and prediction will be available Friday.

INDIANA (1-5) AT WISCONSIN (5-0)
Noon, ESPN2

Nick Baumgardner: I saw a line this week that had Wisconsin favored by 40. It seemed ridiculous at the time, but upon further review, maybe not? Wisconsin.

Pete Cunningham: This is like the first question on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" If you get it wrong, you probably shouldn't be playing. Wisconsin.

Knight: One of the biggest point spreads (40) you'll find this weekend and the Badgers may cover easily. Wisconsin.

Kyle Meinke: The Badgers are a 40-point favorite. That is not a typo. Instead of picking the winner of this game, wouldn't it be more fun to pick the number of Indiana players who quit after it? They're at six right now. Wisconsin.

Rich Rezler: Next. Wisconsin.

PURDUE (3-2) AT PENN STATE (5-1)
Noon, BTN

Baumgardner: Penn State won a slap fight with Iowa last week. It’ll do the same against the Boilermakers this week. Penn State.

Cunningham: Don't be fooled by Purdue's 45-17 win over Minnesota, the Boilermaker defense is weak enough for even Penn Sate's two/no quarterback offense to run roughshod. Penn Sate.

Knight: Only Minnesota averages fewer points per game in the Big Ten than Penn State. That's enough this week. Penn State.

Meinke: Purdue is only 3-2, despite playing every game at home besides Rice. And Rice is Rice. Penn State is not Rice, although Penn State no longer is Penn State. Is your head spinning yet? Penn State.

Rezler: The Boilermaker was invented in Pittsburgh ... which is in the same state as Penn State ... that's all I have here. Penn State.

OHIO STATE (3-3) AT ILLINOIS (6-0)
3:30 p.m., ABC

Baumgardner: Braxton Miller is an exciting young quarterback. But Illinois has the best pass rush in the league. Sorry, Braxton. Illinois.

Cunningham: The Illini haven't beaten Ohio State at Memorial Stadium since 1991. If not now, when? Illinois.

Knight: Outside of Michigan-Michigan State, this is the most intriguing Big Ten game. I like Nathan Scheelhaase. Illinois.

Meinke: The last time the Buckeyes were below .500 was after their 1999 opener, when they were 0-1. Ohio State, at 3-3 and facing the unbeaten and surging Illini, is about to join very non-elite company. Illinois.

Rezler: Illinois? 7-0? Sorry, I just can't believe it. Ohio State.

NORTHWESTERN (2-3) AT IOWA (3-2)
7 p.m., BTN

Baumgardner: Dan Persa looked really good last week. And Kain Colter as a WR/option QB is scary. I’ll take the Wildcats in an upset. Northwestern.

Cunningham: Purple people eaters feel at home in pink locker rooms. I don't think they've had the desired effect since we all became very breast cancer aware. Northwestern.

Knight: Northwestern was blanked in the second half against Michigan. Iowa is all defense. Iowa.

Meinke: The Wildcats were 7-0 last year when Dan Persa started at quarterback. This year, they're 0-2. Persa's too good for that to last much longer. Northwestern.

Rezler: In a toss-up, I'm going with the home team. Iowa.

Last week: Baumgardner 4-0, Cunningham 4-0, Meinke 4-0, Reader polls 4-0, Knight 3-1, Rezler 3-1.

Season: Reader polls 8-0-1, Baumgardner 8-1, Knight 8-1, Cunningham 7-2, Meinke 7-2, Rezler 6-3.