My picks for Saturday's games. . .
No. 23 Illinois at Purdue
Time: 11 a.m., ESPN2, 560-AM.
The records: Illinois 6-1, 2-1 Big Ten; Purdue 3-3, 1-1.
The story line: After a subpar performance against Ohio State, Illinois needs to get back on the horse to avoid a serious slump. Boilers must win to keep their bowl hopes in reach.
The line: Illinois by 6.
Spotlight gameHerb Gould's pick: Illinois 31-21.
No. 4 Wisconsin at No. 15 Michigan State, 7 p.m. Saturday, ESPN.
Records: Wisconsin 6-0, 2-0 Big Ten; Michigan State 5-1, 2-0.
The line: Wisconsin by 7.. Gould's pick: Wisconsin 34-24.
Other Noteworthy games
Indiana at Iowa
Time: 11 a.m., ESPN2.
The records: Indiana 1-6, 0-3
Big Ten; Iowa 4-2, 1-1.
The story line: No, IU coach Kevin Wilson (above) won't keep going west, and back to Oklahoma. But Hoosiers face another dreary trip.
The line: Iowa by 23.
Gould's pick: Iowa 38-10.
No. 13 Nebraska at Minnesota
Time: 2:30 p.m., Ch. 7.
The records: Nebraska 5-1, 1-1 Big Ten; Minnesota 1-5, 0-2.
The story line: Cornhuskers' first meeting with Gophers since 1990 will be a tuneup for next week's Michigan State-Nebraska M&N division showdown.
The line: Nebraska by 25.
Gould's pick: Nebraska 51-14.
No. 19 Auburn
at No. 1 LSU
Time: 2:30 p.m., Ch. 2.
The records: Auburn 5-2, 3-1 SEC; LSU 7-0, 4-0.
The story line: Plains Tigers have been surprisingly good. But Bayou Tigers, No. 1 in the initial BCS standings, are at home -- and that other team from Alabama seems to be the only one in their weight class.
The line: LSU by 22.
Gould's pick: LSU 42-17.
No. 6 Oklahoma St. at Missouri
Time: 11:00 a.m., FX.
The records: Oklahoma State 6-0, 3-0 Big 12; Missouri 3-3, 1-2.
The story line: With three competitive road losses, Mizzou may be more dangerous than some think. Tigers, apparently inching closer to joining SEC, certainly have nothing to lose.
The line: Oklahoma State by 7.
Gould's pick: Oklahoma State 34-31.
No. 22 Washington at No. 7 Stanford
Time: 7 p.m., ESPN3.com.
The records: Washington 5-1, 3-0 Pac-12; Stanford 6-0, 4-0.
The story line: If Huskies want to make a statement and take a big step to the Pac-12 title game, this is their chance. High-scoring Cardinal, led by quarterback Andrew Luck (below) has been drilling opponents.
The line: Stanford by 20.
Gould's pick: Stanford 44-28.
Herb Gould started with the Sun-Times in 1977 and has covered several teams, including the Blackhawks. He is a long-time beat reporter covering the Fighting Illini and the Big Ten for the Sun-Times.
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