Week nine in the Big Ten may lack a marque big-game matchup, but it does offer an opportunity to see if teams can separate themselves into a secondary contender tier. Six of the seven teams tied for third in the league at 3-1 are in action, with varying degrees of difficulty to those matchups.

Perhaps, however, the most intriguing matchup of the weekend features two of the three 2-2 teams in league play. Illinois heads west to take on Washington in a contest between 5-2 teams, with the winner keeping its chances for a playoff at-large playoff berth alive. Will Washington's drastic home/road splits continue to come into play? Or can Luke Altmyer and the Illini snag a signature win for their season?

In America's heartland, Minnesota is fresh off an upset of Nebraska and has a chance to secure bowl eligibility at an Iowa team who continu ...