Big Ten Daily (Nov. 20): Ohio State-Michigan Headlines Best Week in Sports

Thanksgiving Week is the best on the sports calendar. The headliner is "The Game" between Ohio State and Michigan, with a division title, Big Ten Championship Game appearance and College Football Playoff spot at stake.

We've known for a few weeks that the Big Ten East title, a trip to Lucas Oil Stadium and a spot in the College Football Playoff would be at stake in "The Game." With Ohio State and Michigan both entering the final week of the season with perfect 11-0 records, it feels like Christmas has come early for sports fans.

Without question, this is the best week on the sports calendar. College football's Rivalry Week takes centerstage. There are tournaments galore on the basketball side. Both the NBA and NFL are in full swing. 

To put a Thanksgiving spin on it, it's a buffet of sports — there's a little something for everyone. But the featured dish, without question, is Ohio State-Michigan.

This is what college football is all about, right? The Buckeyes and Wolverines will enter Saturday's rivalry bout with perfect records and both will be ranked inside the Top 4 of the College Football Playoff rankings. 

Michigan gets the chance to extend its winning streak over Ohio State to three games, which would be the first time the Wolverines have accomplished the feat since 1995-97. The Buckeyes get a shot at redemption in Ann Arbor.

There are storylines aplenty. 

Jim Harbaugh won't be on the sideline, serving a three-game suspension for Michigan's sign-stealing scandal. Marvin Harrison Jr. can state his case for the Heisman Trophy with a big performance for Ohio State. ESPN's College GameDay is rolling into town.

"The Game" is second to none when it comes to rivalries. When everything is at stake, it only intensifies the hatred between the two schools.

So set your alarms, Big Ten fans. Saturday's game between Ohio State and Michigan is going to be appointment television. 

Other Rivalry Week Implications

No game on the schedule tops Ohio State and Michigan this weekend. Sorry to break the news, but I assumed you already knew that.

A lot is still on the line across the Big Ten during Rivalry Week, though. A handful of teams are still in contention for a bowl bid, making this a really interesting week to close out the 2023 college football regular season.

Here's what's on the line in a handful of other Big Ten rivalry games:

• Iowa (9-2) vs. Nebraska (5-6): The Huskers enter Friday's game needing a win to secure a spot in the postseason, which would be the program's first bowl appearance since 2016. If Iowa gets a win, the Hawkeyes will have posted their third 10-win season in the last five years.
• Northwestern (6-5) vs. Illinois (5-6): With a win over Northwestern, Bret Bielema would be the first coach at Illinois to lead the team to back-to-back bowl appearances since Ron Zook (2010-11). The Wildcats are hoping to end a two-game skid vs. the Illini and reclaim the Land of Lincoln Trophy.
• Wisconsin (6-5) vs. Minnesota (5-6): Minnesota hasn't won three straight games against Wisconsin since the 1980s. If the Gophers get the win, they'll also clinch a bowl berth. The Badgers want to snap the drought and secure a winning record in Luke Fickell's first season.

Purdue Getting Tested in Hawai'i

Switching over to the hardwood, we're about to find out if No. 2 Purdue has made the leap necessary to compete for a Final Four. The Boilermakers play in the Maui Invitational this week, which is loaded with competition.

Purdue opens the tournament against No. 11 Gonzaga, a team the Boilers bested a season ago in the Phil Knight Legacy Tournament. That's not where the challenges end, though.

This year's Maui Invitational also includes No. 9 Tennessee, No. 4 Marquette and No. 1 Kansas. Oh, and Syracuse and UCLA are also in the mix.

We all know Zach Edey is the centerpiece for the Boilermakers, but did the guys around him improve enough to truly be considered one of the nation's top teams?

Even though it's early in the season, Purdue can make a huge statement in the Maui Invitational. 

Related Big Ten Stories

• THE BIG TEN'S PATH FOR TWO PLAYOFF TEAMS: It seems unlikely, but there's still an outside chance both Michigan and Ohio State make the College Football Playoff. There's only one route, though. CLICK HERE
• INDIANA LOSES TO MICHIGAN STATE: The Old Brass Spittoon heads back to East Lansing after the Hoosiers made some costly mistakes in Saturday's rivalry game with the Spartans. CLICK HERE