:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/23282107/20131107_mje_se2_481.0.jpg)
Let's talk rooting interests for this bye week Saturday. Because if we're going to watch other games, we need to know who we want to see lose. I'm going to focus on the 2 easiest scenarios to work through first before looking at the rest of the B1G.
IF YOU WANT THE GOPHERS TO WIN THE B1G WEST
Michigan State @ Nebraska; 2:30 PM; ABC. This section is REALLY easy to write. We really only need to care about how two teams are playing and these are those teams. Who should I root for? Well, meteor would be a good #1 as it would vault the Gophers into the divisional lead. If you want the serious answer, I'd say Nebraska. Down the stretch, Nebraska has the harder games and stand a better chance of grabbing another loss.
IF YOU WANT COLLEGE GAMEDAY TO COME TO MINNESOTA
Indiana @ Wisconsin; 11 AM; BTN. Who should I root for? Well.........technically Wisconsin. But fuck that. BETTER DEAD THAN RED! Go neutral or cheer for IU knowing full well they won't win.
Oklahoma State @ Texas; 2:30 PM; FOX. Who should I root for? Texas, Texas, Texas. This loss alone probably won't get GameDay to Minneapolis, but it's a good first step.
Baylor vs. Texas Tech; 6:00 PM; FOX. Who should I root for? Guns up boys and girls. Get some tortillas ready for throwing if this actually happens.
I was also going to include the LSU and Texas A&M games (since there is an outside shot their 11/23 game could pull GameDay) but they're both on byes this week.
MOVING ON TO THE REST OF THE B1G SCHEDULE
Ohio State @ Illinois; 11 AM; ESPN. Who should I root for? It really doesn't matter and it's kind of a tough one for me. On the one hand, I really don't cheer for OSU. On the other hand, I like the Tim Beckman gong show for snark purposes. I'll let the tiebreaker be the fact that my wife is from Ohio. The answer is Ohio State.
Purdue @ Penn State; 11 AM; BTN. Who should I root for? Penn State. SOS reasons plus I want Purdue to reach "worst B1G team ever" status.
Michigan @ Northwestern; BTN. Who should I root for? Northwestern. The fewer wins Michigan has, the lower the chances they jump Minnesota in the bowl pecking order.