WNUR Sports Online Content Director Cameron Songer (@CameronSonger) uses NCAA Football 14 to “predict” the outcomes of this week’s Big Ten action.

During Northwestern’s bye week, Wildcat fans should turn their attention to Columbus, where next week’s opponent (Ohio State) plays a key conference home game against Wisconsin. The simulation results of that game and other Big Ten action are below.

Wisconsin @ Ohio State: The Buckeyes scored first, then capitalized on a Wisconsin fumble to lead 14-0 after one quarter. The second quarter can best be described as a massacre, with Ohio State keeping Wisconsin at about 100 yards of offense for the first half while racking up 320 yards of their own. The Buckeyes led 37-0 at halftime. Braxton Miller had two TD passes, a rushing TD and completed 82% of his passes. Wisconsin scored the only points in the third quarter, but still trailed by 30. Ohio State scored early in the 4th quarter and played its reserves the rest of the way, winning 44-14. The story of the game, other than the three touchdowns each for Braxton Miller and Carlos Hyde, was Ohio State’s defense. Wisconsin’s vaunted running game gained only 55 yards on the ground, which allowed the Buckeyes to pull away.

Iowa @ Minnesota: Iowa led 7-0 after 1 quarter, and pulled away in the second quarter, leading 28-0 at the half. The Hawkeyes cruised to a 49-14 win, with sophomore running back Mark Weisman scoring four touchdowns on 114 yards rushing. Minnesota barely cracked 130 yards of total offense.

Miami (OH) @ Illinois: Illinois struggled to move the ball in the first quarter, then the Illini were bitten by the turnover bug, throwing a pair of interceptions in the red zone in the second quarter en route to a 13-0 halftime deficit. The third quarter was much of the same, and even two-point conversions on both 4th quarter touchdowns were not enough for Illinois. The visiting Redhawks win, 23-16.

Northern Illinois @ Purdue: Despite a stellar performance from NIU quarterback Jordan Lynch, Purdue knocked off the Huskies, 31-24.

Other important national games:
Oklahoma 33, Notre Dame 7
West Virginia 31, Oklahoma State 24
Georgia 42, LSU 18
Cal 21, Oregon 20