This is the first full week of Big Ten play – three conference matchups and the odd-man out (Minnesota) has an intriguing matchup with in-state rival Minnesota-Duluth. Notre Dame and Penn State get started a day late this week so that means another three-day weekend of Big Ten hockey!

I cooled off a bit this week as there were some surprise victories (I see you, Wisconsin), but still a respectable week and didn’t hurt the season total too much. I don’t have high hopes this week as six Big Ten games can get wild in a hurry, but let’s get to it. As always, let me know your thoughts on the picks in the comments.

Last week’s results: 8-4 Season Total: 37-10

Minnesota-Duluth at Minnesota

Minnesota was on the wrong side of a series sweep last weekend at the hands of Wisconsin. Call it early-season jitters or over-looking an opponent if you like, but I think it runs deeper than that. Their series against Minnesota-Duluth will go a long way in determining if I’m right. The Bulldogs come in to the matchup ranked (albeit undeserved in my eyes), but have struggled heavily when playing top opponents. The Gophers will want to make a statement that last week was a fluke, but I don’t think they do. Prediction: Split 1-1

Michigan State at Ohio State

On paper, this should be the most competitive matchup of the weekend. The Spartans and Buckeyes are #12 and #13, respectively, in the rankings. Their play styles, on the other hand, are not so similar. Michigan State can score goals with the best of them, but are not great at weathering the storm if they run into a hot goaltender. Ohio State is by far the more consistent team, but that’s not always a good thing. If they fall behind early, they lack the explosiveness needed to make a comeback. They’ll want to control the flow of the game and frustrate the Spartans’ attack. If you’re a bettor, stay clear of this game because I have no idea. A lopsided sweep from the Spartans seems just as likely as a couple of 3-2 victories by the Buckeyes. Prediction: Split 1-1

Michigan at Wisconsin

Matchup of the Week alert! Wisconsin has been the story of the Big Ten (and maybe college hockey) thus far – unranked and projected to finish last at the start of the season to a 7-1 record and ranked #5 after a sweep of powerhouse Minnesota just 4 weeks later. Michigan has also been impressive in their own right lately, outscoring their opponents 28-5 in their last four games. I’m bullish on the Badgers, but it’s hard to ignore Michigan’s offense. The Wolverines put together six great periods last week for the first time this season and that consistency seemed to be the only thing missing from their game. Michigan will look like the better team for large stretches this weekend, but I think Wisconsin hangs around long enough to earn a victory in one of the games. Prediction: Split 1-1

Notre Dame at Penn State

This matchup has changed quite a bit from what I thought a few weeks ago. The Irish seemed to have figured things out during their sweep of Mercyhurst last weekend and the Nittany Lions looked mediocre during their split against Alaska-Anchorage. This is the first series of Big Ten play so both should be focused and ready to perform. I think Penn State is still the better team, despite recent results, and Notre Dame will struggle to score against them. Prediction: PSU 2-0