We have favorites and we have loyalties, but if the Big Ten is going to climb out the national perception doldrums, we're going to have to do it together.  That means that we have to all be pulling in the same direction.  Here's what I want to see from each Big Ten team in their non-conference battles this week. These columns are really short this time of year...

Minnesota (vs. South Dakota State)

I want to see Adam Weber and MarQueis Gray demonstrate why each should be the starting quarterback.  I want to see the running game pound the smaller Jackrabbit (yes, that's the SDSU nickname) line.  I want Minnesota to be up by such a comfortable margin that even if the Jackrabbits brought alum Adam Vinatieri out of stands to kick a game-ending field goal, it would only close the gap to a three touchdown defecit.

Make sure to go back and submit your picks for Week 11 of the Obligatory Predictions Contest. Weekly winners get a chance to write 500 words on the site.

What I Want

I want Minnesota to play withe the fire they showed in the second half last week.

What I Expect

Minnesota to clinch a bowl berth with a win that is closer than it should be.

What We've Got So Far

The Big Ten is 30-10 (.750) out of conference.  The league is 5-8 against BCS Conference teams (plus Notre Dame). Indiana's loss to Virginia guarantees that the Big Ten can finish with no better than a .500 record against the other BCS schools.  The league has two losses to non-BCS teams (Northern Illinois over Purdue and Central Michigan over Michigan State).