Heading into the 2007 season, the top of the Big Ten looked like more of the same from last year.

Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin made up the top four in 2006, and all of them were expected to compete for a conference crown this season. The Buckeyes and Badgers have held up their ends of the bargain, starting the season a combined 8-0. The Wolverines have suffered some well-documented setbacks early on and went on to deal the Nittany Lions a conference loss last week.

Overlooked amid all the preseason hubbub were teams like Purdue, Illinois and Michigan State, who now sit atop the conference standings. All three have pivotal games this weekend, and with wins, could elevate themselves from pretenders to contenders in the Big Ten conference race.

Michigan State (4-0 overall) at No. 9 Wisconsin (1-0 Big Ten, 4-0) - 3:30 p.m., ABC

Michigan State blew a late lead to then-ranked Notre Dame just a year ago. Spartan fans want to forget the freefall that ensued, culminating in Michigan State's 4-8 final record.

Having already matched their win total from a year ago, the 2007 Spartans aren't in the national consciousness yet. But they have the chance to put an emphatic stamp on the new reign of coach Mark Dantonio this weekend.

To do so, Michigan State must travel to Madison and defeat Wisconsin, whose record also happens to be unblemished. The Badgers haven't exactly run through the competition this season, coasting to some closer-than-expected wins in their first four games.

If Wisconsin doesn't bring its 'A' game this weekend, the Spartans could sneak into Camp Randall Stadium and grab a huge win in terms of conference positioning. Let's not forget, though, that with Appalachian State's loss to Wofford last weekend, the Badgers now have the nation's longest winning streak of 13 games.

Being a student at Michigan, I want to pick Wisconsin out of pure hatred for the Spartans. And my knowledge of football is screaming at me to remember that new coach or not, this is still a Michigan State team full of players coached at some point by the legendary John L. Smith. That makes this pick obvious.

Wisconsin 24, Michigan State 20

No. 21 Penn State (0-1, 3-1) at Illinois (1-0, 3-1) - Noon, Big Ten Network

Before last weekend, there were some in the media (cough cough Buckeye apologist Kirk Herbstreit) that wrongly assumed Penn State would catapult itself to Big Ten supremacy because of its impressive win last season over Tennessee in the Outback Bowl. After Michigan's 14-9 win over the Nittany Lions, it's clear this is just another typical Penn State squad. There's a great defense, but no offense to speak of.

And the prime reason for its struggles on offense has been the inconsistent play of quarterback Anthony Morelli, who can't seem to take advantage of dangerous playmakers like wide receiver Derrick Williams.

Illinois has sophomore Juice Williams taking the snaps, and through four games, he has made significant strides from his disastrous freshman season. Thanks to Williams's newfound poise, Ron Zook's team has won two straight road games, including a 27-14 victory over Indiana last weekend. The win was the Fighting Illini's first win in a Big Ten opener in 14 years.

The Nittany Lions present the first big home game for Illinois since it last won the Big Ten in 2001, so the crowd should be decent. But if there's anything I've learned about Ron Zook's teams over the years, it's this: If it's a fight against a fraternity, take Zook. If it's a football game of any consequence, take the other team.

Penn State 27, Illinois 17

Notre Dame (0-4) at Purdue (1-0, 4-0), Noon, ESPN

Now that Michigan has righted its ship with two consecutive wins, the Irish are the new favorites to bash in college football. In its illustrious history, Notre Dame has never before started a season 0-4. The 10-year contract extension given to Charlie Weis back in 2005 just seven games into his college coaching career is beginning to look a little too proactive.

It hasn't helped that there are rumblings about the racial implications of Notre Dame's decision to give up on former coach Tyrone Willingham, while showing Weis nothing but love from the get go. The only way to get the attention off all this is with a win.

But it won't come easy against Purdue, which defeated Minnesota 45-31 on the road last weekend. In the process of its undefeated start, quarterback Curtis Painter has emerged as a quality Big Ten signal caller. There are still questions about the Boilermakers' defense, but against the anemic Irish attack. that shouldn't really be an issue.