Week 13: BTPowerhouse Big Ten Game of the Week: Purdue Boilermakers at Maryland Terrapins

With a dangerous week of Big Ten play in the books, it's now time for the conference to start seriously separating its contenders from its pretenders. Plenty of the conference's top teams will have marquee matchups this week, including several on the road. It's an exciting time in the Big Ten.

With that, let's take a look at the top games of the week.

Game Of The Week:

- Purdue Boilermakers at Maryland Terrapins:

It was a tight call this week, but ultimately, the matchup between Maryland and Purdue had to be selected. This is the only ranked game of the week and pits two teams with Big Ten title aspirations against each other at a key point in the schedule.

Admittedly, this game isn't quite as important as it seemed a week ago given the big win for the Terps over Iowa, but it's still a big one. This is a chance to keep the momentum going at home and in the Big Ten and add another marquee win to the resume. Additionally, given the surrounding schedule, Maryland could be set for a huge run if it can find a way to beat the Boilermakers on Saturday.

On the other side, Purdue is trying to get back in the Big Ten title race after being swept by Iowa and dropping a game to Illinois. Although Purdue needs help, this is probably the team's most difficult remaining game. Find a way to win and things might just set up well enough to get in the picture.

Maybe this is a bit of a generic choice for the matchup to watch, but it has to be upfront given Purdue's depth and talent. How Robert Carter, Damonte Dodd, and Diamond Stone try to handle Isaac Haas, AJ Hammons, and Caleb Swanigan will be huge to who comes out on top.

Honorable Mention:

- Indiana Hoosiers at Michigan Wolverines:

This is an incredibly intriguing matchup for a variety of reasons. To start, both of these teams are near or at the top of the standings in the Big Ten. Add in that both need another marquee win and are at an important scheduling point and you have a game that could radically change the season outlook for each.

The matchup to watch in this game has to be on the perimeter where Michigan's Zak Irvin and Duncan Robinson should matchup against Collin Hartman, Troy Williams, and former Michigan player Max Bielfeldt. On paper, Michigan probably has the better starters, but Indiana has more depth. Who wins here will be huge on Tuesday night.

- Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Wolverines:

Whoa, buddy does this look like a huge one. To bitter in-state rivals will take on each other on Saturday in the lone meeting between the two this season. Michigan State has won the last three meetings, but Michigan has won 6 of the last 11. Needless to say, both will have plenty of reasons to want to win this game.

The matchup to watch has to be upfront and on the boards. The Spartans have a big advantage on paper with Matt Costello, Deyonta Davis, and Kenny Goins. Can Mark Donnal slow these three down or does he get into foul trouble early?

Season Stats:

- Game of the Week Appearances By Team:

• Maryland - 3
• Iowa - 2
• Michigan State - 2
• Purdue - 2
• Michigan - 1

- Game of the Week Honorable Mention Appearances By Team:

• Maryland - 4
• Indiana - 3
• Michigan - 3
• Ohio State - 3
• Northwestern - 2
• Wisconsin - 2
• Iowa - 1
• Michigan State - 1
• Purdue - 1

- Total Appearances By Team:

• Maryland - 7
• Michigan - 4
• Iowa - 3
• Ohio State - 3
• Indiana - 3
• Michigan State - 3
• Purdue - 3
• Northwestern - 2
• Wisconsin - 2