In conference play this weekend, Michigan and Wisconsin square off while Michigan State hosts Ohio State. Minnesota participates in the second annual North Star College Cup, and Penn State hosts Northern Michigan.

Michigan’s high-powered offense will be a difficult challenge for Wisconsin, which was dominated by the Gophers last weekend. Ohio State was impressive last weekend despite its numerous injuries, but should have a tougher time against a much better Michigan State defense.

The North Star College Cup features Minnesota-Duluth, Minnesota State and Bemidji State. The Mavericks are ranked No. 1 in the PairWise, and have been strong all season. They’ll be Minnesota’s first matchup of the tournament, but don’t forget – Minnesota-Duluth gave the Gophers trouble earlier in the season.

Senior CLASS Award candidates were announced this week, featuring Ohio State’s Tanner Fritz, Michigan’s Zach Hyman and Minnesota’s Kyle Rau. Hyman was also named a finalist for the Hockey Humanitarian Award, along with Wisconsin’s Joel Rumpel.

Wisconsin (2-13-3, 0-3-1 B1G) vs. Michigan (13-7-0, 5-1-0 B1G): Jan 23 at 8 p.m. CT; Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. CT

This is the matchup of Big Ten’s best team against its worse. The Badgers were absolutely dominated by Minnesota last week, and by some miracle scored twice late Friday night to earn a 2-2 tie. Wisconsin lost 5-2 the next night.

Grant Besse and Joel Rumpel were impressive over the weekend, but that was about it. Wisconsin will be without Eddie Witchow, who threw a hit on Minnesota’s Leon Bristedt towards the end of Saturday’s game. Witchow received a disqualification and was given an extra game suspension for the hit.

But two of Wisconsin’s players have finally passed the double-digit point mark. Besse has 11 points, while Morgan Zulinick has 10. But more than offense, it’s Wisconsin’s goalkeeping that determines the fate of the Badgers.

Michigan has the nation’s best offense, averaging 4.15 goals per game. Zach Hyman, Dylan Larkin and Alex Kile make up one of the nation’s most dynamic, high-powered lines. As incredible as Michigan’s offense is, though, the Wolverines are still weak defensively.

Even with its defensive woes, Michigan should still dominate the Badgers.

Prediction: Michigan sweeps

Michigan State (7-11-2, 1-3-2 B1G) vs. Ohio State (7-11-2, 2-4-0 B1G): Jan. 23 at 7:05 p.m.; Jan. 24 at 7 p.m.

Some defensive mistakes cost Michigan State in the loss to Penn State, and the Spartans have two wins in their last seven games. Matt Berry still has not returned, and the Spartans have struggled scoring more than two goals over the last four contests.

The Buckeyes are on a two-game losing streak, and haven’t ben able to keep the puck out of their own net in the last few games. Ohio State allows 3.55 goals per game, thanks in part to surrendering 10 goals against Michigan.

But the Buckeyes haven’t been healthy in a while and will miss Darik Angeli, Matt Johnson, Tyler Lundey, Chad Niddery and Janik Moser are out this weekend, per Matthew McGreevy. Johnston is tied with Nick Schilkey, Anthony Greco and Tanner Fritz for the team lead in scoring with 14 points.

Ohio State gave up a lot of goals against Michigan, but scoring six tallies with an unhealthy team was impressive. But I don’t think they’ll have the same luck against Michigan State, a much stronger defensive team.

Prediction: Michigan State wins one and a tie

Penn State (11-7-3) vs. Northern Michigan: Jan. 23 at 7 p.m.; Jan. 24 at 4:30 p.m.

The Nittany Lions take a break from conference play as they host the WCHA’s Northern Michigan. The Wildcats are tied for fourth in the conference, behind Minnesota State, Michigan Tech and Bowling Green – three teams that are in the PairWise’s top 15.

But the Wildcats will be without head coach Walk Kyle, who as played on administrative leave by Northern Michigan’s athletic director. This weekend, assistant coaches John Kyle and Rob Lehtinen will take Northern Michigan’s helm.

The Wildcats have only won one game in their last 10, but it was an overtime victory over Michigan Tech. And Northern Michigan has had a difficult schedule, facing Minnesota State and Bowling Green.

Penn State’s schedule hasn’t been as hard, mostly thanks to a weak Big Ten conference. The Nittany Lions defeated Michigan State on Saturday after skating the Spartans to a tie on Friday.

Prediction: Penn State sweeps

Minnesota (11-7-2) vs. Minnesota State (18-4-1), Jan. 23 at 7 p.m.; vs. TBA, Jan. 24

The Gophers will participate in the second North Star College Cup. This year, there is no shootout in the championship game (that’s how Minnesota won last year). Along with the Gophers and Mavericks, Minnesota-Duluth and Bemidji State.

The Gophers ended a three-game winless streak by defeating the Badgers 5-2 on Saturday. But Minnesota isn’t playing as well as everyone thought they would, and have really struggled finding wins since the start of the season. Mike Reilly now leads the Gophers in points with 23.

The Mavericks are on a four-game winning streak, and have won seven of their last eight. Matt Leitner has 24 points for Minnesota State, which averages 3.74 goals per game. The WCHA features a couple strong teams, thanks to the emergence of Michigan Tech and Bowling Green.

Minnesota has only faced Minnesota-Duluth this season, in a couple of tight games that featured a series split. The Bulldogs are second the NCHC, which has a couple of strong teams itself. Minnesota-Duluth is winless in its last three, dropping games to Western Michigan and North Dakota. Freshman Kasimir Kaskisuo has a .914 save percentage through 20 games.

Rounding out the four teams is Bemidji State, which has been struggling this season. Th Beavers just dropped a pair of games to Lake Superior State. The Beavers will take on Minnesota-Duluth in the first round.

Prediction: Either Minnesota State or Minnesota-Duluth wins. I’m going with the  Mavericks

Saturday, January 24th, 2015 - 3:38 pm | Big Ten, Blogs, Notes, Thoughts, Ramblings