Sean Merriman, BTN.com web editor, BTN.com staff, September 27, 2013

Who's ready to get conference play underway? We sure are! In order to get you ready for Saturday's Big Ten action, here is a rundown of all four games on the slate and a recap of this week?s news leading up to the big weekend ahead. BTN's coverage will kick off at 12:00 p.m. ET with Miami (Ohio) at Illinois. That game will also be available on BTN2Go.

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Miami (OH) (0-3) at Illinois (2-1) - noon ET, BTN/BTN2Go

A win over Miami (Ohio) tomorrow will give Illinois one more win than all of last season, and we're still in the month of September. But will it put Tim Beckman into the early Big Ten Coach of the Year conversation? Tom Dienhart has that answer and more in this week?s edition of ?Four Downs.?

NIU (3-0) at Purdue (1-3) - noon ET, ESPN2

Every week during the 2013 football season, BTN.com?s Tom Dienhart, Brent Yarina, Sean Merriman and hoops analyst Stephen Bardo, a huge football fan, make their Big Ten picks. The group all agreed on a winner in Saturday's Northern Illinois vs. Purdue game. Did they side with the Boilermakers? Find out here as we reveal our Week 5 Picks.

Iowa (3-1) at Minnesota (4-0) - 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN2

Which Big Ten team has the most to prove on Saturday? Tom Dienhart believes it is the Iowa Hawkeyes. Submit your answer here while taking Tom's B1G Grid Quiz.

Wisconsin (3-1, 1-0) at Ohio State (4-0, 0-0) - 8 p.m. ET, ABC

What Big Ten game features both the best quarterback and coaching matchup? Tom Dienhart says it is without a doubt, Wisconsin vs. Ohio State. Read Tom's Best of Week 5 preview.

About Sean Merriman BTN.com web editor Sean Merriman covers football and men's basketball and provides original content for BTN.com. You can follow him on Twitter @BTNSean.