Penn State doesn’t play until Saturday night, so there’s plenty of time to catch up on all of the other action around the Big Ten – if that’s something you still want to do. In actuality, there are some intriguing matchups, at least in terms of record that will go a long way in shaping the conference title race (and playoff implications).
FRIDAY NIGHT WINDOW
No. 20 Iowa (4-1, 1-1) at Washington (3-2, 0-2) 9 p.m. on Fox or FS1 (depends on baseball)
Details: Iowa looks to recover from a home beat down at the hands of Ohio State, while Washington is in the same boat as Penn State and Michigan in terms of teams that were viewed as potential playoff squads who have yet to win a conference game. Things could really spiral for the Huskies if they don’t get this win. Meanwhile, this seems a must win if Iowa wants to hang around in the playoff discussion. It’s a solid Friday night game.
Line: WASH -3.5, Total 41.5
Should I watch this one: Absolutely, at least the second half after heading to a local high school game.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON WINDOW
No. 7 Indiana (5-0, 2-0) at Nebraska (5-0, 2-0), 12 p.m. on FOX
Details: If you rewind a couple years, Nebraska and Indiana played a “big” game at noon in Bloomington. There were still questions about how “real” Indiana was, while Nebraska had a good record. The result was a 56-7 Indiana win with the Hoosiers using their backup quarterback. Indiana has been rounding into form and their offense looked dynamic last Saturday night. A road game in Lincoln will be a bit of a challenge and this is a spot for Matt Rhule’s team to make a lot of people believers.
Line: IND -7.5, Total 49.5
Should I watch this one: Watch it – on mute of course.
Ball State (1-4) at Northwestern (3-1, 1-1), 12:30 p.m. on BTN
Details: New Ryan Field gets to host its first still-in-the-morning-Central-timezone game as a MAC team visits Evanston. There’s no way that the Wildcats can play with as much energy as they did last week, but that should be plenty against a depleted Cardinal squad.
Line: NU -36.5, Total 52.5
Should I watch this one: It’s too soon to watch the Wildcats.
SATURDAY LATE AFTERNOON WINDOW
No. 21 UCLA (4-0, 2-0) at No. 13 Oregon (3-1, 1-0), 3:30 p.m. on CBS
Details: As alluded to in the intro, keep this in mind as a game where UCLA can show if it actually belongs in the conference/playoff conversation. Meanwhile, the Ducks enjoyed last week off after their gutty, gritty, hotly contested win against USC. UCLA running back Wayne Knight has been one of the conference’s early season starts. Oregon will look to slow him as they try to battle back into the national title picture.
Line: OSU -11.5, Total 58.5
Should I watch this one: Yes, you should.
Illinois (2-3, 0-2) at Michigan State (2-3, 0-2), 3:30 p.m. on FS1
Details: These sort of feel like the same teams right no….and that goes beyond the record. They’re both being led by coaches who were at other schools in the conference previously. They both seemed destined for 5-7ish seasons. Neither has a story line to get people outside of those fanbases interested this year. So, this is a Big Ten game that is going to be played on Saturday.
Line: ILL -2.5, Total 47.5
Should I watch this one: I try to watch every Big Ten game and even I can’t muster any interest in this one.
Maryland (2-3, 0-2) at No. 5 Ohio State (4-1, 2-0), 4:15 p.m. on BTN
Details: Jeremiah Smith is the best player in college football and it seems as though every week he’s more determined than ever to make that clear to all. Well, Maryland isn’t exactly a defensive powerhouse, so the star receiver might have a legitimate chance to hit the 1,000 yard mark at the halfway point of the season with a big performance here. The Terrapins seem destined for a bad season, which will surely mark the end of Mike Locksley’s tenure in College Park.
Line: OSU -34.5, Total 56.5
Should I watch this one: Just read my Superlatives post next week. I’m sure Jeremiah Smith highlights will be posted.
SATURDAY NIGHT WINDOW
Minnesota (4-1, 2-0) at Purdue (2-3, 1-1), 8 p.m. on BTN
Details: This is sort of an interesting game and the line reflects that. Minnesota is coming off two legitimately surprising wins – at Washington and then home against Michigan. This could be a letdown spot, especially since they’re facing a Purdue team that just won a conference game for the first time since 2023. Minnesota has a bad loss to Mississippi State, but they aren’t entirely out of the playoff hunt if you consider they’ll have some more chances for marquee wins. But, the Boilers might be starting to get greedy and think about rallying to get to a bowl game for the first time in years.
Line: MINN -2.5, Total 50.5
Should I watch this one: No, you’ll be busy.