Ah, yes, it’s finally here. The best week of football for the Big Ten, rivalry week. Where every game has a trophy and every midwestern family has bragging rights on the line. Nothing beats watching Iowa
beat down on Nebraska on Black Friday, then rolling into The Game 24 hours later. Almost anything can happen; it’s rivalry week.
1: Ohio State
11-0, @ Michigan
The Game is shaping up to cement this Buckeye squad as their best in recent memory. In the past few years, you could throw out the record books, but 2025 will not be one of those years. Ohio State is on autopilot while the Wolverines are the ones with all the pressure in the world. There is not a team in college football that can compete with the Buckeyes, and Michigan will be no different.
2: Indiana
11-0, @ Purdue
The Hoosiers are fortunate that they get the lowly Boilermakers as their rivalry week foe. Indiana could roll the helmet out on Ross-Ade Field and still find a way to win the game. Mendoza’s Heisman chances are the only thing at stake on Friday night.
3: Oregon
10-1, @ Washington
Oregon is in the midst of its most crucial two-game stretch of the year. The Ducks did play Penn State and Indiana back-to-back, but you could easily excuse those losses. If Dan Lanning slips up against either USC or Washington, the playoffs would be in jeopardy. The Trojans were taken out, and the Huskies stand between the Ducks and the playoffs. Peculiar things can happen at Husky Stadium. Oregon will have its work cut out for it on Saturday.
4: USC
8-3, Vs UCLA
Lincoln Riley and the Trojans were overwhelmed by Oregon in Eugene on Saturday. USC gave a valiant effort, with the defense ultimately being the weak link again. In all likelihood, the Trojans missed out on the playoffs once again and were an early-season loss to Illinois away from being on the right side of the bubble. USC will take care of UCLA and end the regular season with a strong nine-win campaign.
5: Michigan
9-2, Vs Ohio State
Sherrone Moore is a big mystery that, for the life of me, I just can’t read. He has to land somewhere between misunderstood genius and failing upward specialist. Michigan has driven me right up to the edge of insanity. The final shove into Wolverine derangement would be them beating Ohio State in The Game. For my sake, I would like the Buckeyes to take care of business on Saturday. The Buckeyes will roll, right?
6: Iowa
7-4, @ Nebraska
Saturday in Kinnick was a full display of the Iowa Hawkeye fan experience. Playing down to your competition? You bet. Special teams outplaying the offense? Of course. Dramatic win, ending in a field goal? Like asking if the sky is blue. The Hawks frustrated the hell out of me, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t give me a thrill. Bottom line is that it just felt nice to win a tight one after all the losses this year. Now, I’d appreciate it if they would beat the brakes off of the Nebraska on Black Friday. Iowa’s offensive line is going to have a feeding frenzy on the slender Nebraska defensive line.
7: Penn State
5-6, @ Rutgers
Terry Smith has the Penn State players advocating for his retention by the university. I agree with them wholeheartedly. Smith flexed his muscles against the man who had been rumored to take his job. The Nittany Lions looked like the preseason top-three team they were supposed to be. Penn State may give Smith a chance, given the limited number of qualified candidates available.
8: Washington
8-3, Vs Oregon
The Huskies have been gifted the golden opportunity to spoil their rivals’ season. I can’t trust Washington ever since they burned me in their trip to Madison earlier this year. The Huskies have two factors working in their favor: a rivalry game and home-field advantage. Washington is as dangerous as anyone when they’re rolling. Why not against the Ducks?
9: Northwestern
6-5, @ Illinois
The cardiac Cats are going bowling! Northwestern has won three of its four Big Ten wins by a margin of three or fewer points. The Wildcats opened up as 7.5-point underdogs to their rivals, Illinois. I disagree with Vegas here. I love Northwestern to upset the Illini in Champaign for the Battle of Lincoln.
10: Illinois
7-4, Vs Northwestern
Forget all the nice things I said about Illinois last week. The Illini have lost their way late in the season. Saturday night, Illinois appeared to be a team with no passion for the game. All around, the Illini’s performance was outright disappointing. Bret Belimma’s veteran squad is ready to be done with this college football thing. The only contest left on the schedule is a home game against rival Northwestern. If Illinois can’t get up for that on Saturday, it’ll be a long offseason for the Illini faithful.
11: Wisconsin
4-7, @ Minnesota
Luke Fickell must be an avid reader of my column because he took my advice. It may have been less advice and more mocking, but it struck a chord. Since I made fun of T.E.A.M., the Wisconsin Badgers have a winning record against ranked opponents (2-1). I expect a ton of thank yous from Badger fans for my work. Wisconsin’s defense is legit, especially Darryl Peterson. Peterson has had 5.5 sacks in his last two games. Guy is unblockable.
12: Nebraska
7-4, Vs Iowa
Vegas was right on the money when they made the line for the Huskers’ visit to State College. The difference in the trenches on Saturday was like an SEC powerhouse going against Mercer. Just totally unfair. Rhule getting his gigantic extension is looking worse by the minute. Iowa will throw Nebraska around like its little brother. Gennings Dunker may take off a Husker’s head on Black Friday.
13: Minnesota
6-5, Vs Wisconsin
The Gophers are going bowling. That’s the only bit of good news for Minnesota right now. Wisconsin is peaking just in time to steal the axe away from Minneapolis. Unfortunately for the Gopher faithful, it’s going to be another long winter for college hoops as well. The state’s happiness depends on the outcome of the battle of the axe. No pressure, though.
14: Rutgers
5-6, Vs Penn State
[Italian Bowling noises?]
15: Maryland
4-7, @ Michigan State
Lamar Jackson is pretty sweet. Crab cakes are delicious. Derrick Queen has been hooping. Maryland has numerous contributions beyond college football. I’d be just peachy if I never had to watch another Maryland football game my entire life. Getting a win against the Spartans would boost morale going into next season.
16: UCLA
3-8, @ USC
The magic is officially over at the Rose Bowl. The fun three-week stretch is no longer. Now, the Bruins have turned back into a rotting pumpkin. Basketball though!
17: Michigan State
3-8, Vs Maryland
The Spartans give the Hawks a scare every year. Granted, this year Michigan State is putrid, but still. Quarterback Alessio Milivojevic earned my respect on Saturday with his gutsy performance. Not only did he earn my invaluable respect, but he also earned a substantial amount of money in the transfer portal. Spartan fans will cope with the football team’s failure through their eventual run to the Sweet 16.
18: Purdue
2-9, Vs Indiana
Just Basketball.
