The Oregon-Penn State matchup is the big one this week. I think we can agree that on paper there are some definite tiers to the league. Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State and Indiana(!) are the true league contenders.
USC and Michigan are trying to break into that tier. Everyone else is just trying to play the role of spoiler.
The real game of the year is also this week as UCLA goes to Northwestern.
#21 USC (4-0, 2-0) at #23 Illinois (3-1, 0-1) – B1G NUDE SATURDAY, FOX
USC seems like a team that is coming together nicely. Sure, they have merely done their jobs to this point, but they have been convincing in doing so. Coming east for B1G Nude Saturday is an interesting challenge for them, especially against a ranked team. Illinois, of course, is looking to find its way back after the debacle in Bloomington. The Hoosiers exposed them, and Purdue might get a wounded 0-2 team next week in West Lafayette. USC 38, Illinois 27
Rutgers (3-1, 0-1) at Minnesota (2-1, 0-0) – Noon, BTN
As a Purdue fan this will be an interesting game to watch, as any path to a bowl game relies on the Boilermakers beating each one. Both teams are also coming off their first loss of the season after a relatively easy start. Minnesota did have a week off and they are playing at home, so that is probably an advantage in what should be a close game. Minnesota 24, Rutgers 20
#1 Ohio State (3-0, 0-0) at Washington (3-0, 0-0) – 3:30pm, CBS
We finally get to see Washington during the light of day! Can a Ryan Walters defense hold Ohio State in check? Based on last year, the answer is no. Ohio State is just on another plane of existence right now that can only be approached by few other teams in college football. The only equalizer here is the travel. Ohio State 38, Washington 14
#11 Indiana (4-0, 1-0) at Iowa (3-1, 1-0) – 3:30pm on the ‘cock
The Hoosiers might be better than a year ago. The way they completely dismantled Illinois last week was stunning. It was only the 7th ever win for Indiana over a top 10 team, and the first since the Bill Mallory era in the 80’s. I know that Iowa is always tough at home, but this Indiana team is just playing way too well since struggling a little bit in week 1. Indiana 31, Iowa 20
UCLA (0-3, 0-0) at Northwestern (1-2, 0-1) – 3:30pm, BTN
Both of these teams have looked awful this year, and the one win between them came over a very bad FCS team. The Bruins are coming east with a zombie coach and this is probably their best remaining chance at a victory this year. No Big Ten team has gone winless since Illinois in 1997, and outside of the weird COVID year the last major conference team to go unwinfeated was Kansas in 2015. If Northwestern wins here, UCLA is definitely in danger of joining them. Northwestern 16, UCLA 13
#6 Oregon (4-0, 1-0) at #3 Penn State (3-0, 0-0) – 7:30pm, NBC
This one should be really good, but a lot like Ohio State, I think Oregon from a talent standpoint is on a different level from many teams, including Penn State. The Nittany Lions under James Franklin have a reputation for not coming through in games against elite opponents. If they make it to Indy for the B1G title game it will be earned, as they still have to face Ohio State and Indiana. It should be a fantastic atmosphere. Oregon 31, Penn State 28
