Week four brings us full-blown conference play. We will learn more about the Big Ten this week than in the previous weeks combined. A handful of meaningful games have been played so far, but every game matters this week. The week is headlined by three out-of-conference rivalry games, a top 20 matchup, and a Friday night road test for the Hawkeyes. Two top dogs in the Big Ten have a week off in preparation for the grind ahead of them. The weather is starting to chill, so Big Ten football is approaching.
1: Penn State
3-0, BYE WEEK
Penn State went ahead and put Villanova in the meat grinder on Saturday. The Nittany Lions haven’t had anything close to a real test this year. It probably won’t matter for Penn State, but don’t you want to know what you have before big-time games roll around? James Franklin can still roll the helmets out most weeks; there’s no doubt about that. I’m curious to see what the Nittany Lions look like when they find themselves in a tight one versus a top-five Big Ten squad. Oregon comes to town next week, and the whole nation should be seated to watch that one.
2: Ohio State
3-0, BYE WEEK
Parker Navorro and the Ohio Bobcats hung around with the Buckeyes for the first half on Saturday, eventually being ground down by the Buckeyes. Julian Sayin is settling in with Jeremiah Smith and found real success this weekend. They’ll need to be in tip-top shape after the bye week because they take the long haul to Seattle to play Washington. The Huskies will be primed and ready to give their best shot at the reigning champs. For now, the Bukeyes get a reset and breather before the slog of Big Ten play.
3: Oregon
3-0, Vs. Oregon State (9/20)
Oregon wasn’t overwhelming in their conference win over Northwestern, but it was smooth sailing for the Ducks. Northwestern is a terrible team, and Oregon is best at dismantling inferior opponents. Evanston can be a trap sometimes, but Dan Lanning is un-trappable. The Ducks should continue their dominance against Oregon State in Eugene this weekend.
4: Illinois
3-0, @ Indiana (9/20)
The Illini shut out Western Michigan 38-0 on Saturday. Illinois is running on all cylinders just like they were last year. The defense looks serious, with Luke Altmeyer running the offense like a perfect symphony. Illinois has already had a road game in the 2025 campaign, so walking into Bloomington shouldn’t be daunting. Brett Beilemma has done wonders, and I hope he embarrasses Curt Cignetti in his own building. If Altmeyer can continue to bear the load of the offense, Illinois should continue having success.
5: Michigan
2-1, @ Nebraska (9/20)
Biff Poggi may be the answer for the Wolverines. Sharrone Moore is serving his two-game suspension against Central Michigan last week and now against Nebraska. With Moore absent on Saturday, the Wolverines looked leaps and bounds better. Using your quarterback, who was compared to Cam Newton, as a runner, turns out to work really well. Biff Poggi was the man in charge, who will continue this weekend in Lincoln. If Poggi can harness the power of his uber-talented quarterback, the Wolverines will dominate the Huskers.
6: USC
3-0, Vs Michigan State (9/20)
USC survived the spoilermakers on Saturday, winning 33-17. The Trojans came out swinging, up 20-3, with a few lucky goal-line stops. Jordan Maiva looked sharp, while the defense has improved immensely from Alex Grinch’s abysmal unit last year. The Trojans knock out a conference road game early and look to continue the party at home against the Spartans late on Saturday night.
7: Indiana
3-0, Vs Illinois (9/20)
Curt Cignetti has the chance to prove the haters (myself included) wrong. Right or wrong, Indiana is tabbed as the team that can’t win the big one. Now it’s time to show the world what the Hoosiers are made of. For the Hawkeyes’ sake, I hope they take home the win so we can get a top 20 team going into Kinnick next week. The Hoosiers are favorites at home, so clearly Vegas likes Indiana. I don’t share that same feeling. Please give me the Illini in Bloomington.
8: Washington
2-0, @ Washington State (9/20)
Jedd Fisch should take care of business against Washington State. Wazzu got shoved into a locker by North Texas on Saturday. Washington has looked very respectable up to this point. The Huskies have a good chance to upset the Buckeyes come to town. Washington finds ways to work magic at home; why not this year?
9: Nebraska
3-0, Vs Michigan (9/20)
The Huskers have the biggest game of the Matt Rhule era this weekend. The Wolverines are coming to town to crash the good vibes in Lincoln. This is the most titillating matchup of the weekend for me. The Pedigree at quarterback is as blue-chip as you can get, to go along with traditional power brands. Raiola hasn’t flashed the same talent I’ve seen in Underwood. There’s still room for both guys to transcend our expectations completely, and I hope we see them face off next year as well.
10: Iowa
2-1, @ Rutgers (9/19)
Kirk Ferentz made Big Ten history this weekend, becoming the all-time wins leader for a Big Ten coach. Coach Ferentz deserves to have his moment in the sun, and what he has done for Iowa football cannot be overstated. Now with flowers given, let’s talk about what I saw against UMass. How the Hawks responded to getting embarrassed on national television encouraged me. Gronowski looked more accurate, Wetjen was alien-like, and the defense was stout as usual. UMass is pretty garbage, but there was progress made in practice. To confirm my thoughts, I need a good 28-plus point performance and the win to regain momentum.
11: Wisconsin
2-1, Vs. Maryland (9/20)
This is where the Big Ten falls off a cliff. I came away optimistic about the Badgers after their loss at Alabama. Wisconsin looked much worse last year when Alabama came up to Camp Randall and trounced them in their own place. After playing down in Tuscaloosa, getting the Terrapins at home should feel like a cakewalk. The Badgers will end the year under .500, but won’t be as pitiful as the record would suggest.
12: Michigan State
3-0, @ USC (9/20)
The Spartans may have fallen into a look-ahead spot, but I didn’t like what I saw on Saturday. Allowing Youngstown State to score 24 points in your house is pretty poor. I don’t want to toot my own horn prematurely, but I was all over Aidan Chiles having a big bounce back year. Chiles may be improved, but the defense still has much to be desired. USC will feast against the Spartan defense, which will be its weakness all year long.
13: Maryland
3-0, @ Wisconsin (9/20)
Why not the Tarrapins? They have played an assortment of Molly’s Cupcakes (RIP) in 2025. The Terrapins’ offense is delightful football. Just a real fun watch if there’s nothing else on the tube. Locksley has an uphill battle to keep his job, but he has taken care of business up to now. Maryland is catching Wisconsin at a bad time. The Terrapins are solid, but Wisconsin may make them look putrid on Saturday.
14: Minnesota
2-1, BYE WEEK
The Gophers are worse than expected this year. It’s embarrassing to admit how much joy it brings me knowing that the Gophers will never be able to touch us. Losing to Cal is a brutal blow right before conference play. If PJ Fleck sticks around, I will gladly watch the Gophers flounder. There’s nothing better than watching our personal punching bag, PJ Fleck, squirm around all season long.
15: Rutgers
3-0, Vs Iowa (9/19)
(Inarticulate Italian noises that do not scare me whatsoever.)
16: Purdue
2-1, @ Norte Dame (9/20)
Purdue was actually closer to USC than the score suggested. They squandered a few goal-line situations and came away empty-handed. Odom has something there in West Lafayette, we’ll have to check in a year from now to see what that something is. The Boilermakers are unfortunately running into a pissed off “rival” in Notre Dame. Look away, Purdue fans, it’s going to be a bloodbath.
17: Northwestern
1-2, BYE WEEK
Preston Stone is not a good quarterback. There is no way the backup is that bad in practice not to warrant a benching of Stone. If the Wildcats had better quarterback play, they could’ve given Oregon a scare.
18: UCLA
0-3, (much needed) BYE WEEK
Last week, I called the firing of Deshaun Foster, but I didn’t predict a loss to New Mexico. UCLA is the definition of a free-falling program. All UCLA players are eligible to transfer, so beware of the mass exodus out of Los Angeles.
The Hawks need to start out Big Ten Play strong, and they have an incredible chance to do that. Rutgers on a Friday night is a game the Hawks win every time. I’m labeling the game on Friday a must-win for the Hawkeyes. Don’t let me down, Ferentz.
