Massive weekend in the Big Ten. With four massive matchups, the pecking order in the Big Ten will be established by the time Saturday is done. And, by popular demand, ChatGPT is getting in on the picking action top!
Saturday, September 27
The Best
No. 21 USC at No. 23 Illinois 12:00 PM ET, FOX | USC -6.5 ChatGPT: A rare heavyweight non-conference clash in Big Ten territory. USC’s speed and wideouts will stress Illinois’ secondary, but the Illini’s front seven is nasty and can bully USC in the trenches. Eli: It’s a conference game,
ChatGPT. I don’t think Illinois is as bad as Indiana made them look last week, but if they don’t get some of the players they lost both before and during the Indiana game, it might look similar. ChatGPT Prediction: USC 31–27 — talent wins late, but Illini keep it closer than most think. Eli Prediction: Illinois 31, USC 28 – similar score, but the home team wins.
No. 1 Ohio State at Washington
3:30 PM ET, CBS/Paramount+ | Ohio State –8.5
ChatGPT: Buckeyes’ first big road test. Washington can score in bunches, but OSU’s defense is better than what the Huskies have faced. McCord (or new QB) doesn’t need to be perfect; OSU’s line and backs grind it out.
Eli: I’m going to rely on talent alone here, because I don’t actually know how this game will turn out. There will be points though!
ChatGPT Prediction: Ohio State 34–24 — Buckeyes pull away in the fourth.
Eli Prediction: Ohio State 49, Washington 42
No. 11 Indiana at Iowa
3:30 PM ET, Peacock | Indiana –8.5
ChatGPT: Kinnick is tough, but Iowa’s offense is still… Iowa’s offense. Indiana has playmakers and a QB who can improvise; unless the Hawkeye D scores points, the Hoosiers should control.
Eli: Kinnick Stadium is where ranked teams’ dreams go to die. I don’t know that this Iowa defense is as vintage as others, but it should still be enough to make this a game, especially when paired against an offense that doesn’t suck.
ChatGPT Prediction: Indiana 27–17 — Hawkeyes can’t keep pace without a pick-six.
Eli Prediction: Iowa 35, Indiana 31
No. 6 Oregon at No. 3 Penn State
7:30 PM ET, NBC/Peacock | Penn State –3.5
ChatGPT: White Out at night in Beaver Stadium. Oregon’s explosive plays are scary, but PSU’s run game and defensive line can take over in front of 110k. Turnovers and tempo will decide it.
Eli: Good job ChatGPT! Penn State rolls.
ChatGPT Prediction: Penn State 31–28 — tight, physical, Beaver Stadium makes the difference.
Eli Prediction: Penn State 56, Oregon 17
The Rest
Rutgers at Minnesota
12:00 PM ET, BTN | Line TBD
ChatGPT: Minnesota’s ground-and-pound should control the game, but Rutgers’ defense is feisty enough to hang around for a half.
Eli: Agreed. I don’t think this game will go as smoothly for Rutgers as the game last year did.
ChatGPT Prediction: Minnesota 24–13 — Gophers wear them down after halftime.
Eli Prediction: Minnesota 27, Rutgers 20
UCLA at Northwestern
3:30 PM ET, BTN | Line TBD
ChatGPT: UCLA’s talent edge is real, but a road trip to Evanston can get weird if the Bruins start slow. Northwestern will try to ugly it up.
Eli: The battle for 18th place in the Big Ten!
ChatGPT Prediction: UCLA 28–17 — too much speed for the Wildcats.
Eli Prediction: Did you not watch UCLA get worked at home by New Mexico? Northwestern 21, UCLA 3
Final Thoughts
The Best: USC–Illinois and OSU–Washington headline a monster Saturday; Penn State–Oregon under the lights could be season-shaping.
Middle Tier: Indiana at Iowa is quietly huge for the Hawkeyes’ sanity; Rutgers–Minnesota is a grinder that will test patience.
The Rest: UCLA–Northwestern could get weird, but talent should hold.
