Last week, except for one game against a title contender, the Big Ten had its way. This week will be different, as many teams will get a chance to humble a Big Ten opponent. USC, however, will keep rolling and maintain its seat at the table of contenders in the conference.
Here is exactly how the second Week of the Big Ten football season will pan out:
Rutgers at Boston College (Friday)
Rutgers really set themselves up for a short season after Week 1's embarrassing loss. The season feels over already, and there is no reason to believe they will knock off Boston College. Boston College will get the victory, winning 24-14.
Howard at Indiana
Curt Cignetti and Josh Hoover will prove once again that they can become a winning duo. Hoover will be brilliant for another week straight. The Hoosiers will win 55-7.
Oregon at Oklahoma State
Oregon has a lot to prove in this game, and I think they will show the team many people expected to see in Week 1. This is a really bad get-right game for Drew Mestamaker. I think the Ducks' defense stifles him and the Cowboys. On the other hand Dante More and the Ducks' offense, they have their way for 4 quarters. Oregon will win 45-14.
Oklahoma at Michigan
Oklahoma's defense will wreak havoc on Bryce Underwood once again. That will very well be the nail in the coffin for Underwood. I see the Sooners getting a great win for their resume, winning 28-10.
Penn State at Temple
Penn State will keep rolling, and I expect to see Rocco Becht have a similar outing to his Week 1 performance. He will continue to build great confidence to help him once Big Ten play starts. I like Penn State to win 38-14.
Wake Forest at Purdue
Payton Browne can produce in games, and I think he will lead the Boilermakers to a 2-0 start following a close game. I like Purdue to win 24-17.
Utah State at Washington
The Huskies did not win convincingly last week against their rival, however, this week I think they will win with style. Demond Williams will put up a Heisman-level performance, leading the Huskies to a 40-14 win.
Duke at Illinois
The Duke Blue Devils will run wild against the Fighting Illini. Nate Sheppard will have a big day and be a big reason why the Blue Devils pull off a big upset. I like Duke to win 24-21.
Eastern Michigan at Michigan State
Eastern Michigan will push Michigan to the brink of an upset in this one, but unfortunately, just like Western Michigan, they will come up short. I think talented young quarterback Alessio Milivojevic will be good enough late in this game to pull away. I like Michigan State to win 28-20.
Mississippi State at Minnesota
Minnesota will have its hands full with dynamic quarterback Kamrio Tyalor. The Gophers' defense looks pretty stout, and they have a great run game as a complement. I just believe that Kamairo Taylor's introduction to college football will continue into Week 2. Taylor will have a star performance and be too much for the Gophers' defense, leading the Bulldogs to a 31-17 win.
Maryland at Connecticut
Last week, it was the run game that was explosive. This week, it will be Malik Washington leading an explosive passing attack. Washington will throw for 300 yards and lead the Terrapins to a 2-0 start with a 45-20 win over UConn.
Bowling Green at Nebraska
Last week in an unimpressive win, Matt Rhule and the Cornhuskers showed they are very much gettable. Bowling Green will avenge Western Michigan's nightmare loss with an upset over Nebraska. The Cornhuskers will fall to Bowling Green 20-17.
Western Illinois at Wisconsin
Wisconsin will bounce back after the Notre Dame loss in a big way. Luke Fickell and the Badgers showed some good things in Week 1. This game will be a perfect get-right game. I like the Badgers to cruise to a 30-10 win.
San Diego State at UCLA
Under Bob Chesney, the Bruins have a newfound energy, and Nico Iamaleava is definitely playing with more swagger and confidence. I like the Bruins to get off to a 2-0 start following a massive 35-14 win.
Ohio State at Texas
The biggest game in college football, maybe all season long. There is no talent gap. Both teams are equal to each other in just about every category. This will be a game where Texas proves just how good they are. Last season, it was a low-scoring battle that Ohio State was able to win. This season, Texas will win in a shootout, 38-31. Arch Manning will get the last laugh.
Iowa State at Iowa
Iowa's defense did not miss a beat from last season. The Hawkeyes' defense will be the reason Iowa has another winning season. However, I think their rival will get the best of them. Jaylen Raynor will lead the Cyclones to a big upset over Iowa. Raynor will outplay the Hawkeyes' quarterbacks and deliver a statement win for Iowa State to start this year. I like Iowa State to win 21-14.
Louisiana at USC
USC looks like a freight train after their first 2 games, and Louisiana will not be able to stop the Trojans. I think the Trojans put up another complete performance. Jayden Maiava throws for 300+ yards again, and the Trojans' run game is just as good. The Trojan defense will suffocate Louisiana just like they did Fresno State. USC will move to 3-0 after a 48-0 win.
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Week 2 of Big Ten football will feature many shocking upsets
