This week looks to be one of opportunity for rising Big Ten programs against some of the juggernauts in the conference. Minnesota looks to silence the Ohio State fans and UCLA will look to do the same to Oregon fans this weekend in big measuring-stick games for the Gophers and Bruins after strong starts to the season. Meanwhile, Nebraska will get a chance to score an upset at home against the defending national champion Indiana Hoosiers. Are any of these three improving Big Ten teams ready to take down one of the big guys at the top of the conference?
Here are our picks for this weekend's Big Ten slate of games. Be sure to check out our final score predictions for the Penn State vs. USC game, with some quick thoughts and player-of-the-game picks.
Kevin on Nebraska vs. Indiana: I have been with the job of Matt Rhule in improving Nebraska, but now it is time to see just how far the Cornhuskers have come, or how far they still have to go. I'm picking Indiana to come out of Lincoln with a victory, but I am most interested to see just how Nebraska plays against one of the top teams in the Big Ten.
Christopher on Nebraska vs. Indiana: This game could be trickier for the Hoosiers than expected. Anthony Colandrea has been a revelation at QB for the Huskers and after seeing what Chiles did with Northwestern two weeks ago makes me comfortable thinking it's close early. Still, I think Cignetti is starting to realize this teams strengths now.
Kevin on Oregon vs. UCLA: Similar to my thoughts on the Nebraska-Indiana matchup, I am ready to see if UCLA is legitimately for real or if Bob Chesney's quick rebuild shows it has a bit more work to do. I suspect I know what the answer to that question is but I think UCLA has the kind of offense that is firing on enough cylinders to give Orgeon a good scare up in Autzen Stadium. I'm taking the Ducks at home, but they will have to sweat it out in the fourth quarter.
Paul on Oregon vs. UCLA: This is Dylan Raiola’s big opportunity. Things didn’t go as planned for him at Nebraska but now he has a chance to prove that he still has greatness in him. He looked good in Oregon’s last game against USC. Now let’s see what he looks like with a defense preparing all week for him.
Christopher on Oregon vs. UCLA: This game feels much more important than many people expected this early in the season. Bob Chesney has the Bruins looking like a true Big Ten threat and coming off a trouncing of Maryland; their confidence should be sky-high. For Oregon, while Dylan Raiola flashed his talent against USC in place of Dante Moore, I still need to see more from him to give me confidence he can be a competent fill-in. Still give me the Ducks because I'm not sure the Bruins' Big Ten record can hold up.
Kevin on Ohio State vs. Minnesota: It is hard to not be impressed by the early success of PJ Fleck's Gophers early on this season, but they are about to run into a buzzsaw this weekend against Jeremiah Smith and the Ohio State Buckeyes. As much as I would love to see the Gophers give Ohio State a stiff challenge, I just do not see it happening on the road against the Buckeyes.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Big Ten staff picks for Week 6
