Big Ten football picks: Top 20 showdown between Michigan-Oklahoma highlights weekend slate

Three with intrigue

• First impressions favor the Cyclones, who were strong in wins over Kansas State and South Dakota, while the Hawkeyes passed for only 48 yards against Albany. Iowa State 24 – Iowa 20

• The Wolverines and Sooners have combined for 1,911 wins yet they’ve met only once — a 14-6 Oklahoma win in the 1976 Orange Bowl. Edge goes to the home team. Oklahoma 27 – Michigan 21

• Cowboys coach Mike Gundy complains that the Ducks have too much of a financial advantage with their Nike money. Oregon coach Dan Lanning basically responds, “Oh, well.” Follow the money. Oregon 38 – Oklahoma State 14

Keep an eye on

• In a matchup of teams that had 9-3 regular-season records in 2024, quarterback play will be front and center. The Illini’s Luke Altmyer competed 81% of his passes last week, while the Blue Devils’ Darian Mensah hit on 79.4%. Illinois wins a close one. Illinois 34 – Duke 31

• This game features an intriguing matchup of transfer quarterbacks: The Eagles’ Dylan Lonergan, formerly of Alabama, and the Spartans’ Aidan Chiles, formerly of Oregon State. Michigan State avenges last year’s 23-19 loss. Michigan State 21 – Boston College 13

And the rest

• Last week, Grambling beat Langston, an NAIA team that was 6-4 last year, in a 55-7 romp. Ohio State is no Langston. Ohio State 55 – Grambling State 7

• The Nittany Lions’ schedule gets serious on Sept. 27 with a visit from Oregon. Penn State 42 – Florida Atlantic 14

• The Owls went 2-10 in their first year in FBS in 2024. The Hoosiers name their score. Indiana 45 – Kennesaw State 7

• The Scarlet Knights face their second consecutive MAC test after edging Ohio U. 34-31. Rutgers 24 – Miami (Ohio) 21

• The Badgers face a Blue Raiders squad that just lost to FCS-level Austin Peay. Wisconsin 28 – Middle Tennessee 10

• The Huskers should get their offense rolling vs. the Zips. Nebraska 35 – Akron 3

• The Trojans scored 73 in their opener vs. Missouri State, but points won’t come as easily this time. USC 31 – Georgia Southern 20

• The Boilers were impressive in coach Barry Odom’s debut. Purdue 31 – Southern Illinois 10

• A 33-point loss to Utah exposed the Bruins. UNLV 34 – UCLA 20

• The Huskies will prep for the Apple Cup with a visit from an FCS foe. Washington 38 – Cal-Davis 13

• Freshman QB Malik Washington was impressive (258 yards, three TD passes) for the Terps in Week 1. Maryland 28 – Northern Illinois 17

• The Wildcats should rebound from a 23-3 loss at Tulane. Northwestern 31 – Western Illinois 10

Season Record