If you’re looking for old-school, 1970s and ’80s blue blood matchups, the Big Ten has you covered this week.
Penn State at No. 1 Ohio State, and No. 23 USC at Nebraska.
That’s a combined 21 national championships in the poll era (1936-present). While the bloom is off Penn State’s rose and Nebraska was exposed at Huntington Bank Stadium, both still are dangerous enough to push a favorite.
(Note: All games Saturday. The Gophers-Michigan State prediction will run in the GameDay preview package.)
Three with intrigue
Penn State at No. 1 Ohio State | 11 a.m. | Fox
- The Buckeyes have beaten the Nittany Lions eight consecutive times and in 12 of the past 13 meetings. With Indiana charging hard down the Big Ten homestretch with the Buckeyes in sight, don’t expect Ohio State to falter against a reeling Penn State team. Ohio State 34, Penn State 14
No. 23 USC at Nebraska | 6:30 p.m. | NBC
- The Trojans and Cornhuskers have met only six times in their history, with USC holding a 5-0-1 advantage, including a 28-20 win in Los Angeles last year. The Trojans, though, are averaging 52 points at home and 29.7 on the road. The Huskers, averaging 40 at home, earn a mild upset. Nebraska 28, USC 24
No. 2 Indiana at Maryland | 2:30 p.m. | CBS
- The Terrapins won three straight against the Hoosiers from 2021 to 2023, but that was before coach Curt Cignetti landed in Bloomington and shook up the college football world. Indiana keeps piling up wins. Indiana 38, Maryland 17
Keep an eye on
Purdue at No. 21 Michigan | 6 p.m. | BTN
