Gophers

Big Ten football picks: Top 20 showdown highlights Week 4

Before the calendar flips to October, Indiana and Illinois face off in a game that will have Big Ten and College Football Playoff implications.

By Randy Johnson

The Minnesota Star Tribune

September 19, 2025 at 12:00AM

In what could be the best game of the weekend, Curt Cignetti and No. 19 Indiana play host to No. 9 Illinois in a game with Big Ten and College Football Playoff implications. (Darron Cummings/The Associated Press)

Week 4 of the college football season brings five intraconference Big Ten games, including an Illinois-Indiana matchup that could have conference title and playoff implications. In addition, Nebraska has an opportunity to show if offseason hype and in-season achievement can meet. Here are my picks.

(All games are Saturday unless designated.)

Three with intrigue

No. 9 Illinois at No. 19 Indiana | 6:30 p.m. | NBC

The Fighting Illini and Hoosiers will meet in a ranked vs. ranked matchup for only the second time in history. The other came in 1950, when No. 12 Illinois beat No. 19 Indiana 20-0 in Champaign. This time, give the Illini the edge because they’ve played a tougher schedule so far and the Hoosiers will miss second-leading rusher Lee Beebe Jr., who suffered a season-ending knee injury. Illinois 31 – Indiana 27

No. 21 Michigan at Nebraska | 2:30 p.m. | CBS

Since joining the Big Ten, the Cornhuskers are 2-5 vs. the Wolverines, including an active four-game skid. Nebraska fans have had this matchup circled on their calendar as a “They’re back!” game. An improving Dylan Raiola (76.6% completions) doesn’t disappoint. Nebraska 20 – Michigan 17

Iowa at Rutgers | 7 p.m. (Friday) | FOX

How good are the Hawkeyes? How good are the Scarlet Knights? We’ll know a lot more Friday night. Give this home game to Rutgers as quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis outduels the Hawkeyes’ Mark Gronowski. Rutgers 24 – Iowa 17

Keep an eye on

Michigan State at No. 25 USC | 10 p.m. | FOX

The Spartans have never defeated the Trojans in Los Angeles, but they did beat them in the 1987 Rose Bowl in Pasadena. USC prevails in this one, by a whisker. USC 34 – Michigan State 30

Oregon State at No. 6 Oregon | 2 p.m. | BTN

The Ducks are averaging 54 points per game, third-most in the country entering this Civil War matchup. The Beavers are giving up 38.3 points per game, tied for 129th nationally. You do the math. Oregon 62 – Oregon State 13

And the rest

Maryland at Wisconsin | 11 a.m. | NBC

Somehow, the Badgers are host to the Terrapins for the fourth time in five meetings since Maryland joined the Big Ten in 2014. The Turtles take note and deliver a message. Maryland 28, Wisconsin 20

Purdue at No. 24 Notre Dame | 2:30 p.m. | NBC

The Boilermakers have lost nine straight to the Fighting Irish, and now they face a Notre Dame team angry over an 0-2 start. The Irish take out their frustrations. Notre Dame 35, Purdue 7

Washington at Washington State | 6:30 p.m. | CBS

The Apple Cup no longer ends the regular season, but it still has value for the Huskies and Cougars. Washington is averaging 54 points per game, while Washington State just gave up 59 to North Texas. Washington 45, Washington State 21

Idle: Gophers, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, UCLA.