For the first time this season, the Big Ten schedule will feature all intraconference matchups, including a marquee meeting of No. 6 Oregon at No. 3 Penn State. On the flip side, six Big Ten teams will be on bye this weekend, the most in any week this season.
(Note: All games Saturday. The Gophers-Rutgers prediction will run in the gameday preview package.)
Three with intrigue
No. 6 Oregon at No. 3 Penn State | 6:30 p.m. | NBC
- In a rematch of last year’s Big Ten title game, won 45-37 the Ducks, the Nittany Lions host Oregon for their annual “White Out” game. It’s a super-charged atmosphere in which Penn State holds a six-game win streak. With QB Drew Allar, RBs Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton, plus a defense that’s allowing 5.7 points per game, the Nittany Lions edge the Ducks by a whisker. Penn State 34, Oregon 31
No. 21 USC at No. 23 Illinois | 11 a.m. | FOX
- Are the Trojans a factor in the Big Ten title race? Will the Fighting Illini rebound quickly after being embarrassed by Indiana? We’ll find out Saturday. Stat to remember: USC was 2-5 when traveling two time zones east last year. That comes into play for what will feel like a 9 a.m. start for the Trojans. Illinois 24, USC 21
No. 11 Indiana at Iowa | 2:30 p.m. | Peacock
- Curt Cignetti has a 15-2 record as Indiana coach. The last time the Hoosiers had a coach with a winning record was Bo McMillin from 1934 to ’47. Cignetti and Co. won’t break the Hawkeyes’ will like they in the 63-10 beatdown of Illinois, but they leave Iowa with a victory. Indiana 38, Iowa 24
Keep an eye on
No. 1 Ohio State at Washington | 2:30 p.m. | CBS
- The Buckeyes opened as 14½-point favorites, and that quickly dropped to 8½. Maybe that’s because the Huskies have won 22 consecutive home games and are scoring 55.7 points per game, second nationally. Ohio State hasn’t been as dominant as its lofty ranking. Still, the Buckeyes win this one, but it won’t be easy. Ohio State 31, Washington 23
UCLA at Northwestern | 2:30 p.m. | BTN
- This is the battle to stay out of the Big Ten basement. The Bruins (0-3) have been outscored 103-48, while Northwestern (1-2) has a 64-59 disadvantage. Give this one to the home team. Northwestern 24, UCLA 14
Idle: Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Purdue, Wisconsin.
