Big Ten football picks: Two teams looking to return to playoff meet in Eugene

Big Ten football fans can’t ask for much better than the matchups they’re getting this weekend. A top-10 matchup between the Hoosiers and Ducks with the winner on a short route to the Big Ten title game. The Buckeyes and Fighting Illini renewing a rivalry as ranked teams. And a Rose Bowl-like matchup in October.

Live it up, folks.

(Note: All games Saturday unless listed otherwise. The Gophers-Purdue prediction will run in the GameDay preview package):

No. 7 Indiana at No. 2 Oregon | 2:30 p.m. | CBS

• Two 2024 College Football Playoff teams meet in Eugene. These teams have met only three times with the last being in 2004, a 30-14 Indiana triumph. This matchup features two of the top six QBs in passer rating in Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (197.77 rating) and Oregon’s Dante Moore (183.47). The Ducks have a slightly better roster and are at home. Oregon 34, Indiana 31

No. 1 Ohio State at No. 17 Illinois | 11 a.m. | FOX

• These teams have played 102 times but not since 2017. Buckeyes have won eight in a row and 11 of 12 vs. the Fighting Illini. Can Illinois pull off the upset? Not against that Ohio State defense. Ohio State 31, Illinois 10

• If the Wolverines want to jump into playoff contention, they need to beat a Trojans team that is averaging 48.4 points per game, best in the Big Ten and third most nationally. USC gets revenge from last year’s loss in Ann Arbor. USC 31, Michigan 21

Iowa at Wisconsin | 6 p.m. | FS1

• Riding a three-game winning streak and with No. 1 Ohio State and No. 3 Oregon next on their schedule, the Badgers need a win in the worst way. Problem is, the Hawkeyes are a bit better. Iowa 24, Wisconsin 13

Nebraska at Maryland | 2:30 p.m. | BTN

• This is a matchup of 4-1 teams seeking to have special seasons. The Cornhuskers’ Dylan Raiola vs. the Terrapins’ Malik Washington is a fascinating QB matchup. Huskers find a way. Nebraska 27, Maryland 24

• The Scarlet Knights travel west and will try to end a two-game skid. The Huskies rallied from 20 points down to win at Maryland last week. Go with the hot hand. Washington 35, Rutgers 21

UCLA at Michigan State | 11 a.m. | BTN

• Can the Bruins bottle that offense that beat Penn State and take it on the road? They have a chance because the Spartans rank 17th in the Big Ten in scoring defense (30.6 points allowed per game). Who’s 18th? UCLA at 32.4. Michigan State 33, UCLA 30

Northwestern at No. 22 Penn State | 2:30 p.m. | FS1

• The Nittany Lions’ loss to Oregon was understandable because of the level of the opponent. But losing 42-37 to previously winless UCLA? Penn State’s run to the national semifinals suddenly seems so long ago. Still, the Lions will summon enough pride to beat Northwestern. Penn State 35, Northwestern 20

• Week 2: 18-0

• Week 3: 13-2

• Week 4: 5-3

• Week 5: 5-1

• Week 6: 4-2