Big Ten football picks: Can Wisconsin challenge Alabama? Can anybody slow down Oregon?

Three with intrigue

• The Crimson Tide beat the Badgers 42-10 last year in Madison. While this isn’t Nick Saban’s Alabama team, it’s still talented enough to hold off a Wisconsin squad that might be using its backup QB. Alabama 31, Wisconsin 13

• The Wildcats mustered only three points in their opener at Tulane. They’ll be hard-pressed to hang with the high-powered Ducks in the Big Ten opener. Oregon 49, Northwestern 10

• Through two games, the Trojans have amassed 132 points. The Boilermakers’ 2-0 start is a feel-good story, but reality hits in the conference opener. USC 45, Purdue 17

Keep an eye on

• In a 24-13 loss at Oklahoma, the Wolverines showed their offense has work to do. It’ll take a positive step against the Chippewas. Michigan 34, Central Michigan 14

• The Bobcats hung with Rutgers and beat West Virginia, but upsetting the reigning national champion is too much to ask. Ohio State 35, Ohio U. 10

And the rest

• The Huskies and Cornhuskers never have met. Nebraska continues its expected hot start. Nebraska 52, Houston Christian 10

• This intrastate matchup has been played only three times, and the Terrapins have won them all. Maryland 38, Towson 10

• The Nittany Lions haven’t been perfect, but they’ll still have too much talent for the Wildcats to make it a game. Penn State 42, Villanova 10

• Norfolk State, coached by Michael Vick, is off to a 1-1 start against FCS teams. The Scarlet Knights are averaging 39.5 points per game. Rutgers 48, Norfolk State 13

• QB Aidan Chiles is proving to be a problem for Spartans opponents. That continues vs. the Penguins. Michigan State 31, Youngstown State 10

• The P.J. Fleck-coached Broncos beat the Fighting Illini 34-10 in the teams’ last meeting in 2016. Bret Bielema, not Lovie Smith, now coaches Illinois, which will roll Saturday. Illinois 38, Western Michigan 13

• The Minutemen are 0-2, including a loss to FCS-level Bryant. This is a perfect chance for Iowa to bounce back from its loss to Iowa State. Iowa 35, Massachusetts 17

• The Hoosiers are 7-1 all-time against the Sycamores, with the only loss coming in 1963. This isn’t 1963. Indiana 51, Indiana State 14

• The 0-2 Bruins need a win in the worst way, and coach DeShaun Foster is feeling the heat. Desperation wins this one. UCLA 27, New Mexico 24

Season record

• Week 1: 18-0
• Week 2: 18-0
• Overall record: 36-0