Big Ten football picks: Oregon and USC meet for first time as new conference members

Two weeks remain in the regular season, and top-ranked Ohio State and No. 2 Indiana are still on track to meet in the Big Ten title game.

A key matchup between two of the Big Ten’s newcomers carries College Football Playoff implications when No. 15 USC visits No. 7 Oregon.

(Notes: All games Saturday. Ratings are CFP. The Gophers-Northwestern pick will run in the GameDay package.)

No. 15 USC at No. 7 Oregon, 2:30 p.m., CBS

The Trojans and Ducks are meeting for the first time as Big Ten members, though Oregon has won five of the past six and seven of the past nine vs. USC from their Pac-12 days. The Trojans need a win to keep alive their playoff hopes, but the deep and talented Ducks have too many weapons for that to happen. Oregon 35, USC 21

Nebraska at Penn State, 6 p.m., NBC

The Nittany Lions need to beat the Cornhuskers and Rutgers in the season’s final two weeks to reach six wins and earn a bowl trip. Nebraska is trying to upgrade its bowl spot to Las Vegas. Huskers RB Emmett Johnson of Minneapolis, averaging 131.4 rushing yards in his past five games, is the difference-maker. Nebraska 24, Penn State 23

After back-to-back losses to Ohio State and Washington, the Fighting Illini have won two straight and can finish 9-3 by beating the Badgers and Northwestern. Wisconsin will try to play spoiler, like it did against Washington, but the Illini offense will be too much. Illinois 23, Wisconsin 14

Washington at UCLA, 9:30 p.m., NBC

The Huskies are 10½-point favorites on the road, and that will grow even bigger if Bruins QB Nico Iamaleava (concussion) can’t play. Washington rolls. Washington 34, UCLA 21

Rutgers at No. 1 Ohio State, 11 a.m., Fox

Since Rutgers joined the Big Ten in 2014, the Scarlet Knights are 0-10 against the Buckeyes, losing by a combined score of 512-114. This year, the Ohio State defense is even better, giving up an average of 7.5 points per game. Ohio State 56, Rutgers 6

The Hawkeyes’ College Football Playoff dreams ended with losses to Oregon and USC by a combined seven points. They will take out their frustrations on the Spartans, who have lost seven consecutive games. Iowa 38, Michigan State 10

No. 18 Michigan at Maryland, 3 p.m., BTN