The Big Ten schedule ramps up Saturday with four intraconference matchups — including a trio of East vs. West showdowns — while five teams play nonconference opponents. (Note: All games Saturday unless listed. … The Gophers-Michigan State pick will be published later this week).
Three with intrigue
Wisconsin at No. 3 Ohio State, 6:30 p.m., Ch. 5
- The Buckeyes have won eight consecutive and 11 of 12 against the Badgers. Wisconsin has enough talent to hang around for a while, but QB C.J. Stroud and the Buckeyes offense will wear the Badgers down. Ohio State 34, Wisconsin 20.
Maryland at No. 4 Michigan, 11 a.m., Ch. 9
- The Terrapins are off to a 3-0 start and QB Taulia Tagovailoa is averaging 298 passing yards per game. But here's the stat that hurts the Terps: They gave up 520 yards to SMU last week. That won't play well in the Big House against the nation's top-ranked scoring offense (55.3 points per game). Michigan 49, Maryland 17.
Iowa at Rutgers, 6 p.m., FS1
- It qualified as an offensive explosion when the Hawkeyes beat Nevada 27-0 early Sunday morning. Can they sustain it? Fittingly, the two most important players will be Aussie punters: Adam Korsak of Rutgers and Tory Taylor of Iowa. Rutgers 16, Iowa 14.
Keep an eye on
Indiana at Cincinnati, 2:30 p.m., ESPN2
- The Hoosiers are 3-0 on the strength of three consecutive second-half rallies. That stops vs. the Bearcats. Cincinnati 37, Indiana 21.
Miami (Ohio) at Northwestern, 6:30 p.m., BTN
