Big Ten Preview: Week 8

While Penn State, and a number of other Big Ten programs take the week off, your Saturday will still be filled with conference action. Here are those games and what’s worth watching.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

No. 6 Indiana (6-1, 3-1) at Michigan (4-2, 1-2), 12 p.m. on FOX

Details: How does Indiana rebound after its first loss since December 2024? Meanwhile, how will Tommy Carr handle a Hoosier defense that will have spent the week getting ready for the first-year quarterback? Those are some of the questions that will be answered Saturday in Ann Arbor. Michigan’s defense is salty and figures to be a challenge for the sometimes erratic Josh Hoover. But Indiana hasn’t lost back-to-back games since Curt Cignetti arrived in Bloomington.

Line: IU -7, Total 41.5

Should I watch this one: If you’re still in the mood to watch college football this weekend, this is the conference’s “biggest” game of the weekend.

Rutgers (2-4, 1-2) at No. 25 Northwestern (5-1, 2-1), 12 p.m. on Peacock

Details: Last weekend, the Scarlet Knights won a conference game and ended the Maryland career of Mike Locksley. Things will be more difficult for Greg Schiano’s bunch this weekend. Northwestern remains one of the big surprises of the Big Ten and they’ve been dominant at home – between two different stadiums even. The Wildcats’ ground game should have success, but don’t be shocked if KJ Duff and company make this one interesting despite the huge line.

Line: NW -16.5, Total 58.5

Should I watch this one: I am wrong about a lot of things, but I think this game is worth keeping an eye on – if you’re still in the mood to watch college football.

SATURDAY LATE AFTERNOON

Oregon (4-2, 2-1) at Illinois (3-3, 1-2), 3 p.m. on BTN

Details: Feels like a crossroads kind of game for two teams that have only been consistent in their inconsistencies. The Ducks are a solid road favorite, but their offense looked pedestrian at home last week in a win against Nebraska. The good news for Oregon is that the Illini defense is certainly not exactly a force. Oregon is a solid road favorite and a win here would at least put them back in the “we’re playing for something bigger” lane. But, a loss here and the Penn State 2025 comparisons heighten that much more.

Line: ORE -8.5, Total 50.5

Should I watch this one: This feels like a put it on the Quad Box kind of game until the fourth quarter.

Michigan State (2-5, 0-4) at No. 9 UCLA (6-0, 4-0), 3:30 p.m. on CBS

Details: The lone unbeaten team in the Big Ten is at home for a showcase game. UCLA only has a single game left on its schedule against a team that is currently ranked and the Bruins seem to be doing exactly what Indiana did back in 2024: taking full advantage of a softer schedule and poising itself for a playoff appearance with a former JMU coach. Michigan State is coming off back-to-back heartbreaking home losses. What do the Spartans have in reserve for the road trip out west?

Line: UCLA -14.5, Total 43.5

Should I watch this one: I am sure there’s some curiosity around these parts about what Bob Chesney is doing, but otherwise I would just check in periodically.

No. 15 Iowa (5-1, 2-1) at Minnesota (4-2, 2-1), 3:30 p.m. on FS1

Details: The Gophers have been one of the league’s more curious teams: they have a quarterback that a lot of people like, they play hard for PJ Fleck, they celebrated like crazy when they beat Michigan at home for the first time since the 1970s. They’ve also been flattened at home by Mississippi State and they were trounced at Purdue. Iowa remains the consistent Iowa as always. So, what version of Minnesota shows up in this one seems to be the biggest question. A Hawkeye win here and the playoff talk can get serious.

Line: Iowa -6.5, Total 40.5

Should I watch this one: This is at least a Quad Box game with this week’s slate.

SATURDAY EVENING

No. 16 USC (6-1, 3-1) at Wisconsin (4-2, 2-1), 7:30 p.m. on NBC

Details: Lincoln Riley’s team still has the label of struggling on the road in conference play, especially when heading east out of Los Angeles. Well, the Trojans are 2-0 away from the friendly confines this year, including the 31-23 win in the Whiteout. This feels like a similar kind of game. Wisconsin will probably move the ball on USC, since everyone does. But, who can win the red zone battle? Both teams did against Penn State – and that’s why both knocked off the Nittany Lions. That figures to be a key in this one.

Line: USC -3, Total 50.5

Should I watch this one: Still feeling it on Saturday night, put this one on the big screen as you turn the page on another week of conference action.