UNDATED (AP) — The game of the week in the Big Ten pits No. 6 Michigan against No. 8 Michigan State in East Lansing on Saturday. It’s the first time since 1964 these teams have met when both are in the top 10. Both are 7-0 overall and 4-0 in the Big Ten. It will be a battle of strong defenses when Wisconsin hosts No. 9 Iowa. FanDuel Sportsbook has set the over-under at 36.5 points. That’s lowest of the season in the FBS. Purdue is a touchdown underdog at Nebraska. No. 5 Ohio State hosts No. 20 Penn State at night.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — No. 5 Ohio State is back on track and steamrolling through the Big Ten. Next up is No. 20 Penn State, which is reeling from a baffling nine-overtime loss to lowly Illinois. The Buckeyes have blown out their last four opponents behind freshman quarterback C.J. Stroud, who is operating the nation’s top offense. But they will face the best defense they’ve seen this season in the Nittany Lions. The good news for Penn State is that injured quarterback Sean Clifford will be healthy for the game. Clifford played last week but was limited.
UNDATED (AP) — No. 6 Michigan will play at No. 8 Michigan State on Saturday with much more than bragging rights at stake. They are on the same field with 7-0 or better records for the first time and haven’t matched up this highly ranked since 1961. The winner remains at least tied for first in the Big Ten’s East Division, potentially in a position to play for conference and national championships. Both teams will lean on their running backs offensively and will try to make the opposing quarterback beat defenses with deep passes.
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — No. 9 Iowa owns a better record than Wisconsin and won 28-7 in last year’s matchup between the two rivals in the Big Ten West. Yet Iowa will head into Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday as an underdog. Each team fared differently against Purdue the past couple of weeks. Wisconsin won 30-13 at Purdue after Purdue won 24-7 at Iowa a week earlier when the Hawkeyes were ranked No. 2. The winner will keep control of their shot at a division title.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The final stretch of Nebraska’s football season is all about gaining bowl eligibility. The Cornhuskers need to go 3-1 in their last four games. The final stretch begins Saturday when Purdue visits Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. The Huskers are in danger of not going to a postseason game for a fifth straight year. After Purdue, Nebraska plays fifth-ranked Ohio State at home, Wisconsin on the road and No. 9 Iowa at home. The Boilermakers are a full game behind Iowa and Minnesota in the Big Ten West and need two more wins to achieve bowl eligibility.
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Indiana was ranked 17th in the preseason Top 25, and now, with October winding down, the Hoosiers still haven’t won a Big Ten game yet. The quarterback position — and not just the health of Michael Penix Jr. — remains a major issue heading into Saturday’s matchup at Maryland. There’s no indication Penix will return after missing two games with an injured throwing shoulder. His replacement, Jack Tuttle, injured his right foot on Indiana’s first possession last weekend against Ohio State. Both are considered week to week.
EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — Minnesota will try to win its fourth straight game this weekend at Northwestern. The Gophers are currently atop the Big Ten West standings. They rely on a powerful running game led by a pair of freshmen who stepped up when other players were injured. Northwestern is coming off a loss at Michigan. The Wildcats have seen solid play out of transfer quarterback Ryan Hilinski.
