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The Big Ten gets the GameDay featured game this week, plus we get another league game. For most teams it is the final non-conference game and their marquee non-conference game against a power five opponent. That is certainly the case for Purdue-TCU, Michigan State-Arizona State, and Pittsburgh-Penn State. That makes for an interesting week as we head into conference play in earnest.
#6 Ohio State (2-0) at Indiana (2-0) Noon, FOX
The two Big Ten schools in the state have had the biggest moment in their respective program’s last 10 years against Ohio State at home. Purdue beat them three times and absolutely pantsed the Buckeyes last year. Indiana led by a point in the third quarter, chanted “overrated” and immediately gave up a long TD on their way to a 49-21 loss. The Hoosiers have had a few closer calls int his series but the Buckeyes have won 23 in a row, tied for the longest active win streak of one Big Ten team over another. On Saturday it reaches 24. Ohio State 49, Indiana 21
Pittsburgh (1-1) at #13 Penn State (2-0) Noon, ABC
Pittsburgh barely made it past Ohio last week, while Penn State seems to be rolling early. This is their last test before what is a surprisingly good game now at Maryland next week, but there is the rivalry factor to consider here. After winning the 2016 game Pitt has lost by 19 and 45, so they are not exactly trending up in this. Penn State 45, Pitt 13
#21 Maryland (2-0) at Temple (1-0) Noon, CBS Sports Network
Maryland is easily the biggest surprise in the conference so far. Blowing out Howard was one thing, but absolutely destroying Syracuse got them back in the top 25 for the first time in ages. That makes them a much tougher opponent on October 12 than originally believed. Josh Jackson has also exceeded expectations and this team is averaging a nation’s best 71 points per game. Temple put up 56 on Bucknell in its only game, so there will be points here. Maryland 45, Temple 28
Eastern Michigan (1-1) at Illinois (2-0) Noon, BTN
Eastern Michigan is a dangerous MAC team, as we learned last season. If they hang around in this one it is a chance for a third straight win over a Big Ten team. The good news for our conference brethren is that they have played pretty well and at least recovered to win last week at UConn. Still, this is probably going to be one of the best shots for a MAC over B1G upset. Illinois 27, Eastern Michigan 21
UNLV (1-1) at Northwestern (0-1) 3:30pm, BTN
Northwestern has had two weeks off since opening with a loss at Stanford, but they are least get a pretty bad UNLV team. They beat FCS Southern Utah, but lost to Arkansas State last week. As long as the Wildcats don’t suffer another one of their usual complete turd-layings in a non-conference game it is a great chance for Hunter Johnson to really show what he can do with the offense.
Georgia Southern (1-1) at Minnesota (2-0) 3:30pm, BTN
It is not the prettiest 2-0, but the Gophers are 2-0 and now they get the unique challenge of a triple option team in Georgia Southern. Both of these teams are strong on the ground, but Rashod Bateman has been excellent at receiver. Georgia Southern is going to run the ball. They have 87 yards passing through two games, but three rushers with more than 100 yards on the ground. The triple option is the great equalizer, so this can be close. Minnesota 24, Georgia Southern 17
Arizona State (2-0) at #18 Michigan State (2-0) 4pm, FOX
Last season the Sun Devils pulled off the upset out in the desert, so the return game should be interesting. Defense will rule the day. Michigan State is, of course, Michigan State defensively, while Arizona State has given up only 14 points so far. Last week they only beat Sacramento State 19-7. This looks like a pretty dull affair, but you never know. Michigan State 20, Arizona State 10
#19 Iowa (2-0) at Iowa State (1-0) 4pm, Fox Sports 1
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¡EL ASSICOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! We’ve got GameDay in Ames for the annual EL ASSICO matchup. It was almost the first ever all-ranked matchup between the two teams. Then Iowa State had to go out and struggle with FCS Northern Iowa. I would normally say that it means Iowa should have an advantage, but many times neither of these teams plays well against each other. Also, true to its El Assico roots, this game could end Q-12. Iowa 23, Iowa State 21
TCU (1-0) at Purdue (1-1) 7:30pm, BTN
Losing Markus Bailey sucks, but so much depends on if Elijah Sindelar plays this week. Coach Brohm continues to play with his cards to his chest on that, but concussions are obviously tricky. I also think there is no such thing as a “slight” concussion. If Purdue starts its backup QB do we get the same boost opponents have gotten against us like Rocky Lombardi, Jack Coan, and Caleb Strong have gotten in their first starts? Hoping Sindelar plays feels weird too because it is like saying, “Yeah, I hope your brain is not TOO damaged for my enjoyment.” I’ll make my pick assuming he is good to go. Purdue 24, TCU 21
Northern Illinois (1-1) at Nebraska (1-1) 8pm, Fox Sports 1
After last week’s collapse in Boulder the Cornhuskers come home to face a Northern Illinois team that surprised them in Lincoln a few years ago. They played Utah close in Utah last week, so don’t be surprised if they keep this one close. Nebraska should be able to win going away, but if they don’t then Nebraska fans will naturally freak out over Scott Frost after only 15 games. Nebraska 38, Northern Illinois 20