By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports activities
This week options 14 of the 18 Massive Ten groups in motion throughout seven convention video games.
The 4 groups on a bye are USC, Maryland, Penn State and Ohio State.
The latter of the 2 will meet in Columbus in a recreation that all of a sudden has lots much less luster than we anticipated it to have in August.
The video games on the slate this week embrace the battle for Michigan and border battle for a 98-pound bronze pig between Iowa and Minnesota.
UCLA will look to proceed surprising the world with a scary journey to Indiana.
Washington and Illinois will meet in Seattle within the premier matchup of the week within the convention, and Oregon will host a Wisconsin squad that’s reeling.
The Massive Ten slate opens with Northwestern and Nebraska seeking to get bowl eligible.
We don’t spotlight Rutgers at Purdue, however I believe the Scarlet Knights head residence with a victory in hand.
And with that here’s a take a look at the six convention video games we’re highlighting.
Northwestern at Nebraska 
Saturday, October 25
9:00 AM PT, FS1
Line: Nebraska –7
Over/Beneath: 43.5
Winners of 4 in a row, the nation’s Tenth-longest energetic profitable streak resides in Evanston, Illinois.
Northwestern, at 5-2 on the season and 3-1 in Massive Ten play, has been a surprisingly strong soccer group this season and sits only one win from bowl eligibility.
The Cats have a house recreation with Minnesota left on the schedule, however with a go to to Michigan together with journeys to USC and Illinois, this one at Nebraska is a chance to get win quantity six.
Nebraska additionally sits at 5-2 total and 2-2 within the Massive Ten. And whereas the outcomes have been the identical as their company this weekend, the sentiments hardly might be.
The truth that I embrace this as one the Wildcats may steal it tells you all you have to know concerning the Huskers in 2025.
The excessive expectations in Lincoln have given strategy to one other loss to a ranked opponent, and the embarrassing loss at Minnesota final Friday, during which the Huskers fairly merely weren’t aggressive.
Final week the offense was stagnant; Dylan Raiola was sacked 9 instances, and Nebraska allowed almost 200 yards on the bottom. The Huskers must be higher in opposition to the run vs. the Wildcats, who’re averaging 190 on the bottom per outing.
Not solely does Northwestern run the ball properly; in addition they do a very good job of protecting groups off the scoreboard, permitting simply 15.1 per recreation.
The protection is stingy, and Northwestern is disciplined as their 28.4 penalty yards per recreation is the third finest mark in America.
Preston Stone must be stellar at QB for Northwestern to depart with a win on this one.
Nebraska will eek out the win and get to bowl eligibility themselves, however the Wildcats will hold it shut and canopy the unfold.
Towards the unfold: Northwestern
Factors Whole: Beneath
Outright winner: Nebraska
UCLA at No. 2 Indiana 
Saturday, October 25
9:00 AM PT, FOX
Line: Indiana –25.5
Over/Beneath: 54.5
Only three groups in Massive Ten historical past have began 0-4 and had a 3-4 file after seven video games: 1963 Indiana, 2001 Penn State, and 2025 UCLA.
Since 1998, the 2021 model of Florida State is the one different Energy Convention group to perform that along with PSU and UCLA.
So, now the Bruins get to try to make it 4 in a row at Indiana.
Curt Cignetti has but to lose a house recreation since taking on at IU, because the Hoosiers have now gained 13 in a row at residence for the third longest energetic streak within the nation.
A tall activity awaits Tim Skipper and his red-hot Bruins.
This would be the hardest defensive group UCLA has performed, and by rather a lot. Indiana is seventh within the nation in complete protection and third nationally with 3.7 sacks per recreation.
The Hoosiers are going to make a whole lot of performs within the backfield. If this Indiana protection is vulnerable to something, it’s the potential huge play.
UCLA would possibly be capable to bust a pair on IU with some misdirections and choice reads from Nico Iamaleava.
The Hoosiers may get caught over pursuing if the Bruins can keep away from the backfield stops.
Indiana allowed a pair huge QB runs within the opener in opposition to ODU and noticed some breakdowns on the backend of the protection in opposition to Oregon and Illinois.
Now, I simply highlighted 4 performs this season that the Hoosiers have allowed a TD as a consequence of a botched project.
The issue is, they’ve allowed solely seven touchdowns in seven video games, and the truth that the botched performs might be recalled from reminiscence additionally would possibly say extra about how good this group is enjoying than any obtrusive problem.
The opposite problem for UCLA on this one, and maybe the largest problem for them on the season—if they will persistently get some scores—is that if they will additionally create some stops.
UCLA’s protection made some performs in opposition to Maryland final week and restricted MSU the week earlier than, however this would be the most explosive offense UCLA has confronted by a big margin.
Indiana has scored on 65.3% of their drives that didn’t finish with a kneel down, and has scored a TD on 52.8% of these drives.
At residence, these numbers bounce to 74% and 66%, respectively.
UCLA will be unable to match the Hoosiers scoring a TD on two-thirds of their possessions.
Indiana retains on profitable, however the Bruins will discover the endzone a few instances—which might be greater than each different Massive Ten offense has in opposition to Indiana this season.
Towards the unfold: Indiana
Factors Whole: Over
Outright winner: Indiana
No. 23 Illinois at Washington 
Saturday, October 25
12:30 PM PT, Massive Ten Community
Line: Washington –4.5
Over/Beneath: 53.5
Illinois and Washington each enter this one with 5-2 marks on the season and 2-2 information in convention play.
In every case, one of many losses got here at residence to Ohio State, and in each circumstances, that loss to the Buckeyes got here by 18 factors. I’d say this one is fairly darn even.
So, how even is it?
Nicely, via the opening half of the season, the Illini offense has seemed somewhat bit extra explosive, however the Washington protection has seemed like they’ve the sting.
So, once more, a wash?
The sport will come all the way down to the trenches and UW quarterback Demond Williams Jr.
Illinois has allowed 23 sacks this season, and 11 of them got here of their two losses. Washington has allowed 18 sacks, with eight of them coming within the two defeats.
Washington has run the ball for 214.4 yards per recreation of their 5 wins, however simply 50.5 within the two losses. Final week Michigan dominated the Huskies up entrance.
Illinois doesn’t have the identical form of athletes on the defensive entrance that Michigan does, however they will push groups round.
Of their 5 wins, the Illini have held opponents to 99.8 yards on the bottom whereas surrendering 209 per recreation within the two losses.
Williams has been dynamic this season, however final week he didn’t deal with the Michigan stress properly. The three turnovers by the QB had been a results of the Wolverines dominating the road and it compelled him into errors.
If Williams can play quick and free, the Huskies will discover success. If Illinois can bottle him up, it may pressure some errors.
The 2 losses for Illinois this season have come in opposition to the highest two ranked groups within the nation. The Illini are enjoying for the playoff hopes, and a loss would almost definitely do them in.
However a win could be a major one on the street and positively one that’s checked out in December.
Husky Stadium is a tricky place to depart with a win. This one shall be as shut because it will get, however I believe the Illini will hold their playoff aspirations alive with a giant street victory.
Towards the unfold: Illinois
Factors Whole: Beneath
Outright winner: Illinois
Minnesota at Iowa
Saturday, October 25
12:30 PM PT, CBS
Line: Iowa –8.5
Over/Beneath: 39.5
This one is for Floyd. For the 119th time, Minnesota and Iowa will meet on the gridiron, and for the 91st time, the winner will declare the Floyd of Rosedale Trophy.
Initially, in 1935, it was the precise pig, however since then, it has solely been the bronze duplicate named after the then Governor of Minnesota.
The 90 battles for Floyd are as shut because it will get, with Iowa holding a 45-42-2 edge. However the Hawks have taken seven of the final eight, although the Gophers did win the final assembly.
Each groups have been fairly dominant on the defensive facet of the ball this season. Iowa ranks eighth within the nation in complete protection whereas Minnesota is nineteenth.
The Gophers are coming off a dominant win over Nebraska during which they stymied the Huskers.
Within the final two video games, Iowa restricted Wisconsin and Penn State to only 238 yards per recreation, holding each to beneath 100 yards via the air.
This boarder battle is bound to be a defensive battle and one that ought to nonetheless be unsure getting into the fourth quarter.
I believe the Hawkeyes have a bit extra firepower on the offensive facet of the ball, with Mark Gronowski beginning to settle in at QB.
For that cause, I believe Iowa reclaims the pig, however the Gophers hold it inside 9 factors in a low scoring recreation.
Towards the unfold: Minnesota
Factors Whole: Beneath
Outright winner: Iowa
Wisconsin at No. 6 Oregon
Saturday, October 25
4:00 PM PT, FS1
Line: Oregon –33.5
Over/Beneath: 44.5
The Geese took out some much-needed frustrations following the loss to Indiana out on Rutgers final week.
This week, frustrations apart, Oregon ought to be capable to deal with Wisconsin in nearly each potential approach.
Wisconsin opened the season with a pair of wins however has misplaced 5 in a row, managing to attain simply 34 complete factors in these losses.
The Badgers have been shut out within the final two video games and have scored simply three factors of their final 11 quarters of soccer.
Merely put, Wisconsin, is enjoying horrible soccer in the intervening time, and the offense is totally dreadful.
The truth that the Geese are favored by 33.5 is one factor, however the level complete being solely 44.5 tells me Vegas thinks he Geese will do all of the scoring. I are inclined to agree.
Final week, the Geese restricted Rutgers to only 2.9 yards per play whereas the offense set a program file with 12.5 yards per play.
That offensive complete was the most effective for a Massive Ten group since Michigan averaged 12.76 yards per play in 2010.
The Geese totaled 750 yards of offense, the fourth most in program historical past.
This week, the Badger protection will provide a stiffer take a look at, however the offense of Wisconsin won’t.
One factor the Badgers have achieved properly is cease the run. Wisconsin permits simply 97.6 yards on the bottom per recreation, ok for 18th within the nation.
Iowa and Michigan in latest weeks had been capable of finding success on the bottom as these two groups averaged 192.5 in opposition to Wisconsin.
The Badgers haven’t been good in opposition to the cross, nevertheless. If the Badgers are in a position to remove or restrict the bottom assault, Dante Moore ought to discover loads of success via the air.
Not a whole lot of groups run it higher than the Geese, although, and they need to be capable to transfer the ball at will.
Search for Oregon to pile up factors—sufficient to push the whole over 44.5—and the lead could also be near 33 on the break.
Towards the unfold: Oregon
Factors Whole: Over
Outright winner: Oregon
No. 25 Michigan at Michigan State
Saturday, October 25
4:30 pm PT, NBC
Line: Michigan –14.5
Over/Beneath: 47.5
It is the battle for bragging rights within the Mitten, and the winner earns the Paul Bunyan Trophy. The Wolverines have taken the final three conferences between the 2 faculties.
This time round, it appears like Michigan is beginning to discover their stride following a win over Washington final week.
In the meantime, the Spartans are struggling, having misplaced their final 4 video games.
MSU remains to be on the lookout for its first win in convention play, and have been outscored 159-84 in these contests.
Each groups have scorching QBs coming into this one.
Towards Indiana final week, Aidan Chiles solely had six incompletions on 33 cross makes an attempt whereas throwing for 243 yards and including 78 on the bottom.
Bryce Underwood is also coming off the most effective recreation of his profession within the Wolverines win over Washington final week.
The distinction shall be on protection, the place the Wolverines are significantly better on paper.
Being an evening recreation in East Lansing will give the Inexperienced and White a raise, however I don’t suppose will probably be sufficient.
Michigan will get the win and takes the four-foot picket lumberjack again to Ann Arbor.
Towards the unfold: Michigan
Factors Whole: Beneath
Outright winner: Michigan
writes about varied matters for SuperWest sports activities, together with stats and information, faculty sports activities, and motorsports. He additionally based and runs the Sports activities and Leisure Analysis Middle (SERC).
