Many Big Ten teams, including USC, need to prove themselves in Week 6

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After failing their first real test against Oregon, the USC Trojans have been given another chance to show this season can be different against Penn State on the road. This week in the Big Ten, many questions will be answered, one being how legitimately good this year's Nebraska Cornhuskers are.

Here is how the sixth Week of the Big Ten football season will pan out:

Iowa at Washington (Friday)

Iowa is coming off a discouraging loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes. What should have been a close battle showed that the Hawkeyes are far from contention with the top teams in the Big Ten. Facing the Huskies at home will end up being a bad follow-up game. Demond Williams will finally play to expectations, and he will lead the Huskies past a frisky Hawkeyes team. If Demond Williams delivers, the Hawkeyes do not have the offense to win a shootout. Washington will win 30-17.

Indiana at Nebraska

The Indiana Hoosiers were in a battle against Northwestern a couple of weeks ago. This week, they will be in a battle against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Anthony Colandrea will be the best quarterback on the field. However, the better football team will prevail. The Indiana Hoosiers will win 30-24.

Ball St. at Northwestern

So far, Northwestern is undefeated at their new stadium, and I have no doubt the streak will continue this week. Caleb Komolafe will outdo his dominant performance last week and run for 200+ yards. Northwestern will steamroll Ball State to a 48-10 victory.

UCLA at Oregon

UCLA Bruins have been one of the more exciting teams in college football this season. The Oregon Ducks have struggled against tough and physical teams. The Bruins have a new identity this year, and just like Oklahoma State did, I think the Bruins will punch their rival in the mouth. Bob Chesney will get his first big win in his tenure at UCLA. The comparisons to Indiana will look a lot more realistic after a 40-34 victory.

Illinois at Michigan State

The Michigan State Spartans have an edge to them that will allow them to hang in a football game like this one. I think their run game will play a huge role, and Alessio Milivojevic will play well enough for Michigan State to get their first statement win in the Pat Fitzgerald era. Michigan State will win 24-21.

Maryland at Ohio State

This has to be the game that puts the nail in the coffin for Mike Locksley? The Terrapins have not shown much life in the last few weeks. Ohio State, as expected, has steamrolled every team they have faced in the Big Ten. This week, they should be another lopsided victory. Jeremiah Smith will add to his Heisman resume against the Terrapins, and Ohio State will take care of business 56-7.

USC at Penn State

USC has a lot on the line this week heading into one of the most hostile environments in college football. If the Trojans are the same exact team as they have been under Lincoln Riley, they will lose this football game. With a win, they will earn some credibility back and restore hope for the rest of the season. Thankfully, Penn State is not the team it was expected to be, and the last 2 weeks are a great example of that. Jayden Maiava will be his best in this game, and the Trojans' freshmen on the biggest stage will show up. USC will get the victory in another nail-biter, 24-17.

Minnesota at Purdue

The Gophers are rolling right now, and I do not think the Purdue Boilermakers have what it takes to knock them off their high horse. I expect Minnesota's offense to have another extremely productive performance, propelling them to a 48-21 win.

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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Many Big Ten teams, including USC, need to prove themselves in Week 6

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