Big Ten football breakdown Rivalry week is upon us

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Nov. 28—It's rivalry week in the Big Ten with all 18 teams in action and most actually playing a conference rival. (Even if a couple of the matchups really stretch that definition). Illini beat writer SCOTT RICHEY ranks all nine Big Ten games and provides his favorites for Illinois MVP, Big Ten MVP and a postseason Illini projection:

➜ Who's on the call: Gus Johnson (play-by-play), Joel Klatt (analyst) and Jenny Taft (sideline reports).

➜ Who wins: Ohio State, 31-20. Some Buckeyes fans were calling for Ryan Day's head a year ago at this time after Ohio State lost to Michigan for the fourth straight season. Then Day guided the Buckeyes to a national championship. Lose again in Ann Arbor, Mich., though, and the pitchforks might come out again.

➜ Who's on the call: Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (analyst) and Jenny Dell (sideline reports).

➜ Who wins: Oregon, 38-21. A win by the Ducks would extend their road winning streak to 12 games, which, at 11, is already the longest active streak in the country. Oregon hasn't won in Seattle since 2021 when Travis Dye rushed for 211 yards.

➜ Who's on the call: Rich Waltz (play-by-play), Ross Tucker (analyst) and Tiffany Blackmon (sideline reports).

➜ Who wins: Iowa, 13-0. Dylan Raiola broke his leg Nov. 1 against Southern Cal, and Nebraska is now 1-2 without its starting quarterback (including that game the Trojans). The Hawkeyes, who don't worry about having a star quarterback, will make it three losses in four games for the Cornhuskers.

Northwestern (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) at Illinois (7-4, 4-4 Big Ten)

➜ Who's on the call: Connor Onion (play-by-play) and Mark Helfrich (analyst).

➜ Who wins: Illinois, 24-21. The Illini have this one last chance to "finish strong" in November. Splitting four eminently winnable games after starting the month 2-0 would not be ideal. Northwestern has been more competitive this month, but the Illini should be able to keep the Hat home for the second straight season and fourth time in Bret Bielema's tenure.

➜ Who's on the call: Noah Reed (play-by-play) and Robert Smith (analyst).

➜ Who wins: Wisconsin, 17-13. Momentum has shifted for these two teams. The Badgers finally have some with two wins in their last three games. Minnesota, meanwhile, has lost three of its last four games and was blown out twice in the process.

No. 2 Indiana (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten) at Purdue (2-9, 0-8 Big Ten)

➜ Who's on the call: Paul Burmeister (play-by-play), Yogi Roth (analyst) and Zora Stephenson (sideline reports).

➜ Who wins: Indiana, 52-10. As far as Big Ten trophy games go, the Old Oaken Bucket is kind of lame. It's a rivalry Purdue has dominated historically, but last year's went to the Hoosiers in a 66-0 blowout and Saturday's 127th meeting shouldn't be much different.

➜ Who's on the call: Noah Eagle (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (analyst) and Kathryn Tappen (sideline reports).

➜ Who wins: Southern Cal, 35-24. The Trojans' outside chance at a berth in the 12-team College Football Playoff was dashed last Saturday during a 42-27 loss at Oregon. That was Lincoln Riley's 13th defeat (out of 19 total games) against a ranked opponent since taking the USC job. Good thing the Bruins aren't ranked.

Penn State (5-6, 2-6 Big Ten) at Rutgers (5-6, 2-6 Big Ten)

➜ Who's on the call: Jeff Levering (play-by-play), Jake Butt (analyst) and Brooke Fletcher (sideline reports).

➜ Who wins: Penn State, 24-13. Interim coach (and Penn State grad) Terry Smith has endeared himself to the fan base with two wins and a show of support for the late Joe Paterno. The first? An impressive showing given the situation he inherited. The latter? More than a bit problematic outside Happy Valley.

➜ Who's on the call: Dan Hellie (play-by-play) and Petros Papadakis (analyst).

➜ Who wins: Maryland, 21-17. If a game between two teams that have lost 15 straight Big Ten games combined happens in front of virtually no one at Ford Field, did it really happen? We'll find out the answer to that question Saturday night in Detroit.

The college football transfer portal feels a bit less mercenary than its college basketball counterpart. It's not been entirely uncommon in the latter for a player to suit up for four different teams in four years, but former Southern Cal/Georgia/West Virginia/Rice quarterback JT Daniels did have success hopping from program to program. Luke Altmyer benefited from a single transfer, found a place to play at Illinois and has thrived because he stuck around. Year three for Altmyer with the Illini has been the best of his career, which is reflected in what almost assuredly will be new highs in passing yards, touchdowns and completion percentage.

The Heisman Trophy race between Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin and Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza will extend through the Big Ten championship game next weekend in Indianapolis. Big Ten Player of the Year honors, though, will be decided before the Buckeyes and Hoosiers face off at Lucas Oil Stadium. So, this is the last chance for each quarterback to make their case as the league's best. A tight race considering how comparable all of their passing stats — and their team's success — have been through 11 games. Sayin has a better opportunity for a résumé boost this week playing Michigan than Mendoza has against sad-sack Purdue.

Saturday's regular-season finale against Northwestern might feel a bit inconsequential given the College Football Playoff or bust mentality now pervading the sport, but the result of that game will have an effect on Illinois' bowl game destination. Beat the Wildcats, and a higher-end option like the Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tenn., or ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla., is still on the table. Lose? Then it's time to start thinking about a trip to New York for the Pinstripe Bowl. That doesn't have quite the same appeal — particularly for a late December game — compared to Tampa or even Las Vegas or Phoenix. At least Detroit the day after Christmas seems unlikely.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos