Big Ten football staff picks for Week 13
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
While Penn State may be fighting for bowl eligibility this weekend with a home game against Nebraska, there are some other big games going on around the conference this weekend. The biggest game of the week will take place on the West Coast with USC visiting Oregon, and our staff is feeling pretty in sync with our prediction for that one. In fact, most of the games in the Big Ten this weekend have our staff at Nittany Lions Wire on the same page, except for one upset prediction.
Here is who we are picking this weekend in the Big Ten.
| Kevin | Christopher | Sam | Andrew | |
| Rutgers atOhio State | Ohio State | Ohio State | Ohio State | Ohio State |
| Minnesota atNorthwestern | Northwestern | Northwestern | Northwestern | Minnesota |
| USC atOregon | Oregon | Oregon | Oregon | Oregon |
| Michiagn Stateat Iowa | Iowa | Iowa | Iowa | Iowa |
| Michigan atMaryland | Michigan | Michigan | Michigan | Michigan |
| Illinois atWisconsin | Illinois | Illinois | Illinois | Illinois |
| Washingtonat UCLA | Washington | UCLA | Washington | Washington |
Andrew on Oregon vs. USC: The best game of the weekend, maybe even in the country. USC will hang around with Oregon as both teams look to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive. However, the playmaking of Dante Moore will slightly outdo the playmaking of Jayden Maiava. The Ducks will come out on top, remaining strong in the playoff picture.
Sam on Oregon vs. USC: This is essentially a playoff elimination game for these schools, and I think Oregon has the edge at home. USC has lost its other two ranked road games (Illinois and Notre Dame) and I think the Ducks will be motivated to make a statement late in the year.
Christopher on Oregon vs. USC: This one could end up deciding who gets the final at-large bid for the Big Ten conference in the CFP. It is also a game between two QBs who have somewhat cooled off in recent weeks, especially Dante Moore. While Maiava did lead an impressive comeback against a tough Iowa defense, their own defense has been too bend-don't break for its own good. For the first time in several weeks, I expect Moore to look settled into the game and as a result, pull out an impressive victory that will all but secure the Ducks a playoff spot.
Andrew onUCLA vs. Washington: This game relies strictly on the availability of Nico Iamaleava. If he plays, UCLA absolutely has a chance, and actually could pull off the "upset." Without him, Washington will continue to fly under the radar with a victory that it should get, defeating the Bruins in the Rose Bowl. Demond Williams Jr. will be key in this game, especially if Iamaleava plays, to counter the playmaking of the UCLA star with his own playmaking abilities.
Christopher on UCLA vs. Washington: This is my upset pick of the week. While we don't yet know the status of Nico Iamaleava, I do believe that Washington has steadily declined week in week out. They lost to a horrid Wisconsin team without even scoring multiple touchdowns. Demond Williams Jr. was not at all effective either, throwing for fewer than 135 yards. On the other hand, while UCLA were stomped by the Buckeyes, they can be encouraged if the game is a low-scoring affair. I think that it will be, allowing UCLA to pull off their second shock of the year.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Big Ten football staff picks for Week 13
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos