Big Ten Preview: Week 3

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FRIDAY NIGHT

Portland State (0-3) at Oregon (1-1), 10:30 p.m. on BTN

Details: The 2025 Penn State comparisons are fully in effect for the Ducks. They were a playoff team and returned a lot, highlighted by Dante Moore deciding to return at quarterback. Well, the Ducks, picked by plenty of pundits to win the conference title and compete for the national title, have looked listless through two weeks.

Line: No line.

Should I watch this one: There’s a train wreck aspect to this one – so maybe throw it on as you fall asleep. 

SATURDAY NOON WINDOW

Kent State (1-1) at Ohio State (1-1), Noon on FOX

Details: Ohio State melted down in the fourth quarter of their loss at Texas last weekend. The Buckeyes can move to 2-0 in the MAC with another home game against a member of that league. Much like their win against Ball State to open the season, expect a major snoozer in Ohio Stadium.

Line: OSU -51.5, Total 58.5

Should I watch this one: No, you have other MACtion to watch.

Akron (1-1) at Minnesota (1-1), Noon on BTN

Details: Lost in the fallout of Oregon and Ohio State’s high profile losses was Minnesota being routed at home against Mississippi State. It was a showcase moment with the Golden Gophers on CBS with their highly touted quarterback. They failed. Now, they can gather themselves for a win before getting into conference play.

Line: MINN -26.5, Total 49.5

Should I watch this one: I repeat, you have other MACtion to watch.

Eastern Michigan (1-2) at Wisconsin (1-1), 12:30 p.m. on Peacock

Details: Wisconsin bounced back from their season-opening loss against Notre Dame to do classic Wisconsin things in a win against Western Illinois last weekend. Look for much of the same a week before the Badgers travel to Beaver Stadium.

Line: WIS -24.5, Total 45.5

Should I watch this one: For the last time, you have other MACtion to watch.

Southern Illinois (2-1) at Illinois (1-1), 2 p.m. on Peacock

Details: Toss Illinois in the category of teams who disappointed in their marquee out-of-conference game who are now looking to get right before conference play. The Illini defense struggled against Duke. They’ll want to figure out things in a hurry with a trip to Ohio State on deck to open conference play.

Line: No line.

Should I watch this one: Nah.

SATURDAY LATE AFTERNOON WINDOW

USC (3-0) at Rutgers (0-2), 3:30 p.m. on CBS

Details: Conference play begins! This is it, your first Big Ten conference game of the year and it’s a classic East Coast vs. West Coast battle. USC has had problems after flying east before, but Rutgers might be the worst team in the conference. This feels like a last stand for Greg Schiano in his second stint with the Scarlet Knights. An upset win would give Rutgers some life. Otherwise, he might be the first conference coach to be ousted.

Line: USC -24.5, Total 57.5

Should I watch this one: This is the only afternoon Big Ten game worth watching, so do it.

Western Kentucky (x-x) at Indiana (x-x), 4 p.m. on Peacock

Details: Indiana has taken some grief for its out-of-conference schedule. The last cupcake comes this weekend as the Hoosiers face off against the Hilltoppers. Things don’t really get that much tougher for Indiana when conference play starts as they’ll have Northwestern and Rutgers to get that slate going.

Line: IU -44.5, Total 59.5

Should I watch this one: Don’t bother.

UTEP (1-1) at Michigan (2-0), 3:30 p.m. on BTN

Details: The Wolverines have been in the headlines a lot, first for their fortunate win against Western Michigan and then for their upset of Oklahoma. Maybe this will be a little more boring, which is the perfect description of Michigan’s offensive Play thus far in the season.

Line: MICH -36.5, Total 49.5

Should I watch this one: Maybe have it on in the Quad Box.

Northern Iowa (1-1) at Iowa (2-0), 4 p.m. on FS1

Details: Iowa looked shaky in their rivalry win against Iowa State. They’ll be at home in Kinnick against an in-state for once again. This one shouldn’t be much of a contest.

Line: No Line

Should I watch this one: Nope.

SATURDAY NIGHT WINDOW

Eastern Washington (1-2) at Washington (2-0), 7:15 p.m. on BTN

Details: Washington has looked pedestrian in its first two games of the season, including last week’s win against Utah State. Eastern won’t provide much resistance and it SHOULD be a chance for the Huskies to get right as they close out their non-conference schedule. But we said the same thing last week.

Line: No Line

Should I watch this one: Probably not.

North Dakota (3-0) at Nebraska (2-0), 7:15 p.m. on BTN

Details: North Dakota has started strong under second-year head coach Eric Schmidt. Last year, they made it to the second round of the FCS Playoffs. What does that mean against Nebraska? Probably not much. The Huskers were efficient in a 56-7 win last week and should earn a third straight home win to open the year.

Line: No Line

Should I watch this one: Nope.

Michigan State (2-0) at Notre Dame (2-0), 7:30 p.m. on NBC

Details: Notre Dame continues its play the bottom tier of the Big Ten portion of its schedule. The Irish routed Wisconsin in Green Bay, while a game against Purdue is still ahead. It’s a big bump in competition for the Spartans, who have opened the Pat Fitzgerald era with a couple of home wins. Fitzgerald was on the field when Northwestern upset Notre Dame back in 1995. This would exceed that level of surprise.

Line: ND -29.5, Total 53.5

Should I watch this one: Definitely have it on in the Quad Box.

Colorado (2-0) at Northwestern (1-0), 7:30 p.m. on FOX

Details: The Wildcats have already had a bye week. Now, they’ll face Coach Prime in Primetime. This is one of the last games ever at Northwestern’s lake side stadium. Neither team figures to be a major player in their respective conference races, but this is at least a Big XII vs. Big Ten matchup.

Line: NU -3.5, Total 47.5

Should I watch this one: Sure, in the Quad Box.

Virginia Tech (2-0) at Maryland (2-0), 7:30 p.m. on FS1

Details: Oh boy – do we have a non-Penn State game that will be of interest to Penn State fans. It’s September Maryland vs. James Franklin. The pettiness of James against his former employer is well documented. The recruiting battles between Franklin and his former colleague Mike Locksley are similarly well known. As for the game itself, it’s a big spot for both teams to start garnering some national notice.

Line: VT -3, Total 54.5

Should I watch this one: You know you are.

Purdue (1-1) at UCLA (2-0), 11 p.m. on BTN

Details: It’s a conference game buried deep at the end of the night. Purdue still hasn’t won a conference game since back in 2023. Meanwhile, UCLA is feeling good about life after a couple of competitive early season wins with first-year head coach Bob Chesney. Things get tricky for the Bruins after this one with a cross country road trip to Maryland and then a jaunt up to Autzen to face the Ducks. Meanwhile, Purdue gets to play at home against Notre Dame next week. Both teams need this one.

Line: UCLA -14, Total 53.5

Should I watch this one: If you’re awake, yes.

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