Predicting Big Ten football scores in Week 5: Ohio State looks to stop Iowa’s upset bid
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College GameDay will be in Iowa for the top-15 matchup involving Ohio State and the Hawkeyes. Iowa upset Michigan last weekend after being out-gained 2:1, but the Hawkeyes stayed in the game and drove 91 yards to beat the Wolverines.
That’s not the only Week 5 game to watch in the Big Ten, though. College football will kick off on Friday night for Big Ten fans as Penn State hopes to stop the bleeding as it travels to play Northwestern.
Here’s how every Big Ten game might fare this weekend.
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Penn State vs. Northwestern
Both teams suffered their first loss of the season last weekend, and while no losses are good, Northwestern’s looks much better. The Wildcats competed with Indiana on the road, but IU was a little too much in the end, winning 29-23.
As for Penn State, the Nittany Lions blew a lead against Wisconsin and lost at home, 24-20. Penn State quarterback Rocco Becht played terribly and threw an interception, but things won’t be a whole lot easier for him this weekend.
Not only is Northwestern at home, but the Wildcats play really good defense, and quarterback Aidan Chiles has yet to throw an interception — something that plagued him at Michigan State. The Nittany Lions aren’t supposed to lose this game, but Northwestern is playing better than anyone expected.
Northwestern 20, Penn State 17
Michigan vs. Minnesota
Michigan was the better team last weekend against Iowa, but the Wolverines played with their food and got bitten. Iowa went down the field in the final minutes to upset Michigan. And once again, this weekend, the Wolverines will be the more talented team when they play Minnesota.
The Gophers got a big win last weekend at Washington, and they look to build momentum off of that win. But this game comes down to which Michigan team shows up. Bryce Underwood has only been better and the offense is finally producing.
But penalties and turnovers have haunted Michigan. Maybe the Iowa game was a wake-up call.
Final score: Michigan 27, Minnesota 17
No. 5 Ohio State vs. No. 14 Iowa
Iowa is 4-0, but the Hawkeyes are two plays away from being 2-2 and not being in any sort of conversation in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes needed a walk-off field goal to beat Iowa State, and a 16-yard pass to beat Michigan.
The Hawkeyes’ defense isn’t as suffocating as they normally are, and Iowa isn’t as dominant in the run game. Iowa’s passing attack isn’t going to compete with the big boys, and its only chance this weekend is forcing some turnovers.
Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith are on a different level, and Sayin has just one interception to his name. Ohio State might not be running the football as well as it wants to, but that doesn’t matter when you have a playmaker like Smith.
Ohio State 31, Iowa 10
The rest of the games will be quick-hitter style
- Wisconsin 20, Michigan State 10
- Nebraska 34, Maryland 17
- Illinois 38, Purdue 21
- No. 18 USC 38, Washington 28
- No. 6 Indiana 41, Rutgers20
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