Top teams in Big Ten football will be clear in Week 4

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College football in the Big Ten will heat up this week with some very enticing matchups. Big Ten blue-blood programs will face off to prove whether their hot starts are for real. USC versus Oregon is a battle to see which Pac-12 team is worthy of being at the top of the Big Ten. USC faces its moment of truth in 2026.

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

Howard at Rutgers (Friday)

Rutgers will finally get their first win of the season, and it will be on the backs of their stars. Antwan Raymond and KJ Duff will both put up big-time performances. Rutgers will win in commanding fashion, 42-14.

Northwestern at Indiana (Friday)

Indiana tends to have one game be closer than it should be against a lesser opponent. I think this week could be that game. Aidan Chiles put up a career-best performance last week, and he should be heading into this game with his confidence through the roof. Whiles will help this game be neck and neck until the 4th quarter. Indiana will prevail later and squeak by with a 35-24 win.

Illinois at Ohio State

Illinois has not fared well against the best of the best in the Big Ten. This game will be no different. Ohio State will get a big 48-14 win in Week 4. Further proving the caliber of team they are.

UCLA at Maryland

This will be the highest-scoring affair minus the Oregon and USC game. Both offenses can put up points. UCLA's offense is a force to be reckoned with. Malik Washington will be the biggest factor in this game. His putting up another 300-yard passing performance will keep this game closer than it should be.

Notre Dame at Purdue

Purdue will not be a Big Ten team that gives Notre Dame a game like Michigan State. Notre Dame will show that they are on a different level than Purdue, and Purdue will look like one of the bottom Big Ten teams. Notre Dame will win 50-10.

Iowa at Michigan

Both offenses have not given full confidence that they can win a high-scoring match. The story of this game will be one team's defense coming out on top. In this one, it will be the Hawkeyes who will shut down Bryce Underwood. Underwood will have his worst game of the season while Iowa prevails with a 21-10 victory.

Wisconsin at Penn State

A battle of two blue-bloods will occur in Week 4. Both Penn State and Wisconsin look like they are back to their old form. Only Penn State will be the team that continues on its path to having a great season. Penn State will pull off a 35-24 victory. Rocco Becht will win the battle of transfer quarterbacks, outperforming Colton Joseph.

Nebraska at Michigan State

Nebraska's offense has been rolling, and the Spartans will not be the team to slow them down. This game will be close early, but the Cornhuskers will remain undefeated after a 35-21 win.

Oregon at USC

This will be a high-scoring match, and it could very well be a battle for who gets the ball last. I think USC finally gets their statement win, and Lincoln Riley quiets the doubters. USC's offense will put up its best performance of the season and take down their rival 34-31.

Minnesota at Washington

Facing Demond Williams and the Huskies on the road is as tough as it gets to beat. The Huskies will keep the train rolling and beat the Gophers 40-20.

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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Top teams in Big Ten football will be clear in Week 4

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