Undefeated Big Ten teams square off and a huge neutral site game for Wisconsin headline week four
After week three provided us with all non-conference match ups, week four sees the return of some B1G vs B1G action. Most eyes will be on Wisconsin vs Notre Dame this week, but we have Rutgers at Michigan, Illinois at Purdue, and Nebraska at Michigan State.
Check out our predictions below, and leave a comment below where you agree or disagree.
#12 Notre Dame @ # 18 Wisconsin – Saturday, 12:00 PM EST
When the Badgers take the field against the Irish in Chicago this Saturday, they will see a familiar face across the way. Former Wisconsin QB, Jack Coan, is now the starting QB for the Irish.
The battle between Coan and current Badger QB Graham Mertz, who pushed Coan out of the job in Madison, is just one storyline in this match up. If Wisconsin wants any shot at playoff consideration, it needs to win out the rest of the way this season. On the other hand, Notre Dame has looked shaky to begin the year. A win however against a ranked team would perhaps quiet some of the overrated talk concerning the Irish.
If Wisconsin is to win, Mertz is going to have to protect the football. In games Mertz has started and lost, he has thrown seven interceptions to just one touchdown. Badger fans need the good Mertz to show this Saturday.
Notre Dame: 27 – 17
Villanova @ #6 Penn State – Saturday, 12:00 PM EST
Penn State returns to action following a huge win at home over Auburn. This week’s opponent though shouldn’t be much of a challenge, as FCS Villanova visits Happy Valley.
Quarterback Sean Clifford is coming off one of his best performances as a Nittany Lion, as he completed 87.5% of his throws last Saturday. Clifford and this Penn State offense are starting to find its footing under first year coordinator Mike Yurcich. Currently the team is 43rd in passing yards, as teams have loaded up the box to stop the run.
Villanova shouldn’t provide a challenge for Penn State this week, but look for Yurcich to keep building upon the offense by getting the ground game going.
Penn State: 63 – 10
Bowling Green @ Minnesota – Saturday, 12:00 PM EST
Minnesota went into Colorado last week and shutout the Buffaloes, 30-0. It was one of the quieter games of the week, where unless you were looking for it you may not have even known they played.
That probably suits P.J. Fleck and this team fine as they go for their third straight win. Entering the season, Minnesota needed to improve upon a defense that finished below program standards in 2020. This season, the Golden Gophers have made the correct adjustments and currently are 37th in total defense.
It’s possible that Minnesota could record back to back shutouts, as the Bowling Green offense comes in ranked 122nd overall. Could be another quiet win for the program, setting up for their big match up with Purdue next week.
Minnesota: 37 – 3
Ohio @ Northwestern – Saturday, 12:00 PM EST
Northwestern is looking to get back to .500 when they play the Ohio Bobcats this Saturday. Pat Fitzgerald and his team haven’t had the start to the year they hoped for, but can try to build some momentum before playing Nebraska in week five.
Former Ohio head coach, Frank Solich, retired right before the year and it has put the Bobcat program into a tailspin. Ohio is 0-3 on the year, with one of those losses coming against FCS Duquesne. Northwestern should be able to bully Ohio up front on both lines of scrimmage, and may play a similar style game to when they grounded out a victory against Indiana State in week two.
Northwestern: 20 – 14
Colorado State @ #5 Iowa – Saturday, 3:30 PM EST
The #5 Hawkeyes host Colorado State in their last non-conference match up of the season. The 1-2 Rams come in having beat Toldeo last weekend, 22-6.
Iowa’s defense has been the driving force to their early success this year, but there should be some urgency to get the offensive attack in gear before week five. The Hawkeyes are 119th in total offense entering the weekend, with a passing game that only averages 154.3 yards a game.
If Iowa wants to continue this perfect run late into the year, that passing average needs to improve and become a more viable weapon defenses will have to account for. Working on building that attack should happen this week against a Rams secondary that’s been giving up an average of 231 yards through the air.
Iowa: 31 – 7
Rutgers @ #19 Michigan – Saturday, 3:30 PM EST
Both the Wolverines and Scarlet Knights enter with identical 3-0 records. The two schools also enter Saturday’s contest tied for ninth in scoring defense at 11.33 points per game. As the saying goes, something’s gotta give.
Much has been written and talked about nationally pertaining to Michigan looking like a resurgent program. Using the sledgehammer that is their running game, the Wolverines have dominated the competition with a 3-0 start.
Rutgers has relied on the aforementioned defense to quietly start 3-0, which is the first time that has happened since 2012. Linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi leads the defense with 28 tackles, and will be key at any attempts to stop Michigan’s running game.
Wolverines: 28 – 13
Illinois @ Purdue – Saturday, 3:30 PM EST
It’s the battle for the Purdue Cannon! In one of the many B1G trophy games, Illinois travels to Purdue in a West divisional match up.
Purdue is coming off a loss to Notre Dame last week, in a contest that was a decent measuring stick in how this program has improved from last season. Last year, Purdue ranked 56th and 67th in total and scoring defense. So far this year, that’s improved to 43rd and 27th.
Illinois meanwhile is coming off a close loss to Maryland, a game that saw much improvement from the secondary in limiting the Terrapins’ passing attack. If Illinois is to win, they’ll need a similar type of effort from that group as Purdue’s passing game enters 16th in the nation.
Purdue: 37 – 13
Kent State @ Maryland – Saturday, 3:30 PM EST
The 3-0 Terrapins return home to face the Kent State Golden Flashes, their last non-conference game of the year.
Much of the focus concerning Maryland’s success has been on their passing game, led by QB Taulia Tagovailoa. While the junior certainly has played well, he’s not the only player starting the season in good form. Running back, Tayon Fleet-Davis, has started the season off with 251 yards on 37 carries, good for a 6.8 YPC average. The back has also caught 11 passes for 69 yards and a score.
This Maryland offense will be too much for Kent State to hang with, and the Terrapins should be able to take care of business before their big game next week against Iowa.
Maryland: 45 – 10
Nebraska @ #20 Michigan State – Saturday, 7:00 PM EST
A game that has the potential to be the best of the weekend in the Big Ten, Nebraska travels to undefeated Michigan State.
Coming off an impressive win in Miami, the Spartans will look to use their 11th ranked rushing attack to try and control the game. Kenneth Walker III leads the nation with 493 yards rushing, and has become an early season sensation with some of the highlights he has put together.
Nebraska is coming off a loss to #3 Okalahoma, but many Husker fans came away encouraged by the performance and effort the team showed. Nebraska QB Adrian Martinez and WR Samori Toure may be the key to pulling the upset, as the two could have a big day against a Spartan pass defense that is 107th in the country.
Michigan State: 27 – 23
Akron @ #10 Ohio State – Saturday, 7:30 EST PM
It’s the big prime time game of the week, as the mighty Zips of Akron, winners of two games the last three years, face off against the Buckeyes of Ohio State.
I hope you guys can pick up the sarcasm.
Ohio State hosts Akron where QB C.J. Stroud is going to rest an arm injury dating back to the Oregon game. So for those that want to see a different QB, not sure why unless he can play excellent defense, here you go.
Ohio State: 70 – 14
Indiana @ Western Kentucky – Saturday, 8:00 PM EST
We mentioned earlier this week that one of the surprises in this season has been Indiana’s passing game going MIA. This week, the Hoosiers go on the road to play Western Kentucky, and may want to take some notes on passing while there.
The Hilltoppers have the best passing attack in the nation, averaging 456.5 yards per game. The IU defense should be the best defense this team will have faced so far this season, but this dynamic attack should still be a challenge to the Hoosiers.
Indiana needs to get things straightened out on offense, and could build some momentum by pounding the football on the ground against a weak WKU front.
Indiana: 35 – 24