For the first time this season, we have an all-Big Ten slate. Sixteen of the 18 teams are in action this weekend, and each is playing a Big Ten opponent. It starts with a cross-country matchup between Washington and Rutgers on Friday and concludes with a version of Big Ten After Dark featuring Oregon and UCLA late Saturday night. (All games Saturday unless noted. The Gophers-Michigan prediction will run later this week).
Three with intrigue
Maryland at Indiana, 11 a.m., BTN
• Five years ago, this was a matchup of East Division also-rans. Now, the unbeaten Hoosiers are averaging 50.5 points per game, fifth-most in the nation, and the Terrapins have a three-year streak of making a bowl game. Indiana’s hot streak continues. Indiana 38, Maryland 27
Wisconsin at No. 13 USC, 2:30 p.m., CBS
• Badgers lost QB Tyler Van Dyke to a torn ACL vs. Alabama, and Braedyn Locke takes over. The Trojans nearly won at the Big House and will have the edge in L.A. USC 24, Wisconsin 13
No. 19 Illinois at No. 9 Penn State, 6:30 p.m., NBC
• The Fighting Illini found a way to win at Nebraska. Repeating the feat in Happy Valley is a stiffer test, but they’ll cover the 18-point spread. Penn State 27, Illinois 23
Keep an eye on
Washington at Rutgers, 7 p.m. Friday, Fox