Don’t stub your toe. That’s the advice to College Football Playoff contenders Oregon, Penn State and Indiana this week. They each opened as prohibitive favorites against their opponents, and they all should take care of business and not jeopardize some upcoming juicy matchups in the final three weeks of November. (The Gophers-Rutgers prediction will run later this week.)
Three with intrigue
Michigan at No. 8 Indiana, 2:30 p.m. Saturday, CBS
• Off to their best start in school history, the 9-0 Hoosiers will try to pad their résumé by beating the 2023 national champions. A victory in Bloomington sets Indiana up nicely for its Nov. 23 showdown at Ohio State. Indiana 35, Michigan 20
Iowa at UCLA, 8 p.m. Friday, FOX
• Like Indiana and the Gophers before them, Iowa fans will make the pilgrimage west and take over Pasadena. The Hawkeyes stay on track for a nine-win season and a Florida bowl game. Iowa 31, UCLA 17
Maryland at No. 1 Oregon, 6 p.m. Saturday, BTN
• The Ducks have gone from a Big Ten title contender to the force in the conference this season. They have too many playmakers for the Terrapins to keep up. Oregon 51, Maryland 21
Keep an eye on
Washington at No. 6 Penn State, 7 p.m. Saturday, Peacock (stream)