This weekend might lack the blockbusters of Ohio State-Oregon and Penn State-USC that last week delivered, but we’ll know a lot more about upstarts Indiana and Illinois by Saturday evening. (All games Saturday unless noted.)
Three with intrigue
Nebraska at No. 16 Indiana, 11 a.m., Fox
• Matt Rhule brings his Huskers to Bloomington to face the 6-0 Hoosiers and Curt Cignetti, the brash Indiana coach who so far has covered the checks his mouth has issued — Google him, he wins. Can Nebraska’s stout defense, which allows 11.3 points per game, slow down a Hoosiers offense averaging 47.5? Yes, to a point, but Indiana prevails at home. Indiana 34, Nebraska 24
No. 24 Michigan at No. 22 Illinois, 2:30 p.m., CBS
• Already owning two losses and fortunate not to have two more, Michigan begins a four-game stretch that will make or break its season. After facing the Illini, the Wolverines have Michigan State, Oregon and Indiana. Go with the desperate team. Michigan 31, Illinois 28
Iowa at Michigan State, 6:30 p.m., NBC
• The Spartans had a week off to prepare for the Hawkeyes and end a three-game skid. Kaleb Johnson, the nation’s second-leading rusher, makes sure Iowa remains a contender to make the Big Ten title game. Iowa 24, Michigan State 13
Keep an eye on
No. 2 Oregon at Purdue, 7 p.m. Friday, Fox