Michigan has rolled through the regular season, defeating opponents by an average score of 41-7. On Saturday, the Wolverines will face their first big test — a visit to No. 11 Penn State. It's the marquee matchup of a Big Ten weekend that also has a pair of cross-divisional matchups of interest in the West race. (The Gophers-Purdue prediction will be published later in the week.)
Michigan or Penn State? Iowa or Rutgers? Randy Johnson's Big Ten picks
Michigan has yet to be tested as it figures to be on Saturday in Happy Valley, while Iowa plays Rutgers, hoping to stay in the Big Ten West driver's seat.
November 9, 2023 at 4:53PM
Three with intrigue
No. 3 Michigan at No. 11 Penn State, 11 a.m., FOX
Since the Big Ten went to the East-West divisional format in 2014, the Wolverines have won six of nine against the Nittany Lions. Expect a much tighter game than last year's 41-17 Michigan win. Michigan 24, Penn State 20
Maryland at Nebraska, 11 a.m., Peacock
The Terrapins will try to end a four-game skid while the Cornhuskers seek bowl eligibility for the first time since 2016. Go with the home team. Nebraska 23, Maryland 17
Rutgers at Iowa, 2:30 p.m., BTN
The Scarlet Knights might be the fourth-best team in the ultra-tough Big Ten East. The Hawkeyes are in first place in the West. Rutgers makes a statement here. Rutgers 13, Iowa 7
And the rest
Indiana at Illinois, 11 a.m., BTN
The Hoosiers have a four-game winning streak in this series. Expect the Illini to build off their comeback against the Gophers. Illinois 31, Indiana 17
Northwestern at Wisconsin, 2:30 p.m., FS1
The Badgers have outscored the Wildcats 77-14 over the past two seasons. Expect that trend to continue. Wisconsin 34, Northwestern 10
Related Coverage
Michigan State at No. 1 Ohio State, 6:30 p.m., NBC
Fresh off a victory over Nebraska, the Spartans run into a buzzsaw. Ohio State 33, Michigan State 10
The match was the first between Washington and the Gophers since Keegan Cook left the Huskies to coach Minnesota.
