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
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) is having a standout season, but Michigan will be his toughest test yet. (Nick Wass, Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

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.)

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

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

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about the writer

Randy Johnson

College football reporter

Randy Johnson covers University of Minnesota football and college football for the Star Tribune, along with Gophers hockey and the Wild.

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