Big Ten picks: Who wins, Iowa or Purdue? Wisconsin or Maryland?

The Badgers will try for their third victory in their past four games, while Purdue looks to extend its recent mastery over Iowa.

November 3, 2022 at 5:07PM
Purdue coach Jeff Brohm spoke to quarterback Aidan O’Connell during the team’s loss at Wisconsin on Oct. 22. (Andy Manis, Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The college football season has reached the key month of November, and that means the Big Ten schedule has no more bye weeks. Instead, Saturday marks the first of four weekends with seven conference games each that will determine the Big Ten's division champions. (Note: all rankings are College Football Playoff … The Gophers-Nebraska pick will appear later in the week).

No. 2 Ohio State at Northwestern, 11 a.m., Ch. 5

  • The Buckeyes are averaging 48.9 points per game, while the Wildcats just gave up 33 to offensively challenged Iowa. Good thing for Northwestern that there's an 84% chance of rain in Evanston to slow things down. Ohio State 45, Northwestern 10.

Iowa at Purdue, 11 a.m., FS1

  • Since taking over as Boilermakers coach in 2017, Jeff Brohm is 4-1 against the Hawkeyes. Let's make that 5-1. Purdue 24, Iowa 10.

Maryland at Wisconsin, 11 a.m., BTN

  • The Badgers have won two of three since Jim Leonhard took over as interim coach, while the Terrapins needed a late TD to edge Northwestern 31-24. Wisconsin 34, Maryland 21.

Michigan State at No. 16 Illinois, 2:30 p.m., BTN

  • The Fighting Illini are giving up 8.9 points per game, best in the nation. The Spartans are dealing with the embarrassment of their behavior at Michigan. Illinois 21, Michigan State 9.

No. 15 Penn State at Indiana, 2:30 p.m., Ch. 5

  • The Nittany Lions took their beatings from Michigan and Ohio State but will be big favorites in their remaining four games. They take another step toward 10-2 by beating the Hoosiers. Penn State 38, Indiana 24.

No. 5 Michigan at Rutgers, 6:30 p.m., BTN

  • After getting 36 doses of Mohamed Ibrahim in a 31-0 loss to the Gophers, the Scarlet Knights now must deal with Wolverines star RB Blake Corum. Michigan 42, Rutgers 13.
about the writer

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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