By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports activities
As we head into the ultimate weekend of Huge Ten regular-season video games, we’ve got a fairly good concept of what the postseason will appear to be.
Wins for Indiana and Ohio State would ship each to the convention title sport subsequent week, with every probably receiving a bye within the Playoff.
Oregon can solidify its spot within the 12-team subject with a win over Washington after defeating USC final week. A gap bye, whereas unlikely, doesn’t appear unattainable.
Rivalry weekend units up with a full slate of 9 convention video games.
We check out the 4 West Coast colleges, which face off in opposition to one another, plus 4 extra Huge Ten video games.
The three groups we don’t spotlight this week pit Penn State visiting Rutgers, with the winner incomes a bowl bid. The visiting Nittany Lions will get that bowl bid.
Northwestern visits Illinois for the Land of Lincoln Trophy, and the Illini will preserve the hat. Michigan State will host Maryland in a matchup between two groups determined for a win. The visiting Terps ought to get it.
And with that, here’s a have a look at the six Huge Ten video games we’re highlighting.
Iowa Hawkeyes at Nebraska Cornhuskers
Friday, November 28
9:00 AM PT, CBS
Line: Iowa -6
Over/Below: 38.5
This is a type of Black Friday traditions I actually take pleasure in. The Hawkeyes and Huskers have been doing it the day after Thanksgiving in every of the 15 seasons since Nebraska joined the Huge Ten.
For the Huskers, the custom goes again even additional, with this being the thirty sixth consecutive season Nebraska has had a Black Friday sport.
In fact, of their 15 Huge XII seasons, Colorado was the opponent, with its Oklahoma rivalry closing out the final six seasons of the Huge Eight.
The Heroes Trophy is on the road, together with a ton of bragging rights between the border states. The Heroes Recreation additionally options citizen heroes from every state, which is at all times a pleasant added function to the rivalry.
On the sphere, the Hawkeyes enter this one having received 9 of the final ten video games within the sequence, together with the final six performed in Lincoln. Iowa shouldn’t be solely the warmer group on this sequence, but additionally the group in higher form this season.
Iowa has misplaced two of their final three, however the losses to Oregon and at USC have been each video games the Hawkeyes have been in on the finish, and have been hardly dangerous losses in any method, form, or kind. Make no mistake; this Iowa group could be very strong.
The Huskers have an identical 7-4 mark on the season, similar as Iowa, however Nebraska is struggling a bit for the time being, after shedding to Penn State. They didn’t carry out nicely below second-string QB TJ Lateef.
Whereas the beginning sign caller is out, the Huskers want Emmett Johnson—presently fourth within the nation with 112.2 dashing yards per sport—to step up.
Johnson is the primary Huge Ten participant to have 1,200 dashing yards and 40 receptions in a season since 2017. The man who did it again then was Saquon Barkley.
The Husker protection ranks second within the nation in opposition to the move, however in opposition to Iowa, that determine shouldn’t be actually going to get you a lot.
The larger deal is that Nebraska’s run protection is 94th within the nation and coming off an outing wherein Penn State ran for 231 yards on them. When you informed Iowa to disregard the passing sport and simply run it a ton, you’d hear no complaints from Kirk Ferentz.
This rivalry stays shut, however the Hawkeyes will run everywhere in the Huskers and go away Lincoln with a win but once more.
In opposition to the unfold: Nebraska
Factors Complete: Below
Outright winner: Iowa
No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers at Purdue Boilermakers
Friday, November 28
4:30 PM PT, NBC
Line: Indiana -28.5
Over/Below: 54.5
This would be the a hundredth time these colleges have battled for the Previous Oaken Bucket and the 126th assembly all-time between the Hoosier State rivals.
Traditionally, this is without doubt one of the extra lopsided rivalries within the nation, with the Boilermakers proudly owning a win in almost two-thirds of the matchups. However the present state of each applications couldn’t be farther from their historic tendencies.
Purdue enters this one having misplaced 9 straight video games and every of their final 17 Huge Ten contests. Indiana is ranked second within the nation with a 16-1 convention mark over the past two seasons, and their present 11-game win streak is tied for the second longest within the nation.
These applications are heading in reverse instructions for the time being.
Heisman frontrunner Fernando Mendoza leads the Hoosier offense. However nearly as good because the QB has been this season, the Indiana floor assault propels the high-powered offense.
IU ranks 14th within the nation and third within the convention, with 218.6 dashing yards per sport. Purdue is 92nd nationally in opposition to the run. The Hoosier O-Line ought to dominate.
To take this a step additional, nearly as good because the Indiana offense has been, the protection has been even higher. With out that stellar “D,” Indiana wouldn’t be a respectable title contender.
The Boilers haven’t gained 300 yards of whole offense in any of their final three video games. Not shockingly, that corresponds with the lack of RB Devin Mockobee, a part of a floor assault that had posted a pair of 200+ yard video games within the three video games prior.
The Boilermakers will battle to get something going in opposition to the Hoosier protection in anticipated chilly and windy nighttime circumstances.
Purdue has proven enchancment in Yr One below Barry Odom, however stays far behind their rivals to the south. Indiana wins this one huge, punching their ticket to the Huge Ten Championship sport.
In opposition to the unfold: Indiana
Factors Complete: Over
Outright winner: Indiana
No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes at No. 15 Michigan Wolverines
Saturday, November 29
9:00 AM PT, FOX
Line: Ohio State -10
Over/Below: 44.5
These powerhouse rivals meet for the 121st time, and as soon as once more, a shot at a convention crown is on the road. An OSU win sends them to the Huge Ten title sport.
A loss would put the Wolverines in a robust place to return to Indianapolis, relying on the outcomes in West Lafayette and Seattle.
Evidently, that is one other huge one. Ohio State appears to be like just like the dominant group this season. Their protection is elite, barely permitting 200 yards of offense per sport.
OSU is limiting opponents to simply 126.6 yards passing per sport and has held 4 Huge Ten opponents to below 100 yards by means of the air this season. The Buckeyes are a double-digit favourite for a motive . . . However we’ve got seen this earlier than.
Ryan Day is 53-5 in Huge Ten convention video games since turning into the top coach in Columbus. 4 of these 5 losses have come by the hands of Michigan, and every has come within the final 4 conferences between the applications.
Michigan has been excellent on the bottom this season, dashing for 223.5 yards per sport. UM has gotten it completed on the bottom in opposition to some stout run defenses as nicely.
Washington, Wisconsin, and Oklahoma—all among the many Prime 20 in run protection this season—obtained pushed round by the Wolverines up entrance, who averaged 169.3 yards on the bottom in opposition to them.
The one sport Michigan was shut down on the bottom in was the loss to USC.
Michigan shall be affected person with the run sport and won’t be afraid to get in a rock combat with OSU.
For Julian Sayin and the Buckeyes, this would be the largest defensive problem. The Wolverines will make it tough for the Buckeyes to run the ball, and the QB might want to take some photographs.
Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate will must be at their finest on the skin.
Positive, the Buckeye protection has been spectacular, and the offense continues to get higher, however issues deeper, the very best win on the OSU schedule was a 14-7 win over Texas within the opener.
OSU prevented Oregon, Indiana, and USC on the convention slate. This one is ready to function the hardest opponent the Buckeyes have performed all season.
Michigan has additionally gotten higher because the season has progressed, and there’s a motive this program is 40-6 in convention play over the past three-plus seasons.
If Michigan can get constant and fixed stress on Sayin, the Wolverines will win this one once more. However I’m not positive they are going to have the ability to do this sufficient.
This one stays shut, however ultimately, OSU has too many offensive weapons and can finish the Michigan win streak within the sequence.
In opposition to the unfold: Michigan
Factors Complete: Below
Outright winner: Ohio State
No. 6 Oregon Geese at Washington Huskies
Saturday, November 29
12:30 PM PT, CBS
Line: Oregon -6.5
Over/Below: 51.5
The Geese have a shot to get into the Huge Ten Championship sport subsequent week, however will want a win in Seattle and a few assist.
Oregon can punch its ticket to the CFB Playoff with a win this weekend, and based mostly on the latest rankings, the Geese are in line for a strong seed and residential sport within the opener.
However earlier than Oregon may even take into consideration any of these prospects, they want to focus on the 118th assembly with Washington.
The Geese haven’t received in Seattle since 2021, and the Huskies have received three of the final 4 within the sequence.
This one will come right down to who controls the road of scrimmage, particularly when Oregon has the soccer. The Geese run the ball higher than any Huge Ten group this season, churning out 228.6 yards on the bottom per sport, the eighth most potent assault within the nation.
Washington has the nation’s 18th-best run protection, permitting 103.4 per outing. The sport may hinge on the battle on the line. Whereas the UW run protection has been stout, the entrance line has not been capable of create many sacks this season.
Oregon has allowed simply 1.09 sacks per sport this season, the 14th-fewest within the nation. Washington is just attending to the QB 1.73 occasions per sport, rating 96th within the nation.
The Geese’ offensive line is banged up, which may open issues up for Washington to create stress. If Oregon provides Dante Moore sufficient time to function, they are going to have the ability to create alternatives within the passing sport.
The Geese are additionally environment friendly at hole runs. If UW brings an excessive amount of warmth, UO will block down, and with a kickout from a guard, create a crease up the center. Oregon is without doubt one of the finest groups within the nation at this, however the line will must be wholesome and lively.
Demond Williams’ reads would be the key for Washington on offense. The Huskies will look to create an additional hole on offense, a staple of any Jedd Fisch offense.
UW likes to make use of a second TE or H-Again to create a three-man formation on the road on both facet of the middle. This may trigger the protection to place an additional man within the field to defend.
Within the run sport, that creates an additional hole; within the passing sport, it forces a participant from protection. This performs to the power of Williams, Jonah Coleman, and Denzel Boston, the three largest playmakers within the UW assault.
The Geese’ potential to disguise their appears to be like will dictate the success they’ve on that facet of the ball. Search for Dan Lanning to convey some stress from totally different locations.
Since becoming a member of the Huge Ten, Oregon is 9-0 in true highway video games with six of these wins coming by 20+ factors. This one won’t be a 20-point win, however the Geese will safe their Playoff spot with a win over Washington.
In opposition to the unfold: Oregon
Factors Complete: Below
Outright winner: Oregon
Wisconsin Badgers at Minnesota Golden Gophers
Saturday, November 29
12:30 PM PT, FS1
Line: Minnesota -1.5
Over/Below: 37.5
No FBS groups have battled extra usually than Wisconsin and Minnesota. This would be the one hundred and thirty fifth time the Badger and Gophers have met on the gridiron, and the sequence couldn’t be any nearer.
The colleges are tied 63-63-8 within the sequence. Because the introduction of Paul Bunyan’s Axe in 1948, Wisconsin leads the sequence, 46-27-3.
This one is ready to be simply as shut because the all-time sequence. Wisconsin is 2-1 of their final three video games, with the lone loss coming at Indiana. The Badgers are beginning to discover one thing, and final week they ran for 209 yards within the win over Illinois.
Duplicating that success on the bottom won’t be straightforward this weekend. The Gophers have been good in opposition to the run, permitting simply 124.7 per sport.
They did get shredded on the bottom final week by Northwestern as they allowed 220; in addition they allowed 253 in an earlier sport in opposition to Purdue. The Gophers can’t afford a lapse within the floor protection on Saturday, or Darrion Dupre may make them pay.
The Gophers allowed the large day on the bottom final week away from residence. Minnesota has but to win a sport exterior of Huntington Financial institution Stadium, however they’ve received all of them at residence.
Fortunately for the Gophers, this one is in Minneapolis. The Badger offense has struggled this season, however the younger group is enhancing.
This one is certain to be a low scoring affair, however Minnesota has a bit of bit extra on the offensive facet of the ball. Drake Lindsey will create sufficient performs at QB to maintain the Gophers excellent at residence in 2025.
In opposition to the unfold: Minnesota
Factors Complete: Below
Outright winner: Minnesota
UCLA Bruins at No. 17 USC Trojans
Saturday, November 29
4:30 PM PT, NBC
Line: USC -21.5
Over/Below: 59.5
USC and UCLA will battle for the Victory Bell within the ninety fifth version of the Battle for Los Angeles contained in the Coliseum.
The salient query is the standing of Nico Iamaleava, who’s questionable with neck spasms. Clearly, the Bruin offense could be much better served with a wholesome Iamaleava within the lineup, however it is going to actually fall on the Bruins protection to step up on this one.
UCLA has been good in opposition to the move, permitting simply 191.1 by means of the air per sport, rating twenty ninth within the nation. That unit can have their fingers full. Jayden Maiava has put up nice numbers and he has top-of-the-line WRs within the nation at his disposal.
Makai Lemon’s 102.2 receiving yards per sport rank because the third-most within the nation, and probably the most of any energy convention receiver this season. 74.4% of the wideout’s receptions have netted the Trojans both a primary down or a landing.
The large downside for the UCLA protection has been slowing down the run. USC will definitely take regardless of the Bruins give them, and if the passing alternatives are restricted, the Trojans will run the ball on the Bruins.
Clearly if Iamaleava performs it is going to give the Bruins extra firepower on offense, however UCLA actually can’t afford to get in a shootout with the Trojans. The Bruins would not have sufficient on offense to match the Trojans rating for rating.
The Playoff could also be out of attain for the Trojans, however all is definitely not misplaced. USC has an opportunity to achieve 10 wins with a win this weekend and within the ensuing bowl sport. Search for USC to make a press release with a convincing win over their cross-town rivals.
In opposition to the unfold: USC
Factors Complete: Over
Outright winner: USC
writes about numerous subjects for SuperWest sports activities, together with stats and information, school sports activities, and motorsports. He additionally based and runs the Sports activities and Leisure Analysis Middle (SERC).
