This is a bad week to have plans on a Saturday. It is weeks like this that make the Big Ten the best conference in the college football. There are many enticing matchups and potentially a big-time upset that could ensue.
Here are my game by game predictions for Week 5 in the Big Ten:
USC over Illinois
USC has been looking for it’s statement victory all season, and unless the Trojans beat Illinois just like Indiana did they might have to wait another week. I do not think the Trojans will win convincingly, especially with how inconsistent this secondary has been for USC. This will be a much needed test for the Trojans. I trust this pass rush to make it a tough day for Luke Altmyer, and for this USC offense to light it up against the Fighting Illini.
Minnesota over Rutgers
Rutgers look much improved last week against Iowa but I still do not trust them to win these type of games yet. P.J. Fleck and this Gophers team is great after the bye. I expect Minnesota to run comfortably to victory in this game.
Washington over Ohio State
Freshman quarterback Julian Sayin will enter a hostile environment Saturday. That usually does not bode well for freshman quarterbacks; we saw that with Bryce Underwood for Michigan against Oklahoma. The Huskies haven’t lost at home since 2021. The Buckeyes have a very good football team, but the Huskies are no team to sneeze at. Demond Williams Jr. will make a name for himself in this game and enter Heisman conversations. I smell an upset coming.
Northwestern over UCLA
Both teams in this matchup don’t have much to compete for in the grand scheme of things in the Big Ten. Their seasons are already over. Yet, this matchup is of great importance. It will decide which team will be the worst in the Big Ten. After firing their coach and their starting quarterback being disappointing, UCLA won’t have much to offer here. I think Northwestern will get the victory.
Indiana over Iowa
Indiana is coming off a huge statement win against Illinois, and this matchup could very well be a trap game due to Iowa’s experience. This Indiana Hoosiers’ defense is a legitimate force, going against an Iowa Hawkeye offense that is still trying to figure out its identity. That will be a recipe for disaster for Iowa.
Oregon over Penn State
This game, unlike Indiana versus Illinois, will live up to the hype and excitement. Last season in the Big Ten Championship Game, Oregon created many problems for Penn State and ultimately beat PSU 45-37. Oregon has the playmakers to have success against the Penn State defense. Drew Allar is a talented quarterback, but he is not as consistent as he needs to be to win the big games. James Franklin also has been known to choke in big games. I like Oregon and new quarterback Dante Moore Jr. to rise to the occasion.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Micah’s game by game predictions for Week 5 in the Big Ten
Reporting by Micah Huff, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
