Big Ten Football: Predicting Every Final Score In Week 3

The slate of games isn't mesmerizing this week, but there are some key games in Week 3. Here's what you can expect from all the Big Ten matchups.

Week 2 showed us a few things in the Big Ten: Nebraska still has major struggles, Illinois isn't the same team from 2022, Wisconsin still has some work to do, and maybe, just maybe, Northwestern isn't as bad as we may have expected. 

Entering into Week 3, the slate of games aren't overpowering this week, but there are a few intriguing games with Big Ten teams this week. Probably the most interesting game is Washington traveling to East Lansing to take on MSU. With everything going on with Mel Tucker, how will the Spartans handle this big-game atmosphere? 

Can Illinois bounce back at all and hang with Penn State? Can Minnesota score enough points to beat North Carolina? And can the Hoosiers win two games in a row with Louisville coming to town?

Here's what I think will happen in every game revolving a Big Ten team in Week 3. 

Trent's win/loss record through two weeks: 22-3

Virginia vs. Maryland -- Fri. 7:00 p.m. ET

Maryland got off to a putrid start against Charlotte last Saturday night, but the Terps figured things out and won in going-out-fashion, 38-20. Usually, a team like Virginia would be a sneaky tough game, but the Cavs are averaging 298 yards of offense and giving up 447 yards up on defense -- which is why they are 0-2. I think Maryland covers here. 

Maryland 40, Virginia 14

Penn State vs. Illinois -- Sat. Noon ET

Here's a stat for you: Illinois didn't allow a team to score 30 or more points one time in 2022. So far, through two weeks in 2023, the Illini have allowed both Toledo and Kansas to score 30 or more. The Illini clearly do not have the same defensive identity this season and their offense probably isn't going to be good enough to outscore the better teams. Penn State and Drew Allar are playing good football and it's hard to imagine Illinois competing on Saturday. 

Penn State 38, Illinois 13

Louisville vs. Indiana -- Sat. Noon ET

I'm really impressed with what Jeff Brohm has done since returning to Louisville. The Cardinals beat Georgia Tech in a high-scoring affair and then shut out Murray State. Louisville is averaging 582 yards per game -- wow. But Indiana is looking much better than expected and after a 41-7 win last weekend, the Hoosiers may have more confidence on offense. But, I think Brohm comes in and leads his new team to a win. 

Louisville 35, Indiana 27

GA Southern vs. Wisconsin -- Sat. Noon ET

The Luke Fickell era isn't off to the start Wisconsin was hoping for. The Badgers struggled in a win vs. Buffalo in Week 1 and then tried to come back, but lost to Washington State a week ago. Georgia Southern is no slouch of a team, either. GA Southern is averaging close to 500 yards of offense per game and has blown out their competition so far. However, the Badgers have superior talent and Wisconsin has something to prove here in Week 3. 

Wisconsin 38, GA Southern 17

Minnesota vs. North Carolina -- Sat. 3:30 p.m. ET

Neither team looks as good as they did a year ago. Minnesota has struggled to put away Nebraska and Eastern Michigan and North Carolina went to the wire with South Carolina and in double-OT with App. State. When I look at this game, I think it comes down to the quarterback play and the Tar Heels have Drake Maye. I don't see Minnesota scoring enough to win this game, and I think Maye will be one too many plays. 

North Carolina 24, Minnesota 20

Northwestern vs. Duke -- Sat. 3:30 p.m. ET

I predicted UTEP to beat Northwestern last week and boy was I wrong. Here I am again, predicting a Wildcats' loss, but this time, I feel much stronger about that decision. The Bluedevils look strong this year and Riley Leonard is pretty tough for Duke. 

Duke 41, Northwestern 20

Western Michigan vs. Iowa -- Sat. 3:30 p.m. ET

Iowa has scored 24 and 20 points so far this year, but once again, the Hawkeyes' defense has been dominant. Cade McNamara has protected the football well and he has done enough to let the offense get some points. Should be a 3-0 start for Iowa. 

Iowa 27, Western Michigan 3

Virginia Tech vs. Rutgers -- Sat. 3:30 p.m. ET

Don't look now, but Rutgers appears to have an offense in 2023. The Scarlet Knights have allowed 14 total points in two games and quarterback Gavin Wimsatt has been more than respectable. Rutgers got VA Tech at home one week after the Hokies lost to Purdue. Rutgers 3-0?

Rutgers 24, Virginia Tech 21

Western Kentucky vs. Ohio State -- Sat. 4:00 p.m. ET

Kyle McCord was named the starter and the Buckeyes need to get him more confidence before a huge showdown next week against Notre Dame. This could get sneaky though, Western Kentucky is the No. 12 passing offense in the country through two weeks and Austin Reed has thrown six touchdowns. Ohio State will win this game, but if the offense is shaky, then WKU could make it somewhat of a game. 

Ohio State 48, Western Kentucky 28

Washington vs. Michigan State -- Sat. 5:00 p.m. ET

Michigan State has been good so far, better than I expected, but the Spartans haven't faced anyone good yet. I already thought Washington would win this game, but with everything going on with Mel Tucker, I really think the Huskies are going to win. Michael Penix Jr. has been a Spartan killer and he's throwing for some major yardage, and touchdowns. I just don't see MSU scoring enough points here. 

Washington 45, Michigan State 27

Northern Illinois vs. Nebraska -- Sat. 7:00 p.m. ET

Finally, Nebraska should win a football game under Matt Rhule. Northern Illinois doesn't have much of an offensive identity -- like Nebraska -- and the Huskies are severely overmatched on a talent aspect. Maybe Saturday will give Jeff Sims some confidence going forward. 

Nebraska 30, Northern Illinois 14

Syracuse vs. Purdue -- Sat. 7:30 p.m. ET

I picked Purdue two weeks ago, lost. Picked Purdue last week and it almost cost me again. Can't pick them for a third week in a row. Syracuse is as good as anyone offensively in two weeks. The Orange is averaging 586 yards of offense and QB Garrett Shrader is on fire throwing 543 yards and five scores. Hudson Card has been good for the Boilermakers, but right now, Syracuse is on a different level offensively. 

Syracuse 45, Purdue 35

Bowling Green vs. Michigan -- Sat. 7:30 p.m. ET

Michigan has yet to cover this season, but this could be the game the Wolverines do. Bowling Green has one of the worst run defenses in football and Michigan is really wanting to get the run game going before Big Ten play begins. We know J.J. McCarthy is doing whatever he wants to do, and the Michigan defense has been stout. I'm going to predict Michigan to cover the 40-point spread.

Michigan 48, Bowling Green 3