Big Ten Football: Predicting Every Final Score In Week 4

There is a loaded slate this weekend. Here is what you can expect from every game revolving around a Big Ten team.

There are some great games on around college football this upcoming weekend and there are some really good ones revolving around the Big Ten as well. 

Obviously, the game of the week is Ohio State traveling to South Bend to take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Another game, on at the same time, is Iowa against Penn State -- how well can the Hawkeyes' offense do against the Nittany Lions in a whiteout? 

Wisconsin and Purdue also square off on Friday, which is an intriguing game. 

I'm going to predict all nine games that have Big Ten teams playing this weekend. I went a perfect 13-0 last week, let's see if I can keep the hot streak rolling. 

Trent's win/loss record through three weeks: 35-3

Wisconsin vs. Purdue -- Fri. 7:00 p.m. ET

Neither team looks very good at this point, but the Wisconsin offense has moved the ball fairly well in the early going. Shockingly, it seems like the Badgers' defense isn't up to their usual standards. Purdue, on the other hand, has two losses and it could be three after it barely took down Virginia Tech. I think the Boilermakers make this a close game, but the Wisconsin running attack gets the job done. 

Wisconsin 31, Purdue 24

Rutgers vs. Michigan -- Sat. Noon ET

The Michigan starters have been dominant through three games, may not be flashy, but the Wolverines have gotten the job done. I don't look for many backups to play on Saturday against a tough Rutgers team that could hang with Michigan for at least a half. However, I think with Jim Harbaugh back, Michigan will look like its old self and maybe cover the big spread. Expect the offense to look more fluid and the defense to remain stifling. 

Michigan 38, Rutgers 10

FAU vs. Illinois -- Sat. 3:30 p.m. ET

Boy, things are not going well for Illinois. The Illini are 1-2 and their new starting quarterback, Luke Altmyer has thrown three touchdowns and seven interceptions through three weeks. But, Week 4 should be an easier week for Illinois. It's facing an injured FAU team that lost its starting quarterback Casey Thompson, and the Owls will be on a backup. It will be a welcomed sight for an Illinois defense that is giving up 446 yards per game. 

Illinois 34, FAU 17

Maryland vs. Michigan State -- Sat. 3:30 p.m. ET

Maryland is favored by 7.5 points as of now, but I think this game may be closer than that. Noah Kim hasn't been terrible for Michigan State and Nathan Carter is more than respectable. The Terps have had their hands full a couple of times, but finish strong. If Maryland gets off to a slow start on Saturday, I think MSU hangs in until the end, but I look for Taulia Tagovailoa to bail out the Terps in East Lansing. 

Maryland 41, Michigan State 35

Louisiana Tech vs. Nebraska -- Sat. 3:30 p.m. ET

It feels like Nebraska may have figured out a few things last week after beating Northern Illinois, 35-11 with its backup quarterback playing. The Huskers did have one turnover, but both sides of the ball played much more efficiently. Jeff Sims may be back under center this week, and if so, this is a game for Sims to get back on track. 

Nebraska 34, Louisiana Tech 13

Ohio State vs. Notre Dame -- Sat. 7:30 p.m. ET

Ohio State is favored here and I just don't understand why. The game is in South Bend, Sam Hartman is on fire, and the Fighting Irish have better stats than Ohio State -- they also have played NC State. The Buckeyes had a terrific offense last week against Western Kentucky and Kyle McCord looked like the five-star quarterback he once was. But it's hard not to go with the home team here, at night, and a team that has played much better in all three weeks of the season. 

Notre Dame 41, Ohio State 38

Iowa vs. Penn State -- Sat. 7:30 p.m. ET

This game ultimately comes down to who is better: the Penn State offense, or the Hawkeyes' defense. The Nittany Lions have obliterated everyone they have faced and Penn State has a dominant one-two punch at running back with Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara will have to play nearly flawlessly to give Iowa a chance here, but under the lights in Beaver Stadium is a tough place for opponents to play. 

Penn State 27, Iowa 13

Akron vs. Indiana -- Sat. 7:30 p.m. ET

It was tough sledding for Indiana last week losing to Lousiville, but the Hoosiers may have found something at quarterback. Tayven Jackson threw for nearly 300 yards and a touchdown against the Cardinals. Now, playing a much weaker team in Akron, Tom Allen gets a chance to fine-tune his offense before Big Ten play really starts for IU. 

Indiana 31, Akron 10

Minnesota vs. Northwestern -- Sat. 7:30 p.m. ET

Minnesota may be 2-1, but man, it hasn't looked good. Athan Kaliakmanis has three interceptions compared to one touchdown so far this year. Thankfully, for the Gophers, freshman Darius Taylor is breaking out. Taylor has 334 yards and two scores on the ground. Another good thing for Minnesota is it plays Northwestern this week. 

Minnesota 28, Northwestern 13