The college football season is officially one month in as Week 4 commences this weekend. Big Ten football has been arguably the most interesting conference on the field, and that won’t change following this weekend.
16 of the 18 Big Ten programs are in action Week 4, with the Oregon Ducks and Wisconsin Badgers on a bye.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Virginia Tech Hokies
Saturday, September 21 at 3:30 p.m. EST
Rutgers is coming off a bye, and hope to score an upset win at one of the most difficult venues in college football.
Regardless, it could be good eating for RB Kyle Monangai against the Hokie run defense. Virginia Tech have allowed 190.3 rushing yards per game (21st most in FBS).
That’s against Old Dominion, Marshall, and Vanderbilt.
It would not be surprising to see the Tech defense sell out to slow Monangai.
Michigan State Spartans at Boston College Eagles
Saturday, September 21 at 8:00 p.m. EST
Sparty fans want MSU to get noticed? A big win on the road against a team that has one loss to a top 10 team in college football is a tough task. The Eagles have the win over Florida State, but that dub looks like less of an achievement every week that passes.
Michigan State’s defense could plant a flag as a defense to truly fear with a strong performance.
Iowa Hawkeyes at Minnesota Golden Gophers
Saturday, September 21 at 7:30 p.m. EST
The number six defense in yards allowed per game in the Big Ten heads to the number three defensive unit for football under the lights.
The Hawkeye defense is only allowing 13.7 points per game, but a shutout to open their season brings their per game average to 20.5. Minnesota is in a similar boat as they come off of back-to-back shutout wins.
Illinois Fighting Illini at Nebraska Cornhuskers
Friday, September 20 at 8:00 p.m. EST
If Illinois can keep QB Luke Altmeyer upright and targeting his dynamic wide receiver duo, then they have a chance to win.
As good as the Illini secondary is, Cornhusker QB Dylan Raiola could be that much better, especially without a pass rush to rattle him.
USC Trojans at Michigan Wolverines
The Big House hosts one of the biggest games this weekend. Wolverines junior QB Alex Orji will make his first career start in what could be a CFP Playoff elimination game against the Trojans.
Orji has seven college passing attempts.