Big Ten Showdowns: Indiana Battles Nebraska and the Penn State White Out

Cole Brennan

Two teams. Both five and oh. Both two and oh in the Big Ten. One of them leaves Lincoln today with a loss. It's No. 7 Indiana at Nebraska, noon Eastern, 11 Central, on FOX.

Cole Brennan

Nebraska, under Matt Rhule, has won every game this season by double figures. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea has 1,142 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Running back Jamal Rule has 333 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns, and he's back after missing Week 5. Indiana, under Curt Cignetti, brings quarterback Josh Hoover. He has 1,101 yards, 15 touchdowns and zero interceptions. Running back Turbo Richard has 587 rushing yards and comes off 204 against Rutgers.

Cole Brennan

This preview is brought to you by Jellypod AI, the easiest platform to create AI podcasts and generative videos. Now, Friday is in the books. No. 20 Iowa beat Washington 41 to 24 in Seattle. Kamari Moulton ran for 208 yards. Iowa is five and one, two and one in the Big Ten. Washington is three and three, oh and three in the league. That's done. On to Saturday.

Cole Brennan

Here's the watchlist, in kickoff order. Start with the one we just covered. Indiana at Nebraska, Memorial Stadium, noon Eastern on FOX. Unbeaten against unbeaten, and the loser drops off the perfect list.

Cole Brennan

At 3:30 Eastern on CBS, No. 21 UCLA visits No. 13 Oregon at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. The Bruins are four and oh, two and oh in the Big Ten. Oregon is three and one, one and oh in conference play. Oregon's availability report matters here. Quarterback Dante Moore is out, in concussion protocol after the USC game. Dylan Raiola makes his first start for the Ducks. UCLA wants to run. Wayne Knight has 445 yards and 9 rushing touchdowns, and Nico Iamaleava leads that offense for Bob Chesney. Oregon is averaging over 7 yards a play. Something has to give.

Cole Brennan

Same kickoff, FS1. Illinois at Michigan State in East Lansing. Both teams are two and three. Both are oh and two in the Big Ten. One of them gets its first conference win today. That's the whole story.

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At 4:15 Eastern on Big Ten Network, Maryland visits No. 5 Ohio State. The Buckeyes are four and one, two and oh in the league, and they're nine and oh all time against Maryland. Quarterback Julian Sayin has 1,530 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and 1 interception. Jeremiah Smith has 44 catches for 823 yards and 9 touchdowns. Maryland has a receiver in that conversation too. Chris Durr Jr. has 42 catches for 461 yards. Per Maryland's own game preview, he ranks second nationally in receptions per game, behind only Smith. Quarterback Malik Washington has 1,288 yards.

Cole Brennan

At 8 Eastern on Big Ten Network, Minnesota visits Purdue. The Gophers are four and one, two and oh in the Big Ten, after wins over Washington and Michigan. Win tonight and P.J. Fleck's team is three and oh in conference play. Purdue is two and three, one and one.

Cole Brennan

One more on the slate. Ball State at Northwestern, 12:30 Eastern on Big Ten Network. The Wildcats are coming off that 34 to 13 win over Penn State.

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One line on the race. Six teams entered today at two and oh in the Big Ten, Indiana, Nebraska, UCLA, Minnesota, Ohio State and Wisconsin, which is on a bye, and Indiana and Nebraska can't both stay unbeaten after noon.

Cole Brennan

Now the one to circle. 7:30 Eastern, NBC, Beaver Stadium, the White Out. No. 19 USC at Penn State. The Trojans make the trip across three time zones from Los Angeles. They're five and one, two and one in the Big Ten, with quarterback Jayden Maiava at 1,744 passing yards and 15 touchdowns. Penn State is three and two, oh and two in conference play, coming off losses to Wisconsin and Northwestern. Quarterback Rocco Becht has 1,108 yards. Per the school reports, Penn State receiver Koby Howard is out for a third straight conference game. For USC, tight end Mark Bowman, receiver Trent Mosley, left tackle Hayden Treter and defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart are all listed as questionable.

Cole Brennan

Circle it. Noon for the unbeatens. 7:30 Eastern for the White Out. Penn State needs a win. USC wants one for the road.