October 5, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Just six Big Ten games on the slate this week.  One of the more intriguing matchups is in Columbus, as 4th ranked Ohio State comes off its bye week still giddy over their last second win at Notre Dame to face a Maryland team that's unbeaten and ready to go toe to toe with the Buckeyes.

History isn't on the Terrapins' side, as they are 0-8 all-time vs. tOSU.

https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/is-ohio-state-ripe-for-an-upset-vs-unbeaten-maryland

Iowa hosts Purdue in a key Big Ten West Division matchup.  The Hawkeyes' offense has struggled again this season and now will continue without transfer quarterback Cade McNamara, who is out for the season with a torn ACL.

https://www.kcrg.com/2023/10/03/iowa-hawkeyes-quarterback-mcnamara-miss-rest-season-with-torn-acl/

#2 Michigan has yet to play a ranked team and yet some experts around the country believe the Wolverines are the best team in college football this season.  Saturday presents another chance for the Maize and Blue to prepare for Penn State and Ohio State next month with a trip to Minnesota.

https://www.clickondetroit.com/all-about-ann-arbor/2023/10/04/does-michigan-football-have-anything-to-worry-about-at-minnesota/

Wisconsin's gone from a preseason top 25 ranking to a program not talked about as much since losing at Washington State in a game that put the Cougars back on the national map.  The Badgers have never lost to Rutgers, which is already two wins shy of being bowl eligible for just the third time since joining the Big Ten.

https://badgerextra.com/sports/football/wisconsin-football-rutgers-big-ten/article_238b9c2e-5fe1-11ee-ba0b-5f6783291b12.html