Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin showcased his skills during the third quarter of a thrilling game on November 1, 2025. As the excitement of the college football season continues, both Michigan and Michigan State are on a bye week, but MLive’s college football analysts remain engaged by predicting the outcomes of the remaining Big Ten matchups.
After ten weeks of competitive play, the standings for MLive’s writers reflect varying levels of success in their predictions. Jacob Richman leads with a record of 52-40, followed closely by Aaron McMann at 50-42. Andrew Kahn stands at 42-50, while Matt Wenzel and Ryan Zuke have records of 40-52 and 39-47, respectively.
This Saturday’s games promise to be electrifying, with notable matchups that have piqued the interest of fans. In the Northwestern at USC contest, USC heads into the game riding a victory over Nebraska, while Northwestern aims to bounce back after a recent loss. MLive staff predictions for this game are split, with Richman and Zuke favoring Northwestern while Kahn, McMann, and Wenzel opt for USC.
The Indiana-Penn State showdown showcases Indiana’s recent dominance, outscoring opponents 111-16 in their last two games, positioning them at No. 2 in the initial playoff rankings. Meanwhile, Penn State is still searching for its first Big Ten win of the season. Staff predictions heavily lean toward Indiana.
In the highly anticipated Ohio State-Purdue match, the Buckeyes, ranked No. 1, face a struggling Purdue team yet to secure a Big Ten victory this season. Predictions indicate that Ohio State is favored to win, but some writers are taking a chance on Purdue.
The Maryland-Rutgers matchup will see the two Northeast programs meet for the tenth consecutive year within the Big Ten, with a slight edge historically held by Maryland. Predictions show mixed opinions, with Richman and Wenzel backing Maryland, while the others prefer Rutgers.
The Oregon-Iowa game features Iowa at No. 20 in the playoff rankings, battling against Oregon, which is at No. 9. This marks a long-awaited showdown as these teams have not clashed since 1994.
Finally, Nebraska takes on UCLA, who is coming off a bye. Nebraska has struggled in Big Ten play as they look to improve on their recent performance.
As the season progresses, fans can look forward to a riveting finish to the college football calendar, where every game carries significant weight in the hunt for playoff positions.