September 16, 2025
Friday, September 19th
8:00 P.M.
Iowa (2-1) at Rutgers (3-0)
This is the moment the Scarlett Knights have been waiting for. Their plan was to blow through the first three games of the season (although Ohio made it interesting) and be 3-0 for the Week 4 Big Ten match up at home against the Hawkeyes. So far so good-everything has played out exactly the way they hoped it would. Rutgers capped off that three-game-run with a 60-10 win over Norfolk State last week. Quarterback, Athan Kaliakmanis completed 18 of 26 passes for 309 yards and 1 touchdown. Sophomore running back, Antwan Raymond, carried the rock 16 times for 79 yards and 2 touchdowns. Norfolk State was forced to punt the ball 7 times, and they were 2 of 10 on third downs. It was an impressive and a dominant win over an opponent they were supposed to dominate.
Iowa is 2-1 overall right now after crushing Umass last week, 47-7. The Hawkeyes only loss so far was a 3-point game against a very good and nationally ranked Iowa State team. Iowa was tested, and they fell short, but they’re a better team now because of it. Last week, Umass wasn’t able to convert a single third down, and the Hawkeye defense held them to just 119 yards of total offense.
This week, the Rutgers offense will be challenged. Iowa has always been known for tough defense, and this season is no different. Iowa’s quarterback, Mark Gronowski, still hasn’t reached a level of play Iowa fans are comfortable with, and the Hawkeyes are banged up at running back. With questionable quarterback play and an injury riddled backfield, it appears as if the Hawkeyes are going to have to dig deep to get some points on the board this week. Rutgers, on the other hand, hasn’t had any problems scoring, but they haven’t met an Iowa caliber defense. This is going to be a close game.
Saturday, September 20th
12:00 Noon
Maryland (3-0) at Wisconsin (2-1)
Wins against Florida Atlantic, Northern Illinois, and Towson have the Terrapins quietly sitting at 3-0, but if they want to be taken seriously, they’re going to have to win this weekend in Camp Randall Stadium. Last week, Maryland’s offense scored 44 points, and their defense held Towson to just 51 rushing yards.
After starting this season with two consecutive wins, the Badgers lost on the road to nationally ranked Alabama, 38-14. Quarterback, Danny O’Neill, threw two interceptions while three running backs combined failed to rush for 100 yards.
Wisconsin is home this weekend, and Camp Randall has always been a difficult place for opposing teams to steal a win. The Badgers, hopefully, learned a thing or two about themselves during last week’s humbling loss to Bama. Mayland is hot, and they’re playing with confidence, but Maryland is another one of those undefeated/untested teams. I expect Wisconsin to get more production out of their offense this week and cut Maryland’s winning streak short at three games.
3:00 P.M.
Oregon State (0-3) at (6) Oregon (3-0)
The Oregon State Beavers are only one of two teams left in the PAC-12, but right now, they’re 0-3 in nonconference games. The goal this week is to stop the bleeding, but who knows if that’s even going to be possible on the road against sixth ranked Oregon. Hey, at least we know where the Beavers stand, and you can’t say they haven’t been tested. If anyone has been tested, it’s Oregon State. They opened their season against Cal, who by the way is still undefeated and getting better every week, then it was Fresno State, and last week, they played Texas Tech who was undefeated and nationally ranked. The Beavers are 0-3, but they have nothing to lose.
The Oregon Ducks are 3-0, but I think they actually fell two places in the AP Top 25 rankings after a 34-14 win against conference foe, Northwestern. Oregon has yet to be tested, and honestly, Northwestern was probably the toughest team they faced all season.
THIS IS A TRAP GAME for the Ducks. They’re 3-0, and believe me, with a road game next week against Penn State, it’s going to be way too easy for them to overlook and underestimate the winless Beavers. I think Oregon will pick up their fourth win, but this game could end up being closer than anyone predicted.
3:30 P.M.
(21) Michigan (2-1) at Nebraska (3-0)
Nebraska is 3-0, and if they can beat Michigan this week, we might see them in the Top 25 next week. Last week, the Cornhuskers beat Houston Christian 59-7, but who is Houston Christian?
Michigan rebounded with a 63-3 win over Central Michigan last week. The Wolverines opened up at home with a win against New Mexico, and then, they lost on the road to nationally ranked Oklahoma, 24-13. Michigan needs this win bad. Two loses by the fourth week of the season is hard to come back from.
Nebraska quarterback, Dylan Raiola, is only a sophomore, but he’s having a good season so far. In three games; he’s completing 76% of his passes, that’s 72 completions out of 94 attempts, and he has thrown for 830 yards and 8 touchdowns with zero interceptions! Not bad. Do you want to hear a crazy stat? Nebraska’s defense held each team they played to just 69 or fewer total passing yards. On paper, Nebraska looks unbelievable, but we’ll see how Michigan feels about all that this week.
Purdue (2-1) at (24) Notre Dame (0-2)
Man, I swear to God, college football loves and favors Notre Dame. How is Notre Dame ranked #24 nationally without any wins? Will this be the week? That’s the big question here. Will Notre Dame finally win a game in 2025? In their first game, the Fighting Irish lost to Miami, 27-24, and they lost to Texas A&M last week, 41-40. Texas A&M and Miami are both undefeated, and they’re both ranked nationally.
Purdue is 2-1, and I know they lost to USC last week, but they’re not that bad. Their defense looked good last week against the Trojans. If Purdue expects to beat Notre Dame this week, two things need to happen. They need another great effort from their defense, and their offense needs to cut down on mistakes. I don’t know if that will be enough, but it will definitely put them in position to win this game. Notre Dame is still dangerous, but Purdue has a shot.
7:30 P.M.
(9) Illinois (3-0) at (19) Indiana (3-0)
Well, this is the Big Ten game of the week. The Fighting Illini are 3-0 and ranked ninth nationally. Illinois beat Western Illinois, Duke, and Western Michigan University. Duke was the toughest of the three, and quarterback, Luke Altmyer, completed 22 of 31 for 296 yards and 3 touchdowns. There’s no doubt, wide receiver, Hank Beatty, is turning into Altmyer’s favorite target.
After beating Old Dominion, Kennesaw State, and Indiana State by 73 points, the Hoosiers are also 3-0. Running backs, Roman Hemby and Lee Beebe Jr., are both legit. Quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, started this season slow, but he’s on fire now. He has 9 touchdowns passes in his last two games. Indiana’s defense is stingy, allowing an average of 7.3 points per game.
I think we all know that Illinois has a pretty good football team, but I’m not so sure how we all feel about Indiana. Both teams are undefeated, both are ranked nationally, and both teams have compiled a crap load of stats during the first three weeks, but this is where the rubber meets the road. I don’t know why, but Illinois seems a little overconfident-almost arrogant. Indiana appears to be going about their business in more humble and professional manner. I think the Hoosiers might have what it takes to upset the Fighting Illini. We shall see.
11:00 P.M.
Michigan State (3-0) at (25) USC (3-0)
It’s the Michigan State Spartans and the USC Trojans who will be playing in the last game of the day. The kickoff is scheduled for 11:00 P.M.
Michigan State beat Youngstown State 41-21 last week for their third straight win. Quarterback, Aiden Chiles, completed 22 of 29 passes for 270 yards and 1 touchdown. He also rushed for 76 yards. The Spartans have three capable running backs, and the group is led by redshirt senior, Elijah Tau-Tolliver, who rushed for 37 yards and 1 touchdown against Youngstown.
USC handed Purdue their first loss of the season. It was a 33-17 win for the Trojans, but boy oh boy, Purdue played them tough.
Quarterback, Jayden Maiava, was 17 for 28 with 282 yards, and wide receiver, Ja’ Kobi Lane caught three of those passes for 115 yards. Running back, Waymond Jordan, carried the ball 18 times for 77 yards and 1 touchdown. I know USC’s offense gets a lot of attention, but they owe last week’s win over Purdue to their defense. As a unit, they picked off 3 passes and held Purdue to just 52 rushing yards.
It’s a Big Ten showdown this week and both teams would like nothing more than to extend their winning streak to four games. If USC’s defense shows up and plays the way they did against Purdue, the Spartans are going to have an extremely difficult time.
Week 4 Big Ten Picks Straight Up
Iowa, Wisconsin, Oregon, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Illinois, USC
Week 4 Big Ten Picks Versus the Point Spread
If you would like my expert picks for all seven games featured in this week’s preview, then please email me at noonooz@noozbuffet.com.
The pick sheet is $8.00, and it will be available Friday morning. Last week, I was 6-4-1 versus the point spread. I’m a winner, and you can win too!
Nooz Buffet 