October 20, 2025
Friends, fans, and followers, thank you for visiting Nooz Buffet. It’s week nine of the college football season, and we have seven games this weekend featuring teams from the Big Ten Conference. All seven are inter-conference games.
Ohio State, USC, Maryland, and Penn State have the week off, which I think is a good thing right now especially for Penn State because they haven’t been right since that 6-point loss to Oregon on September 27th. In total, they lost four games in a row, their head coach was fired, and they lost Drew Allar for the season. If anyone needs to go back to the drawing board, it’s the Nittany Lions.
After dropping three straight, Maryland isn’t far behind. The Terrapins just lost to a revived UCLA team 20-17, and before that, they lost two close games to Washington and Nebraska. Ohio State is actually the only team that has a bye this week and won during week eight. After beating Wisconsin in Camp Randall, the Buckeyes are now 7-0!
Okay, okay, let’s get into this week’s previews and predictions because I know you guys are excited. I am too. If you see TBD above a game, that means the kickoff time is To-Be-Decided.
Big Ten Preview & Predictions
Big Ten Game of the Week
Saturday, October 25th
TBD
Minnesota (5-2) @ Iowa (5-2)
The Minnesota Golden Gophers are traveling to Kinnick Stadium Saturday to play the Iowa Hawkeyes, and this was my selection for “Big Ten Game of the Week.” Minnesota just improved to 5-2 overall after a week 8 victory over a Nebraska team, who at the time, was ranked #25 nationally. Good things happen when you can run the football and stop the run. Minnesota was successful at both against Nebraska.
Iowa is also 5-2 overall, and last week’s one-point-win over Penn State was a huge moral boost. However, Iowa’s defense was gashed by Penn State running back, Kaytron Allen (28 carries, 145 yards, 2 touchdowns). This week, they have the task of stopping Minnesota’s Darius Taylor. That’s not going to be easy. This is going to be a close game, a very physical game, and it’s a must win for both teams. I give a slight edge to Iowa.
Saturday, October 25th
12:00 P.M.
Rutgers (3-4) @ Purdue (2-5)
Wow, so, the Scarlet Knights are 3-4 overall, they lost their last four games, and they haven’t won a game yet against a conference opponent. It’s a similar story for the Purdue Boilermakers. They’re 2-5 overall, they have a five-game losing streak, and they’re also winless against Big Ten opponents. In a 19-0 loss to Northwestern last week, Purdue turned the ball over three times, and they were penalized 8 times for 98 yards. That’s not a recipe for success, but if they can minimize mistakes and hold on to the football this week, I think they can break this losing streak and get their first Big Ten win at home against Rutgers. Right now, Purdue’s quarterback, Ryan Browne, is questionable after leaving the Northwestern game with a shoulder injury, however, his backup, Malachi Singleton, is supposed to be pretty good.
UCLA (3-4) @ 2 Indiana (7-0)
After a huge win against Oregon, Indiana has not only solidified their position in the Big Ten, but in the nation as well. No doubt, the Hoosiers are for real, but something magical is happening in the City of Angels. UCLA is revived and back from the dead, and after starting this season 0-4, the Bruins won three straight games. If ever there was a trap game, this is it. Indiana is the better football team and a huge favorite in this game, but strange things happen on Saturdays.
7:30 P.M.
25 Michigan (5-2) @ Michigan State (3-4)
Michigan’s back was against the wall last week, and it felt like their entire season had come down to that game against Washington, but you know what? The Wolverines stood their ground. Michigan is now 5-2 overall, 3-1 in the conference, and they head out this weekend to play in-state rival, Michigan State.
Michigan State played Indiana last week, and I think we all know how that turned out, but there were some bright spots in that 39-13 loss. Quaterback, Aidan Chiles, completed 27 of 33 passes for 243 yards and 1 touchdown. Wide receiver, Nick Marsh, caught 7 balls for 64 yards and 1 touchdown. Also, the Spartans did not turn the ball over, and they won in time of possession. Those are all good takeaways after playing the #2 team in the country, but Michigan State needs a running back. I bet they wish they had Jordan Marshall.
TBD
Wisconsin (2-5) @ 6 Oregon (6-1)
The Wisconsin Badgers are now 2-5 overall after getting embarrassed at home by the Buckeyes during week 8. Ya know, I really thought Wisconsin was going to put up a tougher fight than that, but hey, we’re talking about Ohio State. This week, it doesn’t get any easier for Wisconsin as they travel to Eugene, to play the Ducks. If you’re Oregon, beating Rutger 56-10 is precisely how you shake off a loss to Indiana. With their last four games against Iowa, Minnesota, USC, and Washington, it’s imperative for Oregon to get a win this week, and that my friends, is what they shall do.
Northwestern (5-2) @ Nebraska (5-2)
I know neither of these teams are ranked nationally, but this is a huge game for both teams. Northwestern is looking to extend their four-game-winning streak to five games, and a win over Nebraska this weekend would make them 4-1 in the conference. Nebraska struggled last week against Minnesota. They couldn’t run the ball, they couldn’t stop the run, and Dylan Raiola was held to just 177 yards passing with zero touchdowns. Neither one of these teams can afford another loss, but there can be only one winner. I think the Wildcats are going to shock the world this weekend by beating Nebraska at home, and with that win, they’ll quietly improve their overall record to 6-2, and their conference record to 4-1. We might even see them in the Top 25.
Illinois (5-2) @ Washington (5-2)
Another big game right here between the Fighting Illini and the Huskies, and I’m just going to come out and say it. The team that loses this game is done. They can kiss the playoffs goodbye, and since both teams already have two losses in the conference, they can kiss the Big Ten Title goodbye as well. Illinois is coming back off of a bye week, which gave them time to heal and make some adjustments after losing to Ohio State. Washington just lost to Michigan, and now they’re going to have to do what the Wolverines did last week. Show up and take a stand at home. If Washington can win this game, I think they have a shot because they still have to play Oregon in their final game of the season, and as we all know, Oregon lost to Indiana.
Week 9 Picks (Straight Up)
Iowa, Rutgers, Northwestern, Indiana, Oregon, Michigan, Illinois
Week 9 Picks (Versus the Point Spread)
If you would like my expert predictions for all the games written about in this article, then you’re going to have to email me at, noonooz@noozbuffet.com. The Week 9 Pick Sheet is $3.50. Email me, type Week 9 Pick Sheet in the Subject Line, and I’ll get back to you.
Overall Records Picking Games (Since Week 3)
Straight Up: 40-11 (Winning Percentage is 78%)
Versus the Point Spread: 26-18-2 (Winning Percentage is 57%)
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