Week 3 in the Big Ten saw Alabama humble Wisconsin in Madison, Oregon declare supremacy in Civil War, and Washington falter in the Apple Cup.

What’s in store around the league in Week 4? Let’s take a look at the B1G’s biggest storylines …

Michigan clings to its Playoff chances vs. USC

The No. 18 Wolverines still have serious issues heading into another tough test against No. 11 USC (3:30, CBS). After looking completely overwhelmed in a home loss to Texas 2 weeks ago, Sherrone Moore’s squad now faces a USC squad that has rebuilt its once-porous defense. QB Davis Warren threw 3 interceptions last weekend against Arkansas State, bringing his season total to 6. Backup Alex Orji threw a touchdown, but the Wolverines’ QB situation remains very shaky ahead of a huge tilt with the Trojans, who are 2-0 and doing just fine without Caleb Williams. QB Miller Moss moved the ball at will against LSU in USC’s opener.

The defending national champion Wolverines could be playing for their College Football Playoff lives. And we don’t know the condition of star TE Colston Loveland, who left Saturday’s game in the second quarter with a left arm injury. On a positive note, Michigan’s running game finally got going after Moore and the staff vowed to put an emphasis on it. Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards combined for 235 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns on 32 carries. The defense also looked stout against the Red Wolves, as they rushed for only 58 yards. However, as we all know, Lincoln Riley’s USC offense is a different breed.

Battle of unbeatens: No. 24 Illinois at No. 22 Nebraska

Nebraska has won its first 3 games by an average of 27.3 points. Five-star freshman QB Dylan Raiola completed 73.9% of his throws in Saturday’s win over Northern Iowa, though he threw his first interception. Now an unbeaten Fighting Illini squad arrives having already knocked off a ranked Kansas team. QB Luke Altmyer is completing nearly 70% of his throws and has yet to throw a pick. He will face a Cornhuskers defense led by safety Isaac Gifford that has complemented the offense very well. Bret Bielema has the Illini 3-0 for the first time since 2011, and the defense has now gone 79:57 without allowing a TD, dating to the third quarter against Kansas.

Tough sledding at UCLA

UCLA travels to Baton Rouge (2:40, ABC) to play an LSU team that has a lot of questions. Against South Carolina, the No. 16 Tigers gave up a lot of chunk plays, including those of 75 and 66 yards. The offense under QB Garrett Nussmeier had some red-zone issues as well. The Tigers looked out of sorts as they fell behind 17-0. But they went on a huge run to take a fourth-quarter lead, and after Shane Beamer’s squad reclaimed the lead, LSU drove 55 yards for the winning score. Touted freshman Caden Durham helped revive the run game, and now UCLA must face a resilient Tigers squad that hopes to put their slow starts behind. The Bruins’ first game in the Big Ten did not go well at all. Kurtis Rourke passed for 307 yards and 4 touchdowns as Indiana rolled to a 42-13 victory. The 29-point victory was the largest in the Big Ten for the Hoosiers since they beat Northwestern 34-3 in 2019. Things won’t get any easier for the Bruins, with Oregon and Penn State awaiting after this one.

Floyd of Rosedale

Minnesota enters its rivalry matchup against Iowa (6:30, NBC) with the No. 5 defense in the nation, allowing just 186.3 yards per game. PJ Fleck’s squad is coming off back-to-back shutouts against Rhode Island and Nevada, and has allowed just 1 TD through 3 games. Meanwhile, Iowa shut out Illinois State in its opener before blowing its in-state rivalry game at home against Iowa State and defeating Troy 38-21 on Saturday. It’s interesting that Troy lost its opener to the same Nevada team that Minnesota manhandled. The Gophers are No. 2 in the country with 7 interceptions. Only Cal, with 9, has more. Cade McNamara and the Iowa offense will have its hands full.

A Big East reunion

Rutgers, fresh off a bye week after starting out 2-0, will hit the road for the first time and take on former Big East member Virginia Tech (3:30, ACC Network). Brent Pry’s Hokies began the season with a loss to Vanderbilt before bouncing back to defeat Marshall and Old Dominion. This will be the first time the former conference foes have met since the 2013 Russell Athletic Bowl, in which the Hokies won 13-10 in overtime. VT leads the series 12-4, but history won’t help either side Saturday. Star Scarlet Knights RB Kyle Monangai, who came into the season as the B1G defending rushing champion, is off to a scorching start. The senior has rushed for 373 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2 games.

Other games of note

Michigan State at Boston College (8 pm, ACC Network): The Spartans have opened the season with 3 straight wins for the first time since 2021. But penalties continue to be an issue, as they drew 11 flags for 88 yards in their shutout win of Prairie View. Two touchdowns were called back because of flags.

Purdue at Oregon State (8:30 pm, The CW Network): The Boilermakers make their first road trip of the season after being pounded by Notre Dame for the most lopsided loss in the Boilermakers’ 137-year history.