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Darn.
After seeing Wisconsin cancel games in back-to-back weeks, it looked like the B1G was on track for a full, 7-game slate in Week 4. But, alas, a spike in positive COVID-19 cases in College Park forced Maryland to cancel its game with Ohio State on Saturday. One of the best teams in the nation will not be in action and the Terrapins won’t get their shot at a major upset bit (View the entire college football schedule here).
But, on the positive side, there are still six B1G games set for the weekend. We’ve got a pair of trophy games with Iowa taking on Minnesota for Floyd of Rosedale and Indiana battling Michigan State for the Old Brass Spittoon. We have a matchup between Penn State and Nebraska, both looking for their first win of the season. Purdue and Northwestern are competing for the top spot in the B1G West and Wisconsin is finally back in action, taking on Michigan.
It’s still going to be a fun weekend.
You know what else is fun? Making bold predictions. I’ve got one for every game in the B1G in Week 4.
Iowa (1-2) vs. Minnesota (1-2)
Bold prediction: Iowa has its largest margin of victory over Minnesota since the 55-0 drubbing in 2008
Both teams are coming off big victories last weekend, but I have more faith in Iowa than Minnesota right now. Like, a lot more faith.
Iowa is better at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football, and that’s going to be a huge difference in this game. Pair that with the Hawkeyes’ finding a ground game with Tyler Goodson and one of the best receiving groups in the B1G with Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Brandon Smith, Nico Ragaini and Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Sam LaPorta at tight end and this is a pretty tough offense to stop.
Minnesota’s defense certainly looked better against Illinois than it did against Michigan and Maryland in the first two weeks, but that’s most likely due to a laundry list of absences for the Fighting Illini and a talent gap. Friday night is going to be a long one for the Golden Gophers.
#10 Indiana (3-0) vs. Michigan State (1-2)
Bold prediction: The Hoosiers defense has its 5th shutout game under Tom Allen
Michigan State has played Michigan and Iowa, and yet Saturday’s game against Indiana will probably be the most difficult test Mel Tucker’s has offense has faced all season. Who would’ve thought?
What worked for the Spartans in the win over Michigan was stretching the field by throwing the deep ball. Rocky Lombardi won’t be able to do that against a loaded secondary that features Devon Matthews, Jamar Johnson, Tiawan Mullen and Reese Taylor. IU’s linebackers and defensive line looked solid in the win over the Wolverines last weekend, too.
Indiana’s defense will be locked in and loaded. Michigan State’s offense is still searching for answers. There will be a big ol’ bagel under MSU’s name on the scoreboard this weekend in East Lansing.
Illinois (0-3) vs. Rutgers (1-2)
Bold prediction: Bo Melton has a career day against Illinois’ secondary
Melton has always been an incredibly talented receiver, but has struggled to get touches because of poor quarterback play and a struggling offensive line. With Rutgers playing an Illinois secondary that hasn’t been able to stop the passing game one bit this year, Saturday might be his time to shine.
So far, Melton has 184 yards and 2 touchdowns on 15 catches for the Scarlet Knights. His career high for receiving yardage in a single game is 127, set in the season opener last year against UMass. But I think the receiver has an even bigger day against the Illini.
Penn State (0-3) vs. Nebraska (0-2)
Bold prediction: The Huskers get their first win…and Luke McCaffrey is the reason
I’m not confident enough to say that McCaffrey gets the start just yet, but he’ll certainly play late in this game, and he’ll lead the Huskers to a victory. It’s a much-needed win for Nebraska, too, which is teetering on another severely disappointing season again.
Adrian Martinez has been OK, but after an 0-2 start, it’s time to see what McCaffrey can do with more snaps and a greater opportunity to lead the offense. At some point against Penn State, he’ll get that chance and he may not let Martinez get the starting job again.
Nebraska gets a Penn State team that looked downright awful against Maryland. What better time for McCaffrey to be handed the keys and drive the Huskers to a win?
#13 Wisconsin (1-0) vs. Michigan (1-2)
Bold prediction: Wisconsin looks gassed and Michigan gets the upset
Maybe I’m making too much of this, but Wisconsin hasn’t played a football game in two weeks and was forced to stop all team activities for a significant amount of time. We don’t know which players are practicing, who will be permitted to play or which quarterback will be taking snaps this weekend.
Overall, I think Wisconsin is a much more talented football team than Michigan. But this is 2020, and that time off and uncertainty regarding the roster does the Badgers no favors. This is a perfect chance for Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines to bounce back.
At some point in the 2nd half, you’ll be able to tell fatigue is setting in for Wisconsin and Michigan has just enough athletes to take advantage and get back to .500 on the year.
#23 Northwestern (3-0) vs. Purdue (2-0)
Bold prediction: Purdue’s passing attack carves up Northwestern’s defense
Is this bold or just plain dumb? You’d think I’d learn my lesson about doubting Northwestern by now, but here we are.
Purdue got an extra week to prepare for the Northwestern defense and it also has the best receiving group the Wildcats have seen so far this season. Nobody has been able to stop David Bell, and even if the Wildcats figure that out, there’s still Milton Wright and Payne Durham at tight end.
Northwestern’s defense will be able to keep Purdue from putting up a ton of points — that power of Fitzgerald’s magic — but the Boilers will have success throwing the football against the B1G’s best pass defense.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB