Week 9 in the Big Ten comes with a heavyweight showdown in Los Angeles and a few other spots that could get interesting fast. Ohio State heads to USC with a new quarterback situation hanging over the Buckeyes, while Wisconsin tries to keep momentum after knocking off USC and Indiana hosts Minnesota with ESPN’s “College GameDay” in town.
The trip to Kinnick is another tricky one for Wisconsin, even with Iowa dealing a major blow. Running back Kamari Moulton has been ruled out for the rest of the season, and that takes away the Big Ten’s second-leading rusher behind Rutgers’ Antwan Raymond.
Iowa’s path has to go through its defense, especially after last week’s 13-10 loss to Minnesota in a game that turned into a rock fight. The Hawkeyes can’t count on the offense to carry them, and losing Moulton makes that even harder.
Wisconsin hasn’t exactly been humming on that side either. Quarterback Colton Joseph has managed just 66 yards and 58 yards passing in the last two weeks, which doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.
Still, winning at Kinnick is never simple.
Final score: Iowa 17, Wisconsin 13
Then comes the game everyone will be watching: Ohio State at USC. It has all the feel of a turning point for both programs.
The Buckeyes already have a loss, and with Julian Sayin out, Ryan Day has to choose between true freshman Luke Fahey and sophomore Tavien St. Clair at quarterback.
That decision alone makes this trip a stress test.
USC is coming off another bruising setback under Lincoln Riley, falling to Wisconsin 24-7 last weekend. The Trojans’ remaining schedule looks rough, so this is the kind of game that can change the mood around the program in a hurry.
Jayden Maiava gives USC the better quarterback situation, but he’ll have to handle Ohio State’s defense after throwing at least one interception in both of USC’s biggest games this season. Clean football is the standard here.
Ohio State traveling across the country without a settled plan at quarterback is a real concern, and USC looks positioned to answer after last week’s loss.
Final score: USC 27, Ohio State 20
The rest of the slate is a quick-hit batch of predictions:
Illinois 27, Maryland 24
Michigan 24, Rutgers 3
No. 4 Indiana 27, Minnesota 10
No. 20 Northwestern 31, Oregon 17
No. 7 UCLA 38, Nevada 10
Penn State 27, Purdue 24
Nebraska 31, Washington 27
In Other News...
Iowa Is Already Sending A Clear Message About Tradon Bessinger
Even without a path to the field this season, Tradon Bessinger is already being brought into Iowas daily football rhythm. The four-star freshman quarterback is traveling with the Hawkeyes and getting exposed to the teams game-day routines, part of an early effort to help him adjust to the college game and understand what the program expects long before he is asked to help it on Saturdays.
Kirk Ferentz made it clear the staff views Bessinger as a future player, and the way Iowa is handling his first year reflects that long view. For a program that has always leaned on patience and development at quarterback, the message is straightforward: Bessinger is being introduced to the environment now, even if there is no sign he will be called on for action this fall. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Freshman Jaidyn Coon Already Faces A Tough Path To Minutes
Jaidyn Coons first taste of Iowa basketball came in an exhibition setting, and the early read was pretty simple: there is a long way to go before minutes come easy. The incoming freshman from Storm Lake, who arrived with the pedigree of a recent Iowa Mr. Basketball and a high school rsum that included leading his team to state tournament appearances, got about four minutes off the bench as the Hawkeyes started sorting out roles and rotation depth.
For Coon, the challenge is less about proving he belongs and more about carving out a lane on a wing that already has bodies competing for time. Iowa is hoping his energy and athleticism can become an asset off the bench, but for now he is trying to make every brief opportunity count while the staff figures out how his game fits into the mix. [Read more 🡒]
Former Hawkeyes Suddenly Have A Real Opening In Oklahoma City
Oklahoma Citys first loss of the 2026-2027 season came with an injury-depleted roster, and it also created an opening for two former Hawkeyes who have spent the early part of the year waiting for a real look. Bennett Stirtz and Josh Dix both logged meaningful minutes against Dallas, giving Iowa fans a familiar connection to a Thunder team suddenly short on bodies and searching for answers.
Stirtz, who was acquired in the 2026 NBA Draft, finished with 8 points, while Dix, the undrafted guard who signed a two-way contract with Oklahoma City, got on the scoreboard for the first time in the NBA. With Jalen Williams already out for the season and four starters unavailable in all, the Thunders thin rotation may have just turned into a surprising opportunity for both ex-Hawkeyes to prove they belong. [Read more 🡒]