Week 2 in the Big Ten sets up as a wild one, with several matchups tilted toward upset alerts and a few teams looking to answer questions from opening weekend. USC, though, is projected to keep barreling ahead and stay planted among the conference’s contenders.
The weekend starts Friday with Rutgers at Boston College, and the outlook is bleak for the Scarlet Knights after what was described as an embarrassing Week 1 loss. Boston College is picked to take care of business, 24-14.
Indiana should have a much easier time at home against Howard. Curt Cignetti and Josh Hoover are expected to keep clicking, with Hoover turning in another strong performance in a 55-7 Hoosiers win.
Oregon heads to Oklahoma State in a game where the Ducks are expected to look far more like the team people thought they’d see in Week 1. The defense is projected to clamp down on Drew Mestamaker and the Cowboys, while Dante More and the Oregon offense are expected to control things for four quarters in a 45-14 win.
At Michigan, Oklahoma is forecast to make life miserable for Bryce Underwood again. The Sooners’ defense is expected to be the difference in a 28-10 win that would strengthen their resume.
Penn State is another team expected to keep rolling, this time at Temple. Rocco Becht is projected to follow a similar path to his Week 1 showing and build confidence before Big Ten play begins, with the Nittany Lions winning 38-14.
Purdue gets Wake Forest at home, and Payton Browne is expected to be a difference-maker. The Boilermakers are picked to start 2-0 with a 24-17 victory.
Washington should also have a cleaner outing than it did last week against its rival. Against Utah State, Demond Williams is projected to deliver a Heisman-level performance in a 40-14 Huskies win.
One of the sharper upset calls comes at Illinois, where Duke is expected to run wild on the Fighting Illini. Nate Sheppard is forecast to have a big day and help the Blue Devils pull off a 24-21 win.
Michigan State is expected to survive a tougher-than-expected test from Eastern Michigan. The Eagles are projected to push the Spartans to the brink, but talented young quarterback Alessio Milivojevic is expected to help Michigan State pull away late for a 28-20 win.
Mississippi State at Minnesota carries another upset pick. The Gophers’ defense and run game are noted as strengths, but dynamic quarterback Kamrio Tyalor is expected to be too much, with the Bulldogs winning 31-17.
Maryland is projected to keep rolling against UConn, with Malik Washington leading the way through the air. After last week’s explosive run game, the Terrapins are expected to lean on a passing attack that includes a 300-yard outing from Washington in a 45-20 win.
Nebraska is another team forecast to get tripped up. After an unimpressive opening win, Matt Rhule’s group is described as gettable, and Bowling Green is picked to pull off the upset, 20-17.
Wisconsin, meanwhile, is expected to rebound strongly after the Notre Dame loss. Luke Fickell’s team showed enough in Week 1 to make Western Illinois look like a perfect get-right opponent, and the Badgers are picked to cruise 30-10.
UCLA is also expected to keep momentum going against San Diego State. Under Bob Chesney, the Bruins are said to have new energy, and Nico Iamaleava is projected to play with more swagger and confidence in a 35-14 win.
The heavyweight game of the week comes when Ohio State visits Texas. The matchup is billed as the biggest in college football, maybe all season, with no meaningful talent gap between the teams. Texas is picked to win the shootout, 38-31, with Arch Manning getting the last laugh.
Iowa State over Iowa is another upset pick. Iowa’s defense is expected to remain stout, but Jaylen Raynor is projected to lead the Cyclones to a statement win by outplaying the Hawkeyes’ quarterbacks in a 21-14 victory.
And then there’s USC, which is expected to keep looking like a freight train. Louisiana is not projected to slow the Trojans down, with Jayden Maiava throwing for more than 300 yards again and USC’s run game matching that production. The defense is expected to suffocate Louisiana in the same way it handled Fresno State, and the Trojans are picked to move to 3-0 with a 48-0 win.
In Other News...
USC's Defensive Line Is Rising And Jide Abasiri Is A Big Reason
Jide Abasiris rise has become one of the quieter but more important developments for USCs defense this season. The junior defensive lineman has shown steady progression, earned a leadership role and was named a team captain, a sign of how much trust the Trojans have placed in him. Lincoln Riley has praised Abasiris versatility and strength, and the impact he can have on opposing offenses, which matters for a unit that is still trying to establish itself as a consistent force.
For USC, Abasiris emergence is about more than early-game production. It speaks to a defensive front that is getting better with players who keep building on what theyve shown, and to a veteran presence who is still pushing for more. Abasiri has already given the Trojans meaningful snaps and value up front, and the next question is how much more he can add as the season moves along. [Read more 🡒]
USC May Need To Rethink One Freshman Backs Role
Deshonne Redeaux has only flashed in limited action so far, but the freshman running back has already given USC enough to think about. In two games, he has turned 4 carries into 33 yards and a touchdown, a small sample that still hints at why the Trojans have liked his speed and playmaking ability since he arrived.
For a backfield that values depth, Redeaux looks like the kind of player who could earn a larger role if the staff keeps looking for more juice in the run game. He is still early in his college career, and USC appears to view him as part of the long-term rotation, but the way he has handled his chances raises a familiar question for a young offense: how long can a useful weapon stay in a limited lane before the Trojans find a way to use him more? [Read more 🡒]
USC Has A Chance To Build Serious Momentum With Key Recruit
With one more non-conference game left before the schedule tightens, USC will have a notable recruiting visitor on hand at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Three-star 2028 running back Malaki Davis of Corona Centennial is expected to be in attendance for the matchup with Louisiana, giving the Trojans another chance to make an impression on a prospect they already view as a top target.
Davis has USC sitting as the frontrunner in his recruitment, and the visit comes as the staff continues to build early momentum in the 2028 class. Quarterback Trey Wright is already committed, and the Trojans are pushing for more offensive talent around him, with Davis also planning additional stops, including a trip for the Ohio State game. [Read more 🡒]