USC’s bye week may be quiet, but the Big Ten’s Week 10 slate is anything but. With the Trojans and Indiana both off before their Nov. 14 meeting, the conference still has a full weekend of games that could reshape the standings heading into November. There are also a couple of spots where an upset could shake things up.
Friday opens with Nebraska at Illinois, and the Cornhuskers are projected to finally stop a three-game skid. Anthony Colandrea is expected to give Illinois’ defense trouble throughout the night, and Nebraska is picked to leave with a 24-17 win.
UCLA’s trip to Minnesota brings another matchup with some swing potential. The Gophers have already been a headache for top teams and even pulled off an upset recently, but the Bruins are expected to handle the pressure better. Even if the game gets tight, UCLA is projected to find a way through it and win 21-10.
Maryland heads to Purdue next, and the Boilermakers are expected to control this one. Maryland pushed Illinois to the brink last week, but Purdue’s offense is forecast to deliver one of its bigger outings of the season. The pick: Purdue 38, Maryland 20.
The biggest game on the board is Oregon at Ohio State. The Buckeyes are expected to start Luke Fahey again, but the prediction here is that the same issues will show up, forcing a change to Tavien St.
Clair. Once St.
Clair enters, the Ohio State offense is projected to catch fire just enough to edge Oregon in a tight one. It’s labeled the game of the week, with Ohio State winning 28-21.
Penn State’s road trip to Washington is another matchup where the home team is favored to make a statement. After barely getting past Purdue, the Nittany Lions are expected to run into a much tougher night against an energized Huskies offense. Demond Williams Jr. is projected to power Washington to a 41-20 victory.
Rutgers at Wisconsin also leans heavily toward the home side. After Rutgers’ rough loss to Iowa, the trip to Camp Randall Stadium is expected to go poorly.
Wisconsin’s defense is projected to show up, while Colton Joseph is expected to turn in his best game of the season against Rutgers’ defense. The Badgers are picked to win 35-14.
Iowa’s defense gets another test at Northwestern, and this one is expected to be trickier than it looks. Northwestern has scored 30 points in each of its home games, and the Wildcats are looking to bounce back from last week’s loss. Chip Kelly and the offense are expected to clean things up at home, with Northwestern taking it 30-17.
The weekend closes with Michigan State at Michigan, and that rivalry is expected to stay tight once again. The talent gap may not change, but the prediction is that Tommy Carr will be the difference. Michigan is picked to survive with a 27-24 win.
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USC Baseball Mourns A Program Figure Fans Wont Forget
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For Trojans fans, Sanchez was part of an era that helped shape the programs identity, and his name carried weight in college baseball circles long after he left Los Angeles. He was recognized for his contributions to the sport and is survived by his family, leaving USC and the broader baseball community to reflect on a career that made a lasting mark. [Read more 🡒]
USC Just Got Pulled Into A Fascinating Arch Manning Debate
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That conversation picked up when NFL Network draft scout Daniel Jeremiah floated the idea that Texas quarterback Arch Manning could view USC as a landing spot if he ever entered the transfer portal. The reasoning is easy to follow from USCs side: the Trojans have playmakers around the position, and Riley has already built a reputation for developing quarterbacks. For now, it is only a possibility, not a decision, but it is the kind of speculation that keeps USC in the middle of every major quarterback debate. [Read more 🡒]
USC Volleyball Finally Got The Reset Trojans Fans Needed
After four straight losses, USC womens volleyball finally got the kind of reset it had been chasing, taking care of Rutgers in straight sets and looking much more like the team that had been missing in recent weeks. The Trojans were efficient from the start, hitting .351 with 42 kills and 12 blocks, a sharp contrast to Rutgers .133 attack and four blocks.
Mia Tvrdy, London Wijay and Adonia Faumuina were among the key pieces in a performance that gave USC a chance to breathe and regroup. For a team trying to stop a slide and steady itself, this was the sort of clean win that can matter beyond the box score, even if the real test is whether it carries over into what comes next. [Read more 🡒]