Week 4 in the B1G: Unexpected Matchups and Shocking Upsets Ahead!

Week 4 provides an stress-free watching experience, as our Nittany lions are on a bye. Big Ten play kicks off for most teams, while Oregon and Washington play their annual end-of-season rivalry games that now happen early in the season.

Friday, September 19

Iowa at Rutgers
8:00 PM ET, FOX | Iowa –2.5
ChatGPT: Iowa’s offense is a Picasso of three-yard curls, but the defense is mean enough to make that art hang in a museum. Rutgers can fling it a bit, yet passing lanes close fast against Phil Parker.
Eli: Rutgers is becoming a trendy pick to win this game outright, but every time these two teams have met, it’s been a nightmare of sorts for the Scarlet Knights. I think it happens again.
Prediction: Iowa 20, Rutgers 16

Saturday, September 20

No. 21 Michigan at Nebraska
3:30 PM ET, CBS/Paramount+ | Michigan –2.5
ChatGPT: Real vibes test. Nebraska’s pop-the-top offense meets a Michigan front that finally hits someone its own size. If Bryce Underwood handles the noise, the Huskers’ magic wears off late.
Eli: Is the wrong team ranked in this matchup? No one is confusing Cincinnati with Oklahoma, or a neutral site with a true road game, but both teams have played outside of their home stadiums, and only one has look decent while doing it. Now, that team gets to play the other at home. And that team is the underdog. Ok Vegas, I see you.
Prediction: Nebraska 28, Michigan 21

Purdue at Notre Dame
3:30 PM ET, NBC/Peacock | Notre Dame –25.5
ChatGPT: The Shillelagh returns with ND desperate and angry. Purdue’s WRs will flash, but Irish lines and red-zone defense carry the day.
Eli: You know the drill. When Purdue is not being coached by ineptitude incarnate, they have one major upset in them each season. I’m going to call it now. Notre Dame’s season will be ruined at the hands of Purdue.
Prediction: Purdue 33, Notre Dame 24

No. 9 Illinois at No. 19 Indiana
7:30 PM ET, NBC/Peacock | Indiana –6.5
ChatGPT: A suddenly spicy border war. Indiana’s speed at WR versus Illinois’ bully-ball run fits. Feels like a last-possession game where QB legs matter.
Eli: Ok ChatGPT, seems you have received an update. I do think this game is going to come down to the last possession, just as it did the last time these teams met. But this time I think Illinois comes out of Bloomington with a win.
Prediction: Illinois 23, Indiana 20

Michigan State at No. 25 USC
11:00 PM ET, FOX | USC –18.5
ChatGPT: Pac-12 After Dark energy in Big Ten clothing. USC’s speed on the edges is a problem, but MSU’s Aidan Chiles can land a couple deep shots to keep the channel on.
Eli: Aidan’s cut the interceptions by a ton so far this season, so it’ll be interesting to see how this game goes. I don’t know that USC covers that massive line though.
Prediction: Trojans 34, Spartans 28

Wisconsin vs Maryland
12:00 PM ET, NBC/Peacock | Wisconsin –10.5
ChatGPT: Camp Randall plus a vintage Badger run script is a rough intro to league play. Terps need chunk plays; if they’re living in 3rd-and-7, it’s curtains.
Eli: This game is in September. So that alone makes me want to pick Maryland. But things have gone horribly wrong each time the Terps have traveled to Madison, and I don’t see that changing today.
Prediction: Wisconsin 23, Maryland 10

No. 6 Oregon vs Oregon State
3:00 PM ET, BTN | Oregon –34.5
ChatGPT: It’s a rivalry, sure, but Oregon has a track meet queued up. Ducks by a bundle unless turnovers invite chaos.
Eli: This has Oklahoma State levels of beatdown written all over it.
Prediction: Oregon 59, Oregon State 10

Washington at Washington State
7:30 PM ET, CBS/Paramount+ | Washington –19.5
ChatGPT: The Apple Cup as a nonconference palate cleanser. Wazzu is frisky at home, but Washington’s explosives and pass rush should flip the field a few times.
Eli: Washington State also got gutted in the portal, and is a shell of what they were last season.
Prediction: Washington 42, Washington State 3

Final Thoughts

The Best: Michigan–Nebraska headlines Saturday, with Illinois–Indiana, Purdue–Notre Dame, and USC–MSU filling out a solid day.
Middle Tier: Wisconsin looks to control Maryland at home.
The Rest: Oregon is set to run away from Oregon State, Washington faces Wazzu, and Iowa–Rutgers on Friday is the lone Big Ten appetizer—bring your patience for punts.