USC football gets the week off, but there will be a high-scoring shootout this week even with the Trojans' offense not taking the field. Multiple big games this weekend will shape the rest of the Big Ten football season. Both Nebraska and Penn State get a great opportunity to earn some credibility this week.
Here is exactly how the seventh week of the Big Ten football season will pan out:
Washington at Purdue (Friday)
The Purdue Boilermakers will bring the best version of Demond Williams out in a shootout game. This game will sneakily be a back-and-forth shootout. Purdue will give Washington a scare, but Demond Williams will find the end zone in the 4th quarter for the Huskies to prevail. Huskies will win 38-34.
Ohio State at Indiana
This game has been highly anticipated since the beginning of the season. However, only one team can leave on top, and I think that will be Ohio State. The Buckeyes will avenge their disappointing loss to the Texas Longhorns with a statement win over the Indiana Hoosiers. The Buckeyes will win 34-21.
Northwestern at Michigan State
Northwestern has been on a great run, and their offense has never looked better. Their offense will continue to roll, and they will dominate a lesser Big Ten team in Michigan State. Aidan Chiles will get his revenge, and he will deliver another elite quarterback performance. The Spartans will win 31-17 on the road.
Rutgers at Maryland
KJ Duff and Antwan Raymond will both put on high-level performances. Malik Washington will have a day himself too, but Rutgers is the better football team, and that will decide this game. Rutgers will win 30-24.
Penn State at Michigan
Both teams need this victory, and I think that matters a lot more to Penn State. Rocco Becht will be the best quarterback on the field, and he will lead Penn State back on the right track with a 24-17 win on the road.
Wisconsin at UCLA
UCLA Bruins are without their starting quarterback, Nico Iamaleava, for the rest of the season. The culture and foundation have been set for this team already, and that goes beyond just what Nico provided this team. Wayne Knight is a special talent at running back. This team is fully bought into Bob Chesney. They proved last week they can win games battling adversity. UCLA will add another key win to an already impressive resume. Bruins will move past the Wisconsin Badgers 35-20.
Nebraska at Oregon
Anthony Colandrea will lead the Nebraska Cornhuskers to their signature win of the season. The Cornhuskers will take advantage of a depleted Oregon Ducks football team and pull off an upset, 28-20.
Contact/Follow @TrojansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of USC Trojans news, notes and opinion.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Big Ten title race, playoff chase will gain clarity in Week 7