Coast-to-Coast Clashes: Conference Play Kicks Off Early

After a Week 2 that delivered wild finishes, conference play arrives early with a pair of long-distance trips, as USC travels to New Jersey to visit Rutgers while Purdue heads west to face UCLA. 

The conference matchups are just a preview of what’s to come over the next few months, and the rest of the board is just as loaded with non-conference matchups. 

Unbeaten Trojans fly east for early Big Ten test  

Fresh off three 16+ point wins, No. 12 USC opens its Big Ten slate on the East Coast against Rutgers at SHI Stadium (Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS).   

Lincoln Riley’s offense is rolling, putting up at least 39 points per game. QB Jayden Maiava leads the nation in passing yards (896) and touchdowns (10), spreading the ball to backs King Miller and Waymond Jordan. With standout wide receiver Trent Mosley out, freshmen Kayden Dixon-Wyatt and Mark Bowman will step up as Maiava’s primary targets in the passing game. 

The spotlight, however, falls on new coordinator Gary Patterson’s defense. Despite an 0-2 start, Greg Schiano’s Scarlet Knights feature top Big Ten playmakers in running back Antwan Raymond and receiver KJ Duff — who shares the national lead with five touchdown catches along with 333 receiving yards (second in the country) in two games. This matchup will offer an early barometer for USC's upgraded unit as the Trojans look to win their Big Ten opener for the second straight season and Rutgers looks to get into the victory column. 

Undefeated UCLA puts perfect mark on the line against Purdue 

The Bob Chesney era has gotten off to a perfect start, with UCLA winning its two games over Cal and San Diego State by multiple scores. After reaching the College Football Playoff with James Madison in 2025, Chesney’s culture and play style is apparent, led by running back Wayne Knight, who is tied for the nation’s lead with six rushing touchdowns. 

The Bruins revamped defense has also started out the season strong, allowing 34 points in two games, but it now welcomes in a Purdue team that’s averaging 40 points a game. With quarterback Ryan Browne completing over 77% of his passes for 646 yards and four touchdowns, Barry Odom’s Boilermakers can push tempo and light up the scoreboard. The two offenses have succeeded in different ways so far this season: UCLA’s ground-and-pound, ball-control identity behind Knight against Purdue’s balanced attack (the only team in the country with a QB averaging 300 yards per game and a running back averaging 100 yards rushing).  Tune in Saturday at 11 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network. 

Beyond those showdowns, a few key non-conference games across the Big Ten highlight this week’s action on Saturday night: 

• After a 2-0 start, Maryland welcomes former Penn State coach James Franklin and Virginia Tech to College Park. The Hokies have started the season with two wins, led by Nittany Lion transfer Ethan Grunkemeyer under center (7:30 p.m. ET on FS1).
• Pat Fitzgerald’s Michigan State goes on the road for the first time this season to face one of the country’s best teams in No. 3 Notre Dame in South Bend (7:30 p.m. ET on NBC). 
• Northwestern’s final game at the Martin Stadium will be a cinematic one, as Deion Sanders and Colorado come to Evanston for a showdown along Lake Michigan (7:30 p.m. ET on FOX). 

The matchups don’t stop there, with teams like Oregon and Ohio State looking to bounce back after heartbreaking Week 2 losses. Check out the full schedule  here.