Big Ten Football on Halloween feels fitting for a season that’s already provided plenty of twists. Between pivotal matchups and tight conference standings, this Saturday's lineup has all the ingredients for another incredible weekend.
No Sayin, No Problem? Buckeyes Battle Trojans at the Coliseum
Unbeaten in Big Ten play, No. 2 Ohio State travels to Los Angeles for a matchup with USC. Coming off a win over defending champion Indiana in Bloomington, the Buckeyes must navigate a stretch without starting quarterback Julian Sayin, who is sidelined for multiple weeks.
Whether Luke Fahey or Tavien St. Clair makes their first career start, their primary task will be keeping the offense on track in Sayin’s absence. Whoever gets the nod will rely on an elite weapon in Jeremiah Smith, who enters Saturday just one touchdown catch away from breaking the all-time Big Ten receiving touchdown record — and only 247 receiving yards shy of the conference’s career yardage mark.
Lincoln Riley's squad seeks a bounce-back after managing just seven points against Wisconsin, but Ohio State presents a steep challenge. The Buckeyes boast the nation's fourth-best scoring defense, allowing just 13.4 points per game and yielding more than 20 points only once this season. Big Ten passing yards and touchdowns leader Jayden Maiava will need freshman wideouts Trent Moseley and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt to win matchups against Matt Patricia’s experienced secondary.
With two of college football’s historic programs facing off, you won’t want to miss this one. Catch it at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
Battle for the Heartland: Badgers Head to Iowa City
Ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2023, No. 25 Wisconsin takes its momentum into Kinnick Stadium for a rivalry battle against Iowa for the Heartland Trophy (12 p.m. ET on FOX). The Badgers enter at 3-1 in Big Ten play, leaning on a defense that hasn't allowed more than 20 points to a conference foe all season and a three-headed rushing attack starring dual-threat quarterback Colton Joseph alongside backs Darrion Dupree and Abu Sama III.
Iowa, however, presents a notoriously tough test. Looking to respond to last week’s road loss at Minnesota and avenge a previous home defeat to Ohio State, the Hawkeyes rarely let slumps linger — they haven't lost consecutive regular-season games since 2022. Wisconsin's ground game will contend with an Iowa defense holding opponents to 14.3 points per game, third best in the conference.
On the flip side, Hank Brown, Tony Diaz, and Reece Vander Zee must jumpstart the offense with star running back Kamari Moulton out for the season. Taking home the Heartland Trophy would be a crucial step toward solidifying their position in a crowded Big Ten race.
Gophers Visit Bloomington, Kelly Returns to Eugene
Both sitting with one loss, No. 4 Indiana and No. 20 Northwestern look to keep pace in the standings. In Bloomington, Curt Cignetti’s Hoosiers host P.J. Fleck and Minnesota (3:30 p.m. ET on CBS). Fresh off its first win at the Big House in 59 years, Indiana returns home to face a program making its own history. The Golden Gophers enter simultaneously holding Floyd of Rosedale (Iowa), Paul Bunyan’s Axe (Wisconsin), and the Little Brown Jug (Michigan) for the first time since 1978.
The quarterback duel will be critical, with both Drake Lindsey and Josh Hoover steering their offenses against formidable defenses. Lindsey leads Minnesota against Bryant Haines’ Indiana defense, which tops the Big Ten by yielding just 12 points per game, while Hoover and receivers Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh aim to break through against a Gopher secondary holding opposing attacks to just 165.1 passing yards per game.
Out West, the Wildcats visit Autzen Stadium for the first time in program history to face Oregon. The trip marks a homecoming for offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who led the Ducks to three conference titles and a BCS National Championship appearance. Kelly’s high-octane offense — led by Aidan Chiles (21 total touchdowns, one interception) and a ground attack averaging 204 yards per game with Caleb Komolafe and Joseph Himon II — will test a Ducks front featuring Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti.
Meanwhile, Dan Lanning’s squad is navigating tough circumstances following a likely season-ending injury to starter Dante Moore. Dylan Raiola will need to be effective against a Northwestern defense that has held four straight opponents to 21 points or fewer.
Those four matchups are just a preview of what’s to come. Elsewhere, undefeated No. 7 UCLA hosts a non-conference opponent and Nebraska welcomes Washington to Lincoln. Check out the schedule and standings with November almost here.