Big Ten football is in full swing as we enter Week 6. From an undefeated battle in Lincoln featuring the defending champions to a ranked clash between West Coast rivals at Autzen Stadium, there’s no shortage of storylines.
Undefeated Hoosiers Meet Undefeated Huskers in Lincoln
Blue-blood tradition meets college football’s newest powerhouse when No. 7 Indiana visits Nebraska. The five-time national title-winner Huskers — off to their best start since 2016 — host the defending champion Hoosiers, who are on a 21-game win streak, the Big Ten’s longest since 2014.
Nebraska has rattled off five straight wins with a nearly 30-point average margin of victory, but Curt Cignetti’s team presents their sternest test yet. Indiana ranks third in the conference averaging 44.2 points per game while boasting the Big Ten’s No. 1 scoring defense (10.8 PPG allowed). Nebraska will count on quarterback Anthony Colandrea, whose 13 passing touchdowns rank third in the league, to navigate an elite Hoosier unit.
Meanwhile, a Husker defense fresh off a second-half shutout against Maryland must contain an Indiana offense firing on all cylinders. Hoosiers quarterback Josh Hoover leads the Big Ten with 15 touchdown passes (also third nationally) and zero interceptions, flanked by a lethal group of playmakers. Against Rutgers, Indiana became the first Big Ten team since 1995 to have two 100-yard rushers (Turbo Richard, Lee Beebe Jr.) and two 100-yard receivers (Nick Marsh, Charlie Becker) in a single game.
Something has to give when two of the Big Ten's unbeatens square off. Catch the game on FOX at 12 p.m. ET.
Undefeated UCLA Challenges No. 13 Ducks at Autzen
Autzen Stadium sets the stage for a premier West Coast Big Ten clash as undefeated No. 21 UCLA visits No. 13 Oregon. Though the programs haven't met since 2024, new Bruins head coach Bob Chesney is no stranger to Eugene. Before guiding UCLA to a 4-0 start, Chesney brought James Madison into Autzen Stadium for a 2025 College Football Playoff matchup —a 51-34 victory for Dan Lanning’s Ducks.
Returning to Eugene alongside Chesney is star running back Wayne Knight, who followed his coach to Westwood. Knight, who leads the Big Ten with nine rushing touchdowns, and UCLA’s conference-leading ground attack (281.5 yards per game) collide with an Oregon defense led by Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti.
Oregon will turn to quarterback Dylan Raiola if Dante Moore is sidelined for Saturday. Raiola proved more than ready after stepping in against USC, throwing for 289 yards and two touchdowns. Facing a Bruins defense coming off a three-point performance, his poise will determine whether the Ducks preserve home-field dominance or if UCLA pulls off a road upset. View the game on CBS at 3:30 p.m. ET.
USC Meets 110,000 at Beaver Stadium
Happy Valley will host one of the best traditions in college football when Penn State faces No. 19 USC in the White Out game. Though the Nittany Lions have started 0-2 in conference play, Matt Campbell’s squad looks for a raucous crowd of 110,000+ at Beaver Stadium to provide the energy.
Penn State’s defense faces a stern test against USC quarterback Jayden Maiava, who ranks second nationally with 1,744 passing yards and is tied for third with 15 touchdown passes. With the Trojans averaging 311.7 yards through the air and 37.3 points per game, the Nittany Lions must deliver their sharpest performance of the season to keep USC’s attack in check.
Iowa Seeks Offensive Spark at Husky Stadium
Coming off their first setback of the season, No. 20 Iowa heads west to Husky Stadium for a Big Ten matchup against Washington on Friday night (9 p.m. ET on FOX). The Hawkeyes need to contain quarterback Demond Williams Jr., who is fourth in the conference with 1,327 passing yards and a major threat on the ground.
Kirk Ferentz’s team will need to improve on offense after scoring just one touchdown against Ohio State. Look for running back Kamari Moulton and receiver Reece Vander Zee (two touchdowns against Michigan) to be the spark plugs the Hawkeyes need to get back in the win column.
The matchups don’t stop there: Minnesota and Purdue square off after each having thrilling victories and No. 5 Ohio State returns home after Jeremiah Smith captured the program’s receiving triple crown. Check out the full schedule here.