Conference action has arrived in full force, with 14 teams opening their league schedules this week. With 10 matchups — including two top-20 battles — plus a non-conference test against a national contender, Week 4 brings full-throttle Big Ten football. 

Offensive powerhouses clash in the Coliseum

Saturday’s showdown between No. 12 USC and No. 20 Oregon carries major implications for two of the Big Ten’s playoff contenders. This is a matchup between top offenses. Combined, quarterbacks Jayden Maiava and Dante Moore have over 2,000 yards, 21 touchdowns, and just one interception across seven total games. Surrounding them is plenty of elite talent. 2025 breakout star King Miller leads the Trojans with 338 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns, including an instrumental 102-yard, one-score performance against Rutgers last weekend. That power on the ground plus wideout Kayden Dixon-Wyatt (two touchdowns, 258 receiving yards) gives Maiava options.  

But the Ducks have weapons of their own, showcased in an 84-point explosion last Friday. Moore, running back Jordon Davison (four touchdowns), and a 100+ yard receiving quartet led by Evan Stewart all hope to bring their first ranked W back to Eugene.  

With points expected to come often, the spotlight falls on which defense can deliver when it matters most. Both programs have new defensive coordinators in Chris Hampton (Oregon) and Gary Patterson (USC), making this showdown a test for each unit to prove itself under the lights. 

Undefeated, defensive battle headed to the Big House

On the flip side, offense will be at a premium when No. 17 Iowa travels to No. 18 Michigan. Each squad enters their Big Ten opener 3-0 behind suffocating defenses, setting the stage for a physical slugfest. 

After throwing 223 yards and two TDs against UTEP, Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood faces his toughest task yet against Iowa’s nation-leading defense (4.3 points per game allowed). The Wolverines will also rely on backfield duo Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter to establish the run and open the downfield passing game. 

Meanwhile, Hawkeye quarterback Hank Brown meets a Michigan pass rush with 10 sacks (second in the Big Ten) and loads of experience in John Henry Daley. While Iowa backs Kamari Moulton and Xavier Williams bring big-play threats, Brown needs receiver Tony Diaz to find a hole in a seasoned Wolverine secondary. 

In a matchup this tightly contested, the team that controls the trenches and avoids mistakes will claim a massive victory. 

Next up 

Beyond the ranked battles, Week 4 is packed with compelling matchups. 

• Reigning champion No. 5 Indiana hosts undefeated Northwestern on Friday night. The Hoosier defense shut out their last two opponents and now faces the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week in Northwestern quarterback Aidan Chiles. 
• No. 7 Ohio State looks to repeat an undefeated Big Ten regular season campaign in 2026, opening conference play against Illinois at home. At stake is the Illibuck trophy, one of the oldest rivalry prizes in college football. 
• No. 13 Penn State welcomes Wisconsin into Beaver Stadium for Matt Campbell’s first Big Ten game. The Nittany Lion and Badger offenses are coming off 55 and 54-point performances, respectively. 
• Purdue hosts No. 3 Notre Dame in a non-conference showdown at Ross-Ade Stadium. Ryan Browne and the Boilermakers enter averaging nearly 40 points per game, but they face a Fighting Irish defense that has given up just 23 total points on the season.

The storylines don’t stop there with league action in full swing. Check out the complete schedule here.