Cory Steger:  The third test for Ohio State this season comes in the form of a trip to Champaign to face No. 17 Illinois. The Illini have rallied after getting dominated by Indiana, beating USC two weeks ago and handling Purdue last week. Illinois is similar to Ohio State in that they are not a great running team. Luke Altmeyer is a good quarterback, but as I’ve said before he is not impervious to mistakes. The key to this game will be how well Ohio State’s defensive line plays. Altmeyer is not a runner, and he has already taken 19 sacks this season. If the Buckeyes can continue to force him into negative plays then they’ll be in position for another good road victory.   Ohio State 38, Illinois 21 

Dave Culver:  Ohio State 38  Illinois 6 

Gregg Watson:  This season could not be laying out any better than it is right now for the Buckeyes.  After opening with a solid win over the #1 team in the country, they have dismantled and destroyed the rest of their opponents to date.  Illinois has had a positive start under Coach Bielema, with a major hiccup against the Hoosiers.  They could pose a threat for a while and with the home crowd behind them, but it is not enough to beat Ohio State.  Justin Sayin in 8th in the country in QBR with a rating of 85.  Jeremiah Smith is among the leaders in yards, receptions and TD’s. And Bo Jackson is one of the top running backs, in spite starting the year on the bench.  And that is not even talking about the defense which is playing lights out.  The Buckeyes get another road win and still will not be #1 on Heather D’s poll.   Ohio State 38  Illinois 13  

Jason Harris:  Ohio State’s defense is on a historic tear, allowing just 25 total points in five games and no opponent has scored more than a touchdown, The Buckeyes haven’t given up a red zone touchdown all season, which is almost unheard of.

Illinois, despite a blowout loss to Indiana, remains dangerous. QB Luke Altmyer is having a tremendous year, completing 74% of passes with 12 TDs and no interceptions, leading an offense capable of big plays and challenging the Buckeyes. Under Bret Bielema, Illinois has the experience and resilience that could threaten Ohio State in Champaign.

However, the Buckeyes’ O Line is quite possible the best in the country and along with a balanced offense led by QB Julian Sayin, who has vaulted into Heisman consideration, will ultimately prove too much. Illinois might keep it close for a while behind their home crowd, but expect Ohio State to pull away in another businesslike approach and continue its defensive dominance.   Ohio State 45  Illinois 10

Joe Hylton:  OSU

John Seibert:  Don’t let the blowout loss to Indiana fool you.  This is a good Illinois team.  They just got caught in a perfect storm in Bloomington.  I expect this one to be closer than the 16.5 points Vegas is laying. In the end Ohio State has too much of a talent edge across the board so should win by more than one score.  Of course, this assumes that Day/Hartline don’t play call scared and let the big dogs on offense eat.  Roll out a similar game plan to the one in Seattle and this one will be close deep into the fourth quarter.   Ohio State 31  Illinois 20

Josh Watson: Illinois has quietly been one of the more dangerous surprises this season. Under Bret Bielema, they’ve built discipline and structure, and QB Luke Altmyer has played with accuracy and poise. Still, the Illini haven’t faced a defense like Ohio State’s yet, and the Buckeyes’ depth—especially in the trenches and at receiver—gives Ryan Day options. I expect Illinois to hang early: mixing run and play-action to slow OSU’s tempo, forcing the Buckeyes to sustain long drives. But as the game wears on, the Buckeyes’ ability to rotate in fresh legs and push the pace should tilt the balance. Sayin will find Smith or Tate deep, the run game will finish off drives, and the defense will clamp the Illini when needed. Ohio State 38 – Illinois 17

Steven Smith:  Expect Illinois to remain ranked in the top 25 through about the first half of this game. The tale of the tape for any Buckeye opponent this season if they can establish the run and how they protect the quarterback. That’s pretty much going to be the litmus test going forward. In previous seasons, Altmeyer was a credible running threat. This year, not so much. The guy can pass and has been much more of a pocket passer this season. He’s gone for 1,573 yards and 12 touchdowns with no interceptions. So far, in 2025, Luke Altmeyer has been sacked 19 times. 19 times in 6 games, with only 2 of those games being against top 25 teams. Wrap your brain around that. The Illini gave up seven sacks in one game to Indiana. Maybe Altmeyer should go back to running. If, and that’s a big if, the Illini keep him clean, he should be able to make some throws. The Illinois line, though, will be hard pressed to do so against the best defense in the country, and the less time Altmeyer has to throw, the less effective he will become. Look for that first INT to come Saturday, or maybe a strip sack. Illinois’s defense, already pretty mediocre against the pass, will give up some monster receptions. Look for Smith, Tate, Innis and Klare to have very productive days. OSU bludgeons the Illini in the first half and coasts home to a 45-10 victory.

Stefan Armintrout:  I think Illinois puts up a decent fight for a while, but Ohio State pulls away and wins by a few scores. I think Illinois is better than their showing a few weeks ago against Indiana. They should be able to move the ball down the field on the Buckeyes a few times. But I don’t see them getting a lot of points. This Buckeye defense is stout and they will shrink the field once the Illini get close to the redzone. I see them settling for more field goals than touchdowns. Ohio State may take some time to get going, but once Sayin gets into a rhythm, Illinois will have no answer for the Ohio State passing attack. I also expect another solid showing from Bo Jackson on the ground. Illinois plays hard and keeps up for a little while, but the sheer talent on both sides of the ball for Ohio State is too much for them and the Buckeyes win comfortably.   (Ohio State, 31-12)

Final Score:  Ohio State 34   Illinois 16 

Dave:  Alabama 28  Missouri 21

Gregg:  Alabama is coming off two straight tough games and was able to come away with two wins.  Do they have enough in the tank for a third game?  The Tigers on the other hand were able to get a bye scheduled the week before this match-up.  I am probably going to be in the minority, but I think the Tigers will surprise the Tide and remain unbeaten for the season.   Missouri 24  Alabama 22 

Jason:  Missouri has built a solid program under head Coach Eliah Drinkwitz’s Tigers have been solid, but have been just below the best of the SEC. Coming into this matchup, they are at home and unbeaten withtons of momentum and a win over Bama could put them in the CFP conversation. For the Tide, after an early loss to Florida State, they have rebounded with four straight wins and is firmly back in the playoff race, despite the wins not necessarily coming pretty. Heisman Trophy candidate, QB Ty Simpson has been explosive and efficient, and until last week, had no turnovers. Missouri enters with one of the nation’s best rushing offense and leading the country against the run, allowing them to control tempo. Where they may be vulnerable is to Simpson’s deep passing game without mistakes which will test Mizzou’s secondary for the first time. While the Tide has struggled to rush the football, Simpson may need to carry them in this one. Expect both defenses to be successful early as each team tries to figure out the other and the game won’t be decided until the 4^th quarter when the Tide will find a late strike through the air to pull out the big road win and continue their positive momentum.   Alabama 31  Missouri 28

Joe-S-U:  ‘Bama

John:  This game is being billed as the biggest game ever in Columbia.  Mizzu has looked good beating two average teams (Kansas and USC East) and three nobodies.  After quitting in week one at FSU, ‘Bama appears to have righted the ship.  Flip a coin in this one.   Alabama  24  Missouri 21

Josh: This is a classic SEC scrap. Alabama’s offense, led by dynamic skill players and a deep receiver group, has the firepower to punish mismatches. But Missouri, at home, brings a physical sheen and a motivated crowd. If Missouri’s defense can disrupt Alabama’s QB and make them one-dimensional, this stays close. I see the Tigers trying to win at the line—run the ball, control the clock, force Alabama to beat them through the air. But Alabama has too many secondary weapons, and their front should win enough battles to tilt the game late. Alabama 31 – Missouri 20

Steven:  This one hinges on the run games of both Missouri and Alabama. It is a bit puzzling how Alabama’s running game has been so anemic this year, and therefore how much they have relied on QB Ty Simpson to carry the team. The Tide is rushing for just a little over a hundred yards per game. This plays very much into Missouri’s strengths, as they currently are in the top 10 nationally against the pass and already have 12 sacks on the year. Alabama better find a run game to take some pressure off of Simpson, or it will be a long day in Columbia. On the other side, Missouri’s run game may be what wins the day. Led by sophomore Ahmad Hardy’s 146 per contest, the Tigers rush for a total of 292 yards per game which should give them the edge in time of possession. If the Tigers can play a ball control game, limit Alabama possessions and limit Simpson’s touches, they win the game. Tigers win, maybe in OT, and throw another wrench into the SEC standings.   Mizzou 29-28.

Final Score:  Alabama 27   Missouri 24 

Cory:  The top-10 matchup between No. 7 Indiana and No. 3 Oregon should be a treat for college football fans this week. The Hoosiers and the Ducks feature arguably the two best quarterbacks in the nation – Fernando Mendoza for Indiana, and Dante Moore for Oregon. Mendoza is completing 73 percent of his passes to 74 percent for Moore. Mendoza has 16 touchdown passes to Moore’s 14, and both quarterbacks have thrown one pick each. The similarities between the two teams continue: Both teams are coming off bye weeks, both teams won close road games in the previous contests, and both teams feature a balanced offense despite having premier signal callers. Teams going all the way out west typically don’t play up to their potential so I will give the edge to Oregon in this one.   Oregon 31, Indiana 28 

Dave:  Oregon 28  Indiana 21

Gregg:  This game reminds me a lot of the trip Josh and I took to Eugene during the 2024 season.  Both teams are solid and highly ranked.  Both teams were unbeaten with hopes of a conference championship and a playoff spot. Both teams know what is at stake, but they both know, like Ohio State/Oregon knew last season, that the winner gets a leg up in the process, but the loser is far from over and will still have their fat in their own hands.  I do think the Ducks have a bit more in the tank though and come out on top. They have won 31 of the last 32 games at home, while the Hoosiers are 1-72 against top 5 competition.   Oregon 31  Indiana 27

Jason:  With Penn State fading from the Big Ten race, Oregon has a chance to cement its playoff path and a top-three national spot with a win over Indiana. The Ducks’ overtime victory at Penn State is still impressive, and their combination of discipline and balance makes them one of the most complete teams in the country.

With Indiana’s demolition of Illinois, the Hoosiers are suddenly a legitimate Big Ten threat. If the Hoosiers can upset Oregon in Eugene, it would erase doubts about their strength and put them on a legit path to the Big Ten title game and a return trip to the playoff. QB Fernando Mendoza is firmly in Heisman talk and against an Oregon defense that doesn’t create many tackles for loss or provide consistent pressure Mendoza can solidify his position as a possible invite to NY.

The Ducks are coming off a bye and elite on both lines. The offense, led by Dante Moore, who himself is in the Heisman race, doesn’t turn it over and can explode at any time with their balanced offense. Indiana will compete and make it interesting, but ultimately, the depth and elite talent of Oregon will prove too much. Expect a hard-fought Oregon win, keeping the Ducks’ well on their way back to Indy for a chance at a repeat Big Ten Championship and back to the CFP.   Oregon 35  Indiana 24

Joe-S-U:  Oregon

John:  Until the Hoosiers actually win one of these big road games it’s hard to take them seriously.  Oregon is playing as well as anyone and had an extra week to prepare.  Ducks roll in this one.   Oregon 38  Indiana 17

Josh: This is a matchup of speed and finesse versus physicality and depth. Oregon’s offense under Dante Moore is electric — capable of vertical strikes and dynamic reads — while Indiana has quietly built a stingy defense and a physical run game. I expect Indiana to lean heavily on the ground in the early going, testing Oregon’s front and forcing them to beat them through the air. But Oregon’s depth at receiver, tempo advantage, and ability to flip field position will eventually stretch Indiana’s defense. This will be fast and fun. Oregon 35 – Indiana 24

Steven:  I like what I see out of Indiana this year. They are 5th in the nation in total defense. After last season’s hand-wringing about whether they should or should not have been included in the College Football Playoff, the Hoosiers acquitted themselves well and have carried over that momentum to this season. QB Fernando Mendoza is the real deal, and he will be able to put significant pressure on the Duck defense. Likewise, Oregon QB Dante Morre will be a handful for the Indiana defense.  This is a heavyweight clash of top 10 defenses and should prove to be huge in figuring out the pecking order in the Big Ten. Oregon should win, but I expect the loss will not eliminate Indiana from playoff contention. Ducks win, but not by much. Oregon 33-29.

Trout:  The Ducks should win this game, but I think the Hoosiers keep it close. Oregon is the best team outside of Ohio State and maybe Miami. They should be able to go undefeated in the regular season again. While on the flipside, Indiana has shown that last year wasn’t a fluke. They may never be the top team in the Big Ten, but they should be able to compete with anyone. I see the game being close for a while, but sooner than later, the Ducks’ talent will push them ahead and they will win by a few scores. The Hoosiers won’t have the firepower to respond. The Ducks win the hard-fought game and continue their streak of being unbeaten in the Big Ten regular season.   (Oregon, 34-23) 

Final Score:  Indiana 30   Oregon 20  

Cory:  A bit of the sting has been taken out of the Red River Rivalry this week considering that Texas enters this game unranked. The Longhorns are coming off a disappointing loss to Florida last week, in which their offense looked inept for most of the game. Arch Manning is struggling, and that’s not a good sign considering he is also the team’s top rusher. Oklahoma enters this game firing on all cylinders, and the Sooners expect to have quarterback John Mateer back this week. Oklahoma’s defense has yet to give up more than 17 points in a game this season, and with how much Texas is struggling it’s hard to see that changing this week.   Oklahoma 24, Texas 17

Dave:  Oklahoma 32  Texas 28

Gregg:  Both teams have been in big games this year.  Oklahoma has passed all the tests so far, Texas not so much.  The Longhorns will be playing with desperation.  Unfortunately, I don’t think that works for Arch Manning and the Longhorns will go down for the third time this season.   Oklahoma 24  Texas 20

Jason:  The Red River Rivalry will likely be a CFP elimination game for the Horns as Oklahoma aims for 6-0 and avenge last year’s 34–3 loss, while Texas fights to stay in the playoff hunt. Even without injured QB John Mateer, the Sooners’ pass rush is one of the nation’s best, leading the country with over 4 sacks per game which could overwhelm Arch Manning and a Texas offensive line that has struggled to protect him. Despite the struggles with Manning and the offense, the Longhorn D has been elite and should control the tempo against Oklahoma without their star QB. Look for both defenses to make some plays, but with their season on the line and the better balance, Texas stays alive with their biggest win of the season to this point.   Texas 27  Oklahoma 21

Joe-S-U:  Oklahoma

John:  The title of Arch Mannings autobiography to this point should be “How to go from #1 to unranked in five short weeks, or how to succeed at the NIL game without really playing good football”.  The only reason that Texas is being given any hope in this one is the unknown of if John Mateer can play through a broken bone on his throwing hand.  He is listed as probable, so we’ll see if he can be effective or not. The Red River Shootout may well come down to backup Michael Hawkins Jr.’s ability to step into a pretty big stage in one of the biggest rivalry games in college football.  Look to the Texas D to keep them in it – can Arch make the play sot get the win? I think Mateers injury will be just too much for the Sooners to overcome.   Texas  24  Oklahoma 21

Josh: This rivalry always delivers. Texas enters as a slight favorite (3.5 points in some books) with momentum and home-field energy. Oklahoma may be undermanned at quarterback (John Mateer questionable), which gives Texas an edge in stability. Texas will lean on its defense to slow Oklahoma, and their offense will make enough shots to stay ahead.   Texas 23 – Oklahoma 20

Steven:  Does Oklahoma QB John Mateer play this weekend?  Quite frankly, it might not matter. The Texas Longhorns seem to be in a bit of flux right now. They are coming off a loss to unranked Florida, handing them their second win of the season. Texas was anemic on both sides of the ball, and what was once the top team in the country is now unranked and in deep questioning mode. At least this one is at home in Austin for the Longhorns. But, what needs to be fixed? A lot, but line play, especially the offensive side needs to improve. Secondly, the Longhorns desperately need to find a running game to compliment QB Arch Manning. On the Oklahoma side of the ball, they just need to keep doing what they are doing. Mateer being sidelined last week didn’t matter last week against Kent State. In flux or not, Texas isn’t Kent State. But with Mateer or backup Michael Hawkins, Jr., the Sooners defense gives the offense a huge safety blanket. They are allowing a national best 193 yards per game. It is tough to imagine that Texas will fix things in a week enough to eke out a win. Mateer probably will play, but might not need to. It might be good to keep him on the sidelines until needed, and if not, let Hawkins bring home the win.  Sooners 37-24.

Trout:  The Longhorns keep it close for the first half by then the Sooners pull away and win by a few scores. Texas and by extension Arch’s fall from grace has been something to see. This team was an almost consensus lock for the National Championship. Arch was the frontliner for Hesiman before even playing any real competition. And now Arch looks broken and this Longhorn team is looking to be .500 after this weekend. The Sooners on the other hand are playing solid football. They are hampered by the loss of Mateer, but they have kept their head above water. Whether Mateer plays in this game or not, I still see Oklahoma winning. I just think Texas is broken. They will keep it close for a while. Texas does have a decent defense, so that will keep them in the game. But once Oklahoma get’s the lead, I have zero faith that Arch can lead a comeback. Oklahoma wins the 2025 edition of the Red River Rivalry.   (Oklahoma, 31-17)  

Final Score:  Texas 23   Oklahoma 6 

Cory:  USC nearly pulled an upset on its trip to Champaign a few weeks ago. Now they have another big conference test, but at least this one is at home. Michigan has to go cross country to play USC in a game that could be lower scoring than expect. Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood has not made big mistakes, but he’s also not making big plays. You can see the talent is there but the stats don’t lie – 59.0 percent completion percentage, and more sacks (5) than passing touchdowns (3). But, Underwood does not have to be perfect with how good running back Justice Haynes has been. Haynes has gone over 100 yards in every game, is averaging 7.7 yards per carry, and has eight touchdowns.   Michigan 24, USC 20.    

Dave:  Michigan 21 USC 20 

Gregg:  If Michigan is going to win this game it is going to have to be on the ground and with game control.  I think it will work for a while but in the end, Underwood will be underwhelming.  USC gets 350 yards in the air and takes care of the Wolverines.   USC 41  Michigan 28  

Jason:  Two of the most storied college football powerhouses battle in Los Angeles with Big Ten playoff hopes on the line. Michigan continues to find ways to win keeps winning behind freshman QB Bryce Underwood, who hasn’t been spectacular but has done enough. The Wolverines just don’t beat themselves, committing just three turnovers all season. If the defense can continue to perform at a high level, USC will have their hands full. USC, is coming off a tough loss 2 weeks ago to an Illinois team fighting for the season, but make no mistake, this is a much improved USC team from years past. Having a strong offensive balance and one of the nation’s best pass rushes and should be rested after their bye. Michigan will play their typical methodical style, but USC’s explosive plays will ultimately be too much, getting a late score that gives them the cushion they need to close out Michigan at home and keep their narrow CFP hopes alive and all but ending Michigan’s hopes.   USC 31  Michigan 20

Joe-S-U:  USC

John:  Michigan is ranked, but unranked USC is a 2 point favorite in the Coliseum.  Underwood underwhelmed in his last big road test, a loss to OU.  While the UM offense has evolved somewhat since that September L, they will have to prove they can beat a good team on the road before I drink the Kool-aid.   USC  30  Michigan 17

Josh: USC is favored by ~2.5 points at home. Michigan’s defense is elite, but USC’s offense has high-end talent in the passing game and a potent pass rush. In a tight showdown, USC’s ability to make explosive plays and force Michigan to go off-script could be decisive. Expect a fast, competitive game that leans toward the home side. USC 31 – Michigan 29

Steven:  Whichever team wins this matchup will be the one who can maximize their team’s strength. If Michigan can establish the run and protect Bryce Underwood, so he is not asked to win the game for the Wolverines, they have a shot. The Michigan defense needs to contain Trojan QB Jayden Maiava, who is having a Heisman caliber year, so far. Michigan’s D is stout against the run, but they aren’t as seasoned in the secondary. Freshman cornerback Jayden Sanders is a bright spot, and should get better as the season progresses. Expect Maiava to pick on the secondary early and often. Michigan will counter with running back Justice Haynes who is 3rtd in the nation in rushing and is probably the best pure runner in the Big Ten since Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor. If the Wolverines can get this one to a grind it out match, they have a chance, but Maiava and the USC air attack just seems poised to take advantage of a young Michigan Defense.  USC 31-24.

Trout:  I would like to see the Trojans win this game, but I think Michigan pulls off the victory. I don’t think either team is good, but I think the Wolverines might be slightly better. Underwood still has a lot to learn, but he is very talented. He’ll make some key moves that put points on the board for Michigan. But I also see him making mistakes that USC will capitalize on. USC should be able to make it a game. As a whole, they are not a good team, but they do have some talented individual players. I see the game coming down to the last few seconds, like it did with Illinois. But much like that game, Michigan gets the lead with no time left on the clock. Michigan leaves Los Angeles with the victory and remains very much alive in the race for the Big Ten.   (Michigan, 27-24)

Final Score:  USC 31   Michigan 13