Oregon-Ohio State, Penn State-USC provide two heavyweight intersectional Big Ten matchups this week

 

[October 10, 2024]  By STEVE MEGARGEE

Things to watch this week in the Big Ten Conference:

Game of the week
No. 2 Ohio State (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) at No. 3 Oregon (5-0, 2-0), Saturday 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC)

Autzen Stadium will host a game pitting two top-five teams against each other for the first time ever when Oregon faces Ohio State. This marks the first matchup between these new conference rivals since Oregon won 35-28 at Ohio State in 2021. That’s the only time Oregon has beaten Ohio State in 10 meetings.

Dillon Gabriel and the Oregon offense will face a major test from an Ohio State defense that allows the fewest points per game (6.8), yards per game (202.4) and yards per play (3.61) of any Football Bowl Subdivision team.

Since eking out a 37-34 home victory over Boise State on Sept. 7, Oregon has won each of its last three games by at least 21 points. Ohio State has won each of its first five games by at least 28 and is favored in this one by 3 ˝ points, according to BetMGM.
 

The undercard

Southern California (3-2, 1-2) at No. 4 Penn State (5-0, 2-0), Saturday 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS)

These two teams are facing off for the first time since USC edged Penn State 52-49 in a thrilling Rose Bowl on Jan. 2, 2017. They haven’t met in the regular season since a USC 29-5 triumph on Aug. 27, 2000.

USC is coming off a 24-17 loss at Minnesota that continued a season-long trend of Big Ten teams struggling when they play games at least two time zones away from campus. USC could benefit as Penn State makes a coast-to-coast trip.

Impact players

Oregon DE Jordan Burch had 2 ˝ sacks and a fumble recovery in a 31-10 victory over Michigan State.

Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka caught three touchdown passes in the Buckeyes’ 35-7 win over Iowa. He had nine overall receptions for 71 yards.

Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka, left, and running back Quinshon Judkins celebrate their touchdown against Iowa during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

Wisconsin QB Braedyn Locke’s 359 yards passing in a 52-6 blowout of Purdue represented the seventh-highest single-game total in school history.

Southern California RB Woody Marks has caught a pass in 50 straight games, the longest active streak in the nation.

Inside the numbers

Washington ranks first in the nation and Minnesota is second in pass efficiency defense. Minnesota has intercepted 10 passes while allowing only two touchdown passes. Washington is allowing only 4.5 yards per pass attempt, with Minnesota close behind at 4.6. … Maryland is winless in Big Ten competition, yet its plus-11 turnover margin is tied for first in the FBS with James Madison. … Ohio State has scored touchdowns on 20 of its 21 red-zone possessions. It settled for a field goal the other time. … No. 23 Illinois has lost its last four meetings with Purdue but is a 19 ˝-point favorite this time, according to BetMGM. … Rutgers has blocked multiple kicks in a game 15 times during Greg Schiano’s two head coaching tenures. It happened again Saturday when Flip Dixon and Jamier Wright-Collins blocked punts in a 14-7 loss at Nebraska.

Now don’t get upset

The new coast-to-coast version of the Big Ten is wreaking havoc on teams that have to travel across the country. So far this season, there have been nine Big Ten matchups in which one team was playing at least two time zones away from its own campus. The road teams have gone 1-8 in those games, the lone win coming when No. 18 Indiana won 42-13 at UCLA.

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