College Football Picks Week 4: Predictions for Every Big Ten Matchup

The Big Ten is quickly becoming the most unpredictable and exciting conference in college football. It makes predicting every Week 4 matchup that much tougher.

The Big Ten was thrown for a loop with the inclusion of Nebraska, who rivals Wisconsin as the class of the conference. The Badgers are up to No. 6 in the AP Poll, while Nebraska sits at No. 9.

The tumultuous offseason for Ohio State left the door wide open for these two programs to make massive amount of noise. The Buckeyes were teetering on the brink of being embarrassed altogether in the first two weeks of the season, and the Miami Hurricanes finally put them out of their misery. Will the Buckeyes rebound in Week 4 after dropping out of the BCS rankings?

Michigan finally cracked the top 25 and is ranked No. 22 after being unjustly ousted for weeks. Expect Denard Robinson to continue his Heisman aspirations with another big game.

Illinois stunned most by defeating Arizona State at home. That big win catapulted them to 3-0 on the season and are now ranked No. 24.

Michigan State was abused, for the most part, by Cierre Wood and Notre Dame. Previously ranked No. 15 in the nation, the Spartans now have to find a way to get back into the top 25.

Enough chatter; let’s dive right into every Big Ten matchup on the Week 4 slate.

Central Michigan at Michigan State, September 24, 12:00 p.m. EST

Kirk Cousins, Edwin Baker and the Spartans will annihilate Central Michigan. The Spartans will be out to avenge a devastating road loss against Notre Dame. They didn’t come to play and were outmuscled from the opening kick. Mark Dantonio’s squad has too much pride not to steamroll their opponents in Week 4. They know they need a massive performance to even try to get back into the rankings after this week.

Prediction: Michigan State, 41-10

San Diego State at (22) Michigan, September 24, 12:00 p.m. EST

Head coach Brady Hoke and Heisman hopeful Robinson have the Wolverines rolling. They are looking to continue building momentum to move up the rankings. The Aztecs are a highly talented squad and will give the Wolverines a run for their money. SDSU has RB Ronnie Hillman coming off a four-touchdown performance and QB Ryan Lindley, who is an excellent prospect. The Wolverines have their work cut out for them in this contest and are actually on upset alert.

Prediction: Michigan, 38-35

Eastern Michigan at Penn State, September 24, 12:00 p.m. EST

Joe Paterno’s Nittany Lions escaped a nail-bitter last week against Temple. They only won 14-10 when they should’ve won easily. Still, these are the growing pains Penn State must learn from.

I fully expect Joe Pa’s defense to buckle down and put together a solid performance. More importantly, RB Silas Redd will finally enjoy that breakout game we’ve been waiting for since Evan Royster left.

Prediction: Penn State, 21-9

LA Monroe at Iowa, September 24, 12:00 p.m. EST

Iowa is still looking to redeem their loss to Iowa State in Week 2. They’ll continue to put the pressure on the opposition with a heavy dose of RB Marcus Coker. Coker is one of the best downhill running backs in the nation. He is a wrecking ball of destruction when he carries the rock. He’ll rumble for at least 100 yards and two scores. Look for James Vandenberg and Marvin McNutt too hook up as well.

Prediction: Iowa, 31-17

Colorado at Ohio State, September 24, 3:30 p.m. EST

Ohio State is lucky CB Jimmy Smith left for the NFL, but this will still be a close contest. The Buckeyes do not have the talent on offense to blow anybody out of the water and aren’t even playing inspired defense either. They were almost upset by the Toledo Rockets in Week 2, and the Hurricanes sealed the deal last week. The Buckeyes are reeling, but they’ll pull through at home.

Prediction: Ohio State, 17-13

South Dakota at (6) Wisconsin, 3:30 p.m. EST

The Badgers are a dark horse National Championship squad. QB Russell Wilson has solidified this team and put them over the top. The rushing attack is unbearable for any defense, as James White and Montee Ball form arguably the top duo in the country. Wisconsin is clicking on all cylinders and will not crumble at home.

Prediction: Wisconsin, 45-10

Western Michigan at (24) Illinois, September 24, 3:30 p.m. EST

Illinois will enjoy another exciting home stand. They are coming off a massive victory against Vontaze Burfict’s Arizona State Sun Devils and will continue their plight to move ahead in the rankings. The defense has been fantastic this season, allowing just over 10 points per contest. Look for the defense to lead the way and QB Nathan Scheelhaase to put together a solid outing.

Prediction: Illinois, 23-10

North Dakota at Minnesota, September 24, 7:00 p.m. EST

Minnesota has been inconsistent this season. They are 1-2, but could have been 2-1 if they completed the Week 1 upset over USC. Still, Minnesota has fight in them and will defend their home against North Dakota. This will be North Dakota’s first game of the season away from home, and it will show.

Prediction: Minnesota, 27-24

Indiana at North Texas, September 24, 7:00 p.m. EST

North Texas had the displeasure of traveling to Alabama to take on arguably the best team in the nation in the Crimson Tide. They were trounced 41-0. Thankfully, they’re back at home and will pull out their first win of the season against Indiana. The Hoosiers are 1-3 and are on the road for the first time this season. They won big last week in front of their home crowd, which served as a nice farewell for the week.

Prediction: North Texas, 30-28

(9) Nebraska at Wyoming, September 24, 7:30 p.m. EST

Both teams enter 3-0 on the season, but Wyoming doesn’t stand a chance against the well-oiled Cornhuskers machine. QB Brett Smith has been good for the Cowboys, but he won’t be able to lead them to victory against Nebraska’s defense. Taylor Martinez has been great as a dual-threat QB for the Cornhuskers and will exploit the Cowboys’ defense.

Prediction: Nebraska, 48-23