UNDATED (AP) — Ohio State coach Ryan Day is focused on improving his team's offense as it hosts Illinois to open Big Ten Conference play. Day wants more balance, better red zone execution and improved third-down conversions. The Buckeyes have struggled in these areas, especially in their recent loss to Texas. After facing Illinois, Ohio State has challenging road games ahead. Illinois, also 2-1, is looking to capitalize on their familiarity with Ohio State. Key players include Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith and Illinois' Collin Dixon, both top receivers. Illinois quarterback Katin Houser has made a strong impact this season.
UNDATED (AP) — No. 20 Oregon visits No. 12 Southern California in the biggest game of a huge weekend on the Big Ten schedule. This game offers an opportunity for Oregon to reassert itself as a title contender two weeks after its stunning 39-31 loss at Oklahoma State. Oregon has won its last four matchups with Southern California and hasn’t lost a Big Ten road game since joining the conference in 2024. Another Top 25 Big Ten matchup has No. 18 Michigan hosting No. 17 Iowa.
UNDATED (AP) — An Indiana state court has opened the door for Indiana Hoosiers defensive linemen Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt to return to the playing field for Friday night’s Big Ten Conference opener against Northwestern. Monroe Circuit Court Judge Kara Krothe issued a preliminary injunction Wednesday that allows Daley, Wyatt and more than 90 other athletes to regain their fifth year of eligibility. The NCAA is expected to appeal. For now, though, the ruling clears the way for Daley, Wyatt and dozens of others to return to action.
UNDATED (AP) — The Indiana Hoosiers spent Curt Cignetti’s first two seasons rebranding the program. Now the fifth-ranked and still unbeaten Hoosiers face the next big challenge — maintaining their status as a national football powerhouse. That next step begins Friday night when the 2025 national champions host unbeaten Northwestern, marking the first time in nearly 60 years the Hoosiers enter a Big Ten game holding the title of defending conference champs. And Cignetti thinks his program is in good position to keep the momentum going.
UNDATED (AP) — Kevin Kane came back to Purdue to fix one of the nation’s worst defenses. Through three games, the reunion has been rough. Fans are already upset the Boilermakers have allowed the most points per game and third highest total yards per game of any Power 4 team, and they might not be any happier when longtime in-state rival No. 3 Notre Dame visits Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday. Even coach Barry Odom is warning that if things don’t get fixed, the problems will only get worse.
UNDATED (AP) — Week 4 of the college football season is rife with games between Associated Press Top 25 teams that could be ready to reveal their true selves. No matchup fits the theme more than No. 20 Oregon at No. 12 Southern California given the Ducks’ shocking loss at Oklahoma State and the Trojans’ defensive issues. Can No. 4 Mississippi validate its win over LSU with another one as an underdog at No. 21 Florida? Is No. 17 Iowa’s offensive improvement fool’s gold or will it get shut down at No. 18 Michigan? Will No. 13 Penn State keep rolling against Wisconsin? AP makes its picks.
UNDATED (AP) — Six Top 25 matchups highlight the Week 4 schedule in college football. Four are in the Southeastern Conference. No. 1 Texas is at No. 14 Tennessee, No. 4 Mississippi goes to No. 21 Florida, No. 19 Missouri visits No. 24 Mississippi State and No. 23 Texas A&M visits No. 10 LSU. The other two Top 25 matchups are in the Big Ten. No. 17 Iowa is at No. 18 Michigan and No. 20 Oregon visits No. 12 Southern California.
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Penn State wide receiver Koby Howard's strong season start has hit a snag. Coach Matt Campbell says the team's leading pass catcher will be out for an extended period due to an undisclosed injury. Howard sustained the injury while scoring a long touchdown in a blowout win over Buffalo. Campbell did not specify how long Howard will be out, but said the injury is not season-ending. Campbell had hoped Howard could return when the 13th-ranked Nittany Lions open Big Ten play against Wisconsin. Instead, Penn State will face the Badgers without a player who has emerged as a big-play threat.
