Biggest storylines to watch in Week 4 of Big Ten football

The Big Ten will give college football fans an exciting slate of games in Week 4. The contenders and pretenders will reveal themselves this week. A former Pac-12 team will either show it belongs in the Big Ten or that it isn't a true contender.

Here are some central storylines to follow in the Big Ten in Week 4:

Iowa will prove it is a bigger contender than Michigan

Michigan proved itself when it got a huge upset over the Oklahoma Sooners . This week will not be the same. Instead, Iowa will pull off the upset. This is a program that wins games it is not supposed to and plays really well against good teams. This defense is suffocating, and the run game is just as dangerous. I think Bryce Underwood will struggle and get stifled by Iowa. Iowa's run game will be decisive.

USC will be the best former Pac-12 team in the Big Ten this week

Washington, Oregon , UCLA , and USC face a defining week to see which teams actually belong in the Big Ten. USC has the best opportunity to do so, facing an Oregon Ducks team that has struggled. I think USC will pull off the win, and the Trojans will be looked at as the best former Pac-12 team in the Big Ten following this week. This would be a monumental win for Lincoln Riley and the program.

Penn State will prove it is the highest-rising Big Ten team this week

Penn State and Wisconsin are two teams that seem to be back to playing football at a high level. Wisconsin's defense has been great, as has new starting quarterback Colton Joseph . However, I think Matt Campbell will show that his team is the best rising team in the Big Ten. Rocco Becht has not disappointed, and this dominant Nittany Lions football team will get their first statement win of the season.

This year will not be any different for Illinois

Illinois won the 2025 games it was supposed to, but when it came to the games against contenders, the Illini got outmatched last year. This season will be no different. Ohio State will show it is on a different level than the Fighting Illini in this game. Ohio State will win big.

I have had my doubts about Nebraska and Matt Rhule finding success. They face a tough Michigan State team that shouldn't be taken lightly. However, Michigan State will not be the team that knocks them off their high horse. It will be a close game, but Matt Rhule and the Cornhuskers will move to 4-0.

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