Football writers Lorin Cox and Andrew Tucker and sports editor Thomas Valtin-Erwin make predictions for Week 4.
Lorin Cox
Big Ten player to watch: Purdue DT Jake Replogle
Replogle has been an absolute force up front for the Boilermakers this season, and he will shut down the Nevada Wolf Pack running backs this week by dominating their poor interior offensive line.
Wisconsin Prediction: Michigan State 27, Wisconsin 20
Georgia State revealed the formula for taking advantage of the Badgers’ defense, and Michigan State’s back end is really going to test whoever Wisconsin starts at quarterback.
Top Ten team likely to lose: No. 17 Arkansas over No. 10 Texas A&M
The Razorbacks haven’t been pretty this year, but Bret Bielema never is. His boys get the job done over a Texas A&M team that was a bit overrated when it snuck into the Top 10.
Andrew Tucker
Big Ten player to watch: Jabril Peppers
Peppers is known for his versatility. Last year’s Big Ten Freshman of the Year was also a second-team All-American at cornerback, who doubles as a return man and triples as an offensive wild card. Peppers had a punt return for a touchdown last week, so watch out for the sophomore in all phases of the game as Michigan plays a weak Penn State squad.
Wisconsin Prediction: Michigan State 24-20
Wisconsin heads to East Lansing after an incredibly underwhelming win over Georgia State. The Spartans head home after an incredibly inspired 36-28 victory over Notre Dame. Momentum will carry MSU as they beat the Badgers by four.
Top Ten team likely to lose: No. 17 Arkansas over No. 10 Texas A&M
Only two teams in the Top Ten have difficult matchups: Michigan State and Texas A&M. While I have MSU penciled in for a victory, I don’t think Texas A&M will be able to fend off Arkansas at home. The Razorbacks have a solid win over TCU on their résumé, which impresses me more than A&M’s win over UCLA.
Thomas Valtin-Erwin
Big Ten player to watch: Tommy Armstrong Jr.
Armstrong Jr. tallied the game-winning touchdown against Oregon, capping off a fantastic three-week start to the season. He’s averaging nearly four total touchdowns per game and now faces a Northwestern team that has looked absolutely pathetic this season. The Wildcats’ defense might still be great, but Armstrong doesn’t look like he’s slowing down for anyone.
Wisconsin prediction: Michigan State 21, Wisconsin 17.
The Badgers looked lost for much of the game against Georgia State last week. We have yet to see what Alex Hornibrook can do against a Power 5 defense, but it probably won’t be quite enough to lift them over a Top Ten opponent on the road. The Spartans looked great against Notre Dame.
Top Ten team likely to lose: UCLA over No. 7 Stanford
There are two Top Ten teams playing ranked opponents this week, but neither of them is playing on the road. No. 7 Stanford, on the other hand, visits UCLA this week, a team it has beaten eight straight times. That should change this week, despite Christian McCaffrey’s inevitable 800 all-purpose yards.