Big Ten Week 8 Predictions: Indiana Aims for Upset at Michigan State, Nebraska Hosts Northwestern

Matching the intensity and overall interest level of last week’s Michigan-Michigan State game won’t be easy for the Big Ten with its Week 8 slate of matchups. Indiana-Michigan State and Northwestern-Nebraska are the league’s must-see games for Saturday, with the Spartans hoping to avoid a letdown after the chaotic end to the win over Michigan. The Wildcats need to rebound after back-to-back losses and have been outscored 78-10 in their last two games. Elsewhere in the Big Ten this Saturday, Ohio State travels to Rutgers, with J.T. Barrett getting the start over Cardale Jones at quarterback for the Buckeyes. Wisconsin plays at Illinois and Penn State meets Maryland in a neutral site matchup in Baltimore to round out the Week 8 action. 

Related: Predictions for Every Week 8 Game

Athlon Sports offers its Big Ten Week 8 predictions from four editors: Steven Lassan (@AthlonSteven), Mitch Light (@AthlonMitch), David Fox (@DavidFox615), and Braden Gall (@BradenGall)

Big Ten Week 8 Game Power Rankings & Predictions

1. Indiana at Michigan State

Date: Saturday, Oct. 24 at 3:30 p.m. ET

TV Channel: ABC/ESPN2

Spread: Michigan State -16.5

Predictions for Indiana at Michigan State

Related: Big Ten Midseason Review and Second-Half Predictions

2. Northwestern at Nebraska

Date: Saturday, Oct. 24 at Noon ET

TV Channel: ESPN2

Spread: Nebraska -7.5

Predictions for Northwestern at Nebraska

3. Ohio State at Rutgers

Date: Saturday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. ET

TV Channel: ABC

Spread: Ohio State -21

Predictions for Ohio State at Rutgers

4. Wisconsin at Illinois

Date: Saturday, Oct. 24 at 3:30 p.m. ET

TV Channel: Big Ten Network

Spread: Wisconsin -6.5

Predictions for Wisconsin at Illinois

5. Penn State vs. Maryland (Baltimore)

Date: Saturday, Oct. 24 at 3:30 p.m. ET

TV Channel: ESPN

Spread: Penn State -6.5

Predictions for Penn State vs. Maryland