USC pulls through in must-win game, Indiana survives Nebraska

USC football and head coach Lincoln Riley displayed a new side of the Trojan team as they traveled to Penn State. The start of the season appeared promising for UCLA, indicating it was no fluke. In the Big Ten conference, several teams were proving themselves as contenders, while Washington's performance raised doubts about their worthiness. Here are the weekend's scores from Big Ten football, along with an assessment for each team:

Friday: Iowa 41-24, Washington

Washington faced a difficult home game against the Iowa Hawkeyes, who dominated with a stellar performance from Kamari Moulton. Washington's backup quarterback Elijah Brown provided a spark, but the outcome was a clear indicator of the Huskies' Big Ten credibility. Iowa, however, appeared to be a worthy team in the conference this year.

Saturday: Indiana 20-17, Nebraska

Nebraska's quarterback Anthony Colandrea more than proved his worth as a Big Ten quarterback, but they could not secure a win against the Indiana Hoosiers. Curt Cignetti's 14-point, unanswered performance by the Hoosiers ultimately secured the victory, showcasing their battle-tested skills. Nonetheless, the team's title contender status remains uncertain.

Northwestern 45-14, Ball State

Many expected a standout performance from Caleb Komolafe in this game, but Northwestern's offense was led by a brilliant display from quarterback Aidan Chiles. Coach Chip Kelly's decision proved effective, as Chiles delivered a 3-touchdown passing performance, propelling Northwestern to a 4-1 record. Illinois faced a costly loss in overtime, thanks to an unfavorable call, while Michigan State's bright future appeared promising.

UCLA 17-15, Oregon

The UCLA Bruins battled adversity in a tough game against the Ducks, who had to bench their backup quarterback and deal with the absence of starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava due to injury. Despite these challenges, UCLA's Wayne Knight stepped up on offense, forcing 7 turnovers and stifling Oregon's run game. Under head coach Bob Chesney, UCLA has emerged as the best newly added team in the conference this season.

Ohio State 45-16, Maryland

The Ohio State Buckeyes' offense continued to dominate in a strong showing ahead of their challenging schedule. Jeremiah Smith's exceptional performance was complemented by the run game's dominance. Maryland's loss further solidified Ohio State's position, leaving the Terrapins with little momentum or hope.

USC 31-23, Penn State

The USC Trojans delivered a strong performance against Penn State. Each of their best players stepped up with dominant performances, while their defense shone in critical moments. If this continued trend persists in upcoming games, USC's season could retain a great deal of hope. Penn State, on the other hand, faced a disappointing loss in their third straight defeat.