Welcome to a new episode of Land-Grant Podcast Network’s I-80 Football Show. On this show, we travel down I-80 to talk all things Big Ten Football. This is the only Big Ten Podcast that’ll cover all 18 teams. After every week of action, we will catch you up on all the conference’s games and look ahead at the matchups, storylines, and players you should be paying attention to for the next week. My name is Jordan Williams, and I am joined by my co-host Dante Morgan.

Dante and Jordan are back but before we can get into the Big Ten we have to talk about the drama out west. Instead of merging with the Mountain West, the PAC-12 is trying to poach teams but it is not working. After the AAC spurned the PAC-12 they are left with nothing but the remaining Mountain West schools they didn't want originally and now they’re suing to try and avoid paying poaching fees. The West is a mess right now, including UNLV whose starting quarterback just decided to redshirt because they did not meet a verbal NIL commitment. This is why all athletes need to get their NIL commitments in a written contract but until then we may see more athletes decide to take a redshirt versus playing for free or less than expected. 

Back to the Big Ten, we’re set up for a banner weekend starting with Rutgers vs. Washington on Friday night. After outlasting Virginia Tech, Rutgers is hoping to keep their momentum and improve to 4-0. After defeating Nebraska, Illinois is undefeated before their showdown with Penn State. Penn State is more talented but they’ve already shown flaws including playing a close game with Bowling Green. Illinois is much better than Bowing Green, Penn State has been inconsistent and should be on upset watch. After losing to Michigan USC has to face Wisconsin, USC’s rude welcome may last another week because Michigan gave the blueprint to beating the Trojans and Wisconsin should be able to run on Lincoln Riley's defense. 

For this week’s Mapuest, Friday is Washington at Rutgers. On Saturday we have Maryland at Indiana at Noon. Wisconsin-USC mid-day with Illinois going to Happy Valley for the primetime slot. After taking a week off, Big Ten After Dark is back with Oregon and UCLA. 

In their weekly pitstop, Dante can’t believe that WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes won’t just admit she was wrong about Caitlin Clark instead deciding to minimize her legacy so Caitlin looks less impressive. Jordan, despite being a Steeler, is happy for Justin Fields and his continued growth. It’s amazing what being a part of a real franchise can do for a player's confidence and ability. It’s been three games but Fields already looks like a different player. 

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