One Critical Mistake Every Big Ten Team Must Avoid in Week 12 -

As we enter the final stretch of the college football season, Week 12 presents a critical juncture for Big Ten teams. With bowl eligibility, playoff hopes, and coaching futures on the line, one mistake could mean the difference between victory and defeat. Here’s a breakdown of the one critical mistake each Big Ten team must avoid in their Week 12 matchups.

Penn State @ Purdue

Penn State: Don’t Play Purdue—Play Against Perception.
Penn State must go beyond just securing a win; they need to make a statement. With Ohio State and Oregon having shut out Purdue this season (45-0 and 35-0, respectively), Penn State cannot afford to simply go through the motions. Dominance is expected, and anything less might hurt them in the eyes of pollsters and playoff committees. The key is to attack early, prove consistency, and avoid letting Purdue hang around.

Purdue: Don’t Keep Ryan Walters as Coach.
Purdue’s nightmare season, highlighted by an eight-game losing streak and zero FBS wins, calls for decisive action. Ryan Walters’ tenure has been a disaster, and Purdue cannot afford to let this situation continue. Big Ten programs, especially with the financial backing of their media deals, cannot endure seasons like this without drastic changes.

Score Prediction: Penn State 38, Purdue 3

Rutgers @ Maryland

Rutgers: Don’t Try to Be Too Tough.
Rutgers thrives on physicality, but against Maryland’s two massive 300+ lb defensive tackles, running up the middle will be a challenge. Instead, Rutgers needs to target the edges of the defense, as both USC and Oregon found success with outside runs against Maryland. A ground game that exploits the outside is Rutgers’ best path to success.

Maryland: Don’t Overcomplicate 3rd Downs.
Maryland has struggled on third downs, particularly with quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., who has struggled under pressure. With 3 interceptions, 6 sacks, and a 60% completion rate on third downs, Maryland needs to simplify their approach. They should focus on avoiding long third-down situations by mixing in wide receiver screens to keep the chains moving.

Score Prediction: Rutgers 24, Maryland 21

Michigan State @ Illinois

Michigan State: Don’t Be Afraid to Sell Out on the Run.
Michigan State has found success this season when they’ve been able to stop the run. In the four games they’ve won, opponents have averaged fewer than 100 rushing yards (and less than 75 if you exclude one 75-yard breakaway run by Iowa). Given Illinois’ reliance on their ground game, Michigan State should focus on loading the box and forcing quarterback Luke Altmyer to beat them through the air, especially since Altmyer has struggled since the Nebraska game.

Illinois: Don’t Be Conservative About Getting Turnovers.
Illinois wins when their defense is opportunistic. They’ve averaged more than two takeaways per win this season, but in their recent loss to Minnesota, they failed to generate any turnovers. Illinois must be aggressive in forcing mistakes, as their defense thrives on shifting momentum through turnovers. A conservative approach could let Michigan State hang around.

Score Prediction: Illinois 28, Michigan State 17

Ohio State @ Northwestern

Ohio State: Don’t Get Anyone Injured.
Ohio State’s main objective should be to stay healthy in this game at Wrigley Field, where conditions have historically been unpredictable. With the College Football Playoff on the horizon, Ohio State needs all hands on deck, and a freak injury in a relatively easy win over Northwestern could derail their season.

Northwestern: Don’t Run Jack Lausch Too Much.
Northwestern’s quarterback Jack Lausch has the ability to make plays with his legs, but running too much against Ohio State’s elite defense could be dangerous. Ohio State has already knocked three mobile quarterbacks out of games this season. Lausch needs to avoid becoming the fourth.

Score Prediction: Ohio State 40, Northwestern 13

Washington @ UCLA

Washington: Don’t Start Will Rogers.
While Will Rogers has been a solid quarterback for Washington, this is the time to look toward the future. With the season winding down and DeMond Williams being groomed as the next starter, it’s essential to give him meaningful reps. Washington should prioritize developing Williams rather than focusing solely on the present.

UCLA: Don’t Abandon the Run.
UCLA’s rushing attack, led by TJ Harden, has shown improvement over the last two weeks. Harden’s 6.3 yards per carry against Iowa was his best performance yet, and UCLA must continue to lean on him. Abandoning the run too early could put unnecessary pressure on their passing game.

Score Prediction: Washington 24, UCLA 17

Nebraska @ USC

Nebraska: Don’t Go Slow.
Dana Holgerson’s up-tempo offense has historically been successful, and Nebraska should embrace that tempo to wear down USC’s defense. Dylan Raiola, Nebraska’s quarterback, will benefit from a faster-paced offense that reduces the need for complex reads and decision-making.

USC: Don’t Keep Jayden Maiava in the Pocket.
Jayden Maiava is a mobile quarterback, and USC’s offense under Lincoln Riley works best when the quarterback can make plays with his legs. Given that USC’s offensive line has struggled in pass protection, keeping Maiava in the pocket against Nebraska’s aggressive defensive front would be a mistake. Let him use his mobility to create plays and keep the defense on its heels.

Score Prediction: Nebraska 28, USC 24

Oregon @ Wisconsin

Oregon: Don’t Stay Sloppy.
Oregon’s sloppiness, including penalties and special teams mishaps (such as a muffed punt for the second game in a row), has been a problem. While Oregon has the talent to overcome these mistakes, they cannot afford to take Wisconsin lightly. Camp Randall Stadium is one of the more challenging environments in the Big Ten, and Oregon must stay sharp.

Wisconsin: Don’t Get Too Conservative.
Wisconsin needs to take some shots down the field, especially off play-action. Relying too heavily on the run will make them predictable against a talented Oregon defense. Braden Locke is more effective when he’s throwing off play-action, and taking deep shots will help loosen up Oregon’s defense.

Score Prediction: Oregon 31, Wisconsin 17