As week two of Big Ten play approaches for Penn State football, we wanted to take a look at where every remaining game on the Nittany Lions’ schedule stands.

Following a 24-20 loss to Wisconsin in its conference opener, Penn State faces added pressure as it enters the heart of its schedule.

Northwestern (October 2)

Northwestern nearly upset No. 5 Indiana last Friday but ultimately fell 29-23.

Quarterback Aidan Chiles completed 22-of-29 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns. The Wildcats trailed 12-0 at halftime before outscoring the Hoosiers 23-17 in the second half.

The Wildcats were penalized nine times, totaling 57 yards. This Northwestern team will be hungry for its first win at the new Ryan Field, and the Nittany Lions’ offense will have to show up and be aggressive if Penn State wants to come away with a much-needed win.

ESPN Analytics gives Penn State a 55.9% chance to win. The Nittany Lions are also favored by seven points, but Matt Campbell and his team should not consider this an easy win.

Last year, the Wildcats came to Happy Valley for Homecoming and left with a 22-21 win.

No. 18 USC (October 10)

USC dominated in its first three nonconference games, outscoring its opponents 130-56, including a 39-0 shutout against FBS opponent Fresno State.

The Trojans then traveled to Piscataway to face the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, where they almost lost but pulled away for a 42-35 win, improving their record to 4-0.

USC faced its first real test at home against No. 20 Oregon, losing 41-27.

Oregon struck first with a 30-yard field goal to take an early 3-0 lead, leaving USC trailing for the first time this season. The Trojans quickly struck back and took the lead with a 31-yard touchdown pass from Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, who finished with 114 receiving yards.

USC senior quarterback Jayden Maiava leads the nation with 1,499 passing yards. Against Oregon, he completed 23-of-42 passes for 326 yards and two touchdowns while throwing one interception.

The game became controversial with 10:06 left in the second quarter when USC linebacker Desman Stephens II was ejected for targeting after a late hit that left Oregon quarterback Dante Moore with a concussion.

Backup quarterback Dylan Raiola finished the game for the Ducks. USC announced that Stephens would be suspended for one game, making him ineligible against Washington but eligible for the White Out on October 10.

If the Nittany Lions want to come away with a White Out win over a ranked USC team, they will have to contain Maiava and the Trojans’ explosive offense.

Michigan (October 17)

After a controversial Week 1 win over Western Michigan, Michigan fell out of the Top 25. The Wolverines then picked up a 17-10 win over No. 11 Oklahoma, returning to No. 19.

Michigan hosted No. 17 Iowa at the Big House on Saturday and lost 20-19 on a last-second touchdown pass by the Hawkeyes. The loss dropped Michigan out of the rankings for the second time this season.

Penn State has what it takes to beat the Wolverines at the Big House, but it will have to find a way to prevent wide receiver JJ Buchanan from finding open space. Buchanan recorded 130 receiving yards and two touchdowns against Iowa.

Overall, if Penn State can limit Michigan’s passing attack and convert on third down, the Nittany Lions should come away with a hard-fought win.

Purdue (October 31)

Purdue has had a rough few games lately.

It won its first non-conference game against Indiana State 44-19, but that remains its only win. The Boilermakers lost 38-36 to Wake Forest before falling 52-38 to UCLA. They then hosted No. 3 Notre Dame and lost 49-10.

Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne threw for only 111 passing yards in that game, and Notre Dame outplayed the Boilermakers in every aspect.

This should be an easy test for Penn State as long as it doesn’t give up favorable field position or make costly mistakes. Purdue was held scoreless until the third quarter, when it already trailed 35-0.

With a bye week before this matchup, the Nittany Lions could repeat their performance against Marshall, holding the Thundering Herd scoreless and continuing to build on their early momentum.

Washington (November 7)

Washington is currently 3-1, like Penn State, and was solid in its non-conference slate.

The Huskies narrowly defeated Utah State 16-14 before losing 27-24 to Minnesota in their Big Ten opener. Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. threw two touchdown passes and two interceptions against the Golden Gophers.

Running back Brian Bonner Jr. had 23 rushing yards, while wide receiver Dezmen Roebuck recorded 87 receiving yards and one touchdown.

A Penn State win is very possible. However, the time zone change and the challenge of playing at Husky Stadium will make this a difficult game.

Minnesota (November 14)

Minnesota is currently undefeated in Big Ten play after beating Washington 27-24. Its only loss of the season came in a 38-13 defeat against Mississippi State during its non-conference slate.

Penn State needs to start strong defensively to win, as Minnesota showed against Washington that it can capitalize on turnovers and find open receivers.

Minnesota could enter the AP Poll before visiting Beaver Stadium.

Rutgers (November 21)

Rutgers has had one of the worst starts in the Big Ten and could be the conference’s weakest team alongside Purdue.

The Scarlet Knights picked up their first win of the season with a 58-7 victory over FCS opponent Howard after opening 0-3, including a 42-35 loss to No. 12 USC.

Dylan Lonergan has started three out of the Scarlet Knights’ four games, throwing for 708 yards. AJ Surace started Rutgers’ loss at Boston College and threw for 230 yards.

By comparison, Nittany Lions quarterback Rocco Becht has thrown for 865 yards through four games.

Rutgers’ current star is wide receiver KJ Duff. He is currently tied for the national lead with seven receiving touchdowns through four games. No other Scarlet Knight has scored more than once per game.

As long as the Penn State defense can find a way to stop Duff, this should be one of the Nittany Lions’ more manageable games.

Maryland (November 28)

Penn State’s final regular-season game falls over Thanksgiving break at Maryland.

Put plainly, the Terrapins were steamrolled by UCLA this past weekend, losing 54-3. The week before, they lost 35-26 to Virginia Tech and former Penn State head coach James Franklin.

Maryland quarterback Malik Washington threw for 142 passing yards, completed 18-of-38 passes and tossed four interceptions in the blowout loss to UCLA. Carlton Smith recorded nine tackles, five for a solo.

If Penn State can disrupt Maryland’s passing attack and force Washington into turnovers, the Nittany Lions should be in a strong position to finish the regular season victorious.