Indiana and Iowa State are poised to achieve significant milestones this week, with each team employing distinct strategies to maintain their perfect records as November approaches.

Ranked 13th, the Hoosiers are seeking to secure a 9-0 record for the first time in their history with a victory over Michigan State on Saturday. Meanwhile, the 11th-ranked Cyclones aim for an 8-0 start by defeating Texas Tech in Iowa.

First-year head coach Curt Cignetti at Indiana has taken a transformative approach, rejuvenating a team that struggled with a 3-9 record last year. By bringing in a wave of transfers, Cignetti has turned the program around, leading the Hoosiers to double-digit victories across the board in 2023. Out of 22 regular starters, seven have come with Cignetti from James Madison, and nine others transferred from different schools, leaving only six players from the previous squad— the majority of whom are on the offensive line.

On the other hand, Iowa State’s seasoned coach Matt Campbell stands firm in a traditional recruiting model, focusing on high school athletes and player development within his system. Unlike Indiana, the Cyclones have not seen significant player departures through transfers. In fact, 20 of the 22 regular starters were present on the roster for last year’s 7-6 season.

Both teams harbor realistic aspirations for reaching the 12-team College Football Playoff, which would have seemed far-fetched at the start of the season for two programs that have generally struggled in major college football.

According to BetMGM Sportsbook, Iowa State is an 11th betting favorite with odds at 5-7, while Indiana holds the 15th spot with odds standing at 11-10.

Here are the betting lines and predictions for several key matchups this Saturday:

1. **No. 1 Oregon at Michigan (+14 1/2)**: The Ducks have dominated five of their last six opponents, save for a narrow loss to Ohio State, making them a formidable force against Michigan, who has faced unexpected struggles since their championship run. **Pick**: Oregon 31-21.

2. **No. 2 Georgia (-16 1/2) vs. Florida**: With Florida gaining momentum, particularly with freshman DJ Lagway showcasing explosive playmaking, Georgia looks to assert dominance as they prepare for yet another matchup after beating Florida three consecutive times by 20 points or more. **Pick**: Georgia 40-20.

3. **No. 4 Ohio State (-3 1/2) at Penn State**: Coming off a disappointing loss, Ohio State seeks to reclaim their form against a Penn State team that has struggled with quarterback unpredictability. **Pick**: Ohio State 28-24.

4. **Duke at Miami (-20 1/2)**: With Duke’s difficult overtime loss fresh in their minds and returning coach Manny Diaz facing the Blue Devils, Miami has been consistent in scoring and defensive performance at home. **Pick**: Miami 40-17.

5. **Kentucky at No. 7 Tennessee (-16 1/2)**: After a string of disappointing performances, Kentucky faces a tough challenge in Knoxville. Tennessee looks to build momentum following their strong victory over Alabama. **Pick**: Tennessee 28-10.

6. **No. 10 Texas A&M at South Carolina (+2 1/2)**: With uncertainty surrounding the starting quarterback position for A&M, South Carolina is poised for a breakthrough after competitive games against elite teams. **Pick**: South Carolina 29-24.

7. **Texas Tech (+14 1/2) at No. 11 Iowa State**: After a rocky patch, Texas Tech looks to upset Iowa State, who can achieve their milestone if they control the ground game effectively. **Pick**: Iowa State 37-21.

8. **Louisville at No. 11 Clemson (-10 1/2)**: Clemson is riding a streak of night game victories, maintaining success against Louisville. Despite injuries in the Cardinals’ receiving unit, Clemson continues to score big. **Pick**: Clemson 44-31.

9. **No. 13 Indiana (-7 1/2) at Michigan State**: The unbeaten Hoosiers are counting on the return of QB Kurtis Rourke while looking to extend their winning streak, having consistently pulled away from opponents. **Pick**: Indiana 35-14.

10. **San Diego State (+23 1/2) at No. 15 Boise State**: The competitive matchup features top rushers leading their teams as Boise looks to maintain their standing in the playoff race, while San Diego State aims to shake off past struggles. **Pick**: Boise State 38-17.

11. **No. 17 Kansas State (-12 1/2) at Houston**: After a slightly inconsistent start to the season, Kansas State will meet a Houston team desperate to find their offensive rhythm. **Pick**: Kansas State 28-10.

12. **No. 18 Pittsburgh at No. 20 SMU (-7 1/2)**: Both sides have had surprising success but face quarterback challenges, making this contest uncertain. **Pick**: SMU 34-24.

13. **No. 19 Mississippi (-7) at Arkansas**: With a top-efficiency passing attack, Mississippi faces a porous Arkansas defense in what promises to be a high-scoring affair. **Pick**: Mississippi 30-21.

14. **Air Force at No. 21 Army (-22 1/2)**: Continuing their winning streak, Army is looking to stay at peak form against an Air Force team that they previously handed a significant defeat, marking a season downturn for the Falcons. **Pick**: Army 48-14.

15. **Minnesota at No. 24 Illinois (+3)**: In what promises to be a competitive game, both teams are eager for redemption after previous close encounters. **Pick**: Minnesota 31-30.

The predictions offer insights into what fans might expect on another thrilling Saturday of college football. A look back at prior predictions shows a successful track record overall this season.