Things to watch this weekend in the Big Ten:
No. 6 Indiana (6-1, 3-1) at Michigan (4-2, 1-2), Saturday, noon ET (Fox)
Indiana attempts to bounce back from a 19-15 home loss to No. 3 Ohio State that snapped the defending national champions’ 22-game winning streak.
Michigan could have a new starting quarterback for this game. The Wolverines rallied to beat Penn State 21-18 last week after Tommy Carr took over for Bryce Underwood at quarterback in the second half. Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham said he had decided on his starter but didn't want to announce it beforehand.
No. 15 Iowa (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) at Minnesota (4-2, 2-1), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
Iowa has won 10 of its last 11 meetings with Minnesota and will attempt to maintain possession of Floyd of Rosedale, the 98-pound bronze pig that goes to the winner of this matchup. Minnesota already got a rivalry win this year by beating Michigan at home for the first time since 1977.
No. 16 Southern California (6-1, 3-1) at Wisconsin (4-2, 2-1), 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
One week after losing 17-7 at UCLA, Wisconsin returns home to try spoiling USC’s College Football Playoff hopes. Wisconsin’s home-field advantage could get neutralized a bit since this game is taking place at the same time Game 2 of the World Series is happening 80 miles away in Milwaukee.
— Northwestern LB Braydon Brus had 15 tackles – including one for loss - in a 24-21 victory at Michigan State.
— Rutgers WR KJ Duff had nine catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns in a 37-30 victory at Maryland. Duff has nine touchdown catches, and he has accumulated over 100 yards receiving in four of Rutgers’ six games.
— Oregon OLB Matayo Uiagalelei has recorded a sack in each of his last four games. His 24 ½ career sacks put him in a tie for fourth in school history. Nick Reed owns the school record with 29 ½ from 2005-08.
No. 9 UCLA has 19 takeaways to rank second in the Bowl Subdivision, behind only New Mexico (21). UCLA has eight more takeaways than any other Big Ten team. … Rutgers has the fewest penalty yards per game (28.67) of any Bowl Subdivision team. … Indiana’s FBS-leading streak of 1,473 straight snaps without losing a fumble ended against Ohio State, as the Hoosiers lost two fumbles in that game. … Washington’s 38-26 victory over Purdue last week marked the first time since a 2003 Apple Cup triumph over Washington State that the Huskies had won a game in which they committed at least five turnovers. … Penn State has lost its first four Big Ten games for a second straight season. The last time Penn State had started out 0-4 in Big Ten competition in consecutive seasons was in 2003-04.
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Iowa defensive end Joseph Anderson, top center, and linebacker Preston Ries (46) tackle Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 22, 2026--
Unicharm Corporation (TOKYO: 8113) announced the full-scale operation of its East African joint venture with Toyota Tsusho Corporation, "SOFY UNICHARM EAST AFRICA LIMITED." To mark this milestone, Unicharm held a business presentation and inauguration ceremony in Nairobi, Kenya, on October 14, 2026. The event, attended by local distributors, business partners, and government officials, highlighted the company's strategic shift to a direct sales system and outlined its ambitious goals for 2030, aimed at strengthening its business foundation in the rapidly growing East African market.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261021502795/en/
Transition to Direct Sales and Strengthening Distribution
With the establishment of the new company, Unicharm will transition from its traditional wholesale system to a direct sales-led model managed by SOFY UNICHARM EAST AFRICA. This shift will enable Unicharm to drive in-house marketing strategies and build a more robust distribution network. Working in close collaboration with local sales agents, the company aims to accelerate market penetration within Kenya and expand exports to neighboring countries. The subsidiary is the first overseas entity to bear the "SOFY" brand name, reflecting Unicharm's strong commitment to supporting the possibilities of women in East Africa.
Business Strategy and 2030 Goals
At the ceremony, Unicharm outlined its commitment to meeting local needs by offering products such as the premium "SOFY Deep Absorb," the high-quality yet affordable "SOFY Long Lasting" produced through local outsourcing, and the highly accessible "SOFY Long Lasting Single Sachet." Furthermore, the company announced its four basic policies to drive future growth: expanding safe and affordable options to eliminate Period Poverty (Portfolio & Access), expanding networks to deliver proper hygiene knowledge and products (Distribution & Reach), investing in local female talent and career support (Talent Investment), and building partnerships with communities and the government (Partnership & Cohesion). Through these initiatives, Unicharm aims to achieve 1.5 billion Kenyan Shillings (KSH) in net sales by 2030 and deliver its products to 2 million women across the East African region.
(Related sites)
News Release: https://www.unicharm.co.jp/en/company/news/2026/1015-03.html
Unicharm Corporation Website: https://www.unicharm.co.jp/en/home.html
Toyota Tsusho Corporation Website: https://www.toyota-tsusho.com/english/
SOFY UNICHARM EAST AFRICA LIMITED Website: https://www.sofy-africa.com/en/home.html
"SOFY" Brand Website (Africa): https://www.sofy-africa.com/en/sofy/home.html
About Unicharm
Under the Corporate Brand Essence "Love Your Possibilities," Unicharm aims to realize a "Cohesive Society" where everyone can be independent and supportive. Operating in over 80 countries and regions worldwide, it provides innovative solutions for baby care, feminine care, wellness care, and pet care.
(From left) Daigo Fujiwara, Managing Director, SOFY UNICHARM EAST AFRICA LIMITED; H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Matsuura, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Kenya; Takahisa Takahara, President & CEO, Unicharm Corporation; Hon. Rebecca Miano, EGH, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife; Hon. Lee Kinyanjui, EGH, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry; Amb. Dennis Awori, Chairman, CFAO Group Kenya and Country Delegate; and Kazuyuki Urata, CEO for Circular Economy Division, Toyota Tsusho Corporation.
