For the first time in what seems like months, the Big Ten did not have an upset. The status quo is boring on paper, but it helped set the best of the conference away from the rest.
The Oregon Ducks dismantled the Illinois Fighting Illini and will maintain their No.1 spot in both Top 25 polls. The Penn State Nittany Lions used an impressive second half to cool off the Wisconsin Badgers in Madison. The Ohio State Buckeyes let the Nebraska Cornhuskers hang around in a 21-17 win that included a controversial play that left many wondering what the refs saw.
The best story of the day from the conference was the Indiana Hoosiers’ time in the spotlight due to ESPN College Gameday and their staying undefeated without quarterback Kurtis Rourke. They topped the Washington Huskies, 31-17.
The Iowa Hawkeyes made a quarterback change. Brendan Sullivan replaced Cade McNamara in the second quarter of their win over the Northwestern Wildcats. The Hawkeyes scored 37 points after his entrance.
The Michigan Wolverines all but ended bowl hopes for the Michigan State Spartans, the Minnesota Golden Gophers beat up the Maryland Terrapins, and the USC Trojans got back in the win column Friday night against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Record: 8-0 (5-0 in Big Ten)
Next Game: at Michigan Wolverines on Saturday, November 2nd
Apparently, a 21-point spread wasn’t enough. The Ducks dominated every phase of the game against the Illini.
A trip to Michigan is inconvenient, but the top spot should be secure after next weekend.
Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Record: 7-0 (4-0 in Big Ten)
Next Game: vs. Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday, November 2nd
The slow first half and injury to QB Drew Allar are concerns, but backup QB Beau Pribula’s dual-threat abilities helped deceive the Badgers’ defense.
The Nittany Lions welcome OSU next week in a battle for the second spot in the Big Ten standings in what could be the game of the week.
Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
Record: 6-1 (3-1 in Big Ten)
Next Game: at Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday, November 2nd
Listen, a win is a win, ugly or pretty. QB Will Howard and freshman WR Jeremiah Smith continued to connect, extending Smith’s streak with a TD to seven games. It’s the best streak since Sidney Rice in 2005 and tied Cris Carter for the freshman school record of TD receptions in a season.
If the Buckeyes want to be in the CFP discussion for a top-four seed, they have to win in Happy Valley and need Howard to have a nose for the end zone once again.
Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
Record: 8-0 (5-0 in Big Ten)
Next Game: at Michigan State Spartans on Saturday, November 2nd
The 40-point scored streak is over for the Hoosiers, but 31 in a win is a good consolation prize. Tayven Jackson did enough to get the offense in the end zone each quarter but will need more through the air.
The Spartans are susceptible on the ground compared to the air, which could give the Hoosiers another week to rely on RBs Justice Ellison and Ty Son Lawton.
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Record: 5-3 (3-2 in Big Ten)
Next Game: at Illinois Fighting Illini on November 2nd
The hottest team with a loss in the Big Ten is the Golden Gophers. QB Max Brosmer led the conference in pass yards in Week 9 with 320, and the defense had two interceptions as they handled the Terps.
A win at Illinois Week 10 changes the season for Minnesota.
Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Record: 6-2 (3-2 in Big Ten)
Next Game: vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday, November 2nd
Losses at Oregon and Penn State are reminders of how difficult it is to be a tertiary team in the Big Ten. The Illini may be a top-25 team in college football, but the difference between 1-5 and 21-25 is noticeable.
A rebound win next week will keep Illinois in the ‘Best of the Rest’ tier of the conference.
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Record: 5-3 (3-2 in Big Ten)
Next Game: at Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday, November 2nd
Braedyn Locke’s pick-six gave Penn State the lead and they never looked back. There were enough forgettable plays from Locke and the offense, but they hung with an excellent team.
The Badgers have the unenviable task next week of going to Iowa and planning for two QBs.
Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
Record: 5-3 (2-3 in Big Ten)
Next Game: vs. UCLA Bruins on Saturday, November 2nd
Nebraska ran 19 more plays on offense but failed to win on the scoreboard. Dylan Raiola had his worst production/efficiency game of the season against one of the best defenses in the country.
Thankfully for the Cornhuskers, their next game is at home against one of the worst teams in the Big Ten.
Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Record: 5-3 (3-2 in Big Ten)
Next Game: vs. Oregon Ducks on Saturday, November 2nd
The offense operated smoother with Davis Warren under center and Alex Orji as a runner at QB. The only issue now is that Oregon has it on tape, and Orji attempted the same amount of passes as you and I.
The creativeness is refreshing, but can it continue?
Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Record: 5-3 (3-2 in Big Ten)
Next Game: vs. Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday, November 2nd
It’s undeniable that Brendan Sullivan gives the Iowa offense a better chance at consistent production, but he’s as much of a passer as Cade McNamara (i.e. not much of one).
Iowa is more than likely going to clinch a six-win season and bowl berth, but why wait for a matchup against the Bruins in two weeks to get a ‘W’ when a primetime dub on NBC looks prettier?
Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Record: 4-4 (2-3 in Big Ten)
Next Game: vs. Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday, November 2nd
Aiden Chiles lost another fumble? Where’s my fainting chair…
To the offense’s credit, that was the only giveaway. This game was a slog as both defenses bent but never broke. Against a tough Wolverines defense, Sparty played well. Their defense did well, too, against a new-look offense.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Record: 4-4 (2-4 in Big Ten)
Next Game: at Washington Huskies on Saturday, November 2nd
Their win over Rutgers came on Friday, in case you forgot the Big Ten plays on Fridays. The Trojans have a chance to log their second win streak of the season with a win against former Pac-12 conference foe Washington.
Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
Record: 4-4 (2-3 in Big Ten)
Next Game: vs. USC Trojans on Saturday, November 2nd
I mentioned that the Huskies had a chance to win at Indiana if they won the turnover battle. UW didn’t but kept the game close by keeping the IU rushing attack at bay (52 carries, 3.6 yards per carry). That type of play bleeds the clock and prevented added exposure to the Hoosiers’ offense.
The Huskies need a win against USC to remain in bowl game contention (at PSU, vs. UCLA, at Oregon coming up).
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Record: 4-4 (1-4)
Next Game: at Oregon Ducks on Saturday, November 9th
Saturday’s loss means the Terps have to be two of Oregon, Rutgers, Iowa, and Penn State to reach six wins. Their final two home games are against unranked teams with predictable offenses.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Record: 4-4 (1-4 in Big Ten)
Next Game: vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday, November 9th
Remember 4-0?
Their current four-game losing streak is at risk of becoming five after their bye. They’re still in bowl contention, but the hill is getting taller with Minnesota, Maryland, Illinois, and MSU remaining. That’s three tough defenses and at least two functional offenses.
Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images
Record: 2-5 (1-4 in Big Ten)
Next Game: at Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday, November 2nd
Few teams had a tougher first-half schedule than the Bruins, and their reward after their bye are games at Nebraska and home against Iowa.
Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Record: 3-5 (1-4 in Big Ten)
Next Game: at Purdue Boilermakers on Saturday, November 2nd
Any Big Ten defense that allows 40 points to the Hawkeyes is bad. Their only remaining game that appears to be a win comes next week before a bye.
Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images
Record: 1-6 (0-4 in Big Ten)
Next Game: vs. Northwestern Wildcats on Saturday, November 2nd
If the Boilermakers do not win against the kitties, they will more than likely end 2024 with one win (vs. NU, at OSU, vs. PSU, at MSU, at Indiana).
The battle for the Big Ten basement! Get excited!
