Big 10 Recap: The State of Michigan Belongs to Sparty

The Big Ten saw plenty of action this weekend. Michigan State, Ohio State, and Wisconsin, and Minnesota all saw wins that can extend their seasons as they look to winning their respective divisions. Let’s check out the action and what occurred in each game. Here we go. 

Indiana 35 at Maryland 38

The Terrapins improved their chances of getting to a bowl game this week with a victory against Indiana. This game was incredibly entertaining and both teams fought hard as Indiana attempted a late-game comeback. In a game that lacked defense, ultimately, Maryland’s offense executed better than the Hoosiers. The Terrapins had 503-total yards of offense and Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa had his best game as a college quarterback. Tagovailoa went 26-40 and had 419-yards with two touchdowns with no turnovers. Indiana is seeing their bowl hopes dwindle each week as they move to 2-6 on the year. Next week the Terrapins have a challenge in Penn State while Indiana plays a hungry Michigan team. 

Rutgers 20 at Illinois 14

Rutgers is coming off an embarrassing loss to Northwestern in week eight, the program needed this game in terms of bowl contention. The Scarlett Knights were able to pull off the victory behind the efforts of their running game. Rutgers’ running backs Isaih Pacheco, Kyle Monangai, and quarterback Noah Verdal combined for 224-rushing yards and two touchdowns. At halftime, the Scarlett Knights trailed 14-10 and it looked doom and gloom for Rutgers, but they were able to have 10 unanswered second-half points. Illinois blew yet another opportunity to win a game and this loss almost guarantees they won’t make it to a bowl game in 2021. Next week, Illinois faces a legit Minnesota team while Rutgers plays Wisconsin.

No. 9 Iowa 7 at Wisconsin 27

The Badgers started the year off 1-3 and things looked bad for Wisconsin. However, the Badgers have been able to string together four straight wins including solid wins versus Purdue and now Iowa. This game was a blowout and most people saw it coming. The only thing that made Iowa successful was running the football and that was Wisconsin’s strength on defense. The Badgers held Iowa to just 24-rushing yards and a team total of 156-yards. Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz did his job, he threw for one touchdown and was able to give his team a spark with two rushing touchdowns. Watch out for Wisconsin as they could win the West if Iowa continues to skid. Next week Iowa plays Northwestern and Wisconsin plays Rutgers. 

 

No. 6 Michigan 33 at No. 8 Michigan State 37

This past weekend, the best game in the Big Ten lived up to the hype as both undefeated teams found themselves badly late in the fourth quarter. This game will be a hard pill to swallow for Michigan fans and head coach Jim Harbaugh. The Wolverines were up 30-22 headed into the fourth quarter and they were unable to pull off the victory. Other than Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara’s late-game interception that sealed the deal for the Spartans, he played well with 383-yards and two touchdowns. This game was about Kenneth Walker III who is working his way into becoming a Heisman front runner with five touchdowns and 197-yards against Michigan. The Wolverines no longer control their fate in the Big Ten while the Spartans are setting up for a showdown against the Buckeyes. Next week Michigan faces Indiana while Michigan State plays Purdue. 

Purdue 28 at Nebraska 23

Purdue took care of business on Saturday; they kept their slim hopes of winning the Big Ten west alive by beating Nebraska. The defense for the Boilermakers stepped up and forced Nebraska’s quarterback Adrian Martinez into throwing four interceptions. Purdue quarterback Aidan O’Connell wielded his team to victory he completed 75% of his throws for 233-yards and two touchdowns. Nebraska head coach Scott Frost has been on the hot seat and this loss to Nebraska seems insurmountable for Frost to overcome. Frost proves that he cannot win close ball games at a school that has plenty of pride. The hopes for the Cornhuskers to make a bowl game seems unlikely at this point as they play Ohio State on Saturday. Purdue will play Michigan State on Saturday in a tough matchup.

Minnesota 41 at Northwestern 14

Minnesota showed up on Saturday and they have a legitimate chance at winning the Big Ten West as they sit at 6-2 on the season. The Golden Gophers dominated the Wildcats in all facets of the game, they held the Wildcats to just 242-total yards on the game and Minnesota’s running game was elite. The Golden Gophers hung four touchdowns on Northwestern on the ground while they rushed for 308-yards. Minnesota running backs Ky Thomas and Mar’Keise Irving led the charge combining for 216-yards and two touchdowns. Minnesota controls their future as they are on top of the Big Ten West standings, they face Illinois in week ten in a game where they should roll. Northwestern’s struggles might continue in week 10 as they face Iowa.

No. 20 Penn State 24 at No. 5 Ohio State 33

Ohio State played their toughest defense yet and it showed on Saturday. The Buckeyes looked good on offense, but they left points on the table as they settled for four touchdowns in the red zone. The defense is what won this game for Ohio State. While the Buckeyes did allow Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford to throw for 361-yards and a touchdown, they held the Nittany Lions to only 33-rushing yards. The Buckeyes defense forced three turnovers, one resulting in a scoop-and-score touchdown. The win for Ohio State keeps them undefeated in the conference while the loss for Penn State should knock them out of contention to win the Big Ten. In week ten, the Buckeyes play Nebraska while Penn State faces Maryland. 

References: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/

Writer

-By: Justin Howard