Week 5 started conference play for all but 4 Big Ten teams; and this conference never ceases to amaze. Well maybe it doesn't amaze anymore because the irregularity of this conference has become the norm. No longer are the days of the dazzlingly boring dominance of non-conference teams by the Big Ten. The days of the uncertain play have arrived for Big Ten teams, save a few. This week proved that to win on Saturday your best is needed. Ask Michigan and Penn State. I can't tell which was more surprising.
#9 Michigan State 56, Wyoming 14
Michigan State again proved that they can roll over cupcake teams. Coming off a 73-14 romping of Eastern Michigan, the Spartans proved once again they won't be caught looking ahead. With Wyoming running the pro-style offense that 5 of their 8 conference opponents deploy, the Spartans' defense was put to the test. They stood tall only allowing 98 yards rushing, and 188 yards through the air. Though the Spartans gave up 286 yards, many of the pass plays went for good sums of yards and cornerback Darian Hicks was prone to big plays over the top as he has been through the first four weeks of the year. Wyoming's 27 attempts on the ground for 98 yards comes to 3.6 yards per attempt; but take into account QB Kirkeegard's -36 yards rushing. Wyoming's running back core was able to gash Michigan State's defense for big plays including a 57 yard score. Michigan State's defense was able to stand tall as it picked up 2 fumbles and Kurtis Drummond recorded an interception. The Spartan offense collected 533 yards total, 338 yards on the ground and 195 yards through the air. QB Connor Cook was 6-for-8 with 126 yards total and 2 touchdowns on the day. Cook continued his staggering performances as well as Tony Lippet. Lippett now has one touchdown per game for the past 6 games. 5 was the magic number for the Spartan backfield as 5 different Spartans recorded a rushing score. The Spartans open up Big Ten play against Nebraska next week in East Lansing at 8 PM.
#19 Wisconsin 27, South Florida 10
The Badgers need to find a way to start and start fast. They may as well tell their ticket holders to only show up for the second half, only to save the UW Health Hospital from receiving an overdose of heart attack victims. USF struck first at 6:49 of the first quarter hitting a 26 yard field goal and Wisconsin ended the scoring of the first half with a field goal of their own. Rafael Gaglianone split the uprights with 52 seconds left in the first quarter, that one coming from 24 yards out. Entering the half tied at 3-3, fans at Camp Randall had an all too familiar feeling they had felt entering the half 9-3 against Western Illinois. But just as they did against Western Illinois, the Badgers picked up the pace. Led by Melvin Gordon, the Badgers scored first in the second half. Gordon's 7 yard scamper put Wisconsin up 10-3 and they never looked back. The Badgers added another score from Gordon 2 minutes later, that one from 43 yards out. The Bulls got with in 7 when Rodney Adams went end-around from 27 yards out to make it 17-10 Badgers. Gaglianone added a 19 yard field goal and Sam Arneson's 1 yard toss to Tanner McEvoy finished off the day for the Badgers as they toughed out a 27-10 victory. The Badgers take on the Wildcats of Northwestern in Evanston next week where a slow start may be a death sentence to the Badgers.
Rutgers 31, Tulane 6
It's never easy being the new kid. You'll be watched closely and scrutinized profusely till you're accepted. Rutgers has handled the new pressure well, refusing to give up the lunch money except to Penn State; because you must always respect your elders. Rutgers has not yet embarrassed the Big Ten but almost did squeaking out a 41-38 victory versus Pac-12 bottom feeder Washington State. The Scarlet Knights had a chance this week to mess up their good standing with the Big Ten but passed this exam smoothly. Rutgers swallowed up 462 yards of offense with 291 coming from the pass attack. The Scarlet Knights' air attack led by QB Gary Nova found pay dirt 4 times with the biggest score going for 93 yards. Rutgers is prone to big run plays, as RB Sherman Badie of Tulane broke off an 86 yard score. The Green Wave garnered 304 yards of offense with an even split in yardage on the ground and through the air. Nova's 4 TD day makes him the all time leader for passing TDs at Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights take on the struggling Wolverines next week at home at 7PM.
Iowa 24, Purdue 10
The Hawkeyes strolled into West Lafayette and walked out without breaking much of a sweat. Iowa started off by tossing a pick six to Frankie Williams of Purdue and that was the only sniff Purdue got of an offensive touchdown. Adding a 42 yard field goal with 11:48 to go in the half. The 10-0 deficit was nothing but a walk in the park for Iowa over the next 49 minutes. Having won 2 come from behind games earlier in the year, Iowa stayed resilient and punched in their first score on the back of Mark Weisman from 2 yards out. Later in the second quarter they added a Marshall Koehn 28 yard field to tie the game. The Boilermaker offense couldn't achieve much as they only racked up 156 yards of offense. The Hawkeyes struck with 45 seconds left in the 3rd Quarter as CJ Beathard found Kevonte Martin-Manley for 23 yard score to put Iowa up 17-10. Iowa's offense racked up 420 yards of offense and added a final 5 yard score from Weisman. 24-10 domiantion by the Hawkeyes puts them at 4-1 as they head into a bye week. Purdue travels to Illinois next week.
Northwestern 29, Penn State 6
I told everyone in my prior post that it was going to happen. The underdog would topple someone. Northwestern was one of two teams that surprised me today and they did it in State College! And they DOMINATED. Northwestern led by QB Trevor Siemian who had 3 touchdowns, each 1 yard punch ins. Siemian threw for 258 yards only 8 yards less than the Nittany Lions total yards. Northwestern's defensive only allowed 50 yards rushing and had a pick six that broke the game wide open. Penn State's offensive line couldn't handle Northwestern as QB Christian Hackenberg was pressured all day long. Penn State couldn't muster more than two field goals and Northwestern rolled over the Nittany Lions with 361 yards of offense in front of 102,910 people in State College.
Maryland 37, Indiana 15
One week removed from shocking the nation, and giving me a glimpse of hope at a Big Ten team in College Football Playoff, the Hoosiers met with Maryland for the Terrapins inaugural Big Ten game and swiftly crushed my hope. CJ Brown led his Terrapins into Bloomington and Big Ten country and they left having conquered their first opponent. Brown was 10-for-15 with 163 yards passing and 2 TDs before leaving the game just before halftime due to injury. (One passing, one rushing). Brown's back-up Caleb Rowe picked up where Brown left off as he added 2 more passing TDs including a 36 yard strike to Juwann Winfree that distanced the Terps from the Hoosiers. It was all Maryland all day as they racked up 484 yards of total offense. The Hoosiers after upsetting Missouri could only muster one offensive touchdown. Maryland welcomes #22 Ohio State next week. Indiana takes on North Texas at home next week.
Minnesota 30, Michigan 14
As if Michigan couldn't have dug a deeper trench. They're closing in on Mariana's Trench as we speak. But give the Gophers credit, they took advantage of a weak Michigan team and brought the Little Brown Jug back to Minneapolis where it has evaded property tax there 22 of the past 24 years. After a quiet 1st Quarter, Michigan broke the 0-0 deadlock when Devon Smith bounced off defenders en-route to a 10 yard TD run. 3 minutes later the Big House was quieted as Minnesota QB Mitch Leidner broke off his own 10 yard run to tie the game at 7. As the 1st half closed Minnesota kicker Ryan Santoso tacked on a 24 yard field goal to make it 10-7. 3 points was the closest the Wolverines would get the rest of the night as Santoso added two more field goals, one from 48 yards and the other from 25 yards out. Up 13-7 the Gopher's defense swarmed Wolverine QB Shane Morris and the pressure forced a tipped ball that found the hands of De'Vondre Campbell who brought it 30 yards back to the house. 4 minutes later Leidner found Maxx Williams from a yard out to increase the lead to 27-7. The Minnesota D continued to pound Shane Morris and the Michigan offense, allowing only 88 yards passing and 83 yards rushing. Michigan's woes continued on offense and the whole team looked uninspired. The Wolverines dropped to 2-3 on the year and will take on Rutgers at Rutgers next week. The Golden Gophers improve to 4-1 on the year and heads into a bye week.
#22 Ohio State 50, Cincinnati 28
The Buckeyes took on in-state opponent Cincinnati looking to increase their streak of not losing to in state opponents. (It's a streak that began when Warren G. Harding was President) This time they extended the streak on the back of QB J.T. Barret who went 26-for-36, 330 yards passing and 4 TDs. The first half ended 30-21 in favor of the Buckeyes. and the second half was never closer than 33-28 when Guner Kiel hit Chris Moore for 78 yard hookup and score for the Bearcats. The Buckeyes added a field goal four minutes later and then sealed the victory when Barret hit Dontre Wilson from 24 yards out to make it 43-28. Ohio State added a TD with 10:26 to go on a 34 yard pass from Barret to Devin Smith. The Buckeyes travel to Maryland to take on the Terrapins next week.
#21 Nebraska 45, Illinois 14
Ameer, Ameer, Ameer. That's all you need to know about this rout. Ameer Abdullah ran for 208 yards and 3 touchdowns as he led the undefeated Cornhuskers over Illinois. After Abdullah ran for his first TD, Illinois RB Josh Ferguson busted through the Nebraska defense for a 41 yard score of his own tying the game at 7. The second quarter got ugly for Illinois fast, Ameer Abdullah fast. Abdullah scored two TDs in a span of just over 5 minutes and QB Tommy Armstrong hit wide open Kenny Bell for a 63 yard score to increase their lead to 28-7. Illini WR Geronimo Allison cut the lead to 14 on a 48 yard pass from Reilly O'Toole. Drew Brown added a late field goal before the half and the Cornhuskers took a 31-14 lead into the break. Imani Cross ran for 109 yards and added the TD that put Nebraska up 38-14. Terrell Newby found pay dirt as well for the 'Huskers from 6 yards out and tacked on the final points of Nebraska's rout. The Cornhuskers head to Michigan State next week in what will be the game of the week in the Big Ten. Illinois welcomes Purdue next week to battle for the Purdue Cannon.
Week 5 was interesting, more analysis coming later this week.
-Stephen
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