2026 Big Ten Roundup– Week 5 features blowouts and shocking upsets

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College football's week five of the 2026 season ended with upsets, nailbiters and shocking blowouts as the landscape of the Big Ten Conference seems to be changing.

There were eight games this week that had two Big Ten Conference teams paired against one another as the Oregon Ducks and UCLA Bruins took their bye week. Here is some of what happened in each of the eight games in this week's Big Ten Roundup.

Friday: 34-13 Northwestern vs Penn State

The Wildcats ran away with the game in the first half and forced two interceptions from senior signal caller Rocco Becht in the fourth quarter to seal the win. Northwestern's senior quarterback Aidan Chiles had less than 100 passing yards, but it didn't matter with the ground game clicking on all cylinders. The Wildcats had 413 yards on the ground with junior running back Caleb Komolafe having a touchdown and 188 rushing yards and senior running back Joseph Himon II running for two touchdowns and 162 yards on the ground.

Saturday: 31-14 Ohio State vs Iowa

The Buckeyes plucked the Hawkeyes feathers with another multi-touchdown performance from the junior receiver Jeremiah Smith. Ohio State's star pass catcher snagged 11 passes for 206 receiving yards and two touchdowns. The Buckeyes defense did enough to keep Iowa's offense quiet with two field goals and a touchdown for the entirety of the game thanks to forcing two turnovers.

Saturday: 47-15 Indiana vs Rutgers

The Scarlet Knights posed little threat to the Hoosiers as senior quarterback Josh Hoover had a four touchdown performance. Indiana's running back duo of junior Turbo Richard and senior Lee Beebe Jr. each had a touchdown and together they totaled for over 320 rushing yards.

Saturday: 25-21 USC vs Washington

The Trojans second half comeback saved them from suffering a second consecutive loss. The Huskies were up 21-16 after USC senior signal caller Jayden Maiava threw for a touchdown to make the game a one score game in the third quarter. Washington had the ball, but their drive was cut short after a fumble was returned 48-yards for a touchdown by Trojans sophomore defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart. USC added a field goal in the fourth to secure the win.

Saturday: 20-14 Minnesota vs Michigan

The game was controlled by the defense as both quarterbacks threw two interceptions and the Wolverines lost another ball with a fumble by sophomore receiver Andrew Marsh on a muffed punt. Michigan scored all 14 of their points in the second quarter with one of the interceptions being returned 79-yards for a pick-six by senior linebacker Nathaniel Staehling. The Golden Gophers were able to escape with the win though with a fourth quarter touchdown giving Minnesota their second Big Ten conference win of the season.

Saturday: 31-3 Wisconsin vs Michigan State

The Badgers defense made it difficult for the Spartans to pass the ball with eight pass deflections, but the offense was all on senior quarterback Colton Joseph. Wisconsin's quarterback struggled to complete passes through the air with 9-of-20 passes completed for 145 passing yards, but he had three touchdowns through the air. Joseph continued to put the team on his back by leading the team on the ground with 141 rushing yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.

Saturday: 48-23 Nebraska vs Maryland

The Terrapins continued to struggle this season, even after putting up 23-points in the first half. The problem? Maryland was held scoreless in the second half and Nebraska managed 20 points in the fourth quarter for the blowout. Cornhuskers senior quarterback Anthony Colandrea had a day with 238 passing yards and three touchdowns, while stacking 108 rushing yards on 10 carries.

Saturday: 24-17 Purdue vs Illinois

The Fighting Illini start the Big Ten season 0-2 after the Boilermakers scored points in every quarter. Purdue's three field goals proved exponential for their upset win as they found themselves up 16-10 in the middle of the fourth quarter. A touchdown run and two-point conversion made it a two-score game and by the time Illinois scored, it was too late for a comeback. Purdue did what they had to do as they protected the ball, scored points and caused a turnover to take down Illinois on the road.

This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: 2026 Big Ten Roundup– Week 5 features blowouts and shocking upsets

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