Big Ten Superlatives: Week 4
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
We now have four weeks done in the Big Ten – and there were a lot of interesting things happening as conference play has now taken place for all of the teams. Here’s your best, your worst, your most Iowa of the past weekend. Enjoy reading!
Best Win of the Week: Oregon Wins Heated Battle
The story out of USC on Saturday night was the horrific hit that Oregon’s Dante Moore took in the first half, leading to a 15 minute stop in play as the star quarterback was carted from the field. Backup Dylan Raiola entered and threw for nearly 300 yards as the Ducks had far and away their most impressive outing of the year in knocking off the previously unbeaten Trojans.
Worst Loss of the Week: Penn State Chokes Away Lead
You’ve read plenty about this one and have vented in the comments already. But this one was bad. Penn State played a clunker of a game but still led by two scores late in the fourth quarter. It’s on the short list of most tremendous collapses in Beaver Stadium history.
Offensive Player of the Week: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
Twelve catches. 217 yards. Four touchdowns. That was Smith’s afternoon in Ohio State’s 42-19 win against Illinois. Enough said.
Defensive Player of the Week: Ta’Shawn James, UCLA
The safety had four tackles, helped hold Maryland’s passing offense and check and scored a touchdown of his own. The Bruins won big against the Terps – more on them later – to move into the rankings for the first time since 2023.
Offensive Play of the Week: Reece Vander Zee, Iowa
Michigan won in controversial fashion in week one on a walk off touchdown catch. This time, it was Iowa celebrating in the Big House. Hank Brown hit Vander Zee with this throw to silence the Big House.
Defensive Play of the Week: Minnesota’s Sack Party
Honestly – just showing some love to the Gophers who went on the road and knocked off Washington. Minnesota looked downright bad against Mississippi State, but hounded Washington’s touted quarterback Demond Williams all night in Seattle.
Most Big Ten Moment of the Week: Mike Locksley Vows to Fix Things
Maryland lost 54-3 on Saturday at home in an early afternoon slot against UCLA. The 2-2 Terrapins came up with less than 200 yards of total offense. But don’t worry, embattled coach Mike Locksley said that he is committed to fixing the issues and he has confidence in his team. I think we’ve heard this before.
Most Big Ten West Moment of the Week: Aiden Chiles is the Big Ten West of Quarterbacks
Chiles, a Michigan State transfer, was dreadful for Northwestern against Indiana in the first half last Friday. Then, suddenly, he came to life in the second half to look more than competent but still saw his team fall short in its upset bid. It’s like he is the quarterback embodiment of an old Big Ten West squad looking terrible before suddenly coming to life to scare a power for a moment before falling short.
Most Iowa Moment of the Week: They Can’t Keep Getting Away With This
Full disclosure – on Saturday after Iowa decided to try a 50+ yard field goal while trailing by five points late in the fourth quarter, I sent a message to the other writers on this site saying that Iowa was not a serious football program. But for real, Kirk Ferentz elected to try a low percentage kick after his team committed a penalty on fourth down. It felt like a coward’s move. And it was. But somehow Iowa survived. Like they nearly always do.
What We Are Looking Forward to the Most: Friday Night Lights in a new stadium
Are we though? Keep reading and thanks for being a part of our community.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos