Around the Big Ten: Week 10
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Week 10 of Big Ten football has come and gone, and this is your one stop shop to hear about all of the Big Ten action last week. As usual, we will start with the blowouts and work our way to the more entertaining games.
The Blowouts
No.2 Indiana 55, Maryland 10: Maryland’s defense was able to keep this game somewhat close in the first half, as the Terrapins were down 20-3 going into halftime. After the break, it was all Indiana besides one UMD score in the third quarter. The Hoosier defense forced 5 turnovers and held the Maryland offense to just 37 rushing yards on the day. Indiana’s offense would take advantage of this golden opportunity and breeze through the Terrapin defense after halftime.
No.1 Ohio State 38, Penn State 14: Even though this was a three-point game at halftime, the result felt inevitable. The Nittany Lions’ offense was able to move the ball in the first half, but was held to almost nothing after halftime thanks to Ohio State’s suffocating defense. The Buckeyes were extremely effective through the air on offense as well, as quarterback Julian Sayin hit on 20 of his 23 passing attempts and threw for 316 yards and four touchdowns. Despite their down season, Penn State still has a very talented roster. Ohio State’s dominating win over that roster makes them our Big Ten Star of the Week.
The Interesting Games
No.23 USC 21, Nebraska 17: This game could have gone a very different way if Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola had not gotten injured halfway through the game. The Cornhusker offense could not get over the loss of its quarterback and floundered in the second half, allowing USC to overcome a 14-6 halftime deficit to steal the win. Both teams’ defenses looked stout as well, as both squads held their opponent under 340 yards of offense and forced 1 turnover.
No.21 Michigan 21, Purdue 16: Purdue kept this game close the whole way and even had the chance to take the lead off several Michigan turnovers. However, no matter what seemed to break Purdue’s way, Michigan’s defense was able to stand tall and shut it down. It was a good fight, but usually the better team finds a way to pull off a close one, and that’s exactly what happened here.
Minnesota 23, Michigan State 20: Minnesota entered the second half before Michigan State started to claw its way back into the game. The Spartans would rattle off 17 unanswered points in the second half to take a 17-10 lead before Minnesota would score again to force overtime. In the first round of OT, Minnesota would force the Spartans to take a field goal before winning the game with a touchdown. It looked like Michigan State had the Golden Gophers dead in the water before their offense came back alive late to win the game. Minnesota’s defense recorded 7 sacks on the day as well.
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