Big Ten delivers two thrilling games in Week 11 while USC stays in the hunt

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The Big Ten did not disappoint this weekend with two thrilling finishes. Week 11 almost delivered two of the biggest upsets this season; instead, two College Football Playoff teams displayed their toughness in resilient wins. USC looks primed to take on the toughest part of the schedule with two difficult matchups coming up.

Here are the scores from this weekend in Big Ten football for Week 11, along with my analysis for each team:

USC 38-17 vs Northwestern (Friday)

Jayden Maiava made one winning play that jolted the Trojans to a dominant second half. As soon as Northwestern got behind in this game, the Trojans had this one in the bag. It was one of the more complete victories the Trojans have had this season, but it will take an even better performance to beat the next two teams on their schedule.

Indiana 27-24 vs Penn State

Penn State woke up yesterday, wanting to give Indiana a game. Indiana, for the first game since Iowa, needed to get a late-game touchdown. Fernando Mendoza got his Heisman moment with an elite game-winning drive. Omar Cooper had one of the catches of the year, barely getting a foot in bounds to seal the victory. The Hoosiers are battle-tested, and they remain one of the best college football teams in the country, showing they can battle adversity too.

Ohio State 34-10 vs Purdue

Jeremiah Smith once again showed he belongs in the NFL right now. It is a crime that football fans have to wait one more season to see him in the league. The Julian Sayin to Smith connection looked lethal in this game, and it was another convincing win for Ohio State, which remains unblemished.

Rutgers 35-20 vs Maryland

The better Big Ten team revealed itself in this game, which appeared to be a shootout until Rutgers' defense buttoned things up. Great performance by gun slinger Athan Kaliakmanis and running back Antwan Raymond. Rutgers gets a much-needed victory to try and finish the season bowl eligible. Malik Washington is a super-talented quarterback, but there are still ways for him to go.

Oregon 18-16 vs Iowa

Dante Moore's late-game heroics are on display again as he and the Ducks squeak by, maybe the friskiest team in the country. Iowa pushes every good team to the brink, but they sold this game with a fumble in the red zone in the second half. They are a good team, but not an elite team this season.

Wisconsin 13-10 vs Washington

Washington's biggest weakness this season remains traveling on the road. This team can not win a road Big Ten game. This is up there on the list for worst losses in the Big Ten this season. Wisconsin is absolutely dead in the water, and they manage to beat you. A 6-game losing streak was snapped for Wisconsin. The Badgers' leading passer for this game was their punter. A loss like this simply just can not happen.

Nebraska 28-21 vs UCLA

TJ Lateef in his first game as starter throws for three touchdowns on 13-15 elite efficiency. Emmett Johnson also chips in with a dominant game on the ground. Nebraska showed that even without Dylan Raiola, they were the more talented team. Unfortunately for UCLA, the magic for this season has run out, and this season now could not end any sooner.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Biggest winners and losers from Week 11 in Big Ten football

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