Big Ten Football Power Poll: Week Two
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Well that was a disappointment. After a lackluster Week 1, Week 2 gave us several marquee games between Big Ten schools and other power four conference teams, and the B1G generally failed miserably going just 2-6. Lots of movement on this list with the Buckeyes choke job, the Gophers no show, and whatever the hell that was from Oregon leading the way. Week 3 looks to be another week of blowouts with the exception of Virginia Tech and Maryland the spread for every single game is at least 14 points. So if it’s a nice Saturday, maybe its time to do that yardwork you have been putting off before the full inter-conference schedule kicks off in full.
#1 Indiana Hoosiers 2-0 (2)
Win 55-0 vs Howard
The Curt Cignetti plan stolen from Glen Mason of playing three absolute sleds in the non-conference isn’t looking so bad right about now. You know its bad when Indiana calls off the dogs in the second half, but after taking a 41-0 halftime lead even Cignetti didn’t run up the score further in the second half. They close out their joke of a non-con hosting Western Kentucky as 44.5 point favorites on Saturday afternoon.
#2 USC Trojans 3-0 (3)
Win 49-30 vs Louisiana
USC’s offense looks incredibly potent as they did not need to work hard to put 49 points up on Louisiana. Just a casual five TD game from Jayden Maiava. The defense though definitely still has questions. Giving up nearly 400 yards and 30 points at home to Louisiana? They are going to need to find a way to tighten that up before playing better Big Ten teams. Luckily for them that does not happen this week as they open conference play at Rutgers. It’s a long cross-country flight and we have seen that disrupt teams, but I don’t think the Trojans should have much trouble with this Rutgers team. Vegas doesn’t either favoring USC by 23.5.
#3 Ohio State Buckeyes 1-1 (1)
Loss 24-23 @ Texas
Well, it looked like Ohio State was going to pick up a big win to prove they were the undisputed top team in the nation. And then the fourth quarter happened. Texas outscored the Buckeyes 21-0 in the fourth quarter capping an epic choke job including a missed field goal from their transfer kicker from Baylor which likely would have pushed them on top. Ohio State is still a very good team, but it will be interesting to see what their mental state looks like coming out of that game. Kent State is probably going to feel the hurt this Saturday in the Shoe as 52.5 point underdogs.
#4 Penn State Nittany Lions 2-0 (5)
Win 27-9 @ Temple
Penn State didn’t blow the socks off of Temple last week scuffling to just a 10-3 halftime lead before slowing pulling away in the second half. Rocco Becht was good going 21-27 for 268 yards and three TDs. The defense was pretty good as well. They host Buffalo this Saturday at 49.5 point favorites.
#5 Michigan Wolverines (2-0) (12)
Win 17-10 vs Oklahoma
Well, that was not expected. Guess we can attribute some of Michigan’s issues vs Western Michigan to Week1 as they looked like a completely different team last Saturday virtually dominating a good Oklahoma squad in a 17-10 victory. The Wolverines offense still does not look great, but that defense is impressive. While the Wolverines might still drop a stupid game this year, it likely won’t be this week as they host UTEP as 35.5 point favorites.
#6 Washington Huskies 2-0 (6)
Win 16-14 over Utah State
The Huskies are being handcuffed by injuries so far this season. Washington is down their top two running backs and now are down two wide outs as well. They struggled against Utah State but hung on late. It’s the Demond Williams show as he threw for 249 yards and ran for another 56, but did not account for the touchdown and Washington only could add three field goals. They host Eastern Washington this week as 42.5 point favorites.
#7 Iowa Hawkeyes 2-0 (7)
Win 16-13 vs Iowa State
Iowa was in a typical dog fight once again against their in-state rivals. Despite having a significant talent edge against a depleted Cyclones squad, Iowa needed a pair of late field goals from their newest golden legged local kid from Bettendorf to pull off the win. But it was a win. They host Northern Iowa this week as 40.5 point favorites.
#8 Oregon Ducks (2)
Loss 39-31 @ Oklahoma State
Something appears rotten in Eugene. After not looking great put pulling out a win over Boise State in Week 1, the Ducks went to Oklahoma State and lost to a team they defeated 69-3 a season ago. It was Oklahoma’s first win over a FBS school in 21 games. Yes, the transfer portal chances a lot of things, but this Oregon team was supposedly better than a season ago. They still have Kellen Moore but he was terrible completing less than 50% of his passes for just 196 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Ducks were limited to just 3 yards per carry, and on defense were completely outplayed by Drew Mestemaker and the Cowboys. Oklahoma State racked up 554 yards on this supposed stud filled defense. Maybe some of the guys they brought back should have gone to the NFL after all. The Ducks get a get right game hosting Portland State Friday night as 57.5 point favorites.
#9 Nebraska Cornhuskers 2-0 (10)
Win 56-7 vs Bowling Green
Another blowout win over a weak MAC opponent for the Cornhuskers this week. The Falcons were never in the game as Nebraska took a 35-0 halftime lead and never looked back. It doesn’t get any harder this week as North Dakota comes to Lincoln as 24.5 point underdogs.
#10 UCLA Bruins 2-0 (11)
Win 28-10 over San Diego State
UCLA might have had a bit of a hangover after their big win at Cal as the game against the Aztecs was still scoreless at halftime. UCLA figured it out in the second half scoring 21 in the fourth quarter to pull away for the win. Wayne Knight ran for three TDs and the Bruins went to 2-0. They open Big Ten play this week by hosting Purdue in a late night Big Ten After Dark game Saturday as 14 point favorites.
#11 Minnesota Golden Gophers 1-1 (8)
Loss 38-13 vs Mississippi State
Well that sucked. The Gophers were outmatched from the opening drive and never looked competitive against the Bulldogs getting wiped off of their home field. In a situation that is blowing absolutely every bodies mind the best unit for the Gophers through two games has been their special teams. But yeah, the offense and defense need some work ASAP. They might get some help hosting Akron this week as 24.5 point favorites.
#12 Illinois Fighting Illini 1-1 (9)
Loss 31-27 vs Duke
The Blue Devils always seem to play Big Ten teams tough and they did it yet again knocking off the Illini last Saturday. Nate Sheppard kicked Illinois running for 147 yards and a TD and then catching two more touchdowns. The Illini struggled to establish a running game and just could not make enough plays late turning the ball over on downs twice and a on Katin Houser interception in the fourth quarter. Illinoi has a get right game this week hosting Southern Illinois as 41.5 point favorites.
#13 Northwestern Wildcats 1-0 (13)
BYE
Northwestern took their early bye and now start their 11-week run of games by hosting Colorado in their final game in the small Lakefront Stadium. They are 3.5 point favorites on Fox on Saturday night.
#14 Wisconsin Badgers 1-1 (14)
Win 36-9 vs Western Illinois
The Badgers got back on track beating on a FCS team at home. It was not an overpowering offensive showing, but against a FCS team it did not need to be. They take a step up hosting a MAC team in Eastern Michigan as 24.5 point favorites on Saturday. Eastern lost 35-7 last week to Michigan State.
#15 Michigan State Spartans 2-0 (15)
Win 35-7 vs Eastern Michigan
A very non descript 35-7 win over Eastern Michigan. Cam Edwards ran for 152 yards and a pair of TDs in the win. But the Spartans get a still reality check this weekend heading to South Bend to face #3 Notre Dame as 29.5 point underdogs.
#16 Maryland Terrapins 2-0 (16)
Win 38-14 @ UConn
September Maryland is engaged as the Terps went into Connecticut and demolished the Huskies. Malik Washington is looking good early going 34-41 with 347 yards and a pair of TDs. They get a true task this week as Virginia Tech comes to town as three point favorites for a night game on FS1.
#17 Purdue Boilermakers 1-1 (17)
Loss 38-36 2OT to Wake Forest
Purdue put on a late comeback to force OT, but the Deacons got the two point conversion in the second overtime while the Boilermakers could not and Purdue took the loss. The Boilermakers scored 10 points un the final 3:53 of the game to tie it up and then traded touchdowns in the first OT before Wake Forest won it. Former Gopher Fame Ijeboi continues to impress (wouldn’t it still be nice to have him back) as he ran for 114 yards and three TDs in the loss. Wake Forest QB Gio Lopez throw for one TD and ran for 2 in the win. Purdue now heads to the Rose Bowl to Face UCLA in the Big Ten opener as 14 point underdogs.
#18 Rutgers Scarlet Knights 0-2 (18)
Loss 28-21 @ Boston College
For the second week in a row Rutgers was outmatched as BC picked up a 28-21 win last Friday. The Eagles jumped put to a 17-0 lead before Rutgers came storming back and got as close as 20-14 before BC pulled away thanks to a pair of interceptions. The Scarlet Knights switched QBs going with AJ Surace but it did not help as while he threw for three touchdowns, he also threw four interceptions. KJ Duff continued his amazing season with another 137 yards and 2 TDs, but the defense can’t stop anyone. They open Big Ten play hosting USC this week as 23.5 point underdogs, and as long as USC can wake up, they might score 50.
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