Big Ten Superlatives: Week 2
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There were 17 games involving Big Ten teams on Saturday and the conference went just 11-6, losing a number of high profile games and matchups that will set the narrative against the SEC and other leagues. It wasn’t all bad though as you’ll see noted here as we look at the best, the worst, and the most Big Ten of the week.
Best Win of the Week: Michigan Gets off the Mat
Michigan should have been 0-1, but you know what happened: a gifted extra second and a miracle catch gave them a tainted win against Western Michigan. On Saturday though, the Wolverines won a slugfest against Oklahoma that shows just how capable that Michigan defense is this year.
Worst Loss of the Week: Top teams Tumble
We can’t go with one here. It has to be about Oregon and Ohio State, two preseason favorites for the conference title who everyone had going to the College Football Playoff. The Ducks haven’t looked good all season and their defense was torched in a weather-delayed loss to Oklahoma State, who carried a 12-game losing streak overall and who hadn’t beaten an FBS team in 21 straight. Meanwhile, Ohio State choked away a 20-point lead in Austin against Texas. Both teams are still talented and with the current system will get a mulligan. But this weekend will loom large the rest of the season.
Offensive Player of the Week: Wayne Knight, UCLA
The James Madison transfer helped break open a boring game with three touchdown runs in the second half as the Bruins moved to 2-0 under first-year head coach Bob Chesney. Knight finished with 97 yards on 13 carries as UCLA knocked off San Diego State 28-10.
Defensive Player of the Week: John Henry Daley, Michigan
The highly touted defensive lineman had himself a day in Michigan’s aforementioned upset of Oklahoma. He finished with eight tackles, three tackles for loss, and a sack as the Wolverines hounded John Mateer all day long.
Offensive Play of the Week: Charlie Becker, Indiana
Becker had three catches on the day – all for touchdowns. This second one was impressive as Indiana rolled against an overmatched opponent.
Defensive Play of the Week: Jyaire Hill, Michigan
Sorry to spend so much time in Ann Arbor, but this interception set up the Wolverines to take the lead late against Oklahoma.
Most Big Ten Moment of the Week: We Can’t Have Nice Things
In the preseason edition of this particular weekly post, I noted how the Big Ten was the big offseason winner. The conference has produced three straight national champions and with Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana at the top, seemed poised to maybe do it again. Well, the national narratives can start as the conference flopped in out-of-conference games this weekend. Even Michigan’s win comes with the stain of the Wolverines controversial opening win. The losses of today will bring a microscope to those bubble teams for the playoff.
Most Big Ten West Moment of the Week: Poor Purdue
Purdue hasn’t beaten an FBS opponent since knocking off Tom Allen’s Indiana Hoosiers to close the 2023 season. The Boilermakers rallied late at home against Wake Forest and seemed to have earned an overtime win – only to see a fourth down play correctly overturned that gave the Deacs a first down, allowed them to score a touchdown and complete a two-point conversion to leave Ross-Ade Stadium with the victory.
Most Iowa Moment of the Week: Another “Classic”
Corn. Beans. Kicking Game. Those are life’s guarantees in Iowa. The Cyclones looked poised to pull the upset in Kinnick under the lights. But Kirk Ferentz’s team did what it does: survived with defense and won with a field goal in the closing seconds.
What We’re Looking Forward to the Most: One Final Tuneup
For Penn State, the weekend provides a chance to iron out some final things before entering conference play. However, yesterday seemed to prove one thing: no matter who is on the sidelines, noon games start sleepily.
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