Big Ten Superlatives: Week 6
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Penn State lost a second straight Whiteout in frustrating fashion. We’ll address that a tiny bit here, but there was a lot more happening around the Big Ten over the weekend. Let’s get caught up here.
Best Win of the Week: UCLA Stays Unbeaten
A young, up-and-coming head coach with Pennsylvania roots has a struggling Big Ten program rolling behind stingy defense and an impressive running game. Yes, we are shaking our heads, too. But credit to the Bruins who lost their starting quarterback on Saturday in Eugene and still escaped with a 17-15 victory. UCLA is now 5-0, 3-0 in the Big Ten with no ranked teams left on their schedule until they face USC at the end of November.
Worst Loss of the Week: Another Sleepless Night in Happy Valley
Meanwhile, you know what happened at Beaver Stadium on Saturday. Before the largest crowd in stadium history, Penn State came up short in the second half, scoring just six points in the final two quarters of the 31-23 loss at the hands of USC. The Nittany Lions are now 0-3 to open Big Ten play for the second straight year and they’re headed on the road to face a rested Michigan team.
Offensive Player of the Week: Fame Ijeboi, Purdue
Purdue improved to 3-3 and 2-1 in the Big Ten with a dominating home win against Minnesota on Saturday night. Ijeboi had 195 yards and three touchdowns for the Boilers, who look much improved in Barry Odom’s second season. Oh yes, it should be noted that Ijeboi previously played for the Gophers.
Defensive Player of the Week: Braydon Brus, Northwestern
Brus had a pick against Penn State in the previous game. On Saturday, the Wildcats closed out their non-conference schedule with an easy win against Ball State. Brus had four tackles for loss as Northwestern improved to 4-1.
Offensive Play of the Week: Nick Marsh, Indiana
Indiana trailed by two scores in the fourth quarter at Nebraska on Saturday. Marsh caught a 75-yard touchdown to pull the Hoosiers closer. Then, with the game on the line and a fourth down, Marsh got his second touchdown of the game to help Indiana remain unbeaten.
Defensive Play of the Week: Illinois Stymies Two-Point Try
Michigan State decided to go for the win in overtime, trying their own version of the Philly Special. It was stopped and Illinois escaped East Lansing with a win.
Most Big Ten Moment of the Week: Jeremiah Smith Continues to Dazzle
The Ohio State junior had four catches for 93 yards and two scores in an easy win against Maryland. One of those catches needed just one hand.
Most Big Ten West Moment of the Week: Oregon and UCLA knew the assignment
The two West Coast teams did some old school Big Ten West type drives in the second half in Autzen. Check out this chart.
Most Iowa Moment of the Week: Your Choice for the Touchdown
Iowa throttled Washington on Friday night. It was a great bounce back for the Hawkeyes who remain in the discussion for a playoff spot. They ran a play at Washington that was so open one receiver was directing where the ball should be thrown.
What We’re Looking Forward to the Most: A Ballyhooed Big Noon Contest
The last two national champions face off on Saturday in a much hyped contest that also acts as a rematch of last year’s Big Ten Championship game. Yes, Ohio State is traveling to Bloomington to take on the Hoosiers. Once again, what simulation am I living in right now?
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