By: Dakota Isgrigg | November 23rd | @dakota_isgrigg | @BoilerInTexas

One game cancelled, one Friday night game, and a couple division deciding duels lead the way this week.

Purdue (2-2) 31 @ Minnesota (2-3) 34

I’m not thinking about this game anymore. You can read my brief recap HERE.

Minnesota comes out with the W, but at this point the rest of the season is for pride for both squads.

Up Next:

Purdue: Rutgers

Minnesota: @Wisconsin

#9 Indiana (4-1) 35 @ #3 Ohio State (4-0) 42

This was probably the most anticipated match up of the weekend as it is rare that an OSU and IU matchup is a top-10 showdown. This was one of the two games in the Big Ten that likely decide the division winner. Whoever came out of this game on top has the inside track to the division title.

For Indiana, this was an uphill battle from the start as the Hoosiers had to travel to Columbus to take on the Buckeyes. The Hoosiers held their own, even making a furious comeback after going down multiple scores in the first half. Penix Jr. had himself a day throwing for 491 yards and 5 touchdowns. Ty Fryfogle also solidified himself as one of the best WR in the league finishing with 218 yards receiving on 7 receptions for 3 touchdowns, an impressive stat line far above the rest no matter the opponent. While the Hoosiers struggled on the ground (-1 yards total), the success through the air was enough to get/keep Indiana in the game at the end. The defense struggled to contain the Buckeye offense, but who wouldn’t?

For Ohio State, this was the last big challenge on the schedule on their way towards the college football playoff. Justin Fields had an up and down day as he finished with 300 yards passing, 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. He made up for it a bit by having 78 yards on the ground and a score as well. Through the air Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave both eclipsed the 100 yard mark with Wilson pulling in the 2 touchdown passes on the day. Even more impressive are their stats on the ground as Master Teague finished with 169 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground. As a team, the Bucks finished with 307 yards on the ground with 3 TD’s to go with it. The defense forced 4 turnovers which surely turned the tide in this 1 score contest. These challenges will help them as they move forward, that said, they shouldn’t be challenged like this again the rest of the regular season. They will need to stay focused moving forward.

Up Next:

Indiana: Maryland

Ohio State: @Illinois

Illinois (2-3) 41 @ Nebraska (1-3) 23

Boy Nebraska, you sure you still want to play football? Illinois seemed more interested in playing today than you did in your fancy blackshirt jerseys.

Illinois! Look at you! Everyone else in the Big Ten loved what you did in this one and we can’t thank you enough! Brandon Peters did fine finishing with just over 200 yards and a score. The real offense came on the ground as both Mike Epstein and Chase Brown eclipse 100-yards on the day giving the Illini two 100-yard rushers. Epstein punched in 1 score while Brown had 2 of his own, Peters even punched in one of his own. As a team they finished with 285 on the ground. Through the air they were led by none other than Josh Imatorbhebhe who had 71 yards receiving and the lone passing touchdown. The Illini defense forced 5 Cornhusker turnovers (3 INT’s, 2 fumbles) and kept Nebraska at arms length all game long. It was a very successful day on both sides of the ball for the Illini and fans will hope to keep the momentum up going forward.

Oh Nebraska… you still want to play football? You made the switch to Luke McCaffrey at QB and it seems as though it’s still uncertain as to whether it was a good decision. McCaffrey finished with 134 yards passing and 3 interceptions and no touchdowns through the air. He did accompany those yards with 122 yards on the ground and 2 scores on the ground. Adrian Martinez got just a few plays in where he actually threw their lone touchdown through the air to Levi Falck near the endzone. Other than those two it was a long day at the office. The “vaunted” blackshirt defense allowed almost 500 yards to the Illini, forced no turnovers, allowed Illinois to convert on 11-17 third downs as well as a fourth down conversion. It was a long day at the office for the defense as they failed to get off the field as the Illini had over 36 minutes of possession time. I’m sure they want to forget this one quick.

Up Next:

Illinois: Ohio State

Nebraska: @Iowa

Iowa (3-2) 41 @ Penn State (0-5!) 21

Boy, how far have you fallen Penn State? Starting the season ranked #8 and now here you are, the first 0-5 start in program history if I remember correctly. On the flip side, Iowa seems to have finally righted the ship and found their groove.

Iowa, while it is an unconfident and to put it simply, unmotivated, Penn State team. You still went out there and beat them up from the go and didn’t let up. Spencer Petras is still figuring things out as he finished with only 186 yards passing and no touchdowns. The real success came on the ground as Mekhi Sargent finished with 101 yards and 2 scores, Tyler Goodson had 78 yards and a score, and Petras also punched in a score as well. It felt like a very Iowa offense in this one with the only offensive touchdowns coming on the ground. The defense added a score of their own as Daviyon Nixon intercepted Sean Clifford and returned it 70-yards to the house to seal the victory for the Hawkeyes.

Penn State seems to be taking the approach Nebraska refuses to, effectively giving up on this season whether they admit it or not. Sean Clifford continues to struggle throwing two touchdowns on the day but also throwing two interceptions, including the pick six. He finished with 174 yards passing in a nondescript day. The Nittany Lions also struggled on the ground with Will Levis only having 34 yards total on the game. Through the air Jahan Dotson continues his great season with 139 yards and a score. One of the lone bright spots for Penn State. All-in-all, Penn State struggled all day, giving up 4 turnovers and being unable to stop Iowa. At this point, I’m not sure what to say about the Nittany Lions. They get an also beleaguered Michigan team next week in a battle of struggling programs.

Up Next:

Iowa: Nebraska

Penn State: @Michigan

#10 Wisconsin (2-1) 7 @ #19 Northwestern (5-0) 17

Another showdown that would likely decide one of the Big Ten divisions, Northwestern hosted Wisconsin in a classic Wildcats game that saw Northwestern hold the Badgers to a lone touchdown all night.

Wisconsin came into this game 2-0 with Northwestern as the lone opponent still in their way on their way to the top of the Big Ten West. Unfortunately for the Badgers, the Wildcats came to play. Graham Mertz struggled in this one finishing 23-41 for 230 yards, the lone touchdown for Wisconsin, as well as three interceptions on the day as well. On the ground the Badgers had a very un-Wisconsin like performance finishing with 136 yards as a team with no rushing TD’s. Jake Ferguson led the way receiving with 58 yards with Chimere Dike second with 52 yards and the lone TD catch. The big issue with the Badgers’ performance was the 5 turnovers on the night. The 3 interceptions by Mertz as well as 2 fumbles lost as well. Not to mention the other 2 times they put it on the turf that they didn’t lose. The defense had a solid outing, holding the Wildcats to just 17 points, but unfortunately, the offense did them no justice on the other side of the ball.

Northwestern may have just taken the West title with only 3 games to go. This has been a very “on” year for Northwestern. The defense leads the way while the offense does just enough to get the job done. Peyton Ramsey had a solid day finishing 23-44 for 203 yards, also tossing 2 touchdowns and no interceptions. The quintessential Northwestern QB line that does enough to get the win. Northwestern did enough to win even though they finished with 24 yards rushing as a team. No receiver eclipsed the 100 yard mark but Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman finished with 95 yards and a score, while Kyric McGowan had 80 yards as well. A classic case of just enough to get the job done. As always, the defense was the star of the show as they once again held their opponent down all night forcing turnovers and holding receivers in check. Northwestern has a manageable schedule to close out the year with MSU, Minnesota, and Illinois left.

Up Next:

Wisconsin: Minnesota

Northwestern: @Michigan State

Michigan (2-3) 48 @ Rutgers (1-4) 42 (3OT)

Oh boy, I can’t be the only one who was rooting so hard for Rutgers right?

Michigan survives the mighty Scarlet Knights final attempts in overtime to do just enough to hold on. It looks as though Harbaugh finally decided to switch things up at QB, giving Cade McNamara a shot and the Sophomore showed up finishing 27-36 for 260 yards and 4 touchdowns. On the ground Hasaan Haskins went for 109 yards and a score with McNamara also went in for another. Through the air, it was a team effort with Cornelius Johnson leading the way with 87 yards and two scores, Mike Sainristil and Nick Euybanks also finished with a score each. The defense struggled as much as you would expect against the vaunted Rutgers offense. Giving up 42 points to the same Rutgers team that averaged less than a touchdown a game last year isn’t much to write home about.

On the other hand, Rutgers! You got so close and that should be good enough this season. You have already surpassed the level that was expected of you at this point in the Schiano regime part 2. Noah Vedral had himself a game going 29-43 through the air for 381 and 3 touchdowns. He also threw one interception. On the ground they had less success with only 105 yards as a unit with only Johnny Langan getting into the endzone (twice). Through the air though, they had two guys cross the century mark with Shameen Jones ending with 127 and Bo Melton with 109. Melton, Aron Cruickshank, and Jovani Haskins all caught touchdown passes. While the defense obviously gave up 48 points, they gave the Scarlet Knights a chance to win when they held Michigan scoreless in overtime giving the Knights a field goal to win the game. Unfortunately for Rutgers, they couldn’t convert the try and eventually lost in 3 overtimes. It was their best chance at Michigan and it slipped through their fingers.

Up Next:

Michigan: Penn State

Rutgers: @Purdue

Michigan State (1-3) @ Maryland (2-1)

Canceled. Boo COVID-19.

Up Next:

Michigan State: Northwestern

Maryland: @Indiana

Here’s to another week waiting for Big Ten football. But hey! College Basketball is starting soon!

As Always, Boiler Up, Hammer Down, Hail Purdue!