B1G Review, Week 8: Contenders Emerge

[Piercewise1]

Week 8 saw a couple of close games between equal competitors, as well as big wins from ranked teams looking to make statements and separate from the pack.

 

B1G Offensive Player of the Week:

WR Richie Igwebuike, Penn State – 10 catches, 268 yards, 2 TDs

 

B1G Defensive Players of the Week:

DE Ty Bodganovic, Indiana – 5 tackles, 4 TFLs, 1 sack

 

Purdue 34, Nebraska 10

The Boilermakers ran over, around, and through the vaunted Cornhusker defense, accumulating an astonishing 453 rushing yards on 67 carries. They dominated time of possession so thoroughly that Nebraska only got a chance to run 41 plays from scrimmage. Had their defense not snagged two interceptions, they might not have scored any points at all.

 

Indiana 24, Maryland 17

In a clash of opposing styles, the Hoosiers’ receiving trio outgained and outscored the Terrapins’ 3-headed rushing attack. Aaron Gossett went 25-of-37 for 350 yards and 3 TDs, and the defense came up with enough 3rd down stops to maintain an early lead despite allowing 236 rushing yards.

 

Penn State 24, Michigan 21

Richie Igwebuike put the team on his back with 268 receiving yards on only 10 catches, and the Nittany Lions built a 24-7 lead in the 4th quarter. But Bobo Sims led a long touchdown drive for the Wolverines, their defense forced a 3-and-out, and Fernando Blue ripped off a 70-yard run to set off another quick score. Holding on to a slim lead, Derrick Marshall found Igwebuike (who else?) for a 30-yard completion on 3rd down to help the Nittany Lions run out the clock and preserve the win.

 

Western Michigan 28, Northwestern 10

The Wildcats kept the game close for three and a half quarters, but ultimately fell to the undefeated Broncos. Heisman frontrunner Theo Scribner threw for 414 yards and 3 TDs, and Northwestern committed 3 turnovers that turned into 14 points against them. Eliezer Brothers racked up 184 yards but was held out of the end zone and lost a fumble.

 

Illinois 34, Minnesota 6

The Fighting Illini defense allowed only 153 yards of total offense, including a meager 9 rushing yards. Even more impressive, 78 of Minnesota’s passing yards came on back-to-back plays in the first quarter on their only scoring drive. The Illinois offense wasn’t as flashy but it was consistent and efficient, completing 73% of its passes and succeeding on 9 third-down conversions out of 17 (53% success rate).

 

Michigan State 29, Wisconsin 3

Michigan State dominated all phases of this game, outgaining the Badgers 429 yards to 120 and winning the turnover battle 2-1. Tackle Denver Litton had a great showing (4.5 TFL and half a sack), but Wisconsin had no answer for Jaydon Hagadone and his 154 receiving yards.

 

Conference Standings

 

Western Division

 

Team	Conference	Overall	Next Game
Purdue	3-1	3-4	at Wisconsin
Iowa	2-1	3-3	at Ohio State
Nebraska	3-2	4-3	BYE
Illinois	2-2	5-2	BYE
Northwestern	1-2	3-3	at Maryland
Wisconsin	1-3	2-4	Purdue
Minnesota	0-4	0-7	at Penn State

 

Nebraska’s second consecutive conference loss means the division race is wide open. They still have the easiest remaining schedule: before the finale at Iowa, their only road conference game is at Michigan. Meanwhile Iowa travels to Ohio State and then Purdue in week 11, and Purdue still has road games at Illinois (week 12) and at Indiana (week 14). So don’t be surprised if a 4-loss team makes the conference championship.

 

Eastern Division

 

Team	Conference	Overall	Next Game
Michigan State	4-0	6-0	SMU
Indiana	3-1	4-3	at Rutgers
Penn State	2-1	4-2	Minnesota
Ohio State	2-1	3-3	Iowa
Rutgers	1-2	2-4	Indiana
Maryland	1-3	3-4	Northwestern
Michigan	1-3	2-5	BYE

 

The current top 4 will all play each other by the end of the year, and only 1 of those 6 games is behind us (Michigan State beat Ohio State last week). So even though the Spartans are basically two games ahead thanks to their Overall record, it’s still not an insurmountable lead. Indiana draws the first short straw as the only team that has to travel this week, while Michigan State and Penn State have easier opponents at home.

[Minnow]

I wish I had top draft pick for recruits.

[BabaYaga]

What a performance to beat out a 270 yard performance by Logan Langley this week for POTW.