B1G Review, Week 11

[Piercewise1]

B1G Offensive Player of the Week:

QB Devin Brebbia, Rutgers: 18 of 28, 235 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT

15 carries, 158 yards, 2 TDs

 

B1G Defensive Players of the Week:

ILB Jaboree Tate, Iowa: 11 tackles, TFL, INT

 

Wisconsin 17, Maryland 14

The Badgers built a 17-0 lead through two and a half quarters on the backs of big plays like an Austin McKinney interception and a long TD pass from Lance Enright to Colton Porter. Maryland closed the gap after forcing a turnover of their own but ran out of gas in the 4th quarter and couldn’t complete the comeback. QB Stephen Brantley completed only 2 of his 17 attempts for 21 yards and the one interception.

 

Indiana 21, Penn State 10

The B1G’s best receiving talent was on full display, as Indiana’s Tarell Griffin (8 catches, 190 yards) and Penn State’s Richie Igwebuike (11 catches, 231 yards, 1 TD) racked up the yardage against overmatched defenses. But while Richie did it alone, Indiana also got the most out of Jeremiah McCray (7 catches, 181 yards, 2 TDs), whose big day offset some of the sting from QB Aaron Gossett’s 2 interceptions. The Indiana defense also sacked Derrick Marshall 4 times (3 in the second half) to kill the Nittany Lion’s best chances at a comeback.

 

Kent State 14, Nebraska 13

The Cornhuskers allowed 308 rushing yards and missed two field goals, squandering a chance to grab a win against the 1-7 Golden Flashes. Francis Guerrero had a respectable day, going 25 of 41 for 231 yards and adding 39 yards and a score on 16 carries while avoiding turnovers.

 

Purdue 20, Iowa 3

The Boilermakers outrushed the Hawkeyes 370-57, controlling the game from the outset and not allowing any points until late in the 4th quarter. They also sacked Ben Rivera 3 times and held him to 5.2 yards per attempt. But perhaps the most bizarre stat of the game is that Purdue wide receivers caught 0 passes and were only targeted twice.

 

Rutgers 43, Michigan 17

Devin Brebbia accounted for nearly 400 yards of offense and 4 scores as the Scarlet Knights won a big victory. They outscored the Wolverines 29-7 in the second half as Brebbia and Jeff Holley (15 carries, 161 yards, 2 TDs) ran all over them. Old school fans rejoiced as the teams combined for nearly 700 yards on the ground.

 

Northwestern 41, Ohio State 20

The Wildcats got back to their high-scoring ways, racing out to a 34-0 lead en route to a three-score win. Randy Madson and Eliezer Brothers each had 3 touchdowns, as did the Buckeyes’ Doug Brothers (no relation, oddly enough). The score might have been even more lopsided if Northwestern could have turned their 2 interceptions into points as well.

 

Illinois 38, Michigan State 37

In what could end up being the B1G’s game of the year (unless there’s an equally completing rematch in the Championship game), the Fighting Illini scored a huge upset over undefeated, top-ranked Michigan State. In a 1-point game that went down to the wire, Gabriel Adeboyejo shined with 30 touches for 233 yards and 4 TDs, leading his team in both rushing and receiving. Wayne Murray threw for 356 yards and 2 TDs (with 1 INT) on 30 for 44 passing, but it was his missed extra point in the first 3 minutes of the game that provided the final margin.

 

Conference Standings

 

Western Division

Team	Conference	Overall	Next Game
Illinois	4-2	7-2	Purdue
Purdue	4-2	4-5	at Illinois
Iowa	3-3	4-5	Wisconsin
Nebraska	3-3	4-5	at Michigan
Wisconsin	3-3	4-5	at Iowa
Northwestern	2-4	4-5	at Minnesota
Minnesota	0-6	0-9	Northwestern

 

Illinois is unquestionably the best team in the division, handing the Spartans their first defeat while the other six teams have losing records. They play Purdue (4-5) at home, then finish on the road against Michigan (2-7) and Northwestern (4-5). If they can run the table, they’ll be playing for both the conference championship and a playoff berth as well.

 

Eastern Division

 

Team	Conference	Overall	Next Game
Michigan State	5-1	8-1	Rutgers
Indiana	4-2	5-4	at Ohio State
Penn State	4-2	6-3	Maryland
Rutgers	4-2	5-4	at Michigan State
Ohio State	3-3	4-5	Indiana
Maryland	2-4	4-5	at Penn State
Michigan	1-5	2-7	Nebraska

 

In contract, Michigan State’s last three opponents all have winning records. They host Rutgers (5-4) and Indiana (5-4) before finishing at Penn State (6-3). A loss against any could cost them a fatal tiebreaker, with the Nittany Lions being the biggest hurdle. But if they clear them all, a playoff berth could await them as well.

[subsequent]

Man, that Rutgers loss was so demoralizing. I really thought I had a shot. Crazy that I did better against Michigan State than against them... but then again... Rutgers did beat Michigan State today...