Week 9 in the Big 10
Let’s take a look at everything that happened on the field in the Big Ten in Week 9 and look ahead to Week 10!
Week 9 Results
Ohio St. 24 @ Wisconsin 10
Indiana 24 @ Penn St. 33
Maryland 27 @ Northwestern 33
Michigan St. 12 @ Minnesota 27
Purdue 14 @ Nebraska 31
Top 3 Notable Games of Week 9
3) Ohio St. 24 @ Wisconsin 10
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but this was a game where the Buckeyes were in a tight ballgame that they were able to pull out thanks to Marvin Harrison Jr. Arguably the greatest player in the country, Harrison Jr. had 123 yards receiving and 2 TDs as Ohio St. was able to overcome 3 turnovers by QB Kyle McCord to pick up a tough road win. Buckeyes RB TreVeyon Henderson also showed up to play, finishing with 162 yards on the ground and a touchdown of his own as this victory led Ohio St. to the #1 spot in this year’s first College Football Playoff rankings.
2) Indiana 24 @ Penn St. 33
The Nittany Lions were able to grit out a close bounce-back victory behind QB Drew Allar’s 3 touchdown passes. The defense wasn’t quite as sharp as we’re used to it being, but they did just enough to withstand the Hoosiers' 4th-quarter comeback that saw them tie the game. Last week’s loss to Ohio St. may have ended their National Championship dreams, but they are still on track for a great season.
1) Maryland 27 @ Northwestern 33
Maryland’s slide continues as they lost a 3rd straight game. Northwestern QB Brendan Sullivan threw for 265 yards and 3 TDs, and the Wildcat defense made big play after big play, forcing 2 turnovers and sacking Taulia Tagovailoa 6 times. Each team is battling for bowl-eligibility as we enter the final 1/3rd of the season.
Week 8 Summary
The conference’s playoff hopes became clear after the first College Football Playoff rankings were announced. If the season ended today, they’d have 2 playoff teams in Ohio St. and Michigan. Already, 5 teams are eligible for a postseason bowl with several others still alive.
Top Individual Performances of Week 9
Passing:
Brendan Sullivan, Northwestern - 16/23 for 265 yards/2 TDs vs. Maryland
Rushing:
Jordan Nubin, Minnesota - 40 carries/204 yards/2 rushing TDs vs. Michigan St.
Receiving:
Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State - 6 rec/123 yards/2 TD vs. Wisconsin
Defense:
Aidan Hubbard, Northwestern - 5 tackles/3 sacks vs. Maryland
Power Rankings After Week 8
Ohio St.
Michigan
Penn St.
Rutgers
Wisconsin
Minnesota
Nebraska
Iowa
Northwestern
Maryland
Illinois
Purdue
Indiana
Michigan St.
Week 10 Games To Watch
3) Iowa @ Northwestern: This is a great opportunity for the Wildcats to get one game closer to bowl eligibility. Iowa is reeling after news came out that offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz won’t return next season, and they have gotten no closer to solving their offensive woes. This one figures to be another low-scoring affair, but the Wildcats are coming in off a confidence-boosting performance against Maryland.
2) Illinois @ Minnesota: The most evenly matched game of the weekend. Minnesota hasn’t looked perfect by any means, but keeps winning games thanks to their ability to keep finding incredible running backs. Illinois comes in off a bye week after nearly upsetting Wisconsin. Can they use that extra week of preparation to finish the job against the Golden Gophers?
1) Penn St. @ Maryland: Maryland looked like one of the better teams in this conference not too long ago. Now, they’re just trying to stop the bleeding against a tough Penn St. team. Will the Nittany Lions be looking ahead to their game against Michigan or will their stifling defense shut down QB Taulia Tagovailoa and the Terps?