Week 12 in the Big 10
Let’s take a look at everything that happened on the field in the Big Ten in Week 12 and look ahead to Week 13!
Week 12 Results
Minnesota 3 @ Ohio State 37
Michigan 31 @ Maryland 24
Rutgers 6 @ Penn State 27
Illinois 13 @ Iowa 15
Michigan State 24 @ Indiana 21
Purdue 15 @ Northwestern 23
Nebraska 17 @ Wisconsin 24 (OT)
Top 3 Notable Games of Week 12
3) Illinois 13 @ Iowa 15
By now, you know not to expect any offensive explosions when Iowa is involved. However, defensive struggles typically lead to close games, and this was no exception. Illinois scored the most points against the Hawkeyes in 5 games, but Iowa QB Deacon Hill continued to show improvement as he led them to a Big Ten West-clinching victory.
2) Michigan State 24 @ Indiana 21
In a game where neither team ever had a lead of more than a touchdown, Michigan State came out on top thanks to QB Katin Houser finding WR Maliq Carr with 1:19 left. Houser’s 3 TD passes helped overcome an impressive 205-yard rushing performance by the Hoosiers.
1) Nebraska 17 @ Wisconsin 24 (OT)
Back-to-back weeks of an overtime game taking the top spot, as the Badgers were able to snap a 3-game losing streak and become bowl-eligible. RB Braelon Allen returned from injury for Wisconsin, and his 2nd TD of the day lifted the Badgers to victory. The Cornhuskers are now on a 3-game losing streak of their own and need a win in the final week of the regular season if they want to make a bowl game.
Top Individual Performances of Week 12
Passing:
Kyle McCord, Ohio St. - 20/30 for 212 yards/2 TDs vs. Minnesota
Rushing:
TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio St. - 15 carries/146 yards/2 rushing TDs vs. Minnesota
Receiving:
Maliq Carr, Michigan St. - 7 rec/119 yards/2 TDs vs. Indiana
Defense:
Xander Mueller, Northwestern - 13 tackles/0.5 sacks/1 INT vs. Purdue
Power Rankings After Week 12
Ohio St.
Michigan
Penn St.
Iowa
Rutgers
Maryland
Northwestern
Wisconsin
Nebraska
Minnesota
Illinois
Purdue
Michigan St.
Indiana
Week 13 Games To Watch
3) Iowa @ Nebraska:
Matt Rhule’s 1st season at Nebraska has been plagued by offensive woes. OC Marcus Satterfield hasn’t figured out the right buttons to push and has not been helped by the different QBs the Cornhuskers have gone through. Despite that, they can still make a bowl game. All they have to do is beat one of the best defensive teams in the country. Points will be tough to come by in this one, but it should be close.
2) Wisconsin @ Minnesota:
In the oldest college football series in the nation, anything can happen. Minnesota needs for that “anything” to be a win so they can make a bowl game. QB Athan Kaliakmanis has been the main source of offensive struggles for the Golden Gophers but had a career game last year against the Badgers. Wisconsin has had QB struggles of its own, but are looking to end Luke Fickell’s 1st regular season as their head coach on a high note. This one will be run-heavy, but one of these QBs is going to have to make a play to win Paul Bunyan’s Axe. Which one will it be?
1) Ohio St. @ Michigan:
This is what we’ve all been waiting for the entire season. A Big Ten championship game spot AND College Football Playoff spot are on the line as these 2 juggernauts face off in one of college football’s most prestigious rivalries. Michigan will be without head coach Jim Harbaugh as he serves the final game of his suspension. A victory here would go a long way towards quieting the crowd who thinks the Wolverines’ recent success was the result of the cheating scandal that got Harbaugh suspended. Meanwhile, Buckeyes coach Ryan Day needs to prove he can beat the Wolverines or he might get run out of town. This is appointment television right here.