Week 5 in the Big Ten!
Let’s take a look at everything that happened on the field in the Big Ten in Week 5 and look ahead to Week 6!
Week 5 Results
Michigan 45 @ Nebraska 7
Penn St. 41 @ Northwestern 13
Louisiana 24 @ Minnesota 35
Indiana 17 @ Maryland 44
Illinois 19 @ Purdue 44
Wagner 3 @ Rutgers 52
Michigan St. 16 @ Iowa 26
Top 3 Notable Games of Week 5
3) Indiana 17 @ Maryland 44
Maryland still isn’t ranked in the top 25 despite being undefeated due to a relatively weak schedule, but coach Mike Locksley’s team is taking care of business week after week. A second straight win over a conference opponent with QB Taulia Tagovailoa throwing for 352 yards and 5 TDs. The Terps will get their chance to play a tough team soon enough. More on that later!
2) Illinois 19 @ Purdue 44
Purdue badly needed this one after dropping two straight. This was a close one in the first half, but the Boilermakers offense exploded for 3 TDs in the 3rd quarter. QB Hudson Card threw for 2 TDs and the team ran for 3 more as they overwhelmed the Illinois defense in the 2nd half.
1) Michigan St. 16 @ Iowa 26
Once again, the Hawkeyes managed to get it done in spite of one of the worst offenses in the nation. Their defense forced 4 turnovers and they got a punt return TD from Cooper DeJean as they managed to hold off a scrappy Spartans team that showed signs of life after a tumultuous past couple of weeks.
Week 5 Summary
Mostly a chance for everyone to breathe after some excitement and tough matchups the previous week. There’s a very clear division between the top, middle, and bottom of the conference, but we’re all waiting to see if Maryland is for real.
Top Individual Performances of Week 4
Passing:
Tua Tagovailoa, Maryland - 24/34 352 yards 5 TDs vs. Indiana
Rushing:
Tyrone Tracy Jr., Purdue - 21 carries/112 yards/1 rushing TD vs. Illinois
Receiving:
Tai Felton, Maryland - 7 rec/134 yards/3 TDs vs. Indiana
Defense:
Aaron Lewis, Rutgers - 5 tackles/2 sacks vs. Wagner
Power Rankings After Week 5
Penn St.
Ohio St.
Michigan
Maryland
Wisconsin
Rutgers
Iowa
Minnesota
Purdue
Northwestern
Illinois
Indiana
Michigan St.
Nebraska
Only changes to the bottom third of the conference as things get more clear each week. It feels like the top, middle, and bottom are set, and we’ll just have some shuffling between them from here on out.
Week 6 Games To Watch
3) Purdue @ Iowa: In the short time that I’ve been doing this article, it’s already become a tradition to talk about the ineptitude of the Iowa offense. They are dead last in the FBS in total offense per game. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, news comes out that starting QB Cade McNamara is out for the year with an ACL tear. Can their defense and special teams possibly overcome that?
2) Rutgers @ Wisconsin: A battle of two teams who have only lost 1 game each (both to a ranked opponent) despite serious struggles in their passing games. How is that possible? Well, they each have a monster running back, which is why you’ll want to watch this duel. Expect heavy doses of Rutgers’ Kyle Monangai (471 rushing yards) and Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen (371 rushing yards). Whoever wins that battle should win the game.
1) Maryland @ Ohio St.: The Terrapins have flown under the radar all year. Despite being undefeated, they’re not ranked in the top 25 due to a weak strength of schedule so far. A win here against the #4 Buckeyes in Columbus would put an end to all of that. Can QB Taulia Tagovailoa quite the skeptics and help Maryland come away with a seemingly improbable road win? Or will the Buckeyes give them a reality check?