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Kent State Golden Flashes (3-6)
Bye
Kent State had their bye week this week, giving the somewhat downtrodden Flashes a chance to rest up. They’ll need it, as KSU will face off against the undefeated Broncos of Western Michigan this week.
Up Next: #21 Western Michigan Broncos (9-0)
Pitt Panthers (5-4)
Lost to Miami 51-28
Pitt lost to the Hurricanes this weekend, in a game that would have been much worse, but for a handful of explosive plays. Miami opened the game with a touchdown drive, and Quadree Henderson returned the ensuing kick for a touchdown. Pitt briefly took the lead in the second quarter, 21-20, before going down 27-21 at the half. The rest of the game was all Miami, as they scored 24 second half points, while Pitt only managed a single score – a 75 yard pass to Jester Weah. Things get even tougher for Pitt, as they get one of the top teams in the country this week.
Up Next: #2 Clemson Tigers (9-0)
Temple Owls (7-3)
Beat Connecticut 21-0
This was an odd game from a scoring perspective. Not only did it feature a shutout of the mighty UConn offense, but all of Temple’s points were scored in the first quarter. Strange. After 10 straight weeks of (mostly winning) football, Temple finally gets a bye week.
Up Next: Bye
#3 Michigan Wolverines (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten)
Beat Maryland 59-3
This was a good day for Michigan. They totaled 387 passing yards and 273 rushing yards. Six different players scored touchdowns. They had 31 first downs. I don’t know what else to put here. Michigan is good.
Up Next: Iowa Hawkeyes (5-4, 3-3)
Minnesota Golden Gophers (7-2, 4-2)
Beat Purdue 44-31
Minnesota got a scare from the Boilermakers, trailing them at the half 28-23 before pouring it on in the second half. Right now the Gophers are looking up at Wisconsin the B1G West, and have the team just behind them in the standings this weekend. If Minnesota wins this weekend, there will be a big showdown in week 12. Gopher fans have to be feeling good about that after they seemingly let the Penn State game slip through their fingers.
Up Next: #19 Nebraska Cornhuskers (7-2, 4-2)
Maryland Terrapins (5-4, 2-4)
Lost to Michigan 59-3
Maryland is headed in the right direction overall as a program. I’m skeptical that they’ll ever be at the level Michigan is at right now, or the level that Ohio State usually stays at, but I think they can get to the point that they’re 8-4 or 9-3 with some regularity, and periodically take down some of the big boys. Unfortunately the cupboard is too bare right now, and I think it will take another couple years before we see Maryland become really competitive. Things don’t get any easier this week for the Terrapins.
Up Next: #5 Ohio State Buckeyes (8-1, 5-1)
#5 Ohio State Buckeyes (8-1, 5-1)
Beat #19 Nebraska 62-3
This game started with a pick six, and Nebraska responded on the next drive with a field goal. All things considered, not the greatest way to start a game, but not the worst. Unfortunately, Nebraska would not score again the rest of the day, and Ohio State would score a lot. After struggling to find their offense for 3 weeks in a row, the Buckeyes lit it up. J.T. Barrett threw for four touchdowns, and the Buckeyes got not one but TWO interceptions returned for touchdowns on the day. The feast continues this week for the Buckeyes.
Up Next: Maryland Terrapins (5-4, 2-4)
Purdue Boilermakers (3-6, 1-5)
Lost to Minnesota 44-31
Once again, Purdue hung with a superior opponent for a half – leading the Gophers 28-23 heading into the break. Also once again, the second half was the difference for the result of the game, as the Boilermakers managed just a field goal in the final 30 minutes, while giving up three touchdowns. At the very least, the team hasn’t quit, and is playing entertaining football. Not much else can be asked for in such a turbulent time.
Up Next: Northwestern Wildcats (4-5, 3-3)
Iowa Hawkeyes (5-4, 3-3)
What a fun game this was
I dislike Iowa as much as the next Penn State fan – 6-4 will always haunt me, and 2008 is unforgivable. That’s why I assumed Iowa would do what they always do – play boring football, suck us down to their level, and somehow escape Beaver Stadium with a win. I was pleasantly surprised when we instead reeled off 21 straight points to start the game, and then 17 straight points to start the second half. I had high hopes entering the season (I predicted 9-3 for a record), but more than anything I wanted to see progress on both sides of the ball. Consider me satisfied on that front.