Creeping the B1G: A Much Better Week For The League

Things pretty much went according to plan for the Big Ten this week. All its ranked teams won, and Purdue got a really nice win over a ranked ACC opponent,

#4 Ohio State 49, Tulane 6

Welp, we expected this one. Dwayne Haskins threw for five touchdowns and JK Dobbins added one more on the ground in Urban Meyer’s first game of the season. Tulane didn’t have a chance after going down 42-6 at half.

What this means for Ohio State: Not much. Good teams dominate the teams they’re supposed to dominate, and that’s what the Buckeyes did.

Next up: At #9 Penn State

#18 Wisconsin 28, Iowa 17

Iowa had every chance possible to win this one, but three turnovers and a 10-play drive capped by a touchdown with 57 seconds left put the Badgers ahead for good. Alex Hornibrook completed 17-of-22 passes and threw three touchdowns, and Jonathan Taylor added 113 yards on the ground.

What this means for Wisconsin and Iowa: This pretty much means the same thing for both teams. Iowa was Wisconsin’s biggest challenger in the Big Ten West division, and this was its chance to overtake the Badgers. It’ll take a miracle for the Badgers to not be in Indianapolis at the end of the year now.

Next up for Wisconsin: bye

Next up for Iowa: bye

#19 Michigan 56, Nebraska 10

This one was over before it began. Nebraska’s anemic offense couldn’t get anything going against the Wolverines’ swarming defense, amassing just 132 total yards and turning the ball over twice. Michigan’s ground game put up more than double that -- 285 yards highlighted by 136 yards by Karan Higdon. Also, watch this stellar punt return touchdown by Donovan Peoples-Jones. That spin!

What this means for Michigan: It’s a Big Ten win? Jim Harbaugh reminds me of James Franklin -- both coaches are going to let their teams score and not hold back.

Up next: at Northwestern

What this means for Nebraska: Ummm... They didn’t lose by 50 so that’s good? This has been a nightmare start for the Huskers, and it doesn’t look like it’ll get better any time soon.

Up next: vs. Purdue

Purdue 30, #23 Boston College 13

Purdue finally got its first win of the season, after losing its first three games by a combined 8 points. Boston College may not be as real as someone (definitely not me in my Degenerates post) thought. Then again, it’s hard to win when you throw four interceptions, which the Eagles did.

What this means for Purdue: Not much for its conference standings, unfortunately. But, hopefully this will give Purdue some confidence going forward.

Next up: at Nebraska

#24 Michigan State 35, Indiana 21

Indiana finally came crashing back down to earth after a 3-0 start. The Hoosiers scored 14 points in the fourth quarter to make it 28-21 with three minutes left, but gave up a 75-yard touchdown on the first play following that field goal to kill any comeback hopes.

What this means for Michigan State: If the Spartans want to have any chance in the Big Ten East, they need to win games like this. This was a good win — on the road, under the lights.

Up next: vs. Central Michigan

What this means for Indiana: It ruins the team’s 3-0 start, but I’m not sure it hurts them in its overall goal to make a bowl game. I just have to say: I’m glad I’m not an Indiana fan. I feel like every time it has a big night game against a good opponent, it loses in heartbreaking fashion.

Up next: at Rutgers

Buffalo 42, Rutgers 13

Hahahahahahahahaha, well, I’m not sure where to start. Rutgers gave up 445 yards of offense and three touchdowns of 42 yards or more. This is kind of embarrassing at this point. Why did Jim Delany want Rutgers in this league?

What this means for Rutgers: I mean, I don’t know. They aren’t going to make a bowl, but this was just bad.

Up next: vs. Indiana

Maryland 42, Minnesota 13

The Terrapins bounced back in a big way after putting up a stinker last week. They jumped out to a 21-3 lead and didn’t look back. Quarterback Kasim Hill only threw it 14 times, but he didn’t really need to do more because Maryland put up 315 yards on the ground. Minnesota looked pretty demoralized... which is easy to do when your defense gives up five touchdowns of 20 yards or more.

What this means for Maryland: This is a good Big Ten win, on a schedule that might not afford many. Although, Maryland might be sneaky decent?

Up next: bye

What this means for Minnesota: The Gophers came into the game undefeated, and this one can’t feel good. It doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things, though.

Up next: bye

Didn’t play: Northwestern