Big Ten Superlatives: Week 8

Other than the whole “nine overtime that equated to a 20-18 final score” thing, it was a pretty quiet day around the rest of the Big Ten. Oh, how nice it must have been to be anywhere but State College on Saturday.

Best Win: Wisconsin Upsets Purdue

A letdown spot of sorts for Purdue, but the Badgers scored an impressive 30-13 win on the road over the Boilermakers. Granted, this is kind of what Jeff Brohm does — score a big win, and then do absolutely nothing else.

Most Impressive Quarter: Ohio State’s 2nd Quarter

The Buckeyes scored 30 points in the second quarter against the Hoosiers, on their way to a dominant 54-7 victory. After a mediocre (for their standards) start to the year for Ohio State, Ryan Day has his crew playing their best football of the season. I feel sorry about whoever has to play the Buckeyes next.

Motivation 101 of the Week: Bret Bielema

Earlier this week, Bielema tore into his offensive line, saying this:

“Certain positions haven’t probably played out the way they envisioned them to, in particular the offensive line. I don’t believe we have a player in the two-deep that they’ve recruited here over the last three [recruiting classes] that is really significantly doing anything for us in the playing department and that’s a major concern.”

While Bielema later said his words were “taken out of context” and that there weren’t any issues in the locker room, whatever he said worked because the Illinois offensive line opened up holes all day for Illinois’ running backs. Which leads to...

Players of the Week: Chase Brown and Joshua McCray

The Illini’s rushing attack was elite on Saturday, with the running back duo accounting for 365 rushing yards. Brown carried the heavier load, carrying the ball 33 times for 223 yards, but McCray looked just as good, finishing with 24 carries for 142 yards.

Most Big Ten Game That Set Back College Football: Illinois vs Penn State

Penn State and Illinois managed to convert three of 18 (!) two-point conversation attempts. In the year 2021, I don’t even know how that is possible. I mean, I was there. I saw it. I witnessed it. But I still don’t 100% think it actually happened.

Dumbest Fans: Penn State

4.5 hours in 45 degree rainy weather to watch your 7th ranked team lose to maybe the worst team in the Big Ten in nine overtimes. Folks, let’s call it like it is: we are bozos. And I, in particular, am the biggest bozo of us all.