Around the Big Ten in Week 8: Buckeyes continued dominance, B1G rushing games all around
The biggest shocker of the weekend in the Big Ten took place in Happy Valley. Illinois, a massive underdog against Penn State, shocked the Nittany Lions in a record-setting nine-overtime upset by a final score of 20-18. The loss was a devastating blow to Penn State’s Big Ten championship hopes with a gauntlet of division games still in front of them, and some of the toughest opponents still to come showed just how a superior team is supposed to take care of business after a bye week.
While Penn State had a mighty struggle at home against Illinois, Ohio State and Michigan responded far better coming off their bye weeks to keep their undefeated Big Ten records intact heading into what should be a monster Week 9 on the conference schdeule.
And last week’s darling, the Purdue Boilermakers, were dropped back to a bit of reality in the Big Ten West, while Wisconsin and Minnesota did their part to remain in good position in the Big Ten West race.
Here is a look around the Big Ten from Week 8.
No. 5 Ohio State 54, Indiana 7
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Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud has easily asserted himself as the Big Ten’s best quarterback this season. Stroud and the Buckeyes lit up the Indiana Hoosiers in the first half in Bloomington and went on cruise control after halftime. Stroud’s four-touchdown night through the air was accompanied by 266 passing yards on 21-of-28 passing. Ohio State led 44-7 at halftime on its way to one of the most lopsided results in series history against Indiana.
Ohio State has now outscored its opponents 272-64 since their Week 2 loss at home to Oregon. So, good luck fixing up things for next week, Penn State.
No. 6 Michigan 33, Northwestern 7
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After a bit of a slow start at home against Northwestern, Michigan eventually found a way to power their way past the Wildcats. With 294 rushing yards as a team and four rushing touchdowns, Michigan easily took care of things at home against Northwestern.
Cade McNamara continues to impress at quarterback for the Wolverines after completing 20-of-27 attempts for 129 yards, but Michigan’s bread and butter remains the ground game. Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins made for a dynamic duo with two rushing touchdowns each and 220 rushing yards between them.
Wisconsin 30, Purdue 13
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Purdue’s moment in the sun didn’t last very long. After pulling off a major upset of Purdue in dominant fashion last week, the show was on the other foot in this one. Wisconsin’s defense held Purdue to -13 rushing yards as a team (Purdue quarterback Aidan O’Connell taking a loss of 35 yards in total didn’t help) and the Badgers pitched a shutout after halftime on their way to a big win in Big Ten West play.
The Badgers continued to rely on their running game and that worked well. Chez Mellusi rushed for a game-high 149 yards and Braelon Allen added 140 yards with the two combining for three touchdowns. Graham Mertz attempted just eight passes, with five completions for 52 yards. Whatever gets the job at this point for Wisconsin, right?
Another team in the Big Ten West appears to be going with a similar strategy…
Minnesota 34, Maryland 16
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Minnesota took to the ground to run all over the Maryland Terrapins at home. The Gophers rushed for 326 yards as a team against Maryland, with Ky Thomas leading the way with 139 yards and Mar’Keise Irving going for 105 yards. Four different Gophers scored a rushing touchdown, and quarterback Tanner Morgan only had to attempt 12 passes (he completed eight).
The win helps keep Minnesota on the inside track in the Big Ten West with games still to play against Iowa and Wisconsin as the division race in the West really gets heated up.
Maryland has now lost three consecutive games in blowout fashion. The Terps still need just two more wins to become bowl-eligible and they have games still to play against Indiana and Rutgers (and Penn State?) to help their case.
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