Big Ten football report: Division races starting to separate
WEST LAFAYETTE – The division races in the Big Ten are coming into focus.
No surprise in the East – Ohio State and Michigan.
The surprise? It’s the West. Purdue and Illinois are tied atop the standings at 3-1. The Boilermakers were the sexy pick before the season but the 1-2 start forced the prognosticators to jump off the train.
The Fighting Illini? No one pegged them to be sitting in the top spot in the second half of the season. Lots of big games still on the schedule but let’s see if we can bring Purdue and Illinois together on Nov. 12 in Champaign for the West championship.
Sinking Gophers
September was a glorious month for coach P.J. Fleck’s crew.
Four straight wins, even though the first three victories came against the creampuffs of creampuffs. However, the dominating performance at Michigan State gave credibility to Minnesota’s season.
And now? Purdue snapped the Golden Gophers’ winning streak. Illinois knocked quarterback Tanner Morgan out of the game and despite another 100-yard rushing performance from star running back Mo Ibrahim a second loss followed.
This week? Minnesota heads to State College to play Penn State. The Gophers could be without Morgan, and that would likely add another loss. Fleck announced that Morgan “is in good shape” after being carted off the field with a head injury.
Minnesota has a stiff challenge this week.
Ton of plays
The five winning Big Ten teams last week ran an average of 82.9 plays. That’s a lot.
To help illustrate, digest this number: Illinois running back Chase Brown had 41 rushing attempts. Minnesota ran 42 total plays.
Purdue was the winner in total plays, registering 101.
“It was a long night,” said coach Jeff Brohm, who used about every play on his call sheet.
In his first year at Western Kentucky in 2014, Brohm’s team ran 102 plays against Middle Tennessee State, but that game went three overtimes.
Illinois finished with 86 and Maryland had 82. Michigan ran 50 by halftime against Penn State and Michigan State had “only” 66 in the double-overtime win over Wisconsin.
The winners controlled the clock and controlled the game.
Power rankings
Ohio State (6-0, 3-0): Not even the off week should slow down the Buckeyes. Just waiting to play Michigan. Up next: Saturday vs. Iowa, noon (Fox)
Michigan (7-0, 4-0): Blake Corum should be in the Heisman race. The Wolverines rolled up over 400 rushing yards against Penn State. Up next: Oct. 29 vs. Michigan State, 7:30 p.m. (ABC)
Penn State (5-1, 2-1): The Nittany Lions are enjoying a good year but they’re not at the level of Ohio State or Michigan. No shame but also no Big Ten championship. Up next: Saturday vs. Minnesota, 7:30 p.m. (ABC)
Illinois (6-1, 3-1): The Fighting Illini are bowl eligible before Halloween. Bret Bielema masks for everyone. Up next: Oct. 29 at Nebraska, 3:30 p.m. (ABC/ESPN)
Purdue (5-2, 3-1): The Cradle of Walk-ons produced quarterback Aidan O’Connell and running back Devin Mockobee. Even Charlie Jones was a walk-on at Iowa before transferring. Now, about the secondary. Up next: Saturday at Wisconsin, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Maryland (5-2, 2-2): Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa was carted off in the win over Indiana. Schedule for an MRI. A big concern for the rest of the season. Up next: Saturday vs. Northwestern, 3:30 p.m. (BTN)
Wisconsin (3-4, 1-3): First game as the boss at Camp Randall Stadium for interim coach Jim Leonhard. The double-overtime loss to Michigan State stings. Up next: Saturday vs. Purdue, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Minnesota (4-2, 1-2): Facing a three-game losing streak after a 4-0 start. Row the Boat is taking on water. Up next: Saturday at Penn State, 7:30 p.m. (ABC).
Michigan State (3-4, 1-3): The four-game losing streak is over but it’s doubtful the Spartans can start a winning streak. Up next: Oct. 29 at Michigan, 7:30 p.m. (ABC)
Nebraska (3-4, 2-2): The Huskers hit a lot of big plays but couldn’t get off the field and watched the Boilermakers run 101 plays. Trey Palmer had a monster night. Up next: Oct. 29 vs. Illinois, 3:30 p.m. (ABC/ESPN)
Iowa (3-3, 1-2): It’s unlikely the off week improved the offense. Up next: Saturday at Ohio State, noon (Fox)
Rutgers (3-3, 0-3): Another team coming off an off week where nothing has changed. The Scarlet Knights still don’t have a quarterback. Up next: Saturday vs. Indiana, noon (BTN)
Indiana (3-4, 1-3): First Division I program to lose 700 games. If the Hoosiers lose No. 701 this week, the hopes for a bowl are dashed. Up next: Saturday at Rutgers, noon (BTN)
Northwestern (1-5, 1-2): The good news is the Wildcats are on the road the next two games since they’re 0-4 at home. But that one win was in Ireland. Up next: Saturday at Maryland, 3:30 p.m.
Mike Carmin covers Purdue sports for the Journal & Courier and USA Today Sports Network. Email mcarmin@gannett.com and follow on Twitter and Instagram @carmin_jc
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Big Ten football report: Division races starting to separate
