Week two was an interesting week for the league despite the match ups not really indicating that would be the case. Several teams really shined while three lost and one of those clubs fell flat on their face. Let’s recap it:
Team of the Week – Iowa – A+ – Taking on in-state rival Iowa State, a team that had won nine of the last 17 match ups, there were a lot of feelings of another close brawl about to go down in prime time under the lights of Kinnick. Instead the Hawkeyes won 42-3, the biggest margin of victory since 1997’s 63-10 UI win. The offense put up 435 yards, 237 through the air. Defensively they held State below 300 yards, a bulk of them coming against the reserves late, and obviously out of the end zone. All three phases of the game were sharp. If Iowa repeats this performance against everyone they face, they can make a run.
Illinois – C- – I know the final score, 48-23, doesn’t look great but UI was battling hard until the Tar Heels pulled away with a 17 point fourth quarter. The running game was good but the difference were the two teams passing attacks. Illinois struggled to be consistent with a 17/35, 127 yards, 3.6 avg, 2 TD, 0 INT day while UNC had 265 yards on 19/24 passing for an 11.0 avg and 2 TDs with 0 INTs. Lunt is better than what he showed and that secondary needs to step up in the future.
Indiana – B+ – Indiana was in firm control going into the fourth up 30-3. The 17 points in the final frame for Ball State made things look tight but the Hoosiers were crisp through through most of the game. Richard Lagow went 17/27 for 266 yards and 3 TDs to 0 INTs. Looks like they might have a QB to replace Nate Sudfeld and compliment that rushing attack.
Maryland – A – One of just two teams playing on the road in league this week, UM dominated Florida International early and won going away 41-14. For the second straight week the Terps threw zero interceptions, cleaning up one of their biggest issues last year. Shout-out to D.J. Moore who had 6 catches for 147 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Michigan – A – 6/22 for 56 yards. That was the passing day as a team for UCF against this Michigan team. On the flip side UM shredded the Knights through the air. One concern that may have popped up in an otherwise great game was another rough day for the Michigan running game. They struggled in this aspect a year ago and had just 119 yards on 41 carries Saturday. Tough to be balanced against OSU and MSU if they can’t get going on the ground.
Michigan State – Idle
Minnesota – B+ – Offensively an A for the Gophers but after leading 38-7 at half, the Gophers gave up 21 points in the second half. I realize UM would put in a lot of reserves as the second half went on but Iowa, Michigan, Maryland, and plenty other teams didn’t have their reserves give up a ton of points.
Nebraska – A – Wyoming made a game of it for the first half but after six turnovers in seven second half possessions, the Huskers pulled away easily from the Pokes. Tommy Armstrong Jr. had a solid day going 20/34 for 377 yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT. This team has to be feeling confident heading into their huge game this weekend (hosting Oregon).
Northwestern – F – They produced just 277 yards and 7 points against a FCS team. The defense nearly bailed out the club but a late 11 play, 71 yard drive ended with a last second field goal for Illinois State to pull off the win, 9-7.
Ohio State – A – The offense didn’t really have to do too much as the Buckeye d forced six turnovers in total, four of them interceptions, and two of those pick sixes. Tulsa is an air raid team so there was always a chance the most athletic defenses the Hurricanes will face this year would pick them apart but even this was ridiculous.
Penn State – B- – The comeback was impressive and Trace McSorley had a nice day throwing the ball but there were some cracks exposing themselves in this one. PSU’s rush defense was pounded for 341 yards on a 6.1 average. Flipping things around, the Penn State ground game may have scored four times but Barkley had just 85 yards and McSorley was sacked plenty of times so the OL still isn’t sorted out.
Purdue – D+ – The defense was at it again giving up over 500 yards as PU was almost doubled up in a 38-20 loss to Cincy. The scary thing is the Bearcats didn’t even play that good a game. After all, they gave up 500 yards themselves. The difference in this was ball security as the Train tossed five picks.
Rutgers – A – Hey it was a FCS team but unlike Northwestern they won and unlike Minnesota they locked Howard down as the game went on. Hats off to the rushing attack that put up 375 yards on 53 carries for a 7.1 avg and 3 scores as a team. That has to boost the confidence after a rough trip out to Seattle.
Wisconsin – A – The Badgers outclassed the Zips in every conceivable way but one. Bart Houston looks like he has the potential to be the real deal at quarterback and the running game was firing on all cylinders. The one way UW didn’t outclass Akron was in punting. The Zips’ burner Jojo Natson had a beauty of a 55 yard punt return for six – the only touchdown on the day for Akron.
Game of the Week – Despite the surprise of neither team playing defense, the battle in Pennsylvania was a fun one as Pitt raced out to a big lead and the Nittany Lions nearly rallied in the second half to pull out a big road win.
Why Did I Watch This? Award – It wasn’t the most lopsided game but it was the most Keystone Cop-y game as Purdue turned the ball over left and right.
Gambling Report Card:
- Illinois vs North Carolina, UNC (-7.5), Under (58)
North Carolina easily covered but the prediction of an improved Illinois defense didn’t quite work out as they gave up 48 points for the second straight year to the Tar Heels and the over was splashed. Gotta be honest, this felt like a long week as I saw the scores roll in. Might be one of those weeks were a split feels as good as a win.
- Indiana vs Ball State, IU (-17), Over (61)
Ugg, what a bad beat. Indiana entered the fourth quarter up 30-3 and gave up 17 points. Not only was the total nowhere near the over but the points were enough for the Cardinals to cover.
- Iowa vs Iowa State, Points (Iowa, -15), Under (51)
Like all Hawkeye fans this game makes me nervous so I assumed it would be tight. Settle for a split as UI covered winning 42-3 but we stay below the over.
- Maryland at FIU, UM (-10.5)
I am pleased to stay away from the over because I had no idea what these two teams would do but I was pretty sure Maryland could cover, and they did. Every little bit helps in a week like this.
- Michigan vs UCF, Points (UM, -35.5), Over (53.5)
Michigan covered thanks to winning by 37 but the over was easily cleared. May have been a looser, but it still makes sense to take the points when a spread is that big.
- Nebraska vs Wyoming, Points (NU -24.5), Over (58)
Another split as NU won by 35 but the over was passed with ease. I can’t help but think a million turnovers by Wyoming may have factored into their anemic second half.
- Ohio State vs Tulsa, Points (OSU -29), Over (73.5)
Tulsa’s air raid could have kept this thing close…in theory. Sometimes after experiments theories are disproved. Safe to say we were disproved with a sweep in this one.
- Penn State at Pitt, Points (Pitt -5), Under (47.5)
A very strange split as Penn State’s comeback resulted in a three point loss but the normally defensively sound teams decided to take a vacation last Saturday.
- Purdue vs Cincinnati, UC (-6.5), Over (59.5)
A split thanks to the teams combining for 58 points. Can I get just a field goal from anyone? C’mon!!
- Wisconsin vs Akron, UW (-23.5), Under (47.5)
Oops, misread this one, too! I kind of envisioned a 28-0 win for Wisconsin. Instead they exploded for 54 points in their 44 point win.
Week Record: 8-11-0
Season Record: 18-21-0
Big Ten and Counting 