Around the Big Ten: Michigan can’t deal with the rain, Nebraska is in trouble

Well, if you left the 11 AM Big Ten slate without wanting to watch Big Ten football ever again, we wouldn’t blame you. However, you would’ve missed some results in the later games that could have serious national implications.

Michigan State 14, No. 7 Michigan 10

Despite not being in the same division, I think we can all agree it’s still incredibly funny to see an overrated Michigan team lose to a conference rival. Michigan’s total offensive ineptitude, the rain, and Harbaugh’s disappointment was fantastic content. John O’Korn threw three picks, and Michigan lost to a team that went 3-9 last season and had 34 yards of offense in the second half.

Although Michigan is technically still in it, it’s pretty clear that the Wolverines are out of the National Championship hunt after this one. You can blame Harbaugh for ordering O’Korn to throw 35 times in a rainstorm. You can blame it on Wilton Speight’s season-ending back injury. You can blame Michigan’s 5 turnovers on bad luck. But in the end, Michigan lost and Mark Dantonio continues to inexplicably win these types of games.

No. 9 Wisconsin 38, Nebraska 17

Guess what folks, it’s Week 6 and nobody is talking about Wisconsin. At this point, it’s become so fashionable to treat Wisconsin as a sleeper contender that they’re not even a sleeper pick anymore (that honor goes to Washington, in my opinion). Wisconsin dominated Nebraska after some early trouble, which has been the narrative of the Badgers’ entire season so far. Breakout star Jonathan Taylor had 249 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a game-breaking 75-yard scamper that probably upped the temperature of Mike Riley’s hot seat by 10 degrees.

Purdue 31, Minnesota 17

In Purdue’s first game since the passing of longtime head coach Joe Tiller, the Boilermakers won an emotional contest over P.J. Fleck and Minnesota. The game was close throughout, as a game-ending Minnesota pick-six making the score worse than it actually was. Somehow, Jeff Brohm has turned Purdue into, arguably, the second best team in the West. I’m impressed. On the other hand, Minnesota looks lost right now. Oh how the tables have turned.

No. 10 Ohio State 62, Maryland 14

Ohio State has shown no mercy since its disappointing 31-16 loss to Oklahoma (the Sooners lost to Iowa State at home, by the way). In their last four games, the Buckeyes have outscored their opponents 210-42. Maryland stood no chance, falling behind 41-7 at halftime and looking positive Rutgers-like against Ohio State’s defense. Maryland was outgained 584-66, and had 6 first downs compared to Ohio State’s 35. Ohio State suddenly looks very scary, and a home showdown with Penn State on October 28th should be very interesting.

Iowa 45, Illinois 16

This game was also closer than the score suggests, as Illinois had a brief lead in the first half and was driving to take the lead early in the third quarter. However, a devastating red zone pick-six thrown by Jeff George Jr. cratered any hope for a stunning Illini upset. After that pick-six made it 24-12, Iowa went on a 21-3 run to close out the game, despite actually getting outgained in total yards by Illinois on the afternoon.

Indiana 27, Charleston Southern 0

This game was a makeup for Indiana’s game against Florida International that was cancelled due to Hurricane Irma. Indiana needed another game to help its bowl chances, and the Hoosiers paid to get Charleston Southern on its bye week.