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By Michael Cohen
FOX Sports activities Faculty Soccer Author
Chaos reigned in college football this week as No. 3 Alabama, No. 7 USC and No. 8 Oklahoma State had been upended in thrilling shootouts sure to be remembered among the many finest video games of the season come January.
However as upsets rippled via the SEC and Big 12, the established order prevailed within the Big Ten: No. 5 Michigan disposed of No. 10 Penn State; No. 24 Illinois toppled upstart Minnesota; and Purdue stored its hopes of a Large Ten West title alive by outgunning Nebraska.
What the Large Ten had as an alternative had been accidents to beginning quarterbacks — a lot of them — that might change the trajectories of groups throughout the league. Penn State’s Sean Clifford, Minnesota’s Tanner Morgan and Maryland’s Taulia Tagovailoa all left their respective video games and did not return. The ripple impact of their potential absences will stretch from one finish of the standings to the opposite.
Michigan runs throughout Penn State
RJ Younger analyzes Michigan’s victory over the Penn State and explains why Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards are unstoppable.
Listed below are our Large Ten energy rankings forward of Week 8:
1. Ohio State
Document: 6-0, 3-0 Large Ten
Final week: Idle
Up subsequent: vs. Iowa
Ohio State reached the open week having scored 45 or extra factors in every of its final 5 video games, together with three straight towards Large Ten opponents Wisconsin, Rutgers and Michigan State. Quarterback C.J. Stroud has eight instances as many landing passes (24) as interceptions (3) regardless of No. 1 receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba logging simply 38 snaps in two appearances attributable to damage. His 24 landing passes had been essentially the most of any quarterback via six video games, and the Buckeyes rank second nationally in complete offense at 543.7 yards per recreation. New defensive coordinator Jim Knowles ought to be within the working for the Broyles Award after shoring up the staff’s largest weak point from final season and elevating OSU to fifth nationally in complete protection. Michigan might need received the convention title in 2021, however Ohio State stays the staff to beat within the Large Ten.
2. Michigan
Document: 7-0, 4-0 Large Ten
Final week: 41-17 win vs. No. 10 Penn State
Up subsequent: Bye week
Critics hammered Michigan for enjoying one of many softest non-conference schedules within the nation towards Colorado State (51-7), Hawaii (56-10) and Connecticut (59-0) earlier than dealing with anybody who might pose a problem. Head coach Jim Harbaugh’s staff opened Large Ten play with consecutive wins over Maryland, Iowa and Indiana earlier than welcoming No. 10 Penn State to Ann Arbor. The Wolverines shredded a Nittany Lions protection that entered the weekend ranked fifth nationally towards the run. Tailbacks Blake Corum (166 yards, 2 TDs) and Donovan Edwards (173 yards, 2 TDs) reaped the advantages of an impressive efficiency from Michigan’s offensive line to supply factors on eight of their first 9 possessions and draw back from Penn State. First-year defensive coordinator Jesse Minter oversaw a gaggle that held the Nittany Lions to a single first down within the opening half and smothered working backs Nicholas Singleton (six carries, 19 yards) and Kaytron Allen (six carries, 16 yards).
3. Illinois
Document: 6-1, 3-1 Large Ten
Final week: 26-14 win vs. Minnesota
Up subsequent: Bye week
As wild because it sounds, Illinois looks as if the favourite to win the Large Ten West with six weeks remaining earlier than the title recreation in Indianapolis. Head coach Bret Bielema’s bunch floor out a wire-to-wire victory over Minnesota on Saturday to stay atop the standings and climb six spots to No. 18 within the newest Related Press ballot. The power of this staff stays its stingy protection orchestrated by 36-year-old coordinator Ryan Walters. Contemplate the numbers: Illinois leads the nation in scoring protection at 8.9 factors per recreation; ranks third in speeding protection at 77.9 yards per recreation; sits second in passing protection at 143.3 yards per recreation, and permits 14 fewer complete yards (221.1 per recreation) than any staff in FBS. Operating again Chase Brown grew to become the primary and solely participant to prime 1,000 yards this season when he carried 41 instances for 180 yards in Saturday’s win over the Gophers.
Illinois controls Minnesota as Chase Brown has a day
RJ Younger reacts to Illinois’ spectacular victory over Minnesota.
4. Penn State
Document: 5-1, 2-1 Large Ten
Final week: 41-17 loss at No. 5 Michigan
Up subsequent: vs. Minnesota
Optimism bubbled in Comfortable Valley that maybe this might be the turning level for head coach James Franklin after back-to-back middling seasons that includes 11 complete wins. However the undefeated Nittany Lions had been ravaged by Michigan in a beatdown lopsided sufficient to reveal the sizable hole between the 2 rosters, particularly within the trenches. On the offensive facet of the ball, Penn State’s linemen allowed 14 quarterback pressures and two sacks as starter Sean Clifford ultimately dropped out with a shoulder damage. On the defensive facet of the ball, the Wolverines gouged coordinator Manny Diaz’s unit for 12 runs of a minimum of 10 yards to persistently lengthen drives and dominate time of possession. Saturday’s date with Minnesota might be a battle of backup quarterbacks relying on the severity of Clifford’s damage. Both manner, the Nittany Lions have a lot to repair earlier than the Buckeyes go to Beaver Stadium in two weeks.
5. Purdue
Document: 5-2, 3-1 Large Ten
Final week: 43-37 win vs. Nebraska
Up subsequent: at Wisconsin
Head coach Jeff Brohm has stabilized the Boilermakers after a rocky begin that includes losses to Penn State and Syracuse within the first three weeks of the season. Since then, Purdue has reeled off 4 consecutive wins — together with three towards Large Ten opponents — whereas averaging 30.5 factors per recreation. Quarterback Aidan O’Connell ranks eighth nationally with 325 passing yards per recreation and topped 350 yards in every of the final two weeks. On Saturday, he accomplished 35 of 54 passes for 391 yards and 4 touchdowns to assist the Boilermakers construct a 27-10 lead over Nebraska at halftime. And whereas the protection started to crumble within the third and fourth quarters, Brohm might be elated with how his staff closed out the win: a 12-play, 53-yard drive that milked the ultimate 5:55 off the clock and by no means gave the Cornhuskers a chance to take the lead. The Large Ten West might be determined when Purdue travels to Illinois on Nov. 12.
Purdue’s Aidan O’Connell comes up clutch
Aidan O’Connell hits Charlie Jones for a 31-yard landing throughout the Boilermakers’ victory over Nebraska.
6. Maryland
Document: 5-2, 2-2 Large Ten
Final week: 38-33 win at Indiana
Up subsequent: vs. Northwestern
The trajectory of Maryland’s season hinges on the damage to beginning quarterback Tagovailoa, however for now, the Terrapins are within the prime half of the league. Tagovailoa, who has the sixth-most passing yards amongst Energy 5 quarterbacks, was carted off the sphere early within the fourth quarter towards Indiana with what seemed to be a leg damage. Head coach Mike Locksley mentioned Tagovailoa would endure an MRI when the staff returned house. Backup quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., a switch from Wake Forest, organized two fourth-quarter landing drives in a come-from-behind win over the Hoosiers. Although he didn’t full a go, Edwards ran the ball 5 instances for 53 yards and what proved to be the profitable rating with 2:11 remaining. He’s made 4 appearances in reduction of Tagovailoa this season, finishing 9 of 16 passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns. The again half of Maryland’s schedule nonetheless consists of video games towards Penn State (away) and Ohio State (house).
7. Minnesota
Document: 4-2, 1-2 Large Ten
Final week: 26-14 loss at No. 24 Illinois
Up subsequent: at No. 16 Penn State
The Gophers are one other staff whose fortunes are tied to the well being of their beginning quarterback. Morgan, a sixth-year senior, was carted to the locker room after struggling a head damage early within the fourth quarter. He had already absorbed two massive hits on Minnesota’s earlier possession, after which he appeared unsteady, however he remained within the recreation on each events. Head coach P.J. Fleck mentioned Morgan was transported to a neighborhood hospital accompanied by his spouse, mom and the college’s athletic director. What was already a one-dimensional offense reliant on working again Mohamed Ibrahim (100-plus speeding yards in each recreation he performed this season) grew to become much more predictable with out Tanner. Backup quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis completed with as many completions (two) as interceptions (two) in a scoreless fourth quarter. The Gophers have misplaced back-to-back video games after starting the season 4-0.
8. Iowa
Document: 3-3, 1-2 Large Ten
Final week: Idle
Up subsequent: at No. 2 Ohio State
Head coach Kirk Ferentz and his maligned offensive employees welcomed the bye week as a chance to reset, reevaluate and hopefully heal just a few accidents. The Hawkeyes limped via the primary half of the season with the worst statistical offense within the nation. Iowa ranks 131st out of 131 FBS groups in complete offense at 238.8 yards per recreation and doesn’t fare significantly better when analyzing the specifics: tied for 127th in scoring (14.7 factors per recreation); 127th in speeding (82.2 yards per recreation); and one hundred and twentieth in passing (156.7 yards per recreation). The nation’s eighth-worst conversion charge on third down (29.6%) has put monumental pressure on Iowa’s protection to maintain the Hawkeyes in video games. The denouement was a 9-6 loss to Illinois on Oct. 8 by which Ferentz’s staff punted eight instances in 13 possessions and ran the ball 30 instances for 52 yards.
9. Michigan State
Document: 3-4, 1-3 Large Ten
Final week: 34-28 win vs. Wisconsin
Up subsequent: Bye week
It’s by no means a great signal when the top coach refers to himself as a “horses— coach” the best way Mel Tucker did amid Michigan State’s four-game shedding streak to Washington (39-28), Minnesota (34-7), Maryland (27-13) and Ohio State (49-20). However the Spartans staved off a complete implosion by rallying for a double-overtime win towards Wisconsin final weekend. Quarterback Payton Thorne, whose sudden regression in 2022 has sandbagged the offense, loved considered one of his finest performances of the season by finishing 21 of 28 passes for 265 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. It was simply the second time this yr he’s navigated 4 quarters with out throwing an INT. The groups traded touchdowns within the first time beyond regulation interval earlier than Wisconsin tailback Braelon Allen fumbled to start the second stanza. Tucker’s staff prevailed with a 27-yard landing from Thorne to star wideout Jayden Reed on third-and-12.
Jayden Reed helps Michigan State beat Wisconsin
After recovering a Wisconsin fumble, Jayden Reed made an enormous catch in time beyond regulation to safe Michigan State’s first win in additional than a month.
10. Nebraska
Document: 3-4, 2-2 Large Ten
Final week: 43-37 loss at Purdue
Up subsequent: Bye week
4 video games have come and gone since Nebraska fired coach Scott Frost following a hideous 45-42 loss to Georgia Southern in early September. Since then, interim head coach Mickey Joseph has overseen video games towards Oklahoma (49-14 loss), Indiana (35-21 win), Rutgers (14-13 win) and Purdue (43-37 loss). With two wins and a slender defeat of their final three video games, the Cornhuskers seem to nonetheless be enjoying with effort regardless of the unsure way forward for this system. They climbed out of a 13-0 gap to beat the Scarlet Knights two weeks in the past and whittled a 17-point deficit towards Purdue to simply 4 within the closing minutes of the third quarter final weekend. However quarterback Casey Thompson threw a expensive interception with 9:03 remaining when Nebraska had an opportunity to tie or take the lead. The Boilermakers scored a landing on the following drive to place the sport out of attain.
11. Wisconsin
Document: 3-4, 1-3 Large Ten
Final week: 34-28 loss to Michigan State
Up subsequent: vs. Purdue
The Badgers shook the faculty soccer world once they fired head coach Paul Chryst on Oct. 2, partway via his eighth season in cost. Chryst had an general report of 65-23 at Wisconsin getting into 2022 and received 70.5% of his video games in Large Ten play. However athletic director Chris McIntosh had seen sufficient after a 2-3 begin adopted a 9-4 mark final season. McIntosh elevated defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard to interim head coach with an understanding that the rest of Wisconsin’s schedule could be one thing of an prolonged job interview. Leonhard had lengthy been recognized as Chryst’s potential successor by members of the media, and maybe McIntosh wished to see him within the prime function earlier than making a closing determination. Neither man might be happy with Saturday’s loss, by which Leonhard’s protection surrendered 290 passing yards and allowed Michigan State to transform seven of 15 third-down makes an attempt. A expensive turnover in time beyond regulation sealed Wisconsin’s third loss in its final 4 video games.
12. Indiana
Document: 3-4, 1-3 Large Ten
Final week: 38-33 loss vs. Maryland
Up subsequent: at Rutgers
A season-opening win over Illinois stays the excessive level for head coach Tom Allen, whose staff has misplaced 4 consecutive video games by a median of 15.3 factors per recreation. With Missouri switch Connor Bazelak at quarterback, the Hoosiers have adopted a pass-happy offense that throws the ball greater than every other Energy 5 staff (338 makes an attempt). However poor execution within the purple zone, the place IU scores touchdowns on simply 50% of its drives (tied for 109th), has stalled the Hoosiers at a modest 25.6 factors per recreation. The defensive mind belief of Allen and first-year coordinator Chad Wilt is overseeing a gaggle that continues to be leaky at finest and calamitous at worst. Indiana has allowed 30 or extra factors in every of its final 5 video games, together with Saturday’s loss when the Terrapins racked up 442 yards of offense.
13. Northwestern
Document: 1-5, 1-2 Large Ten
Final week: Idle
Up subsequent: at Maryland
A disappointing 2021 marketing campaign by which Northwestern completed 3-9 general and 1-8 within the Large Ten has given technique to one other lowly begin. The Wildcats loved a euphoric win over Nebraska throughout an abroad journey to Eire in Week 0 earlier than dropping their final 5 video games to Duke (31-23), Southern Illinois (31-24), Miami of Ohio (17-14), Penn State (17-7) and Wisconsin (42-7). Head coach Pat Fitzgerald’s staff embarks on the second half of its schedule with an offense ranked 123rd in scoring at 17.7 factors per recreation and a turnover margin of minus-six that’s tied for 119th nationally. Northwestern is unlikely to be favored in any of its remaining video games towards Maryland, Iowa, Ohio State, Minnesota, Purdue and Illinois, which suggests Fitzgerald’s membership might want to pull an upset to keep away from a second consecutive one-win season in Large Ten play.
14. Rutgers
Document: 3-3, 0-3 Large Ten
Final week: Idle
Up subsequent: vs. Indiana
After eight years away, Greg Schiano returned to Rutgers for a second stint as head coach in 2020. He improved the Scarlet Knights from three wins throughout the pandemic-shortened season to 5 wins final season as this system’s expectations swelled. However the mixture of uncertainty and underperformance on the quarterback place has hamstrung Rutgers in 2022. Three wins towards overmatched non-conference opponents have given technique to three consecutive losses in Large Ten play. Three completely different gamers have tried a minimum of 15 passes for the Scarlet Knights with Evan Simon (71-for-123 for 740 yards) incomes the brunt of the enjoying time. That Simon has thrown extra interceptions (six) than touchdowns (4) and retains the No. 1 function speaks to the seriousness of Schiano’s downside at that place. Video games towards Indiana and Minnesota within the subsequent two weeks ought to give Rutgers two reasonable probabilities for its first convention win of the season.
Learn extra:
Michael Cohen covers school soccer and basketball for FOX Sports activities with an emphasis on the Large Ten. Comply with him on Twitter at @Michael_Cohen13.
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