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The Big Ten in Week 2 Both Shined and Struggled

The Big Ten Week 2 slate had some snoozefests as well as a few Power 4 matchups. In all, the conference went 11-3 out of conference.
Big Ten Week 2

After posting an incredible 17-1 mark in non-conference games in Week 1, the Big Ten showed a little mortality in Week 2. There were a few blowouts, as expected with Big Ten vs Group of 5 matchups. However, the conference suffered three out-of-conference losses last weekend. In total, the Big Ten went 11-3 with one in-conference matchup on the slate.

UCLA and Purdue were idle.

The Big Ten Week 2 Slate Had Some Interesting Matchups

Big Ten vs Big Ten

Michigan State beat Maryland, 27-24

The in-conference slate started early for the Spartans and Terrapins and the Jonathan Smith era in East Lansing is off to a decent start. After struggling with FAU in Week 1, Michigan State took down Maryland thanks to a last-second field goal. Transfer quarterback Aidan Chiles had an up-and-down day and finished with 363 yards and three touchdowns. At the same time, he threw three interceptions. Nick Marsh, a true freshman receiver, led the way with eight catches for 194 yards and a touchdown.

Maryland was tossing it around as well. Bill Edwards, Jr. amassed 253 yards and two touchdowns. His top target was Tai Felton who finished with 152 yards and a touchdown off 11 catches.

B1G Blowouts

Indiana beat Western Illinois, 77-3
Ohio State beat Western Michigan, 56-0
USC beat Utah State, 48-0
Minnesota beat Rhode Island, 48-0
Rutgers beat Akron, 49-17
Washington beat Eastern Michigan, 30-9

Early-season Big Ten vs Group of 5/FCS games are expected to be snooze-fest blowouts. It got out of hand in six of the conference’s nine matchups against “lesser” competition.

Starting with Indiana, the Hoosiers set a program record with 77 points in the win. In his second game at the helm, Curt Cignetti’s team is breaking records. Indiana outgained WIU 703-121 on the day, also a single-game record.

Ohio State hosted Western Michigan in primetime and put together a nearly perfect game. The Buckeyes pitched their first shutout since 2019.

There was no emotional hangover for the USC Trojans after dispatching LSU last week. It was a methodical takedown with Miller Moss leading the way with 229 passing yards and one touchdown. Woody Marks put up 103 yards and a touchdown, nearly a year to the day he posted his last 100-yard game.

Minnesota got over the Week 1 disappointing loss to North Carolina with a thorough beating of Rhode Island, led by former New Hampshire quarterback, Max Brosmer.

In a season with what feels like a dozen elite running backs, Kyle Monangai reminded the college football world he belongs. He led the way with 208 yards and three touchdowns. It was his first 200-yard performance. He currently leads the Big Ten in rushing this year and is second in the nation.

Finally, the Washington Huskies were just too much to handle for Eastern Michigan. Will Rogers tossed four touchdowns to three different receivers and Jonah Coleman amassed 104 yards on the ground.

Big Ten Over Power 4

Illinois beat Kansas, 23-17
Nebraska beat Colorado, 28-10

When arguing college football hierarchy, the Big Ten Week 2 performance against the Power 4 will be brought up. While there were a couple of disappointments, Illinois and Nebraska took care of business.

Illinois was able to put together a gritty win and battled back from a late deficit. Kansas outgained Illinois 327-271 but the Illini forced three interceptions and a fumble to turn the tide. Kaden Feagin has Illinois’ only touchdown on the day and it was the one to put his team up in the fourth quarter. the Jayhawks are considered to be a dark horse pick to take the Big 12, so this was a massive win for the Big Ten.

Last year, Nebraska fell victim to the hype train that was Colorado. This year, revenge was served. Freshman phenom Dylan Raiola was efficient and finished the day with 185 yards and a touchdown. Dante Dowdell stole the show with 74 yards and two touchdowns off 17 carries. Defensively, the Blackshirts forced Colorado to play on dimensionally and only allowed 16 rushing yards on the night.

Made ‘Em Sweat

Oregon beat Boise State, 37-34
Penn State beat Bowling Green, 34-27
Wisconsin beat South Dakota, 27-13

Not every matchup was an easy win for the Big Ten in Week 2.

To start, Oregon looked incredibly beatable…again. In Week 1, it was Idaho out of the FCS. This week, potential CFP crasher Boise State gave the Ducks everything they could handle. Oregon ended up pulling it out thanks to a 25-yard field goal as time expired. Dillon Gabriel finished 18/21 for 243 yards and two touchdowns and found Evan Stewart and Traeshon Holden for scores. However, on defense, Ashton Jeanty gashed the Ducks for 192 yards and three touchdowns.

At Penn State, the Nittany Lions struggled with Bowling Green without the Falcons’ star running back. Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron finished with over 100 rushing yards while Tyler Warren accounted for 146 receiving yards. Penn State did struggle defensively against the Falcons. A potential top tight end in the NFL Draft, Harold Fannin, Jr. broke out to the tune of 137 yards and one touchdown.

Finally, Wisconsin let another “lesser” foe hang around. This time, South Dakota had the Badgers within a score for most of the second half. Chez Mellusi carried the ball 16 times for 60 yards and scored twice. Overall, South Dakota only managed 239 yards but Wisconsin was not able to put the Coyotes away.

Three B1G Losses

Northwestern lost to Duke, 26-20 (2OT)
Michigan lost to Texas, 31-12
Iowa lost to Iowa State, 20-19

There were two incredibly narrow losses to go with the beatdown in the Big House for the Big Ten in Week 2.

Northwestern battled valiantly against the ACC’s Duke Blue Devils. The Wildcats were led by Cam Porter‘s 94 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. All in all, Duke outgained Northwestern 342-288. The Blue Devils did miss a field goal, threw an interception, and lost a fumble to keep the Wildcats within striking distance.

The biggest statement in the country was Texas’ thorough beatdown of Michigan in the Wolverines’ house. It took Michigan until there was 1:54 to go in the game to score a touchdown. In the first half, Michigan’s drives resulted in a three-and-out, field goal, interception, and lost fumble. Meanwhile, Texas scored 24 points off four out of five drives. The Michigan offense is a concern so many thought it could lean on the defense. That defense gave Quinn Ewers a potential Heisman Moment and allowed 389 total yards.

Last but certainly not least, Iowa. for the second time in three years, the CyHawk trophy heads to Iowa State. The Cyclones outscored the Hawkeyes 20-7 in the second half and scored 13 unanswered, capped off by a last-second 54-yard field goal.

 

Big Ten Week 2
Photo courtesy: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images

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