Survive and advance. Thats exactly what Ohio State was able to do Saturday night in what was the game of the week in the Big Ten. They had some ugly turnovers, played inconsistent defense, and their quarterback still doesn't look 100 percent healthy, but the Buckeyes did just enough to win and take down the 16th ranked Northwestern Wildcats and continue their path towords perfection. Follow along as we break this game down along with all the other big Ten action from Week 6.
Northwestern 30 vs. Ohio State 40
Review
There were many determining factors for Saturday nights outcome once you start to scratch a little deeper past the box score. The hot topic throughout the week and even going back as far as entering the season was around the Buckeyes chances at winning a National Title. After Saturday nights nail bitter many experts will be quick to judge that a game that tight isn't something you should see from a power house team going on a championship run. But, lets think about it for a second. As I talked about in my article last week previewing this game we discussed the timing of this match up. The Buckeyes were coming off a huge win Saturday night against Wisconsin. Not only an emotional roller coaster, but a late game which often will push practice back throughout the week and leave the team with a "victory hangover". Then there is the Wildcats who coming off a bye week had an extra week of preparation, practice, and rest. All things that are not to be taken lightly in the world of sports. I also went to bed that night with more questions than I woke up with about the health of Braxton Miller. He is not running around and playing football like his knee is 100 percent and seems to be still working his way back from an injury that knocked him out of most of September. Lastly, lets not forget to actually give some credit to Northwestern. Its safe to say they are a great ball club that could end the season with double-digit victories. Hats off to Wildcats coach Pat Fitzgerald for getting his team ready for this game and putting them in the best position to win.
Moving Forward
Ohio State has a soft schedule remaining now until they travel to Ann Arbor for the last game of the regular season. In the mean time they need to start blowing out some teams like Indiana, Penn State, Purdue, and Iowa to show voters they are the cream of the crop. During that process the key for them will be to find a consistent pass rush with their front four linemen. After only returning four starters on defense the lack of pass rush has been a plague to the rest of the defense and needs to get fixed before things get serious.
Although they would have liked to win you could argue this was a moral victory for the Wildcats. They proved to the world and themselves they can compete with some of the best talent in college football. Things don't get much easier for them now however as they travel to Madison to face a Badgers team who is coming off a week of rest after losing a heartbreaker of their own to guess who, Ohio State. Which team can bounce back after emotional losses from the Buckeyes? I'l take the team who got an extra week of rest and is playing at home.
Minnesota 13 vs Michigan 42
Review
The Wolverines first Big Ten action was as to be expected as they routed the head coachless Gophers. Minnesota made it interesting for about a quarter as they matched blow for blow and had the game all tied up. As the game progressed however, playing on the road against a overly matched, overly talented team like Michigan was too much of a task for the Gophers as they looked sluggish as the game went on. It was a nice rebound game for the Wolverines coming off two too close to call victories over UCONN and Akron before heading into their bye week. After Devin Gardner passed his team to a lead Michigan pounded the rock with Fitzgerald Toussaint running for 78 yards and two touchdowns. Gophers freshman quarterback Mitch Leidner started his second game as Phillip Nelson battled a hamstring injury and added a spark to the offense the team had yet to see this season with his running ability. I would expect Leidner to start more games than he sits from here on out due to his higher ceiling as a freshman.
Moving Forward
Things don't get any easier for the Gophers who go from 19th ranked Michigan to now 19th ranked Northwestern on the road. The Wildcats are coming off a stinger from Ohio State and will be ready to bounce back in a big way. The Wolverines travel to Penn State to take on Christian Hackenberg and the Lions who got routed by the Hoosiers Saturday. That game will be a prime time evening game aired on ESPN.
Michigan State 26 vs. Iowa 14
Review
Everybody's favorite game of "Who will Michigan States starting quarterback be?" continued its roller coaster of a season as Connor Cook not only got the green light to start, but actually threw for a career high 277 yards in the win over the Hawkeyes. The Spartans were largely led by their standout defense once again which held Iowa scoreless in the second-half. Cornerback Darqueze Dennard picked off quarterback Jake Rudock twice in the game and is quietly becoming one of the nations premier shutdown corners. Mel Kiper has even come out and said Dennard could jump into the first round mix of next years draft if he stay consistent throughout the season. Special teams helped the Spartans in this game as well pulling off fake punt in a crucial point in the game. Michigan State has a lights out defense, and with any solid quarterback contribution at all this team will be very dangerous as the season progresses. Rudock threw for 241 yards and two touchdowns but didn't have enough support around him as the run game was only able to produce 23 yards on the ground against a stingy defense.
Moving Forward
If Connor Cook can continue to gain confidence and momentum this team will be scary. Cook will get every opportunity to start again and show that he can be the quarterback this team needs to manage games and move the chains. The Spartans will take on the Hoosiers next week in what will be a great Big Ten battle. Don't look now Iowa fans because you get to travel to Ohio State next week and take on the king of the conference. A tall task for any team. That game will be played in the afternoon on ABC.
Illinois 19 vs. Nebraska 39
Review
Tommy Armstrong started in place of injured quarterback Taylor Martinez and the Cornhuskers offense didn't skip a beat as they bullied Illinois during their homecoming game. Led by a train of a running game Nebraska amassed 335 yards on the ground with Ameer Abdullah ran for a new career-high 225 yards and two touchdowns as Nebraska starts their Big Ten run 1-0. Illinois came into the game averaging 40 points a game struggled offensively failing to score until the third quarter. Due to their over achieving season we often overlook that the Illini had just two wins last season and are still a growing football team.
Moving Forward
The big question is when will Taylor Martinez be back. Judging by their schedule with Purdue up next week coaches will make sure not to rush him back carelessly. Tommy Armstrong looked more than adequate in the starting role and their offense looked smooth as always. Illinois gets a week of rest and then gets to face the Badgers at home October 19th. An extra week of preparation will be vital in their chances at giving Wisconsin a run for their money.
Penn State 24 vs. Indiana 44
Review
The Hoosiers notched their first ever win against Penn State in school history Saturday with a convincing win that included a flurry of touchdowns in the second-half. The 16 game losing streak was snapped in part of Nate Sudefeld throwing two touchdowns and Tre Roberson rushing for two more. Early in the game in looked as though Christian Hackenberg was going to continue his trend of getting hotter as the season goes on as he hooked up with his go-to target Allen Robinson for a 26 yard touchdown pass, but the Nittnay Lions couldn't get a big stop when they needed n defense throughout the day and was overwhelmed with the efficiency of the Hoosiers offensive attack. Indiana receiver Cody Latimer caught nine balls for 140 yards as he went over the century mark for the third straight game. The Hoosiers defense which came into the game ranked among the worst in the country against the run stuffed Penn State for just 70 total yards on the ground. A complete team win for Indiana as they continue their up and down season.
Moving Forward
The Hoosiers face a Spartan team that is heating up next week at Michigan State. They'll have to figure out a way to move the ball effectively against one of the best defenses in the nation while making sure their quarterback Connor Cook doesn't get into any type of rhythm on offense. Penn State has a tall order now as they get the Michigan Wolverines at home who are coming off a confidence boosting win against the Gophers. However, with Christian Hackenberg and Allen Robinson the Lions always have a chance.