Around the Big Ten: Rivalry Week (Week 14)

From snow games to shootouts to blowouts, Rivalry Week had it all. Three Big Ten teams have now locked up a spot in the College Football Playoff, but that didn’t stop Week 14 from being a classic. It doesn’t matter what your record is before. All that matters is whether or not you get to hoist the trophy and earn the right to brag about winning until the next matchup.

Friday

Iowa 40 @ Nebraska 16 – Heroes Trophy

Keeping with tradition, this game is held every year on Black Friday. Iowa (8-4, 6-3 B1G) took advantage of the sales as it destroyed Nebraska (7-5, 4-5 B1G) in Lincoln. In all of their four losses, the Hawkeyes have lost by one possession. In total, Iowa lost by 15 points across those four games. It was Indiana’s closest win all season, and that says something as the Hoosiers finished the season as one of the top offenses in the country. Mark Gronowski had a good season overall, as the Iowa quarterback was a threat with his legs and his arm. The Cornhuskers, on the other hand, finished their regular season on a two-game losing streak where they were outscored 77 to 26. Dylan Raiola’s injury obviously factors into how Nebraska did at the end of the season — but once again, the Cornhuskers finished in the middle of the pack, even with its bowl game berth.

No. 2 Indiana 56 @ Purdue 3 – Old Oaken Bucket

To nobody’s surprise, Indiana (12-0, 9-0 B1G) completely shellacked its in-state rival. Purdue (2-10, 0-9 B1G) finished the season by losing its 10th straight while putting up its second-lowest point total of the season. Even with the complete roster overhaul and the new coach, the Boilermakers never quite got on track to win a conference game. Take that with a grain of salt, though, as their schedule included seven of the top nine teams in the Big Ten, along with Notre Dame, which may make the College Football Playoff. For the Hoosiers, it was a season to remember forever in Bloomington. Their upcoming matchup with Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship game will be the first time that the No. 1 and No. 2 teams face off in that conference championship game. Fernando Mendoza is the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman Trophy right now as he scored three total touchdowns against Purdue to finish off his regular season. Indiana is already penciled in to the College Football Playoff, but a Big Ten title would mean a lot to this program still. This team is a National Championship contender, though, just as everyone would have thought five years ago.

Saturday

No. 1 Ohio State 27 @ No. 15 Michigan 9

The Game. Not only the best rivalry in college football, but also in American Sports and possibly even in worldwide sports. Nothing gets blood boiling better than when Ohio State (12-0, 9-0 B1G) and Michigan (9-3, 7-2 B1G) face off. The Wolverines started hot, going up 6-0 early with two field goals and an interception of Julian Sayin. With the Buckeyes in their largest deficit of the year (six points), their offense came alive in the Big House as Sayin led his team the rest of the way to victory in the snow. He finished the day 19-of-26 for 233 yards and 3 touchdowns — all to different receivers. Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith also both returned from injury. The former led the team with five catches for 82 yards and a score, and the latter hauled in three passes for 40 yards and a touchdown. Brandon Inniss was the other receiver to catch a touchdown for OSU, as he finished the day with two grabs for 12 yards. True freshman Bo Jackson had a career-high 117 rushing yards as the ground game wore out Michigan’s defense. The Wolverines failed to score in the second half altogether, with many questions surrounding the quarterback position. Bryce Underwood was not good, finishing the day just 8-of-18 for 63 yards and an interception. The real bright spot for Michigan was kicker Dominic Zvada, as he hit all three of his field goal attempts. The Buckeyes will travel to play the only other undefeated team in the country, Indiana, in the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Ohio State will get into the playoffs whether it wins or loses, as the team is set to defend its National Championship from last year.

No. 6 Oregon 26 @ Washington 14

With its win over Washington (8-4, 5-4 B1G) during Rivalry Week, Oregon (11-1, 8-1 B1G) cemented its spot in the College Football Playoff as an at-large bid. Over the last two seasons, the Ducks have walked out of the Cascade Clash victorious, with their most recent loss coming when the Huskies made the National Championship game. Oregon took a 13-0 lead in the second quarter before Washington scored its first touchdown to make it a 13-7 game at the half. The Ducks then kicked two field goals to go up 19-7 before the Huskies answered with a touchdown to make it 19-14 in the fourth quarter. That was the last time Washington would score, though as Malik Benson went 64 yards to the house on a pass from Dante Moore to take a 26-14 lead that held the rest of the way. Moore finished the day 20-of-29 for 286 yards and one touchdown pass while adding another with his legs. Benson led all receivers in this game with five catches for 105 yards, including his 64-yard score. While Denzel Boston did catch both touchdowns for Washington, the Huskies were overpowered by the Ducks’ defense, which sacked Demond Williams Jr. four times and picked him off twice.

Wisconsin 7 @ Minnesota 17

The battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe between Wisconsin (4-8, 2-7 B1G) and Minnesota (7-4, 5-4 B1G) was a classic snow game. While the Badgers weren’t in contention for a bowl game berth, they still pulled off some big upsets this season over ranked opponents. As for the Golden Gophers, they finish their season with a 7-0 record at home and an 0-5 record on the road. Darius Taylor rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries, but apart from that it was what you’d expect in a windy snow game. Minnesota now has a bowl game to play.

Penn State 40 @ Rutgers 36

While technically not a rivalry game, Penn State (6-6, 3-6 B1G) and Rutgers (5-7, 2-7 B1G) played in what had the feel of one. This game started hot, with both teams scoring 14 points in the first quarter before Penn State took a 24-21 lead at the half. In the second half, the Scarlet Knights led on two separate occasions, but they were always answered by the Nittany Lions scoring. Up 36-33, Athan Kaliakmanis was stripped of the ball as Amare Campbell scooped it up and scored to give Penn State the 40-36 lead, which would ultimately hold to the final whistle. Kaliakmanis did show up to play as he was 16-of-22 for 338 yards and three touchdowns. Antwan Raymond had a big day on the ground as he turned 29 carries into 189 yards and a touchdown, plus two catches for 62 yards and a receiving touchdown. KJ Duff capped off his stellar sophomore season with five receptions for 127 yards and a score, including one of the best catches of the year.

The Nittany Lions finished the year on a three-game winning streak to become bowl eligible after losing six straight in the middle of their season. Nicholas Singleton ran for 86 yards on nine carries as he scored twice to gain sole possession of first place on the Penn State rushing touchdown career leaderboard with 45, ahead of Saquon Barkley’s 43. His running mate, Kaytron Allen, had the best game of his career as he carried the rock 22 times for 226 yards and a touchdown. The Nittany Lions’ star running back duo really showed up as the season went on to help their team get back on track in some capacity.

UCLA 10 @ No. 17 USC 29

The battle for Los Angeles between UCLA (3-9, 3-6 B1G) and USC (9-3, 7-2 B1G) ended with the Trojans retaining the Victory Bell after winning the rivalry game for the second year in a row. USC started off slow, scoring on its first drive before being held scoreless for the remainder of the first half and trailing 10-7 to the Bruins at halftime. Makai Lemon was held to just one catch for 32 yards (it was a touchdown), while Ja’Kobi Lane was just three for 52. Jayden Maiava was solid, going 21-of-29 for 257 yards and two touchdown passes. The star of the show for the Trojans as they gained control of the game in the second half was King Miller. The running back rushed for 124 yards and two scores on 17 carries while hauling in four passes for 42 yards. As for UCLA, its strange season finally came to a close. After starting 0-4, the Bruins won three straight, including upsetting No. 7 Penn State at the time. Those would be the only three games that UCLA won, as it would lose its final five games. USC will be playing in a bowl game, but the College Football Playoffs were just out of reach after its three losses this season.

Maryland 28 @ Michigan State 38

For the first time this season, Michigan State (4-8, 1-8 B1G) has a conference win. Maryland (4-8, 1-8 B1G), on the other hand, started its season at 4-0 before losing its final eight games. This game was played at Ford Field, the home of the Detroit Lions. True freshman Malik Washington had a stat line that felt straight out of a video game: 38-of-61 passing for 459 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. Shaleak Knotts and Jalil Farooq each went for over 100 yards receiving to help support Washington’s big day. For the Spartans, Alessio Milivojevic led them to their first Big Ten win of the season as he had his best game of the year, going 27-of-39 passing for 292 yards and four touchdowns to one interception. Nick Marsh led MSU in receiving with seven catches for 85 yards and a touchdown as both teams look to move on from disappointing seasons.

Northwestern @ Illinois 20

For the second straight year, Illinois (8-4, 5-4 B1G) has won the Hat, despite Northwestern (6-6, 4-5 B1G) dominating the rivalry over the last 10 years. It seemed like the season came full circle for the Wildcats as Preston Stone had arguably his worst game of the season since Week 1 against Tulane. He threw three interceptions and lost a fumble against the Fighting Illini. It didn’t help that Caleb Komolafe and Dashun Reeder were out, which was then compounded by Joseph Himon II’s injury very early into this game. True freshman converted tight end Robby Preckel did have a solid showing though, rushing for 82 yards on 22 carries. Hayden Eligon II continued his strong stretch by hauling in eight passes for 99 yards and the ‘Cats’ lone touchdown of the game. The NU defense couldn’t stop Illinois when it mattered most, as Ca’Lil Valentine rushed for 74 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. The game was very sloppy and the Wildcats had every chance to win it, but they couldn’t get it done as Illinois keeps the Land of Lincoln Trophy in Champaign.