Adam Hicks
Writer
Ryan Day finally evicted the Michigan monkey that had laid residence to his back for the last 4 matchups. The Bucks are back on top. They said it for years: “Ohio State can’t beat Michigan anymore.” For four years, every fall ended the same for the Buckeyes: disappointment, heartbreak, excuses. But on November 29, 2025, in front of 111,000+ at The Big House, Ohio State didn’t just win. It buried the baggage; The monkey is gone.
It didn’t start pretty. Michigan opened with a field goal and intercepted the Buckeyes on just the second play. Felt like their version of “Surprise! Still got your number.” But after that, the Buckeyes turned the page. Quarterback Julian Sayin, after the early pick, settled in like he had his own suite in the Big House. He went 19-of-26 for 233 yards and three touchdown throws. That 35-yard bomb to Jeremiah Smith on a 4th-and-5 in the second quarter? That was the dagger that said, “not today.” The 50-yard bomb to Tate was just for pain and suffering.
Then the running game kicked in. Ohio State racked up 186 total rushing yards, led by Bo Jackson with 117. Michigan couldn’t handle the clock, couldn’t handle the physicality, couldn’t handle the bounce-back energy. Defensively, the Buckeyes turned into a brick wall. Michigan was held to 163 total yards, just 63 on the ground, and no touchdowns. For the first time in more than a decade, Michigan left without reaching the end zone in this rivalry.
Ryan Day? He walked off that field not as the coach who can’t beat “That School Up North,” but as the guy who exorcised the demon. He got it done. As he works to rewrite his rivalry legacy. The Game is back where it belongs. The Buckeyes are marching on — undefeated, hungry, dangerous. Michigan fans looked at their team, wondering about QB progression and many Moore questions. Ohio State isn’t just back in this rivalry. They might be a different monster back for another natty.
Final 27 -9 #1 Ohio State
Seattle woke up thinking it was Husky Saturday. Turns out it was a full-blown Duck takeover with extra Moore on top. Washington fans filed into their stadium barking like they owned the place, and left quietly like someone told them their car lights were left on in the parking lot. Oregon walked in, rearranged the furniture, ate the snacks, and left the Dawgs staring at the doorframe, wondering what license plate just hit them.
Dante Moore played like he hates purple and everything Husky. Every throw had “you can’t stop me” written on it. When Moore uncorked that deep bomb late in the game? You could practically hear half the stadium mutter “oh, come on…” while the other half started checking the exit strategy. The numbers tell the story just fine. Oregon rolled up 392 total yards. Washington managed 283. The Huskies ran for 154 but threw for only 129, with two backbreaking interceptions. Oregon had zero turnovers. Zero. Washington, you don’t win rivalry games like that. You barely survive them, just a whole buffet of sadness.
By the fourth quarter, it wasn’t even a rivalry, it was belt to you know. It was a lesson. A reminder. A seasonal tradition: Ducks soaring, Huskies sulking. Call it what you want: domination, humiliation, an annual clapping, but the truth is simple. There were Moore Ducks than Huskies.
Final 26-14 #6 Oregon
Winner Gets the Bowling Party! Okay, imagine this: the entire school is watching, the gym is packed, and everyone knows the stakes. The winner of this game gets the ultimate prize — a bowling party with pizza, soda, and unlimited nachos. That’s it. That’s all that matters. That was Penn State vs Rutgers.
The first half? Pure chaos. Rutgers kept scoring like they had bumper guards. Their quarterback, Athan Kaliakmanis, threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns, and their running back, Antwan Raymond, ran for 189 yards, bouncing off our defenders screaming, “No! The pizza is ours!”
Then Penn State started to fight back. Kaytron Allen ran for 226 yards, looking like a man prepared to bowl a turkey. Every run felt like he was racing for the last slice of pizza. Nicholas Singleton added big runs too, keeping the scoreboard close and the bowling party hopes alive.
Fourth quarter? Total panic mode. Rutgers actually took the lead with less than ten minutes left. The Penn State fans went silent, and it felt like we were seconds away from losing the bowling party forever. Then it happened — Rutgers fumbled a snap, the ball bounced across the field like a rogue dodgeball, and Amare Campbell scooped it up and ran 61 yards to the end zone. The whistle blew, the crowd erupted, and suddenly, Penn State was ahead again. The pizza, the soda, the bowling lanes, all ours.
We didn’t just play football. We played for glory, for bragging rights, and most importantly, for unlimited bowling. Maybe they’ll find their new HC there?
Final 40-36 Penn State
The 2025 season for Michigan State and Maryland was rough. They limped through Big Ten play, dropped most games, and overall results didn’t match even the lowered expectations. Wins were scarce, offensive production sputtered, and the program looked more like it was treading water than building momentum. Maryland didn’t have it much better, both teams ended up limping to season’s end, each with marks that made you wince more than celebrate.
But Sparty this finale vs Maryland wasn’t just a win on the field or another shrug. It turned into a quietly significant moment: a final exhale of what went wrong, and a handshake toward what could go right next. With that shaky season in the rear‑view, Michigan State administration hit reset. They fired the head coach and swiftly lined up Pat Fitzgerald as their next head man, that move might just be the spark the Spartans need.
Why Fitzgerald matters as a signal of hope:
So while this season got painted with “meh,” “disappointing,” “missed opportunity,” the post-season could instead be tagged as “turning point.
Maryland might have chalked this season up as lost too. If they can keep the freshman Malik Washington in house and keep on the recruiting trail who knows what the future will look like. They believe in HC Locksley, as they continue to commit to his tenure.
Final 38-28 Michigan State
Iowa didn’t just win, they dominated. Final score 34–13, and it felt like every snap reminded Nebraska of the time between Bo Polini and now. From the first whistle to the last, the Hawkeyes imposed their will, ran the clock, and left the Cornhuskers scrambling.
Nebraska was without star quarterback Dylan Raiola, sidelined for the season with a broken fibula. His absence loomed large again, and his backup, freshman TJ Lateef, struggled to keep the offense moving. Lateef went 9-of-24 for 69 yards, and Nebraska couldn’t find a rhythm at all. Iowa’s defense smelled blood and never let up, forcing mistakes and shutting down any hope of a comeback.
Iowa’s running game was relentless. Kamari Moulton led the way with powerful runs, helping the Hawkeyes pile up 213 rushing yards. Each touchdown wasn’t just points on the board — it was a statement that Nebraska had no answers and no hope of slowing Iowa down. By the fourth quarter, Nebraska wasn’t just losing they were pinned, frustrated, and gasping for momentum that never came. Iowa walked off the field with the signature game control Iowa win.
For Nebraska, this was another tough lesson in a season that hasn’t gone their way. Questions now swirl about the program’s direction and the uncertainty around Dylan Raiola heading into the offseason, will he return healthy, or consider the transfer portal? Cornhuskers have to be thinking what could have been with a full season of Raiola and the stud running back Emmit Johnson.
For Iowa, though, it’s a reminder: this program is strong, disciplined, and ready to punish anyone who shows up underprepared.
Final 40-16 Iowa
On a snow drenched night at Champaign, Illinois edged Northwestern 20–13. It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t dominant. But the Illini got the job done, just enough to walk away with the trophy.
Quarterback Luke Altmyer steered the offense carefully, completing 10 of 15 passes for 136 yards and managing the snowy field without mistakes. Running back Ca’Lil Valentine led the ground game with 14 carries for 74 yards and punched in a touchdown, giving Illinois a spark when the passing lanes weren’t open. While total offense wasn’t flashy with just 284 yards, Illinois’ defense carried the night.
The defense came up huge late in the fourth quarter. With Northwestern mounting a final push, Miles Scott intercepted two passes in the last five minutes, effectively icing the game for the Illini. Earlier, Leon Lowery Jr. recovered a fumble at the goal line with just over ten minutes left — crushing the Wildcats’ comeback hopes.
Northwestern wasn’t helpless. Quarterback Preston Stone threw for 163 yards and a touchdown, and wide receiver Hayden Eligon II hauled in eight catches for 99 yards and a score. But four turnovers killed momentum and made every drive a pressure cooker for the Wildcats.
The Illinoi seniors, the ones who closed out the regular season under snow and home crowd chants. They got the trophy. They got a bowl. But as the playoff talk starts, this season still feels like “almost” for the Illini.
Final 20-13 Illinois
#2 Indiana didn’t just beat Purdue — they crushed them. Final score was 56–3, and the Hoosiers made it a statement game: perfect regular season, Big Ten Championship berth secured.
Right from the start, Indiana showed they meant business. On only the second play from scrimmage, Indiana forced an interception — an omen of things to come.
The ground game carried the Hoosiers all night. Kaelon Black churned out tough yards and scored twice; Roman Hemby and Fernando Mendoza also tacked on rushing touchdowns as Indiana ripped off 355 yards on the ground — one of their best rushing nights all season.
Purdue’s offense never really got going. Their quarterback Ryan Browne threw for 238 yards but couldn’t avoid disaster: turnovers early derailed any rhythm they might’ve had. Purdue’s ground game was stifled, and Indiana’s defense bottled them up.
By halftime, Indiana was already rolling hot. By the end, the scoreboard wasn’t just a win, it was another message to Ohio State and the rest of college football. The Hoosiers won the Old Oaken Bucket, finished 12‑0 on the regular season, and punched their ticket to the conference title game.
For Indiana fans, this wasn’t just another rivalry win. It was the moment this season got sealed with dominance, consistency, execution. For Cigs Smoking Hoosiers, this storyline isn’t hype: it’s real. As they march into the Big Ten Championship game, they’ve earned every bit of that “contender” label.
Final 56-3 #2 Indiana
Minnesota beat Wisconsin in a snow-covered showdown, and when the final whistle blew the winner’s grin belonged to P.J. Fleck. The Golden Gophers not only kept Paul Bunyan’s Axe in Minneapolis, they re-established themselves as the top dog in one of college football’s oldest border battles.
This win didn’t come from flashy offense, but with defense and clutch plays. Cornerback John Nestor snagged two interceptions and recovered a fumble, completely shutting down the Badgers’ offense. Running back Darius Taylor ripped off a 49‑yard touchdown run late in the second quarter enough to break the ice and set the tone. Quarterback Drake Lindsey managed the snowy conditions with near flawlessness, hitting a third‑quarter touchdown pass to Jameson Geers to seal the deal.
More importantly, this isn’t a one-off: under Fleck, the Gophers have now defeated the Badgers four times in the last five years. Once a rivalry marked by long Wisconsin streaks, this border feud is owned by Minnesota at least as long as Fleck is rowing this boat. On his 45th birthday no less, Fleck wasn’t satisfied with just a win, he got the Axe, and the Golden Gopher crowd went crazy!
Final 17-7 Minnesota
USC shut down UCLA 29–10 in the Coliseum, closing out the regular season with a gritty rivalry win. The Trojans left no doubt who owned Los Angeles this year.
USC’s ground game carried the night. King Miller ran for 124 yards and two touchdowns, the final one a 41‑yard burst late in the fourth that put the game out of reach. Meanwhile, QB Jayden Maiava threw for 257 yards, and a big 32‑yard touchdown pass to Makai Lemon in the third quarter cracked open the contest after halftime.
UCLA showed life early, they led 10–7 at halftime thanks to a touchdown catch by Kwazi Gilmer and a field goal, now the second‑half collapse was real. USC outscored them 22–0 after the break, sealed by defensive stands and a late touchdown run.
For the Trojans, this win ended with a 9–3 regular‑season record and claimed city bragging rights with the Victory Bell. Still, even with the home‑field perfection and rivalry victory, they came up just short of playoff inclusion.
UCLA’s season ends in disappointment, but USC, while missing the playoffs, showed enough grit, balance and dominance to leave fans optimistic: this program may be knocked out of title contention this year, but the foundation feels solid heading into the bowl season and next season.
Final 29-10 #17 SC
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