Adam Hicks
Writer
USC and Iowa clashed at the Coliseum in what felt like a high-stakes survival mission for USC in Big Ten playoff hopes. USC quarterback Jayden Maiava, the MI6 double agent, completed 24 of 34 passes for 285 yards, exploiting coverage with precision in the rain. He connected repeatedly with receiver Makai Lemon, who finished with 8 catches for 110 yards and several momentum-swinging plays.
On the ground, USC relied on Waymond Jordan, who rushed for 112 yards on 15 carries. His third-quarter burst through the heart of Iowa’s defense went for a 45-yard touchdown, flipping the game’s energy like a covert satellite.
Iowa, as always, brought a defense built for cold-weather trench warfare, one that could hold on to a 21-10 lead. Safety Xavier Nwankpa jumped a route in the red zone for an interception and returned it 28 yards, setting up a Hawkeye score. Linebacker Koen Entringer registered 11 tackles and led a unit that forced a key fourth-quarter fumble near midfield to keep them on mission.
Special teams played spy craft. Return specialist Kaden Wetjen shifted field position with both a long punt return and a kickoff return that had USC’s coverage scrambling the jets.
USC sealed the mission with a final, efficient drive capped by Maiava connecting with Lemon once more on a seam route. The Trojans walked off with the victory, mission complete, while Iowa proved yet again that they are a disciplined and dangerous opponent in any November standoff, but yet fall short in the end.
Final 26-21 Southern Cal
Michigan survived a chaotic game at Wrigley Field, edging Northwestern despite committing five turnovers. The Wolverines lost three fumbles and threw two interceptions, making the finish much more tense than it should have been.
Quarterback Bryce Underwood completed 21 of 32 passes for 280 yards and ran for a score, but his two fourth-quarter interceptions almost cost Michigan the game. One pick set up a Northwestern touchdown that gave the Wildcats a brief lead.
On the ground, Jordan Marshall rushed 19 times for 142 yards and scored twice, keeping Michigan in control when they needed it most. Freshman receiver Andrew Marsh was a key weapon, hauling in 12 catches for 189 yards and making a critical sideline grab late in the game.
Michigan’s offense was dominant in yardage, outgaining Northwestern 496 to 245. Even so, the turnovers kept Northwestern within striking distance throughout.
In the final possession, Michigan put together a 50-yard drive. With just seconds remaining, Dominic Zvada drilled a 31-yard field goal as time expired to seal the win.
It wasn’t pretty. The mistakes were glaring. But Michigan finished strong when it mattered most by wriggling free at Wrigley Field. With the ivy rattling in the wind, the Wolverines survived Northwestern and kept their B1G and playoff hopes alive.
Final 24-22 Michigan
Penn State laid claim to the Land Grant Trophy with a win over Michigan State, and along the way, they celebrated their first Big Ten and P4 victory of the season. After a falling from the cliff start, the Nittany Lions finally got that elusive 2025 P4 victory.
Running back Kaytron Allen led the charge, carrying 25 times for 181 yards and scoring two rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer managed the game efficiently, completing 8 of 13 passes for 127 yards and connecting twice with wide receiver Devonte Ross. Ross turned a 75-yard reception into a momentum-shifting touchdown in the second quarter, putting Penn State ahead 14–10.
The Nittany Lions leaned on their ground game, totaling 240 rushing yards, while the defense forced a turnover on downs late to keep Michigan State’s comeback at bay. “They’re not Indiana”.
After weeks of frustration, the Nittany Lions showed resilience, closed strong, and walked off the field with the trophy.
Final 28-10 Penn State
Illinois handled Maryland in Champaign. Quarterback Luke Altmyer threw two touchdown passes to Hudson Clement and added 62 rushing yards, helping Illinois control the game on both sides of the ball. The Illini ran consistently, moved the chains, and leaned on a defense that shut Maryland out in the second half.
Maryland, meanwhile, continues to struggle under head coach Michael Locksley. The Terrapins dropped their sixth straight game, and their offense had little to no impact. Freshman quarterback Malik Washington passed for 238 yards but could not convert in key moments, while the Terrapins gained only 55 yards on the ground.
Locksley’s tenure at Maryland remains underwhelming. Despite some recruiting buzz and NIL headlines, his teams have failed to compete consistently in the Big Ten for years on end. Wins have not followed, yet the administration chooses to keep him in place, citing a commitment to the program’s young talent and a long-term vision. After another uninspiring performance, fans and critics are left questioning whether patience with Locksley is warranted or simply prolonging mediocrity.
Illinois walked away with a convincing win, while Maryland’s frustrations under Locksley continue to mount. Why they are choosing to keep Locksley as their lock screen is beyond me; it’s been time to move on.
Final 24-6 Illinois
Oregon Ducks made quick work of Minnesota, cruising to a 42–13 rout. The game felt far from electric in this Friday Night lite depressor.
Quarterback Dante Moore was surgical, completing 27 of 30 passes for 306 yards and two touchdowns. Freshman Jordon Davison added two rushing touchdowns, including a long 39-yard scamper. Kenyon Sadiq chipped in eight catches for 96 yards and a touchdown, helping Oregon execute the Golden Gophers.
Minnesota never really got going. Their offense was limited, gaining just 62 rushing yards, and they could only manage one touchdown in the third quarter. The Gophers remain winless on the road this season, and this game showed the patterns of why.
Oregon kept the pedal down all night, scoring on six of its first seven full drives. Their defense clamped down as well, holding Minnesota to just 200 total yards while owning the trenches.
At the end of the night, this felt less like a classic Big Ten barnburner and more like a “Friday Night Lite” B1G game, where the Ducks showed why they’re among the playoff contenders.
Final 42-13 Oregon
The whistle blew, and Purdue’s ride had no steam. Quarterback Malachi Singleton passed for 150 yards, and running back Antono Harris managed just 23 yards on 10 carries, the engine sputtering under the weight of another long, slow train ride to a disappointing season.
Washington jumped past the train tracks. Demond Williams Jr completed 16 of 19 for 257 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Jordan Washington added a 68-yard touchdown run, like a runaway dog sled, while the Boilermakers struggled to do anything.
Time stretched thin. Purdue’s drives faltered, and Washington methodically moved down the field, scoring on seven of eleven drives. For Purdue, the clock was dragging like iron wheels on wet tracks.
Final 49-13 Washington
The No. 1 Buckeyes were back in Columbus and dismantled the UCLA Bruins 48–10. Quarterback Julian Sayin set the pace, completing 23 of 31 passes for 184 yards and a touchdown, steadily driving Ohio State’s offense even without his top receivers.
The ground game was dominant. Ohio State ran for 222 yards as a team. Freshman Bo Jackson broke out with 112 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown, while Isaiah West added 61 yards and another score, and Peoples-Jones got the sideline dancing with his hurdle.
One of the defining moments came when Sayin converted on a fourth down and hit Bryson Rodgers for an 11-yard touchdown — Rodgers’ first career score. Special teams added a spark as Lorenzo Styles Jr. returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, Ohio State’s first kickoff return TD in over a decade.
Defensively, the Buckeyes suffocated UCLA early, allowing only two first downs in the first half. UCLA quarterback Luke Duncan threw for 154 yards and one touchdown, but never really threatened.
By the fourth quarter, Ohio State had full control. The Bruins were left watching from the sidelines as their season slipped away.
Final 48-10 Ohio State
Stephen Leonard
Writer
The Indiana Hoosiers say, as Drake says, “started from the bottom and now we’re here” in the Big Ten Championship Game. The only two remaining undefeated major college football teams face off under the lights of Lucas Oil Stadium. No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten) and No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers (12-0, 9-0 […]
Cody Croy
Writer
Ohio State wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator Brian Hartline has accepted the Head Coach position at the University Of South Florida. He is expected to remain with Ohio State through the postseason. A Canton native, Hartline played his entire collegiate football career with Ohio State from 2005-2008. He then went on to play in […]
The Buckeyes were well represented this week in the NFL as 3 former members of last season’s national championship roster each performed well enough to earn a nomination for the Rookie Of The Week. Lathan Ransom and the Carolina Panthers stunned the Los Angeles Rams in a 31-28 victory. Ransom, who made his first career […]
