Adam Hicks
Writer
The Minnesota Golden Gophers are officially going bowling, and someone better book the lanes and order extra pizza. On November 1, 2025, the Gophers pulled off a heart-pounding 23–20 overtime win over Michigan State, grabbing their sixth victory of the season and punching their ticket to the postseason — party hats included.
Freshman quarterback Drake Lindsey played kingpin, throwing for 172 yards and rushing for 46 more, including both the game-tying touchdown in the final seconds and the walk-off winner in overtime. Running back Fame Ijeboi set the tone early with a 49-yard sprint that led to his own one-yard touchdown plunge, while kicker Dragan Kesich nailed three field goals to keep the Gophers within striking distance.
Michigan State piled up 467 yards of offense, but Minnesota’s defense came up clutch when it mattered, forcing a late punt and holding the Spartans to a field goal in overtime. Then Lindsey rolled a strike right through the heart of the Michigan State defense, crossing the goal line as the crowd exploded like a bunch of kids seeing the birthday cake come out.
Now sitting at 6–3, the Gophers are officially bowl eligible, and they’re celebrating like a team that just bowled a perfect game. P.J. Fleck’s squad is lacing up those goofy shoes, high-fiving through the confetti, and yelling “Row the lanes!” all the way to the postseason.
Final 23-20 Minnesota over Michigan State
The USC Trojans rolled into Lincoln on November 1, 2025, and left with both a 21–17 win and a new recipe for success: Nebraska Cornhusker cornmeal. In a bruising, comeback victory that pushed USC to 6–2, the Trojans spent the second half grinding Nebraska down until the Huskers were basically ingredients for Trojan cornbread.
Nebraska looked like the stronger crop early, jumping out to a 14–6 halftime lead thanks to Dylan Raiola’s steady arm and Emmett Johnson’s 165-yard rushing day. But when Raiola went down in the third quarter, the Cornhuskers’ offense wilted faster than a field in a drought. From that moment on, it was all USC.
Jayden Maiava wasn’t sharp through the air, going just nine-for-23, but he scrambled like a chef saving a burning casserole, running in a 16-yard score to tie the game. King Miller did the rest, churning out 129 yards and the go-ahead touchdown that sealed Nebraska’s fate. By the fourth quarter, the Trojans were kneading the Huskers’ defense like dough, turning those yards into something golden and satisfying.
When the final whistle blew, USC had its win and Nebraska had been thoroughly milled down, ready to be baked into a fresh loaf of Trojan cornbread. It wasn’t pretty, but it sure was tasty. The Trojans left Memorial Stadium full and happy, while the Huskers were left to sweep up the crumbs.
With the win, USC planted itself firmly in the thick of the Big Ten, fighting to become the conference’s potential fourth team in the College Football Playoff conversation. The Trojans are proving they can travel and win ugly — will the playoff committees take notice?
Final 21-17 Southern Cal over Nebraska
The Michigan Wolverines barely survived a scare against the Purdue Boilermakers, proving that even a powerhouse can have an off night against a team that spends most of its time in the Big Ten’s “bottom-feeding” tier. Michigan’s ground game, led by freshman running back Jordan Marshall’s three touchdowns on 25 carries, kept them barely ahead, while quarterback Bryce Underwood managed 145 passing yards and scrambled for 44 more, just enough to avoid a real embarrassment.
Purdue stayed in it for most of the game, racking up 276 yards of offense and keeping Michigan on edge, largely thanks to a few stalled Wolverine drives and a fourth-and-2 fail that nearly gave the Boilermakers the lead in the fourth quarter. If Michigan fans were expecting a comfortable home win, they were instead treated to nail-biting tension over a team that, on paper, should have been a practice drill in maize and blue.
The win keeps Michigan’s playoff hopes alive, but it also proves that even the Wolverines can get rattled by a team they were supposed to roll over. Purdue may have lost, but they left Michigan looking like a kid trying to swat a fly, frustrated, flailing, and questioning all their life choices.
Final 21-16 Michigan over Purdue
Ohio State demolished Penn State. The first half looked competitive after a fumbled gift from the Buckeyes but after the halftime 17-14 score the Buckeyes turned the game clinical for DC Jim Knowles. The Lions were gasping for air, wondering what just happened as Ohio State started firing on all cylinders.
Julian Sayin was ridiculous—316 yards passing, four touchdowns, with only 3 incompletions. Jeremiah Smith had 123 yards and two TDs, Carnell Tate added 124 yards and another score, and the Buckeyes’ running game wasn’t slacking either—Bo Jackson racked up 105 yards and a touchdown, keeping Penn State’s defense completely off balance. Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions’ run game limped to just 55 yards total. Brutal.
And Jim Knowles… man, the guy left Ohio State thinking he could come to Penn State and work his magic, maybe add another ring to his collection, and what happened? Every Buckeye snap looked like a personal insult to his ability. From the press box, he watched his defense get shredded play after play. Pure humiliation, but seeing it unfold from above? Ouch. He didn’t just get beaten; he got completely outclassed.
By the fourth quarter, Penn State was just trying not to get embarrassed any worse. Penn State fans? Quietly wonder who they are going to hire. Will it be better than a guy who got out-schemed by his old team, from the press box, on national TV? “We are… the punch line.”
Final 38-14 Ohio State over Penn State
On a crisp November night in Champaign, the Fighting Illini celebrated a 35‑13 victory over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights — truly “Champagne in Champaign.” Illinois controlled the game from start to finish, with quarterback Luke Altmyer throwing for 235 yards and four touchdowns while also rushing for 88 yards and a score. Receiver Hudson Clement added 5 catches for 84 yards and a touchdown, and running back David Bell contributed 72 rushing yards and another score.
Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis threw for 253 yards and a touchdown, completing 25 of 45 passes, but the Scarlet Knights were limited to just 59 rushing yards, and turnovers stalled any chance of a comeback.
The win improves Illinois to 6‑3 overall and 3‑3 in the Big Ten, making them bowl eligible and giving fans plenty to toast late into the night. In Champaign, the night was alive with celebration, Illini pride, and a team that proved no Knight could stand in their way.
Final 35-13 Illinois over Rutgers
On a crisp November afternoon in College Park, the Indiana Hoosiers stomped through Maryland like Mario jumping on Koopa Troopas, leaving the Terrapins flattened in a 55‑10 rout. From the opening kickoff, Indiana showed why they’re not just one of the Big Ten’s top teams but maybe THE TEAM. The Hoosiers hit explosive plays on both sides of the ball and fans celebrating like they’d just got a super mushroom and a batch of red shells to launch.
Running back Kaelon Black led the charge with 110 rushing yards and a touchdown, breaking through Maryland defenders like thwomps. Roman Hemby added 88 rushing yards and another score, including a 34-yard burst up the middle that had College Park buzzing.
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza was efficient and versatile, completing 14 of 21 passes for 201 yards and a touchdown, while also scrambling for a 12-yard rushing score. Receiver Jake Smith hauled in 6 catches for 102 yards and a touchdown, including a 45-yard gain on a perfectly timed crossing route that seemed to leave the Terrapins spinning in place.
Indiana’s defense was just as dominant, forcing three turnovers and holding Maryland to only 37 rushing yards. Cornerback Eli Thompson picked off Malik Washington on a deep pass in the second quarter, setting up a 27-yard touchdown run by Black shortly afterward. Linebacker Jordan Carter recorded 9 tackles and a sack, keeping Maryland’s offense off balance all afternoon. Malik Washington finished with 242 passing yards and a touchdown, but his two interceptions and several sacks stifled any hope of a comeback.
With the win, Indiana improved to 9‑0 overall and 6‑0 in the Big Ten, keeping their championship dreams alive while making fans feel like they had collected every coin in College Park, the Hoosiers bounced over every Koopa Troopa in their path, proving they’re playing at a Super Mario difficulty, and the Terrapins were just a Boom Boom on their way to Bowser.
Final 55-10 Indiana over Maryland
The Buckeyes are hot on the recruiting trail with commitments from 2027 recruits Mason Wilt and Kellen Wymer. Kellen Wymer currently comes in as the No. 10-ranked offensive lineman in the country and boasts 4-star status. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound offensive tackle plays for Liberty Center High School in Ohio. Wymer was in attendance for the […]
Cody Croy
Writer
2026 3-star offensive lineman Aaron Thomas has decommitted from Ohio State, according to Hayes Fawcett of Rivals. Thomas had committed to the Buckeyes in late June of this year. He holds offers from 28 other programs, including Florida State, Texas, and Texas A&M. Thomas is a top-50 offensive tackle in the class of 2026. Thomas […]
Brian Buckeyes Stats
Writer
In the high-stakes world of college football, few comparisons carry the weight of a Heisman Trophy winner. Joe Burrow’s 2019 LSU season wasn’t just dominant – it was a demolition, a 15-0 national championship joyride fueled by pinpoint throws to Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. But fast-forward to 2025, and Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, a […]
