Adam Hicks
Author
How odd that it should end this way for the Ducks (NCAA-leading 18-game home win streak), after so many BIG stimulating encounters at home. Where else should we find an adversary so close to the Ducks’ own level? Try Cignetti’s Hoosiers.
Curt Cignetti’s conversation with Dan Lanning:
“You and I are very much alike. Football is our religion, yet we both pursue the crown. Our methods have not differed as much as some pretend. Indiana is but a shadowy reflection of Oregon. It would only take a nudge to push your team from and us towards the light.”
Hoosier QB Fernando Mendoza threw for 215 yards and was key in the fourth quarter for the Hoosiers’ win. RB Roman Hemby carried the ball 19 times for 70 yards and two big-time TDs. WR Elijah Sarratt was a monster no Duck could cover, with 8 receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown.
The story is in this Indiana defense — maybe the difference between last year’s Cinderella story and this year’s true contender threat. The defense held Oregon to 267 total yards and grabbed two interceptions from Duck QB Dante Moore. They also sacked Moore six times and held Oregon to just 2.7 yards per carry. Outside of Oregon’s WR Malik Benson’s 44-yard touchdown, they kept the passing game in check as well.
This match for the right to the BIG Ten throne belongs to the Hoosiers — but don’t count them out of a rematch. The Ducks will just need a little help.
Final: Indiana 30, Oregon 20
In this “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe” type story — commonly used in fantasy dramas like Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, and so on — we don’t often get to see the second act of resurrection in real life. But here we are. The ruins of these Bruins have left us in the sublime allure with the resurrection of UCLA QB Nico Iamaleava and the rest of his Bruins cast.
From fired coaches and the mocking of those who transferred from great opportunities… from 0-4 to 2-1 in the BIG… here we are. Last week: Penn State. This week: Michigan State.
UCLA RB Jalen Berger stole the show with three touchdowns — 1 rushing, 2 receiving — and 113 total yards. QB Iamaleava threw for 180 yards and 3 touchdowns. But this win, in my opinion, belongs to the Bruins defense. They forced a fumble from Spartans QB Aidan Chiles, who had to leave the game after a sack by Keanu Williams. They held the Spartans to 3.5 yards per carry and — let’s not forget — the fake punt by the special teams.
What a turnaround for UCLA, who scored a total of 57 points in their first 4 games but have now scored 80 in their last 2.
Final: UCLA 38, Michigan State 13
Hail to the King, Miller — once the noble walk-on, now slayer of Jaishawn Barham’s Wolverines defense. Trojans RB Miller rushed for 158 yards on just 18 carries, with a 49-yarder in there and a TD. QB Jayden Maiava threw for 265 yards and added 2 TDs through the air.
This was pure dominance over the Michigan defense, which got slashed for 6.2 yards per run and 8.3 per pass.
The Trojan defense showed up too — holding Michigan’s three-headed rushing attack to just 3.5 yards per carry. They sacked Michigan QB Bryce Underwood three times and grabbed one INT. They also picked off Jadyn Davis.
Michigan was completely outclassed in this matchup. They couldn’t provide any pressure on defense or pose a real offensive threat. The defense allowed USC to convert 50% on third downs, while their offense was held under 20%. USC racked up 490 total yards, and the defense contributed with the two mentioned turnovers.
Final: USC 31, Michigan 13
The tribe of superior football teams belongs to the Buckeyes. Another week, another win. While the defense gave up the most points of the season, they did it in tune to the lovely sound of 21 points off turnovers.
Ohio State might be the most boring but good offense in college football. They appear to do nothing. They appear to have no identity. And yet, you look up and they’ve stolen your soul, and you’re digging your way out of hell against the nation’s best defense. It’s a slow, non-painful death.
The Illini held Ohio State QB Julian Sayin to 166 yards, RB Bo Jackson to 47 yards, and WR Jeremiah Smith to 42 — just to look up at the scoreboard in the 4th quarter and be down 24. Short fields from turnovers and an unfortunate knee by a punter explain why the stats don’t match the outcome.
I know “Illinwek” is mistranslated above, but you know… it fits, so…
Final: Ohio State 34, Illinois 16
It’s no surprise Penn State Coach James Franklin did not survive this 0-3 landslide. I did think maybe his buyout could save him. The fans are screaming, **“Mother shtter, son of an ass! You I just!”
James Franklin seems to have a bad case of the Saturdays, and yes — he got his ass kicked three weeks in a row for that, Lawrence. Now, on to the coach search.
Wildcats HC David Braun summed this game up nicely:
“Ultimately, the message was you’ve got a football team that’s got their back up against the wall, but also a football team that may be questioning who they are.”
The Wildcats took advantage, even though they hadn’t won a game in Beaver Stadium since 2014. Wildcat RB Caleb Komolafe ran for 72 yards and the game-winning touchdown with 4:51 left. Northwestern QB Preston Stone threw for 163 yards and a TD to Griffin Wilde, and kicker Jack Olsen went 3-for-3, accounting for 9 of their 22 points.
Penn State QB Drew Allar left the game with a leg injury and will not return for the remainder of the season.
Final: Northwestern 22, Penn State 21
“If we don’t compete, none of us are going to be here,” Fickell said. “My ass is going to fight. Those guys are gonna see a fight. They’re either going to follow or it’s going to get really thin, really fast.”
Words from Luke Fickell — which seem to be all Badger fans get these days. I once thought this was the best coaching hire in Wisconsin history. Well… that turned out to be a fat goose egg, like this week’s edition of Badger football.
Iowa RB Xavier Williams rushed for two touchdowns and QB Mark Gronowski added one on the ground as Iowa goose-egged the soon-to-be-joining-James-Franklin, Luke Fickell-led Wisconsin? Say’s the all-seeing eye of Ra.
Iowa RB Kamari Moulton added 96 yards on 15 carries and a TD. The Hawkeyes rushed for a season-high 210 yards on 36 carries and are now riding 4 straight wins — and Heartland Trophy winners over Wisconsin.
Wisconsin has dropped to 15-17 in Luke Fickell’s tenure, with multiple turnovers once again the leading cause of defeat.
Final: Iowa 37, Wisconsin 0
Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola: from 3 interceptions to a game-winning TD. Something is happening with the Cornhuskers — they are learning to win close games. Raiola threw the game-winner to WR Dane Key with 1:08 left, capping an 81-yard drive. Maryland moved the ball to midfield, but freshman QB Malik Washington was called for intentional grounding, snuffing out their comeback.
Why did I put this entertaining game under “third quarter nap”? Well, it’s Maryland. Once again, with a lead, they fall asleep at the wheel — two weeks in a row. And it’s not just this year. Maryland has a knack for going 4-0, then completely falling apart during BIG play.
Is this just another year of Maryland being Maryland?
Final: Nebraska 34, Maryland 31
If you missed this Friday night fight — well, so did almost everyone. What started as a battle (with Rutgers holding a 3-point halftime lead) wouldn’t last.
Husky QB Demond Williams Jr. came out in the second half and had a career-high night both passing and rushing:
WRs Dezmen Roebuck and Denzel Boston combined for 206 yards and both receiving touchdowns.
Rutgers QB had a career night himself, throwing for 386 yards, but clearly, it was not the Knights’ night. Rutgers tried to stay in the game with two fourth-down attempts inside Washington’s 10-yard line. Their focus was to stop Washington RB Jonah Coleman — and they did, holding him to a season-low 44 yards. But they gambled on Demond Williams, and the house won.
Final: Washington 38, Rutgers 19.
Much like the Golden Train Operation during WWII, this game seemed to hide in deep secrecy. With the stout Week 7 schedule, another entertaining game fell to the mercy of “who cares?” — outside of Minnesota and Purdue fans.
Purdue dominated both lines of scrimmage and outgained the Gophers by nearly 200 total yards, but they couldn’t overcome the penalties, dropped passes, and three interceptions — including a trick play by a RB pass at the goal line, that only tricked themselves.
Gopher QB Drake Lindsey threw for 232 yards and two TDs. But the key play came from Minnesota’s two-way phenom S/WR Koi Perich, who returned an interception for the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Final: Minnesota 27, Purdue 20
The high school football season is heating up, and the stakes are getting higher as teams battle for a chance to win it all. Several future Buckeyes are putting it all on the line to keep their playoff hopes alive for another week. The Southlake Carroll Dragons improved to a perfect 8-0 record on Friday […]
Adam Hicks
Author
The Good Northwestern’s Train Rolls On Northwestern is 5–2. That’s not a typo. It’s not a fever dream. It’s not a glitch in the standings. The Wildcats — who started this season under a cloud of low expectations and low preseason rankings — just shut out Purdue 19–0 and now sit one win away from […]
34-0 was the result, but even the shutout score doesn’t paint the full picture of this dominating performance. The Badgers (2-5, 0-4) only had 144 total yards on offense for the game. For comparison, Ohio State QB Julian Sayin had 169 yards passing in the first quarter alone. The No. 1 Buckeyes (7-0, 4-0) came […]
