In one of the craziest weeks we’ve ever seen in college football, the Big Ten fell victim to the madness.
Week 6 was the week of the upsets. Seven ranked teams fell this week, including five of the top 11 teams, two of which are Big Ten schools. Here’s how the Big Ten did in the absurdity of Week 6:
Bye Weeks: Maryland and No. 24 Illinois
The Upsets
No. 10 Michigan 17 @ Washington 27
The rematch of the national championship is now a conference battle. This time, Washington came out on top. After losing to Texas, Michigan won their next three, including a win over No. 11 USC at the time they beat them. But Wolverines squad couldn’t continue their win streak. Coming off a heartbreaking loss to Rutgers a week ago after Grady Gross missed three field goals, the Huskies started off with their first drive ending in a missed field goal. They then scored twice in the first half and only allowed one Michigan touchdown plus a field goal, but they ended the half on another missed kick from Gross. At the start of the second half, the Wolverines took their first and only lead of the game, as Washington would proceed to score 13 unanswered points and finish the game with a ten point victory, knocking off the No. 10 team in the country.
Michigan has had problems all over the field this season, but especially at quarterback. Jack Tuttle played in this game for the Wolverines, making him their third QB who has played the majority of a game this season. Tuttle threw for under 100 yards and had one touchdown to one interception. Donovan Edwards finally got going in this game, but it wasn’t enough. Will Rogers threw for 271 yards and two touchdowns for the Huskies, while Jonah Coleman added 80 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
No. 11 USC 17 @ Minnesota 24
Another one bites the dust. In a week where the No. 1, No. 4, No. 9, and No. 10 teams in the country all lost, USC joined them. In an ugly but even game going into the second half, USC took an early 17-10 lead in the third quarter on a seven minute drive. After the defense forced a Minnesota punt, Miller Moss threw an interception that resulted in Minnesota tying the game up with a touchdown drive. The Trojans then had a quick three-and-out, giving the Golden Gophers the ball with just over six minutes left, all tied at 17. Max Brosmer completed a few long passes and got his Gophers into the redzone. Right after the two minute timeout, Minnesota got the ball in a goal-to-go situation. After two short runs, the ball was on the USC one yard-line. On third-and-goal, Minnesota ran the ball again, but were ruled short after an extensive replay review. On fourth-and-goal from the one, coach P.J. Fleck decided to go for it. Max Brosmer ran it himself on the QB sneak, and after first being ruled short, the refs gave Brosmer the touchdown (his third rushing score of the day) with just under a minute to go.
Miller Moss had the chance to be the hero. USC was down seven with just under a minute to go and with no timeouts. Thanks to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against the Gophers and a few chunk plays, the Trojans had the ball on the Minnesota 28 yard-line and time to take a few shots at the end zone. Miller Moss took a shot, but true freshman Koi Perich picked it off in the end zone, sealing the game and completing the upset for Minnesota.
The Blowouts
Michigan State 10 @ No. 6 Oregon 31
Purdue 6 @ Wisconsin 52
UCLA 11 @ No. 7 Penn State 27
Iowa 7 @ No. 3 Ohio State 35
The Close Games
Rutgers 7 @ Nebraska 14
It wasn’t pretty on offense, but it sure was on defense. The Cornhuskers handed the Scarlet Knights their first loss of the season, and did so with a dominant defensive showing. This season, Nebraska’s defense has been otherworldly. Thanks to Ben Stevens on Twitter for this stat that shows just how dominant the Blackshirts have been:
43 FBS defenses have forced 8+ turnovers this year.
16 FBS defenses have recorded 15+ sack this year.
11 FBS defenses are allowing less than 14 PPG this year.
Only one (1) FBS defense is doing ALL three:
• Nebraska – 11.3 PPG, 20 sacks, 10 turnovers
Pay Tony White double. pic.twitter.com/2MPqQRSE78
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) October 6, 2024
Additionally, they’re the only team in all of the FBS who haven’t allowed a rushing touchdown this season. Defensive coordinator Tony White is putting on a clinic this season for the ‘Huskers. This defense let up only 78 yards rushing to Kyle Monangai, who is one of the best backs in the country. The Cornhuskers, if Raiola and the offense can improve, could be a serious threat every week because of their defense.
No. 23 Indiana 41 @ Northwestern 24