Big Ten Week 5

[UOducksTK1]

Washington @ Rutgers
Minnesota @ #12 Michigan
Maryland @ Indiana
Nebraska @ Purdue
Wisconsin @ #13 USC
#3 Ohio State @ Michigan State
#19 Illinois @ #9 Penn State
#8 Oregon @ UCLA

Some really fun matchups this week.

-I’m really rooting for Purdue to beat Nebraska this week.
-The top two teams(Ohio state and Oregon) go on the road to start Big Ten play.
-Michigan only 9 point favorite over Minnesota at home.
-Illinois vs Penn State is gonna really expose which team is legit or not IMO. Really curious to see if Illinois can keep it close or even upset Penn State.

Thoughts?

[StevensTechU]

Illinois versus Penn State is really the headliner. If Illinois wins, they could sneak into the playoffs. If Penn State blows them out, we can assume they're a national contender. I think both teams are currently ranked where they should be so I think it'll be competitive unless someone gets hit with a turnover bug.

Outside of this list, Wazzu versus Boise State has my interest for the other guys.

[OregonFan4Life]

If Purdue beats Nebraska that would be one heck of an upset.

I’m intrigued by Huskies @ Rutgers, to me it will show who might be in the upper half of the B1G vs who is definitely not. I think Rutgers wins that one by multiple scores.

I’ll also be curious to see what success, if any, the Michigan State offense has against tOSU. At times tOSU defense didn’t look stellar against Marshall, was that just a bad game or are there weaknesses Oregon could exploit?

[StevensTechU]

I’ll also be curious to see what success, if any, the Michigan State offense has against tOSU. At times tOSU defense didn’t look stellar against Marshall, was that just a bad game or are there weaknesses Oregon could exploit?

For as much as Aidan Chiles gets talked up as a talent, he's so, so bad. He doesn't see wide open receivers and throws bad interceptions. My guess is that Jonathan Smith is just hoping this all pays off with a big JR/SR season.

[UOducksTK1]

I’m excited to watch the Huskies/ Rutgers game too. Fun to start seeing more PAC teams playing Big Ten teams.

Aiden Chiles showed so much potential so who knows what’s going on with him.

[StevensTechU]

washington is well on its way to losing at Rutgers after missing a field goal a moment ago. Down 21-10 despite having an advantage of 422-296 in total yards.

[UOducksTK1]

washington is well on its way to losing at Rutgers after missing a field goal a moment ago. Down 21-10 despite having an advantage of 422-296 in total yards.

Yup. Grady Gross really cost them.

[squintsdd]

Can someone tell me how Rutgers might've pulled off one of the easiest conference schedules possible?

[StevensTechU]

Can someone tell me how Rutgers might've pulled off one of the easiest conference schedules possible?

Because the Big Ten is buoyed by just 5 major football brands (Oregon, Michigan, Penn State, Ohio State and USC) despite having 18 members, it has to have those teams play each other more frequently than the lesser brands in order to have matchups that can generate big TV ratings all season. Typically, big brands have favorable schedules because they basically miss themselves, but it's tilted against them in the B1G in favor of the aforementioned ratings. So, among the lesser brands, there are going to be some big winners each year, especially if they don't have a designated rival of note (like Michigan State having to play Michigan every year). The Big Ten is going to produce some bad bowl teams and others with inflated records every year because of this.

[OregonFan4Life]

Washington outgained Rutgers 521 yards to 299 and lost. I’m guessing it’s not that often the losing team outgained their opponent by 222 yards.

[OregonFan4Life]

Michigan’s DLine is ridiculous, probably the best DLine in the nation.

[UOducksTK1]

Michigan’s DLine is ridiculous, probably the best DLine in the nation.

And their QB the worst?

[OregonFan4Life]

Michigan’s DLine is ridiculous, probably the best DLine in the nation.

And their QB the worst?

Haha! Probably. Just had two receivers open for a touchdown and managed to throw a pick, he’s awful.

[Phalanx]

Kinda late to this party but UW losing to Rutgers makes me happy. Would be fun if Oregon was able to hang 70 on them this year as revenge for that game awhile back.

[UOducksTK1]

Michigan held on to beat Minnesota. Without a QB, I just don’t see 3-4 more losses on their schedule.

Wisconsin is looking good so far against USC.