Michael Cohen
School Soccer and School Basketball Author
Issues have been comparatively quiet atop the Massive Ten this week as three of the highest 4 groups in our Energy Rankings sat idle. Ohio State and Penn State retained their positions as Nos. 2 and three, respectively, whereas watching an impactful slate of video games from house. And Oregon, which reached the highest of the heap after upending Ohio State two weeks in the past, wasted little time disposing of Purdue in a business-as-usual efficiency on Friday night time.
As an alternative, the most important results of the weekend belonged to No. 16 Indiana, a crew that was unbeaten however largely untested by means of its first six video games. A nationally televised go to from Nebraska, which claimed one of many stingier defenses within the nation, was anticipated to be a reputable check for the Hoosiers and first-year coach Curt Cignetti. However all Indiana did was pummel the Cornhuskers, 56-7, in a blowout that proved Cignetti’s crew is actually for actual.
[Related: RJ Young’s College Football Top 25]
Elsewhere across the convention, Wisconsin secured a 3rd straight win and UCLA earned its first Massive Ten victory in program historical past. However Iowa, which had a reasonably easy path towards being in rivalry for the School Soccer Playoff, slipped up at Michigan State.
Here is a contemporary batch of Massive Ten Energy Rankings following Week 8:
1. Oregon (7-0 general, 4-0 Massive Ten)
End result: 35-0 street win over Purdue
There was no letdown from the Geese after an emotional win over then-No. 2 Ohio State two weekends in the past. Oregon made one in every of its longest journeys of the season to West Lafayette, Indiana, and smashed the Boilermakers for this system’s first street shutout since 1992 — at which level present head coach Dan Lanning was solely 6 years previous. A protection that yielded 31 factors and greater than 450 yards of whole offense to the Buckeyes turned in a smothering effort in opposition to Purdue. Oregon pressured two turnovers and in addition stopped the Boilermakers 3 times on fourth down for what amounted to 5 whole adjustments of possession. The Geese solely allowed 93 passing yards on 19 makes an attempt to a quarterback in Ryan Browne who was making simply the second begin of his profession. The disparity between Browne and veteran Dillon Gabriel was alarmingly clear because the latter accomplished 21 of 25 passes for 290 yards and two touchdowns. Tailback Jordan James discovered the top zone for a fifth consecutive sport whereas carrying 10 occasions for 50 yards and two scores. Now, Lanning and his crew will put together for an enormous house sport in opposition to No. 20 Illinois later this week.
2. Ohio State (5-1 general, 2-1 Massive Ten)
End result: Idle
The Buckeyes protection had loads of points to handle through the bye after surrendering 496 yards of whole offense to then-No. 3 Oregon final week. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ unit did not generate a takeaway, did not sack quarterback Gabriel and solely tallied two tackles for loss in a completely deflating efficiency. However there’s excellent news for Ohio State: The Nebraska offense it is getting ready to face later this week turned the ball over 5 occasions, together with three interceptions, throughout a lopsided loss to Indiana on Saturday.
3. Penn State (6-0 general, 3-0 Massive Ten)
End result: Idle
Penn State had an additional week to experience its 33-30 additional time victory over USC that doubled as one of many program’s extra spectacular street wins underneath head coach James Franklin. Now the Nittany Lions embark on a two-game stretch that’s arguably essentially the most troublesome patch remaining on their schedule: a visit to Wisconsin on Saturday and a house sport in opposition to No. 4 Ohio State the next weekend. Franklin has his crew in a wonderful place to make a run on the expanded School Soccer Playoff.
Indiana coach Curt Cignetti shares pleasure over Hoosiers’ 7-0 begin
4. Indiana (7-0 general, 4-0 Massive Ten)
End result: 56-7 house win over Nebraska
In his on-field interview with FOX Sports activities shortly earlier than kickoff on Saturday, Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti stated the Hoosiers have been going to play effectively on their greatest stage of the season in opposition to Nebraska, a crew whose solely loss got here in additional time in opposition to then-No. 24 Illinois. And boy did they. Cignetti’s crew eviscerated the Cornhuskers for what completed as essentially the most lopsided Massive Ten win in program historical past to increase IU’s best-ever begin to a season. Quarterback Kurtis Rourke, who’s quick turning into top-of-the-line signal-callers within the nation, operated with surgical precision whereas finishing 17 of 21 passes for 189 yards and a landing en path to a 28-7 halftime lead. Even a minor hand damage to Rourke, who sat out the second half for what Cignetti described as precautionary causes, wasn’t sufficient to derail the Hoosiers. Backup Tayven Jackson completed 7-of-8 for 91 yards and two scores in reduction obligation amid a second half through which IU scored 28 unanswered factors. The Hoosiers’ protection pressured Nebraska to commit 5 whole turnovers, together with three interceptions by true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola. Indiana is not slated to play a ranked opponent till touring to Ohio State on Nov. 23.
5. Illinois (6-1 general, 3-1 Massive Ten)
End result: 21-7 house win over No. 24 Michigan
After practically blowing a 24-point second-half lead in opposition to lowly Purdue final weekend, Illinois responded with a convincing victory in opposition to Michigan — a crew it hadn’t overwhelmed since 2009 — by dominating the sport in all three phases. On offense, quarterback Luke Altmyer turned in his sixth interception-free effort of the season and chipped in two whole scores (one speeding, one passing). On protection, the Illini sacked Michigan quarterback Jack Tuttle 5 occasions and compelled him to commit a pair of turnovers (one fumble, one interception), buttressing their harassment of Tuttle by limiting the Wolverines to only three yards per keep on 38 speeding makes an attempt. And on particular groups, the place kicker David Olano made a pair of discipline targets whereas Michigan kicker Dominic Zvada missed for the primary time all 12 months, the Illini executed an attractive faux punt that gained 36 yards and sparked a brief landing run. Illinois travels to No. 2 Oregon later this week earlier than a closing quartet in opposition to unranked groups: Minnesota and Michigan State at house; Rutgers and Northwestern on the street.
6. Wisconsin (5-2 general, 3-1 Massive Ten)
End result: 23-3 street win over Northwestern
When Wisconsin introduced that tailback Chez Mellusi, the crew’s main rusher, was stepping away from this system in early October to give attention to getting “his physique wholesome,” many assumed it was the most recent demise knell for a roster that already misplaced beginning quarterback Tyler Van Dyke to a season-ending knee damage. However unearthing succesful working backs has by no means been an issue for the Badgers, who appear to have discovered their subsequent high-level rusher in Tawee Walker, an Oklahoma switch. Every week after carrying 24 occasions for a career-high 198 yards and three scores, Walker shouldered 23 carries for 126 yards in a dominant win over Northwestern. He and quarterback Braedyn Locke, who chipped in two whole scores, helped the Badgers to a 3rd consecutive win that elevated them to fifth place within the Massive Ten standings. Wisconsin’s protection has now allowed simply 16 factors in its final three video games mixed forward of a essential date with No. 3 Penn State on Saturday.
7. Nebraska (5-2 general, 2-2 Massive Ten)
End result: 56-7 street loss to No. 16 Indiana
Nebraska entered Saturday’s high-profile matchup at Indiana as the one crew within the nation but to permit a speeding landing in 2024. A protection coordinated by Tony White, whose inventory was surging by means of the early a part of the season, had given up 10 or fewer factors in 5 of its first six video games, with then-No. 24 Illinois the one crew to cross that threshold. However the Cornhuskers completely disintegrated on each side of the ball in opposition to the Hoosiers in a dreadful efficiency that may invite loads of questions on head coach Matt Rhule. The protection surrendered 215 speeding yards and 5 speeding touchdowns, plus two passing touchdowns to Indiana’s backup quarterback. The offense turned the ball over 5 occasions courtesy of three interceptions by quarterback Dylan Raiola and two misplaced fumbles, one in every of which was additionally from Raiola. “I am embarrassed in regards to the job I did,” Rhule stated after the sport. And that virtually sums it up.
Highlights: Nebraska dealt with by Indiana
8. Minnesota (4-3 general, 2-2 Massive Ten)
End result: Idle
Minnesota eased into its bye week after scoring back-to-back wins over the league’s Los Angeles contingent by upsetting then-No. 11 USC on Oct. 5 and coming from behind to beat UCLA within the Rose Bowl on Oct. 12. Any form of run the Gophers would possibly make within the second half of the season will probably be fueled by their protection, a unit which stays top-of-the-line within the nation underneath first-year coordinator Corey Hetherman, previously of Rutgers. Hetherman’s group entered the bye ranked seventh nationally in whole protection (262.3 yards per sport) and 14th in scoring protection (15.9 factors per sport). Minnesota hosts Maryland on Saturday.
9. Michigan State (4-3 general, 2-2 Massive Ten)
End result: 32-20 house win over Iowa
The Spartans entered their bye week having misplaced three straight video games to Boston School (23-19), then-No. 3 Ohio State (38-7) and then-No. 6 Oregon (31-10) and have been treading water underneath first-year coach Jonathan Smith, previously of Oregon State. However Smith and his workers proved on Saturday night time that they used the additional apply properly and responded with a powerful house victory over Iowa. Kicker Jonathan Kim set a college document by making six discipline targets from distances of 42 yards, 43 yards, 36 yards, 29 yards, 55 yards and 46 yards to shoulder greater than half of the scoring duty. His efforts have been supported by a balanced displaying from quarterback Aidan Chiles, who accomplished 22 of 30 passes for 256 yards, one landing, one interception and 11 carries for 51 yards on the bottom. The Spartans ran for 212 yards as a crew on 40 carries (5.3 yards per try) and had 4 gamers chip in at the very least one rush of eleven-plus yards. Michigan State’s protection, which has now climbed to thirtieth within the nation in opposition to the go by permitting simply 192 yards per sport, held Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara to a 47.8% completion price and solely 150 yards by means of the air.
10. Washington (4-3 general, 2-2 Massive Ten)
End result: Idle
On a weekend when Michigan, Nebraska and Iowa — three groups from the center of the pack within the Massive Ten — all misplaced in disheartening vogue, the Huskies climbed to eighth within the league standings whereas having fun with the carnage from house. Head coach Jedd Fisch’s crew has not strung collectively back-to-back wins since Aug. 31 in opposition to Weber State and Sept. 7 in opposition to Japanese Michigan, however the Huskies rank among the many high 25 within the nation for each whole offense (twenty third) and whole protection (eighth). A troublesome again half of the schedule begins with a visit to No. 13 Indiana on Oct. 26.
11. Iowa (4-3 general, 2-2 Massive Ten)
End result: 32-20 street loss to Michigan State
Issues had been establishing fantastically for Iowa through the first season of an expanded Massive Ten, because the Hawkeyes obtained a good schedule that did not embrace the names Michigan, Penn State, Oregon and USC. Sure, the Hawkeyes had been pummeled by then-No. 3 Ohio State, 35-7, earlier this month, however the the rest of Iowa’s slate didn’t embrace a single ranked opponent. All head coach Kirk Ferentz and his crew needed to do was maintain beating groups from the congested center of the Massive Ten standings, and the School Soccer Playoff would have been inside attain. As an alternative, Iowa traveled to Michigan State on Saturday night time and endured a season-altering loss. The Hawkeyes have been outgained 468 yards to 283 yards in whole offense as star tailback Kaleb Johnson failed to achieve the century mark for under the second time this 12 months. A passing offense led by quarterback Cade McNamara has now slipped to 128th within the nation (136.9 yards per sport).
12. Michigan (4-3 general, 2-2 Massive Ten)
End result: 21-7 street loss to No. 22 Illinois
Even with an additional week to arrange following a disappointing loss at Washington earlier this month, the primary begin for quarterback Jack Tuttle — a seventh-year senior who had relieved fellow signal-caller Alex Orji in opposition to the Huskies — left lots to be desired in a hapless defeat to Illinois. Tuttle accomplished 20 of 32 passes for 208 yards however missed a handful of wide-open receivers and turned the ball over twice (one interception, one fumble) to hamstring the Wolverines. Maligned tailback Donovan Edwards additionally misplaced a fumble and was briefly benched in favor of third-string runner Benjamin Corridor as Michigan completed minus-3 within the turnover battle. The distress prolonged to the defensive facet of the ball, too, with Michigan failing to create a takeaway and solely sacking quarterback Luke Altmyer as soon as. Star cornerback Will Johnson additionally exited with an ankle damage. Head coach Sherrone Moore and his workers should regroup forward of the rivalry sport with Michigan State on Saturday.
13. Maryland (4-3 general, 1-3 Massive Ten)
End result: 29-28 house win over USC
Head coach Mike Locksley’s crew trailed 28-14 early within the fourth quarter earlier than roaring again to safe a powerful victory that snapped a two-game dropping streak. Maryland put collectively a 10-play, 75-yard landing drive to drag inside six after quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. related with wideout Kaden Prather for a profitable 2-point conversion with 9:56 remaining. Then the Terrapins blocked what may need been a game-sealing discipline purpose for USC and responded with a five-play, 47-yard scoring drive that ended with a brief run by Edwards within the ultimate minute. Edwards performed arguably his finest sport as Maryland’s starter by finishing 39 of fifty passes for 373 yards, three whole touchdowns and one interception. The Terrapins journey to Minnesota on Saturday.
14. Rutgers (4-3 general, 1-3 Massive Ten)
End result: 35-32 house loss to UCLA
After back-to-back video games through which he did not high 100 yards, star tailback Kyle Monangai responded with a wonderful efficiency by speeding 19 occasions for 106 yards and three scores. Embattled quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, the previous Minnesota switch, threw for a season-high 287 yards and solely dedicated one turnover. So what occurred to the Scarlet Knights? A protection that had carried Rutgers for a lot of the season continued to regress by permitting at the very least 35 factors for a second consecutive week. Head coach Greg Schiano’s crew gave up 478 yards of whole offense, together with an unpleasant 383 by means of the air, to a crew that hadn’t exceeded 20 factors all 12 months. Now the Scarlet Knights journey to USC on a brief week for a Friday night time kickoff.
15. USC (3-4 general, 1-4 Massive Ten)
End result: 29-28 street loss to Maryland
USC stays probably the most confounding groups within the nation after it suffered one more backbreaking defeat, this time to a struggling Maryland squad. Head coach Lincoln Riley’s crew led by 14 factors early within the fourth quarter earlier than a defensive implosion and particular groups gaffe doomed the Trojans to a fourth loss of their final 5 video games. That USC has misplaced 4 video games by a mixed 14 factors and held a second-half lead in every of its 4 defeats speaks to only how maddening the season has been. Quarterback Miller Moss has thrown at the very least one interception in 5 consecutive video games. Issues are bleak for the Trojans.
Maryland Terrapin followers STORM the sphere after upset of USC
16. UCLA (2-5 general, 1-4 Massive Ten)
End result: 35-32 street win over Rutgers
The Bruins lastly earned their first Massive Ten victory because of a powerful offensive explosion in opposition to Rutgers through which they scored a season-high 35 factors and by no means trailed. Quarterback Ethan Garbers, who had tossed 5 interceptions within the earlier two video games, turned in an electrical efficiency by finishing 32 of 38 passes for a career-high 383 yards and a career-high 4 touchdowns. He additionally added a 49-yard speeding landing late within the first half to offer the Bruins a 14-7 lead. UCLA transformed eight of 14 occasions on third and fourth down mixed to complete with a nine-minute benefit in time of possession.
17. Northwestern (3-4 general, 1-3 Massive Ten)
End result: 23-3 house loss to Wisconsin
Aside from a complete win over Maryland on Oct. 11, the Wildcats have been blown out by three of their final 4 Massive Ten opponents amid a tumble towards the underside of the league standings. The trio of Washington, Indiana and Wisconsin outscored Northwestern by a mixed margin of 88-32 in what was speculated to be the extra affordable portion of this 12 months’s schedule. The offense solely managed 209 whole yards in opposition to the Badgers, together with simply 82 by means of the air, and has now slipped right into a tie for 119th nationally in scoring. Head coach David Braun and his crew nonetheless should face Iowa, No. 4 Ohio State, Michigan and No. 20 Illinois in what’s wanting like a really troublesome closing stretch for the Wildcats.
Northwestern falls to Maryland
18. Purdue (1-6 general, 0-4 Massive Ten)
End result: 35-0 house loss to No. 2 Oregon
Issues are starting to spiral uncontrolled for second-year head coach Ryan Walters, whose document dipped to 5-14 general and simply 3-10 within the Massive Ten. A shutout loss to Oregon was the most recent in a line of embarrassing defeats for Purdue following a season-opening win over Indiana State. Walters already fired offensive coordinator Graham Harrell and assumed the play-calling duties himself — an uncommon transfer contemplating Walters is a defensive coach and has by no means referred to as offensive performs — however the Boilermakers nonetheless solely handed for 93 yards and gave the ball away 5 occasions in opposition to the Geese (two turnovers, three turnovers on downs). Three gamers from Purdue’s 2025 recruiting class have decommitted within the final three weeks alone. And the Boilermakers nonetheless should play Ohio State, Penn State and Indiana.
Michael Cohen covers faculty soccer and basketball for FOX Sports activities with an emphasis on the Massive Ten. Comply with him at @Michael_Cohen13.
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