Around the Big Ten- Week 3

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COLUMBUS, Ohio- The Big Ten, for the most part, continued to do what they were expected to do in non-conference play, win. Conference teams won 10 of 14 matchups in the second week of the season, with three of the four ranked conference members winning their respective games.

The Big Ten saw a little bit of everything this week. With former Ohio State defensive coordinator and current Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell calling this team its proper name; No. 7 Michigan took care of the Bearcats in a 36-14 win. Maryland continued its offensive onslaught to begin the 2017 season, defeating Towson 63-17.

Here is a look back at some of the best games from Week 2 as well as a look ahead to Week 3.

B1Gest Game of the Week: Iowa 44, Iowa State 41

There is always something special about in-state rivalries in college football. A 44-41 overtime win for Iowa over Iowa State continued that trend.

It took a lot for Iowa to comeback to win this game. With the Hawkeyes up 21-10 in the middle of the third quarter, the Cyclones scored 21 unanswered points to take the 31-21 lead with 11:46 to go in the game.

However, touchdown pass from Iowa quarterback Nathan Stanley and a 23-yard field goal erased that deficit, tying the game at 31 with 5:16 to go in the game. In the final five minutes of the game, both Iowa and Iowa State each scored a touchdown, bringing the score to 38-38 heading into overtime.

Iowa State kicker Garrett Owens hit a 30-yard field goal to give the Cyclones the 41-38 lead after the first drive in overtime. Then, in their last chance, Stanley threw a five-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette to secure the 44-41 win.

Iowa seemed to be working on all cylinders offensively in the overtime win. Stanley finished the day with 333 yards passing and five touchdown passes while running back Akrum Wadley finished the day with 118 yards rushing and a touchdown.

With the Cy-Hawk Trophy secured in Iowa City, the Hawkeyes have one more non-conference matchup against North Texas before opening the Big Ten schedule against No. 5 Penn State.

Runner Up: Oregon 42, Nebraska 35

With a score of 42-14 at half, it looked like Oregon was going to easily get its second win of the season over Nebraska. However, the Cornhuskers had something different in mind, outscoring the Ducks 21-0 in the second half. However, that did not seem to be enough as Oregon defeated Nebraska 42-35.

This was yet another game where defense was almost non-existent. The Cornhuskers, generating 361 yards of offense themselves, gave up 566 yards of offense to the Ducks, allowing over 350 yards passing and over 200 yards rushing.

Nebraska wide receiver Stanley Morgan Jr. had his second straight game of over 100 yards receiving bringing in two touchdown receptions in the win. Also, after rushing for 192 yards in the win over Arkansas State, running back Tre Bryant continued his streak as well, rushing for 107 yards and bringing in a touchdown.

The Cornhuskers will take on Northern Illinois next Saturday to finish the non-conference schedule.

Worst Game of the Week: Eastern Michigan 16, Rutgers 13

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Based on the two teams in this one, this game had “Worst Game of the Week” written all over it. It did not disappoint.

Playing against an Eastern Michigan team that finished 7-6 in the MAC in 2017, Scarlet Knights quarterback Kyle Bolin had his second straight game of throwing two interceptions, averaging only 5.2 yards per pass. Rutgers’ only touchdown came on a 23-yard rush from Gus Edwards in the middle of the third quarter to give Rutgers its only lead of the game. That lead was gone after two field goals gave the Eagles their second win of the year.

Let’s take a look at the Scarlet Knights defense for a change. 374 yards given up, only three tackles for loss including a sack, never mind. I won’t waste your time.

Rutgers will try for its only chance at a win this season against Morgan State at home in Week 3.

Stat of the Week: Five carries

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The Maryland offense has been very good early on in the 2017 season. The Terrapins have scored a combined 104 points in the first two games against Texas and Towson.

Much of that success has to do with the success in the ground game led by running back Ty Johnson. In his first two games, Johnson has 256 yards rushing with three touchdowns.

The crazy thing is what Johnson did to the Towson rush defense. He had 124 yards rushing and two rushing touchdowns in the 63-17 win. However, he did all of this on only five carries. Five carries! That’s 24.8 yards per rush.

It will be interesting to see how Johnson does when he starts to play against legitimate run defenses in conference play. Until then, Maryland will take on UCF next weekend.

One to Look Forward To: Purdue @ Missouri

Despite going into this one with one win and one loss, Purdue has been one of the biggest surprises in the Big Ten so far in the 2017 season. The Boilermakers lost to a ranked Louisville Cardinals team by only a touchdown and took care of Ohio during Week 2.

Much of that has had to do with the play of quarterback David Blough. In two games, he has thrown for 410 yards, throwing five touchdowns compared to two interceptions. He was very good against the Bobcats, completing 11 of 13 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns.

However, Blough may have a chance to shine against the Tigers in Week 3. This is a Missouri team that gave up 353 yards passing against Missouri State in Week 1. Despite allowing only 187 yards passing to South Carolina in Week 2, Gamecocks’ quarterback Jake Bentley was not terrible, completing 64.7 percent of his passes and throwing a touchdown.

Playing against the SEC, this game could bring upset conversation to No. 7 Michigan in Week 4 if Purdue can pull out a convincing win.

Big Ten Schedule- Week 3

Friday, September 15th

Illinois at No. 22 South Florida- 7 pm ET on ESPN

Saturday, September 16th

Air Force at No. 7 Michigan- 12 pm ET on BTN

Northern Illinois at Nebraska- 12 pm ET on FS1

No. 10 Wisconsin at BYU- 3:30 pm ET on ABC

Middle Tennessee at Minnesota- 3:30 pm ET on BTN

Florida International at Indiana- 3:30 pm ET on BTN

North Texas at Iowa- 3:30 pm ET on ESPN2

Morgan State at Rutgers- 3:30 pm ET on BTN

Purdue at Missouri- 4 pm ET on SEC Network

Army at No. 8 Ohio State- 4:30 pm ET on FOX

Georgia State at No. 5 Penn State- 7:30 pm ET on BTN

Bowling Green at Northwestern- 7:30 pm ET on BTN