Big Ten breakdown | Week 4
Sep. 21—It's a mix of league games and final nonconference showdowns this week in the Big Ten. Here's how beat writer Scott Richey sees the conference teams faring:
Friday's game
Wisconsin (2-1) at Purdue (1-2), 6 p.m., FS1
Who's on the call: Tim Brando (play-by-play) and Spencer Tillman
* (expert analysis).
Who wins: Wisconsin, 35-28. While the Badgers still have some weird hybrid offense that wants to be "Air Raid" but isn't, the Boilermakers are 0-2 at home in the Ryan Walters
* era.
Saturday's games
Rutgers (3-0, 1-0) at No. 2 Michigan (3-0), 11 a.m., BTN
Who's on the call: Cory Provus (play-by-play), Jake Butt (expert analysis) and Brooke Fletcher
* (sideline reports).
Who wins: Michigan, 30-10. This might be the Scarlet Knights' best team in their second run with Greg Schiano
* , but the talent disparity is still rather strong with the Wolverines.
Florida Atlantic (1-2) at Illinois (1-2), 2:30 p.m., BTN
Who's on the call: Jason Ross Jr. (play-by-play), Howard Griffin (expert analysis) and Justine Ward
* (sideline reports).
Who wins: Illinois, 28-17.
* The Illini will grab bragging rights against the Owls in what they can only hope will be a "get-right" game before Big Ten play takes up the rest of the season. Then, it'll be up to the basketball team to hold on to them in early December in New York.
Maryland (3-0) at Michigan State (2-1), 2:30 p.m., NBC
➜ Who's on the call: Jac Collinsworth (play-by-play), Jason Garrett (expert analysis) and Zora Stephenson (sideline reports).
➜ Who wins: Maryland 30-21. The Terrapins might not be quite as explosive offensively as Washington, but the Spartans are just as broken as a program as they were last week in their 41-7 home loss to the Huskies.
Louisiana Tech (2-2) at Nebraska (1-2), 2:30 p.m., BTN
Who's on the call: Mark Followill (play-by-play), Matt Millen (expert analysis) and Meghan McKeown
* (sideline reports).
Who wins: Nebraska, 24-20.
* That's called a winning streak. It might just be two wins in a row for the Cornhuskers, but even that level of success has been fleeting lately in Lincoln, Neb.
No. 6 Ohio State (3-0) at No. 9 Notre Dame (4-0), 6:30 p.m., NBC
Who's on the call: Noah Eagle (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (expert analysis) and Kathryn Tappen
* (sideline reports).
Who wins: Notre Dame, 42-35. Neither team has played all that challenging of a schedule this season. The Irish have a clear advantage at quarterback, though, with Wake Forest transfer Sam Hartman, and that's enough to give Marcus Freeman
* a win against his alma mater.
No. 24 Iowa (3-0) at No. 7 Penn State (3-0, 1-0), 6:30 p.m., CBSWho's on the call: Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (expert analysis) and Jenny Dell
* (sideline reports).
Who wins: Penn State, 24-13.
* Hope everyone that shows up for the "White Out" in Happy Valley is OK with a low-scoring game. Both teams can rely more on their defense so far this season than their offense. (An every year scenario for Iowa, of course).
Akron (1-2) at Indiana (1-2), 6:30 p.m., BTN
Who's on the call: Connor Onion (play-by-play), Adam Breneman (expert analysis) and Dannie Rogers
* (sideline reports).
Who wins: Indiana, 28-14. Tayven Jackson completed 24 of 34 passes for 299 yards, one touchdown and one interception in last week's loss to Louisville at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis. Tom Allen needs his quarterback to be more Michael Penix Jr. and less Connor Bazelak
* to save his job.
Minnesota (2-1, 1-0) at Northwestern (1-2, 0-1), 6:30 p.m., BTNWho's on the call: Lisa Byington (play-by-play), Anthony Herron (expert analysis) and Elise Menaker
* (sideline reports).
Who wins: Minnesota, 27-14.
* The Gophers are about to reinforce their lead at the top of the Big Ten West with another division win. But how long can they hold on to that spot?
Big Ten MVP
RK., PLAYER POS. SCHOOL
1. J.J. McCarthy QB Michigan
2. Taulia Tagovailoa QB Maryland
3. Johnny Newton DT Illinois
4. Hunter Wohler S Wisconsin
5. Kyle Monangai RB Rutgers
Scott Richey's comment:
* McCarthy's totals through three games might not blow you away. Tagovailoa, in fact, is one of six quarterbacks averaging more yards per game. But the Michigan quarterback is efficient and productive with both a league-leading 82.4 percent completion rate and seven passing touchdowns.
Big Ten coach of the year
RK., COACH SCHOOL
1. Greg Schiano Rutgers
2. Ryan Day Ohio State
3. Mike Locksley Maryland
4. James Franklin Penn State
5. Assistant coaches Michigan
Scott Richey's comment: Six Big Ten teams remain unbeaten at this point of the season. Five of them are in the East, with only Iowa's record still unblemished in the West. Kirk Ferentz
* gets left off for the simple fact the Hawkeyes' weekly race to 25 points is all anyone is talking about when it comes to that program.
Illini MVP
RK., PLAYER POS.
1. Johnny Newton Defensive tackle
2. Xavier Scott Nickel back/Cornerback
3. Miles Scott Free safety
4. Reggie Love III Running back
5. Luke Altmyer Quarterback
Scott Richey's comment:
* Newton was already projected as a first-round pick before he showed off his serious disruption skills last week against No. 7 Penn State. The Illini's preseason All-American defensive tackle only bolstered his draft stock with two quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and a blocked field goal.
Big Ten Bowl Outlook
BOWLTEAM
Rose Bowl (CFP) Michigan
Orange Bowl Ohio State
Peach Bowl Penn State
Citrus Bowl Maryland
Music City Bowl Minnesota
Gator Bowl Wisconsin
Pinstripe Bowl Iowa
Guaranteed Rate Bowl Rutgers
Las Vegas Bowl Illinois
Quick Lane Bowl Michigan State
Scott Richey's comment: Illini fans will travel in droves to Las Vegas. Just look at last basketball season.
