Week 8 was one of the best weekends of college football we’ve had in a while. While their wasn’t too much excitement within the Big Ten (thanks to Michigan’s emphatic disposal of Penn State), we saw some great clarity.
Michigan State snapped their 4-game skid in 2OT against the Badgers – who now seem out of Big Ten West contention. Purdue survived a shootout under the lights against Nebraska to stay at the top of the West alongside Illinois – who dominated Minnesota with their most complete game to date.
In the East, what we thought was true in the off-season was confirmed: the division will come down to The Game in Columbus, OH on November 26th.
Check out all the changes from week 7’s action:
1) Ohio State (6-0, 3-0 BIG)
Last Week: 1
Week 7 Result: BYE
Offensive Player of the Game: N/A
Defensive Player of the Game: N/A
Up Next: vs Iowa
2) Michigan (7-0, 4-0 BIG)
Last Week: 2
Week 7 Result: W 41-17 vs Penn State
Offensive Player of the Game: Michigan Offensive Line (418 rush yds, 7.6 ypc)
Defensive Player of the Game: LB Mike Morris (4 tackles, 2 solo, TFL, PBU, QB hurry)
Up Next: BYE
3) Illinois (6-1, 3-1 BIG)
Last Week: 4
Week 7 Result: W 26-14 vs Minnesota
Offensive Player of the Game: QB Tommy DeVito (25-32, 252 yds, TD, 17 rush yds, rush TD)
Defensive Player of the Game: DE Jer’Zhan Newton (4 tackles, solo, sack, TFL, 2 QB hurries)
Up Next: at Nebraska
4) Penn State (6-1, 3-1 BIG)
Last Week: 3
Week 7 Result: L 17-41 at Michigan
Offensive Player of the Game: Undeserved (268 total yds, 10 points, 41% comp, 56% of rush yards came on one play)
Defensive Player of the Game: S Ji’Ayir Brown (9 tackles, 4 solo, TFL)
Up Next: vs Minnesota
5) Purdue (5-2, 3-1 BIG)
Last Week: 5
Week 7 Result: W 43-37 vs Nebraska
Offensive Player of the Game: RB Devin Mockobee (30 caries, 178 yards, TD, 28 receiving yds)
Defensive Player of the Game: LB Jalen Graham (6 tackles, 6 solo, sack, 2 TFLs)
Up Next: at Wisconsin
6) Maryland (5-2, 2-2 BIG)
Last Week: 6
Week 7 Result: W 38-33 at Indiana
Offensive Player of the Game: RB Roman Hemby (17 carries, 107 yds, TD, 25 receiving yds)
Defensive Player of the Game: LB Fa-Najae Gotay (6 tackles, 6 solo, FF)
Up Next: vs Northwestern
7) Minnesota (4-2, 1-2 BIG)
Last Week: 7
Week 7 Result: L 14-26 at Illinois
Offensive Player of the Game: RB Mohamed Ibrahim (15 carries, 127 yds, TD)
Defensive Player of the Game: S Tyler Nubin (13 tackles, 9 solo, 2 TFL)
Up Next: at Penn State
8) Iowa (3-3, 1-2 BIG)
Last Week: 9
Week 7 Result: BYE
Offensive Player of the Game: N/A
Defensive Player of the Game: N/A
Up Next: at Ohio State
9) Nebraska (3-4, 2-2 BIG)
Last Week: 10
Week 7 Result: L 37-43 at Purdue
Offensive Player of the Game: WR Trey Palmer (7 rec, 237 yds, 2 TDs)
Defensive Player of the Game: LB Nick Henrich (8 tackles, 4 solo, TFL)
Up Next: BYE
10) Michigan State (3-4, 1-3 BIG)
Last Week: 13
Week 7 Result: W 34-28 2OT vs Wisconsin
Offensive Player of the Game: QB Payton Thorne (21-28, 265 yds, 2 TDs)
Defensive Player of the Game: DE Jacoby Windom (11 tackles, 5 solo, 2 TFLs, FF)
Up Next: BYE
11) Wisconsin (3-4, 1-3 BIG)
Last Week: 8
Week 7 Result: L 28-34 2OT at Michigan State
Offensive Player of the Game: RB Braelon Allen (29 carries, 123 yds, 2 TDs, 33 receiving yds)
Defensive Player of the Game: LB Nick Herbig (6 tackles, 2 solo, sack, 2.5 TFLs)
Up Next: vs Purdue
12) Rutgers (3-3, 0-3 BIG)
Last Week: 11
Week 7 Result: BYE
Offensive Player of the Game: N/A
Defensive Player of the Game: N/A
Up Next: vs Indiana
13) Indiana (3-4, 1-3 BIG)
Last Week: 6
Week 7 Result: L 33-38 vs Maryland
Offensive Player of the Game: QB Connor Bazelak (29-42, 292 yds, 3 TDs, 2 INTs)
Defensive Player of the Game: LB Aaron Casey (10 tackles, 7 solo, sack, 2 TFLs, QB hurry)
Up Next: at Rutgers
14) Northwestern (1-5, 1-2 BIG)
Last Week: 14
Week 7 Result: BYE
Offensive Player of the Game: N/A
Defensive Player of the Game: N/A
Up Next: at Maryland
