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Notre Dame held on for a 13-6 win over Michigan
We hope to make this a weekly recap on what happened in Big Ten football. Plus, we’ll share the first word on what’s next for each Big Ten school.
This has been as bad a nonconference season as any in recent memory for the Big Ten. Member schools have combined so far for a 33-13 record with two games remaining (Marshall at Purdue this coming Saturday and Indiana at Navy on Oct. 20).
Big Ten teams were 6-9 against teams from BCS-aligned conferences or Notre Dame. That included an 0-3 mark against Notre Dame and a 1-3 record against the Pac-12. The six BCS conference teams they did beat – Syracuse (twice), Vanderbilt, Boston College, California and Temple – have a combined record of 5-13.
There were also three losses to MAC opponents (Indiana to Ball State, Iowa to Central Michigan and Penn State to Ohio).
The Big Ten will not be a factor in the national championship discussion this year. Moreover, it is looking more and more like the Big Ten may only have one BCS bowl team, and that would be the winner of the Big Ten championship game going to the Rose Bowl. (This may actually work to the conference’s benefit because its annual Jan. 1 bowl match-ups with SEC teams may not be bad mismatches – or at least as bad as they could be -- after all.)
The good news is Big Ten teams will get to start playing one another beginning next Saturday.
Here we go with this week’s report:
Notre Dame (11) 13, Michigan (18) 6
* What Happened – It was a rough 22nd birthday for Michigan senior QB Denard Robinson, who had five of his team’s six turnovers in the loss at South Bend. Robinson lost a fumble and threw four interceptions. Add in an ill-advised pick by RB Vincent Smith on the goal line and Michigan threw five straight interceptions at one point. ND backup QB Tommy Rees scored the game’s only touchdown on a run to give the Irish the win in a sloppy, sloppy game.
“I want to say I am sorry to anybody who watched Michigan football or follows Michigan football,” Robinson said. “It won’t happen again. I will be accountable for the rest of the season.”
* What We Learned – Michigan’s three-game winning streak against ND was snapped. It was also Michigan’s eighth straight road loss against a ranked opponent … The teams combined for eight turnovers. Still, Michigan had every opportunity to score and even win this game … ND went 3-0 against the Big Ten for the first time since 2002 … The off week comes at a perfect time for Michigan … ND’s rugged defense (led by Heisman candidate LB Manti Te’o) hemmed in the rangy Robinson, forcing him into one errant throw after another.
* What’s Next – Michigan will be idle next Saturday before opening Big Ten play at Purdue (2-1) on Oct. 6.
* More Coverage – Click here for discussion of Michigan-Notre Dame. Click here for more coverage from Wolverine 247.
Michigan State (21) 23, Eastern Michigan 7
* What Happened – Coming off a listless 20-3 loss at home to Notre Dame, the Spartans (3-1) continued to struggle offensively. RB Le’Veon Bell came to the rescue with his second 200-yard game of the season, carrying 36 times for a career-high 253 yards and one touchdown. MSU’s touchdown drought ended at seven quarters when QB Andrew Maxwell found TE Dion Sims for a 10-yard touchdown.
Afterwards, MSU coach Mark Dantonio was less than pleased. Dantonio barked “next question” repeatedly at reporters after a series of mostly one- or two-word answers.
"We need to be more consistent in what we're doing and execute better," Dantonio said. "And that's basically all around our football team. That's the message that was delivered at halftime."
* What We Learned – Michigan State is as good as Bell makes them right now. The Spartans desperately need more playmakers to step up if they have any hopes of winning the Legends Division and advancing again to the Big Ten title game … How truly bad was this? The Spartans trailed the winless Eagles (0-4) 7-3 at halftime … Sims had six catches for 112 yards for the Spartans.
* What’s Next – Michigan State hosts Ohio State (4-0) next Saturday.
* More Coverage – Click here for coverage of MSU-EMU. Click here for more coverage from Spartan Tailgate.
Ohio State (16) 29, UAB 15
* What Happened – The Buckeyes (4-0) fell behind 9-0 early in the second half before waking up to turn back the winless Blazers (0-3). QB Braxton Miller threw for 143 yards and also carried 11 times for 64 yards and two touchdowns. The Buckeyes exploded for three touchdowns in seven minutes in the second quarter, but did not put this one away until Miller scored (and had a two-point conversion run) to go up 14 with 5:03 left.
* What We Learned – Ohio State’s special teams were anything but. UAB blocked a punt for a touchdown and also recovered an onside kick to start the second half against the Buckeyes … OSU’s tackling continues to be suspect. UAB converted 7 of 17 third downs as the Buckeyes struggled at getting them off the field … OSU played without a pair of defensive starters, CB Bradley Roby (shoulder) and safety C.J. Barnett (ankle). Both should be back for conference play … RB Jordan Hall had 17 carries for a career-high 105 yards. He started for the second straight game in place of Carlos Hyde (knee), who is also due back next week.
* What’s Next – The Buckeyes visit Michigan State (3-1) next Saturday.
* More Coverage – Click here for coverage of the OSU-UAB game. Click here for more coverage from Bucknuts.com.
Wisconsin 37, UTEP 26
* What Happened – The Badgers (3-1) lost top RB Montee Ball to a head injury. But, after a slow start, they rolled to the win over the visiting Miners (1-3). Joel Stave made his first start at quarterback for the Badgers and completed 12 of 17 passes for 210 yards with a touchdown and an interception. RBs Melvin Gordon (8 carries, 112 yards, 1 TD) and James White (2 TD runs) filled in ably for the ailing Ball.
* What We Learned – Stave, a redshirt freshman, could be a long-term solution for the Badgers at quarterback after Maryland transfer Danny O’Brien struggled in the first three games … Wisconsin has scored five combined points in the first quarter of their four games … UTEP is now 0-17 on the road against teams in BCS conferences … Ball was injured on an early 1-yard TD run. His status is unclear for next week’s Big Ten opener at Nebraska, which will be itching for revenge after UW’s 48-17 shellacking of the Huskers a year ago in Madison … Ball lost a fumble as well for the first time in 655 carries for the Badgers … The days of Wisconsin rolling over people may be over at least for now. All of their Big Ten games could go down to the wire, at this rate.
* What’s Next – Wisconsin visits Nebraska (3-1) next Saturday.
* More Coverage – Click here for coverage of Wisconsin-UTEP. Click here for more coverage from Badger 247.
Penn State 24, Temple 13
* What Happened – Penn State evened its record at 2-2 as QB Matt McGloin enjoyed a career day against instate rival Temple (1-2). McGloin was 24 of 36 passing for 318 yards with a touchdown, an interception and two TD runs. His two TD runs were PSU’s first and second in four games this season.
* What We Learned – Penn State opened the season with losses to Ohio and Virginia, but has really come on the last two weeks with easy wins over Navy and Temple. The improvement – on both sides of the ball – has been like night and day … Zach Zwinak led PSU with 94 yards on 18 carries … WR Allen Robinson had five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown to continue his strong start … The Nittany Lions are now 38-3-1 all-time against Temple. PSU has won 30 straight in the rivalry, dating to a tie in 1950. PSU hasn’t lost to Temple since 1941.
* What’s Next – Penn State visits Illinois (2-2) next Saturday.
* More Coverage – Click here for coverage of Penn State-Temple. Click here for more coverage from Lions 247.
Central Michigan 32, Iowa 31
* What Happened – CMU’s David Harman hit a 47-yard field goal with three seconds left to give the visiting the Chippewas (2-1) the win over the host Hawkeyes (2-2). CMU scored nine points in the final 45 seconds to steal the win. The loss spoiled a huge day by Iowa RB Mark Weisman, who carried 27 times for 217 yards and three touchdowns. QB James Vandenberg also threw his first TD pass of the season to Kevonte Martin-Manley.
* What We Learned – Iowa had nine penalties for 106 yards that helped pave the way for CMU to pull out the win … The Iowa defense could not contain CMU QB Ryan Radcliff (26 of 35 passing, 283 yards, 2 TDs). A late personal foul penalty helped CMU move into field goal range at the end … And Iowa’s special teams let them down by allowing the Chippewas to recover an onside kick … Iowa needs to go at least 4-4 in Big Ten play to qualify for a bowl game, and if the Hawkeyes don’t beat visiting Minnesota next week that could be a difficult task to achieve.
* What’s Next – Iowa hosts Minnesota (4-0) next Saturday.
* More Coverage – Click here for discussion of Iowa-CMU. Click here for more coverage from the Voice Of The Hawkeyes.
Nebraska (25) 73, Idaho State 7
* What Happened – Nebraska (3-1) led I-AA Idaho State (1-2) by margins of 35-0 after one quarter, 45-0 at halftime and 66-0 after three periods in a laugher. The Huskers had 569 yards total offense, including 385 on the ground in the win.
* What We Learned – Not much from a walkover like this. But it was good to get RB Rex Burkhead back from his knee injury. He had eight carries for 112 yards and two touchdowns … Seven different Huskers scored touchdowns in the rout … The Huskers have struggled defensively. It’s unlikely this game will mean much in the overall picture as NU will face tougher competition in the Big Ten. But Nebraska held Idaho State to 210 yards overall and just 31 yards rushing on 29 attempts … Ameer Abdullah, who had filled in for Burkhead while he was out, still contributed with an 81-yard touchdown on a punt return.
* What’s Next – Nebraska hosts Wisconsin (3-1) next Saturday.
* More Coverage – Click here for coverage of Nebraska-Idaho State. Click here for more coverage from Huskers Illustrated.
Minnesota 17, Syracuse 10
* What Happened – With starting QB MarQueis Gray hobbled, backup Max Shortell filled in and completed 16 of 30 passes for 231 yards and the Gophers (4-0) turned back the Orange (1-3) at TCF Bank Stadium. RB Donnell Kirkwood added 99 yards rushing and two TDs on 28 carries.
“It was an unbelievable effort by our defensive coaches and football team,” said UM coach Jerry Kill. “To see kids play that hard against a very good offensive team, when you play defense like that you give yourself a chance to win.”
* What We Learned – The Gophers reached 4-0 for the first time since 2008. Their defense is much improved from last year … Plus, since Gray went out, Shortell has come in and they just kept on rolling … Don’t look now, but it would be a shocker if Minnesota does not go bowling in Jerry Kill’s second season as the head coach … Syracuse came in averaging 32.7 points and QB Ryan Nassib was among the nation’s leaders in total offense. But the Gophers forced four turnovers in the win. Syracuse did not score its touchdown until there were just 46 seconds left in the game.
* What’s Next – Minnesota visits Iowa (2-2) next Saturday.
Northwestern 38, South Dakota 7
* What Happened – This was a workmanlike effort for the Wildcats (4-0) in defeating I-AA South Dakota (1-2) in Evanston. RB Venric Mark had 16 carries for 117 yards and three touchdowns.
* What We Learned – The Wildcats were spot on with a complete effort … Northwestern improved to 4-0 for the third time in seven years under coach Pat Fitzgerald … Trevor Siemian and Kain Colter each had moments at quarterback for Northwestern and that could bode well in Big Ten play.
* What’s Next – Northwestern hosts Indiana (2-1) next Saturday.
Louisiana Tech 52, Illinois 24
* What Happened – Louisiana Tech (3-0) came in averaging 56 points a game and almost matched that average against the host Illini (2-2). The Bulldogs led 21-7 after one quarter, held on for a 21-17 halftime edge and exploded for 24 third-quarter points to win going away. Louisiana Tech feasted on six Illinois turnovers (including five lost fumbles) and QB Colby Cameron threw for 284 yards and four touchdowns.
* What We Learned – By playing three quarterbacks, Tim Beckman is basically saying they don’t have one they can hang their hat on. Nathan Scheelhaase has two years of experience, but Reilly O’Toole (19 of 25 passing, 125 yards) may be the answer … Illinois netted just 119 yards rushing on 41 attempts (2.9 yards per attempt) … Quinton Patton burned the Illini for six catches for 164 yards with a pair of TDs (78 and 21 yards).
* What’s Next – Illinois hosts Penn State (2-2) next Saturday.
Idle This Week: Indiana, Purdue
* What’s Next – Indiana (2-1) opens Big Ten play at Northwestern (4-0) next Saturday. Purdue (2-1) wraps nonconference play by hosting Marshall (2-2).
* More Coverage – Click here for more coverage from Inside Indiana.
Big Ten Standings
Leaders Division
Ohio State (4-0, 0-0)
Wisconsin (3-1, 0-0)
Indiana (2-1, 0-0)
Purdue (2-1, 0-0)
Illinois (2-2, 0-0)
Penn State (2-2, 0-0)
Legends Division
Northwestern (4-0, 0-0)
Minnesota (4-0, 0-0)
Michigan State (3-1, 0-0)
Iowa (2-2, 0-0)
Nebraska (3-1, 0-0)
Michigan (2-2, 0-0)
Sept. 22 Games
Wisconsin 37, UTEP 26
Ohio State (16) 29, UAB 15
Central Michigan 32, Iowa 31
Penn State 24, Temple 13
Nebraska (25) 73, Idaho State 7
Northwestern 38, South Dakota 7
Michigan State (21) 23, Eastern Michigan 7
Notre Dame (11) 13, Michigan (18) 6
Minnesota 17, Syracuse 10
Louisiana Tech 52, Illinois 24
Idle: Indiana, Purdue
Sept. 29 Games (All times Eastern)
Penn State at Illinois, noon (ESPN or ESPN2)
Minnesota at Iowa, noon (ESPN or ESPN2)
Indiana at Northwestern, noon (Big Ten Network)
Ohio State (14) at Michigan State (20), 3:30 p.m. (ABC)
Marshall at Purdue, 3:30 p.m. (Big Ten Network)
Wisconsin at Nebraska (22), 8 p.m. (ABC)
Idle: Michigan
Steve’s Updated Top 20
Four of the AP’s top 25 teams lost: No. 6 Oklahoma (to No. 15 Kansas State), No. 10 Clemson (to No. 4 Florida State), No. 18 Michigan (to No. 11 Notre Dame), No. 19 UCLA (to Oregon State)
I moved LSU down four spots from No. 2 to No. 6 after its narrow win at Auburn. To me, the top five are very close – well the next four after Alabama are very close. I dropped out Michigan and added Oregon State.
Here is my new national top 20:
Alabama, Oregon, Florida State, Georgia, West Virginia, LSU, South Carolina, Kansas State, Stanford, Notre Dame, USC, Florida, Ohio State, Texas, TCU, Oklahoma, Clemson, Louisville, Michigan State, Oregon State.
Picks Update
On Thursday, I made my picks for Week 4.
I ended up 19-6 straight-up and a woeful 8-15 against-the-spread. For the year, I am now 80-27 SU and 48-49 ATS.
In Big Ten games, I was 7-3 straight-up and also 2-6 ATS. Through three weeks, I am 36-10 straight-up and 17-21 ATS.
Stay tuned this week for our Big Ten Blast notes column on Tuesday, Picks for week 4 on Thursday and a Chat either Thursday or Friday.
- Steve Helwagen
- National Reporter - Bucknuts