Big Ten weekend review: Week 8

Maryland football dropped its second game in a row on Saturday, falling 34-28 to Indiana. The loss marks the second two-game losing streak for the Terps this season.

This week in the Big Ten, eight other teams were also in action on Saturday, and Ohio State and Northwestern met in Evanston, Illinois, on Friday. Nebraska and Michigan State were on a bye.

This past weekend’s conference matchups offered a few surprises and some competitive contests. Eight weeks into the 2019 season, the Big Ten is the only conference that boasts three undefeated teams, including Ohio State, Penn State and Minnesota — while the SEC and Big 12 each have two and the ACC has one.

Here’s a quick recap of some notable moments throughout the Big Ten.

Biggest surprise: Purdue vs No. 23 Iowa

Purdue entered the matchup as 18-point underdogs, but managed to only lose by six points to Iowa.

Though they lost, the Boilermakers made the Hawkeyes earn this win, as they were the first team to score 20 points against them this season. Prior to the game, the Hawkeyes’ defense had only allowed a total of 61 points in six games this season, and opposing teams averaged a total of about 261 yards.

However, Purdue continued to rely on its pass-heavy offense with quarterback Jack Plummer — who torched Maryland the week before, going 33-41 with 420 yards and three touchdowns — throwing for 327 yards.

With its win, Iowa jumps three spots from No. 23 to No. 20 in the latest AP Poll.

Statement game: No. 16 Michigan vs No. 7 Penn State

Terp fans saw up close and personal what Penn State is capable of when the Nittany Lions traveled to College Park. But during its annual “White Out” game, Penn State proved to everyone else that the team is still one of the best in the nation — despite the key losses over the past two years, including Saquon Barkley, Trace McSorley and Miles Sanders, along with many more.

The Nittany Lions went into halftime with a 21-7 lead, but were outscored 14-7 in the second half. Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson and the Wolverine offense gashed Penn State’s defense for a season-high 417 yards.

Michigan had one shot to score to tie the game with a touchdown and an extra point. With just over two minutes remaining and Michigan facing fourth-and-goal from the Penn State three-yard line, Patterson threw a pass to wide receiver Ronnie Bell in the Penn State end zone. But the crucial pass slipped through the wideout’s arms, giving the back to the Nittany Lions.

Penn State jumped to the No. 6 spot, while Michigan fell three spots to the No. 19 in the AP Poll.

Biggest upset: No. 6 Wisconsin vs Illinois

Illinois trailed the entire game against Wisconsin on Saturday, until Fighting Illini kicker James McCourt nailed a walk-off 39-yard field goal with time expiring to win the game. McCourt’s field goal capped off a 10-point fourth quarter performance by Illinois, compared to Wisconsin’s three-point effort, that gave the Badgers their first loss of the season by an 24-23 score.

The loss also marks the Illini’s first win over a ranked opponent since 2011, which came against Arizona State, and the highest-ranked team that Illinois has defeated since 2007.

Prior to Saturday’s matchup when it gave up 24 points to the Illini, Wisconsin had allowed a total of 29 points through six games of the season. That’s not the greatest sign for the Badgers as they’re slated to face No. 3 Ohio State this upcoming Saturday.

The Badgers will head to Columbus, Ohio, as the No. 13 team in the country.