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Every team besides Wisconsin and Nebraska (COVID-19) was in action this weekend in the second week of Big Ten football.
Maryland notched its first win of the 2020 season in a nail-biter against Minnesota, coming out on top, 45-44 , in overtime on Friday night in College Park, Maryland.
The conference’s weekend slate of games certainly didn’t fail to produce quality football, and there are plenty of intense storylines to catch up on after Saturday evening. Here’s what stood out the most from this weekend.
* Rankings are from the time that the games were played, not this week’s AP Top 25.
Big Ten East
| Team | Conf. Record | Overall Record | Weekend Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Conf. Record | Overall Record | Weekend Outcome |
| Indiana | 2-0 | 2-0 | W, 37-21, Rutgers |
| Ohio State | 2-0 | 2-0 | W, 38-25, Penn State |
| Rutgers | 1-1 | 1-1 | L, 37-21, Indiana |
| Michigan State | 1-1 | 1-1 | W, 27-24, Michigan |
| Maryland | 1-1 | 1-1 | W, 45-44 (OT), Minnesota |
| Michigan | 1-1 | 1-1 | L, 27-24, Michigan State |
| Penn State | 0-2 | 0-2 | L, 38-25, Ohio State |
Big Ten West
| Team | Conf. Record | Overall Record | Weekend Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Conf. Record | Overall Record | Weekend Outcome |
| Northwestern | 2-0 | 2-0 | W, 21-20, Iowa |
| Purdue | 2-0 | 2-0 | W, 31-24, Illinois |
| Wisconsin | 1-0 | 1-0 | N/A |
| Nebraska | 0-1 | 0-1 | N/A |
| Illinois | 0-2 | 0-2 | L, 31-24, Purdue |
| Iowa | 0-2 | 0-2 | L, 21-20, Northwestern |
| Minnesota | 0-2 | 0-2 | L, 45-44 (OT), Maryland |
Biggest Surprise: Maryland vs Minnesota
fDespite this game not being the biggest Big Ten upset of the week, the Terps turned some heads with their bounce back victory over Minnesota. After losing 43-3 against Northwestern, Maryland entered the contest as a 19.5 point underdog. The Terps flipped the script on the offensive side of the football and managed to outlast the Golden Gophers.
Maryland demolished its previous point total from the first week just in the first quarter alone, scoring 21 points to take an early two touchdown lead. But the Golden Gophers marched back into the game, scoring 31 unanswered points against Maryland’s defense to take a 38-21 lead.
However, a heroic 17-point fourth quarter from the Terps and Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa pushed the game to overtime. Both teams scored an overtime touchdown, but a missed extra point from Minnesota kicker Brock Walker sealed the 45-44 victory for Maryland.
Tagovailoa finished with a dazzling five touchdown performance, including two rushing scores. Running back Jake Funk had a career-day himself, totaling 21 carries for 221 rushing yards and two touchdowns (one receiving).
The Terps got back on the right track after this upset and have the momentum heading into next week when they face an 0-2 Penn State team on the road.
Statement game: No. 17 Indiana vs Rutgers
Even though Ohio State managed a 13-point win over a ranked Penn State team, the Indiana Hoosiers proved they belong towards the top of the Big Ten standings with the statement game of the week. The Hoosiers were riding high after upsetting Penn State in a jaw-dropper last week and they brought that same momentum against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Saturday.
Indiana poured on the offense in the first half and never relented. The Hoosiers outscored the Scarlet Knights in every quarter on Saturday en route to a 16-point victory on the road.
The play on both sides of the football is what really stood out for the Hoosiers. The offense totaled 343 yards, with quarterback Michael Penix accounting for 238 of those yards through the air. On the other side of the ball, the defense stood tall to force five Scarlet Knights turnovers, including three interceptions.
It’s becoming clear that Indiana may not be a fluke this season. The Hoosiers have proved to be a strong team thus far, which will only be reinforced if they find a way to win next week against Michigan.
Upset game: No 13. Michigan vs Michigan State
Never take a rivalry game for granted.
Michigan State made the most of its opportunity to take down a ranked rival and secure its first win of the 2020 season.
Spartans head coach Mel Tucker and his squad opened up as a three-touchdown underdog to the Michigan Wolverines. But a quiet game on the offensive side of the ball from Michigan propelled Michigan State to a crucial victory after being ousted by Rutgers in the first week.
The game was back-and-forth for the majority of the contest, but a Rocky Lombardi passing touchdown to Connor Heyward with five minutes left to put the Spartans up 10 sealed the deal for Michigan State. Michigan scored with under a minute to go, but it wasn’t enough as the Wolverines fell 27-24 at home.
Despite a heavily defensive game from both sides, neither team committed a turnover. The real spotlight was on Lombardi, who threw for 323 yards and three touchdowns for the Spartans. Wide receiver Ricky White, who averaged 24.5 yards per reception, was on the other end for 196 of those yards and one touchdown.
Michigan State pulled off a major upset here and will look to ride the momentum into next week’s game against Iowa. Michigan will need to find a new formula for success when it faces the red-hot Indiana Hoosiers next weekend.