It was a notable week in the Big Ten with a key upset and a couple of near upsets around the league. There are three weeks of regular season remaining, but let’s take a look at the happenings from this past weekend.
Best Win of the Week: Wisconsin earns its first
It’s been a miserable season in Madison, but with Luke Fickell getting a vote of confidence that he’d be back in 2026, his team pulled an upset. It was ugly, of course. The Badgers could barely complete a pass, but they came away with a 13-10 win against No. 23 Washington. Wisconsin is still just 3-6 and they still have Indiana ahead on the schedule. But, they at least had one fun day in Camp Randall this year.
Worst Loss of the Week: Iowa lets one slip away
Iowa looked poised to pull one of its patented Kinnick upsets on a sloppy, chilly, rainy, miserable night in Iowa City. They took a late lead against Oregon, only to see the Ducks march the length of the field and kick a field goal to steal an 18-16 victory. The loss ended some realistic Hawkeye playoff hopes.
Offensive Player of the Week: Antwan Raymond, Rutgers
Raymond ran the ball 41 times on Saturday – yes, you read that correctly. Raymond had 240 yards on 41 carries and a score as Rutgers evened its overall record at 5-5 with a 35-20 win against Maryland.
Defensive Player of the Week: Aiden Fisher, Indiana
Fisher had nine tackles, but he played a big part in Penn State’s two turnovers that helped Indiana build a double digit lead in the middle third of its 27-24 come-from-behind win against the Lions. Fisher recovered Kaytron Allen’s fumble late in the second quarter – a play that set up a touchdown to put Indiana up 17-7. Then, it was Fisher who intercepted Ethan Grunkemeyer’s second pass of the second half, setting up an IU field goal that made the score 20-7. Fisher had been battling an injury and was questionable coming into this game.
Offensive Play of the Week: Omar Cooper, Indiana
Ugghhh. It was that impressive a catch. It would have been totally enjoyable had it happened in any other game and in any other spot.
Defensive Play of the Week: Mason Posa, Wisconsin
Posa had 11 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. But, the most significant may have been this one that kept Washington from converting a first down late in the aforementioned Badger victory.
Most Big Ten Moment of the Week: USC Jersey Shenanigans
You may have read about this? USC ran a fake punt in its Friday night win against Northwestern. Well, it turns out that punter wearing No. 80 was actually a backup quarterback who was still listed on the team’s website and program as wearing No. 7. But, the Trojans set up their fake by putting in some pregame roster cards that he’d be wearing No. 80. It led to an easy completion, but some communication from the Big Ten that this wasn’t actually legal.
Most Big Ten West Moment of the Week: West vs. West
The Cover 3 Podcast, a favorite of many of this site’s writers, pointed out that on Saturday, it was the new “West” teams of the Big Ten (UCLA, Oregon, USC, and Washington) facing off against four former “Big Ten West” teams. The results had some classic Big Ten West weather and performances – check out Wisconsin’s passing stats in their victory.
Most Iowa Moment of the Week: Oregon out-Iowa’s them
It wasn’t quite as dramatic as Penn State’s 2017 walkoff score, but Dante Moore had some Trace McSorley vibes in leading the Ducks down the field with some clutch throws.
What We’re Looking Forward to the Most: It’s Land Grant Trophy Week!
Throw out the records! No, really, please do. Both Michigan State and Penn State are 3-6 and winless in the Big Ten. But, they’ll be on CBS in the coveted 3:30 p.m. window with a chance to carry that junior high shop class project off the field.
