Around the Big Ten Football: Week 8

Competition just got a little tougher with competitive Big Ten matchups this past weekend.

Fans saw their first in-conference AP Top Ten matchup between at the time No. 7 Penn State and No. 3 Ohio State. The showing from these two teams has left many questioning if either team truly deserves to be in conversation about potential College Football Playoff appearances.

Penn State’s offense struggled the whole game. They failed on their first 15 third down conversions and could not find the endzone until their final drive with 20 seconds remaining.

Drew Allar ended the game 18-42 for 191 yards. Although there were a few crisp passes to his targets, Allar sent too many passes behind his receivers making it hard to convert on those key downs.

With the Nittany Lion offense struggling to stay on the field, there was added pressure for the defense to keep the Buckeyes from finding the endzone.

The defense was effective in stopping the run holding Ohio State to only 79 total rushing yards. However, guarding Marvin Harrison Jr. was a task too big for the Nittany Lions to stop. Harrison tallied up 11 receptions for 162 yards and one touchdown.

The Buckeyes defense kept Drew Aller smothered all game with a total of four sacks and six tackles for loss.

Penn State dropped to No. 10 and now looks to get their game back on track when hosting the Indiana Hoosiers this Saturday at noon. Ohio State remains at No. 3 and will take their dominant gameplay on the road to face off at Wisconsin this Saturday at 7:30.

Michigan still sits atop the Big Ten East at 5-0 without having their bye yet, but having yet to face any ranked opponents, the Big Ten East regular season champ is within reach for Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State.

For the Big Ten West, Wisconsin currently sits at the top at 3-1, with Iowa having a 3-2 record right behind them.

Iowa hosted Minnesota this past Saturday which resulted in a Golden Gopher victory for the first time since 1999.

Originally it seemed as if Iowa was going to take the lead late in the 4th quarter with a 54-yard punt return. After review, it was ruled that Cooper DeJean made a fair catch signal.

The Hawkeyes still had possession of the ball with 1:13 to go, but Deacon Hill’s pass was intercepted by Justin Walley ending the game there.

Minnesota’s defense came out of the half down 10-3 and knew that the game was far from over. The Golden Gophers were able to hold the Hawkeye offense to minus two yards in the second and only a total of 11 rushing yards.

With the win, Minnesota improved to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the conference and the Hawkeyes fell to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the conference.

Minnesota prepares to host Michigan State and Iowa goes on bye before traveling to Northwestern on Nov. 4.

Wisconsin traveled to battle the Fighting Illini and a battle it was.

Wisconsin was down 21-7 going into the fourth quarter and came out on top with a 25-21 Badgers win.

To finish off the 18-point comeback win, Braedyn Locke found offensive lineman Nolan Rucci for a three-yard touchdown reception with 27 seconds left.

Locke had his first start after taking over for injured Tanner Mordecai. In an electric first start, Locke was 21 for 41 with 240 yards and two touchdowns.

Helping Locke out with the rush was Braelon Allen who finished with 29 carries for 145 yards and one touchdown.

Wisconsin will look to carry this momentum when hosting Ohio State next weekend and Illinois goes on bye before traveling to Minnesota on Nov. 4.

Expect exciting games as both the Big Ten East and West are battling for their ticket to the Big Ten Championship game in December.

Lauren is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her please email lah6271@psu.edu.