Creepin' The Big Ten: Week 8

The Big Ten decided that defense is overrated this week and lots of points were had. 6 teams scored 30 or more points and there were some very entertaining outcomes. Too bad most occurred at the same time, it's difficult to focus on other games when Penn State is playing (yeah I probably have a mild form of ADD, so sue me).

Free hugs!!!!

That is no way to treat a fan base
Michigan State 35 – jNorthwestern 27

For years the Michigan State Spartans have collapsed around this time of year and Sparty fans know it. Coming into Saturday's contest it looked like that was a thing of the past until Northwestern jumped out to a 17-0 lead and it was Déjà vu all over again. But this isn't your father's Spartans and Michigan State rallied by scoring 21 points in the 4^th quarter to overcome a 10 point deficit. Kirk Cousins completed a season-high 331 yards through the air tossing 3 TD's and no interceptions. Of course the comeback wouldn't be complete without an obligatory Mark Dantonio fake punt, this one coming on a fourth-and-11 at the Northwestern 36 which was completed for 21 yards and set up a 15-yard TD pass from Cousins to Mark Dell with 13:12 left to close the lead to 3. MSU's heroics set the stage for a huge matchup when Sparty travels to Iowa in a game that could help determine the Big Ten Championship.

What the Hell just happened?
Wisconsin 31 – Iowa 30

Was the 'space' character really needed?

Speaking of fake punts Bret Bielema pulled out one of his own only this one had a little more balls to it. Trailing 30-24 on their own 26, Bielema dialed up the fake and punter Brad Nortman ran 17 yards up the middle for the first down or 4^th and 4. In a game that was predicted to be a low-scoring slugfest both teams exploded for over 700 yards of offense and traded the lead 9 times. In the aforementioned fake-punt assisted drive Wisconsin completed another 4^th down play and running back Montee Ball ran 8 yards for a touchdown with 1:06 left. On the ensuing drive Iowa showed poor clock management when they called their final timeout on a first down play at the Wisconsin 39. On the next play Stanzi completed a pass to Adam Robinson who could not get out of bounds at the Wisconsin 35 and time ran out. It was just one of many crazy plays on easily the most entertaining game of the Big Ten slate.

As expected
Illinois 43 – Indiana 13

The Fighting Zookers jumped out to a 27-10 halftime lead and used a strong defensive effort to outlast the Hoosiers. Illinois returned two interceptions for scores and QB Nathan Scheelhaase only needed 123 yards through the air to score two of his own. The Illini got a touchdown off of a blocked punt just to make it a day of total FAIL for Indiana. Hoosier quarterback Ben Chappell did throw for 279 yards and a score but he also threw three picks. All totaled, Indiana had 5 turnovers and you don't win too many games with that kind of stat line.

Point and Laugh
Ohio State 49 – Purdue 0 

In a game that surprised no one Ohio State shut out the Boilermakers for the 12^th time. Purdue didn't exceed 100 yards in total offense until their final possession finishing with a whopping 118 yards. That pretty much sums this game up, let's not waste any more time or effort on this one, mmmkay?