TIER IV – THE FRINGE: MARYLAND, MICHIGAN STATE, NEBRASKA, RUTGERS, WISCONSIN & UCLA
I’ve bumped Wisconsin and Nebraska down. The only thing both programs have proven is that they’re better than Rutgers (lost to both), Northwestern (lost to Wisconsin), and Purdue (lost to both). The good news is they play each other, so one has to make a bowl game.
WISCONSIN BADGERS (5-4, 3-3)
Do you believe me now? After boat-racing Purdue, Rutgers, and Northwestern, the Badgers have lost two straight by an aggregate score of 70-23. They have now lost four games, all by at least 15 points and two by a score of 42-10. The defense allowed a season-high 42 points by Iowa, 422 yards, and 6.6 yards per play. Meanwhile, Braedyn Locke (15-29, 2 INTs) continues to prove he is not a B1G-caliber quarterback. Next up, Oregon. Yikes.
Week 11 | Idle
NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS (5-4, 2-4)
What a tease Nebraska’s effort against Ohio State was. Matt Rhule’s team is now 1-3 in one-score games after their comeback against UCLA came up short. Too often, this team doesn’t look prepared to play, as they fell behind 10-0 and 27-7 against the Bruins. Don’t let the score (27-20) or yards tally fool you; the Huskers were outplayed by UCLA (6.5 yards per play to 4.5). Freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola (14/27, 1TD-1INT) continues to be shaky in Big Ten play. According to Rhule, he left the game with an injury but should be back for their next game.
Week 11 | Idle
MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS (4-5, 2-4)
That’s two straight losses by the Spartans and five out of six defeats (after starting the season 3-0). Where’s that improvement we’ve been hearing about? After taking a 10-0 lead, MSU gave up 47 unanswered points, their second home conference loss by 40-plus points! Adding injury to insult, QB Aidan Chiles left the game in the third quarter and was seen heading into the locker room with medical staff. Head coach Jonathan Smith expects Childs to play in Illinois in two weeks.
Week 11 | Idle
MARYLAND TERAPINS (4-4, 1-4)
Don’t expect a lot out of the Terps coming off their extra week to close out the season. Maryland plays at Oregon this week, and after a winnable game against Rutgers, they close out the season with surging Iowa and playoff-bound Penn State.
Week 11 | 7:00 | BTN | +25 @ Oregon
UCLA BRUINS (3-5, 2-4)
Long left for dead, UCLA has won two in a row, with back-to-back road upsets. Before their last-minute loss to Minnesota (led 10-0 at half and 17-14 midway through the fourth quarter), the Bruins faced a Murder’s Row of Indiana, LSU, Oregon, and Penn State. That’s three likely playoff teams and potentially a fourth. In the past two, Ethan Garbers has thrown for 602 yards (67.1%, 8.25 YPA) with six TD passes and no INTs.
(FRI) Week 11 | 9:00 p.m. ET | FOX | +6.5 vs. Iowa
RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS (4-4, 1-4)
Of the Big Ten’s five four-win teams, Rutgers has the most winnable remaining games. Their most challenging contest might be this week against Minnesota, but it comes at home. They also host Illinois between trips to former B1G East rivals Maryland and Michigan State. We’re not saying they will win them all or even half, but the Scarlet Knights have life.
Week 11 | 12:00 p.m. ET | NBC | +6.5 vs. Minnesota
