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Penn State AT OHIO STATE
Game Recap: The Buckeyes overcame a poor first quarter and cruised to an easy 38-10 victory by rushing for 315 yards.
Key Players: The Quarterback-by-committee might be dead at Ohio State after J.T. Barrett clearly outperformed starter Cardale Jones. Jones missed open receivers and threw for only 84 yards on 9-for-15 passing. Barrett only passed four times, but connected on all four for 30 yards and two touchdowns. More importantly, he rushed 11 times for 102 times and two more touchdowns. Ezekiel Elliott (27-151-1) also found more room to run with the defense forced to account for Barrett as a runner. Michael Thomas (3-34-1) and Braxton Miller (4-33-1) each found the end zone, but the Buckeyes ' run-heavy approach led to quiet days. For Penn State, true freshman Saquon Barkley continues to announce himself as a superstar. He didn't score but rushed for 194 yards on 26 carries and looked great doing it. Penn State passed for only 120 yards with Chris Godwin (3-103-0) making a couple long catches.
Injuries: None.
Players to Watch: If J.T. Barrett is named the starter for Ohio State, he will be a strong play next Saturday night at Rutgers. Ezekiel Elliott should also have a big game. For Penn State, Barkley is the emerging as a top option at RB and should have another big game at Maryland.
MICHIGAN STATE AT Michigan
Game Recap: The Spartans pulled off the minor upset on one of the craziest college football plays in history; a blocked punt returned for a touchdown as time expired to secure a 27-23 victory.
Key Players: The Spartans were only able to rush for 58 yards, but freshman LJ Scott scored twice despite rushing for only 16 yards on eight carries. Aaron Burbridge was exceptional with nine catches for 132 yards against a very tough Michigan defense. Connor Cook threw for 328 yards and a touchdown. Michigan managed only 230 yards of offense. De'Veon Smith (19-46-0) was held in check. Fullback Sione Houma (3-30-2) scored both Michigan touchowns. Michigan's top two wide receivers Jehu Chesson (4-58-0) and Amara Darboh (3-52-0) were held in check and tight end Jake Butt (1-4-0) was surpisingly quiet.
Injuries: Michigan State's line remains beat up and the running game could continue to struggle.
Players to Watch: Michigan State should score early and often against Indiana. Aaron Burbridge will be a top wide receiver option and LJ Scott should have a good game as well. Michigan is on bye before heading to Minnesota next week.
Iowa at Northwestern
Game Recap: Iowa overcame a slew of injuries to dominate Northwestern. The Hawkeyes scored 24 unanswered in the second half to pull away to a 40-10 final.
Key Players: After an early injury to Jordan Canzeri, Iowa turned to third-string back Akrum Wadley and he responded with a record day (26-204-4). Fourth-string back Derrick Mitchell, Jr. (10-79-1) had a nice game as well. Top wide receiver Matt VandeBerg had eight catches for 78 yards. Top running back Justin Jackson had another tough game (10-30-0).
Injuries: Canzeri has a sprained ankle. It's not known if he will be back after the bye. Backup running back LeShun Daniels is also still out with injury. So too is starting wide receiver Tevaun Smith.
Players to Watch: Northwestern travels to Nebraska and maybe Justin Jackson will be able to return to his early season form in a slightly easier matchup, but this offense is struggling mightily so it is best to avoid for now. Iowa is on bye but whoever starts at running back in any given week going forward is likely to be a top option.
Purdue at Wisconsin
Game Recap: Wisconsin's defense held Purdue to just 191 yards of offense as Wisconsin cruised to a 24-7 victory.
Key Players: Dare Ogunbowale got the start at running back with Taiwan Deal and Corey Clement out and had a solid game with 107 total yards and a touchdown on 18 carries and six receptions. Fullback Alec Ingold ran nine times for 19 yards and scored a pair of short touchdowns. Joel Stave passed for 322 yards with Alex Erickson (9-86-0) and Robert Wheelwright (6-61-0) having solid games. For Purdue, Markell Jones had 75 total yards on 12 rushes and three receptions and D.J. Knox had 59 total yards on 10 carries and two receptions.
Injuries: Corey Clement was finally cleared and in uniform for the first time since Week 1, but did not feel healthy enough to play. It all comes down to how Clement feels and he will likely be a gametime decision against next week against Illinois.
Players to Watch: The news on Clement leading up to a matchup against Illinois will be interesting to follow. He is likely to be eased back in even when he does return, so it makes it hard to figure out the running back position for Wisconsin. Erickson is a decent PPR option, but has not found the end zone often.
Rutgers at Indiana
Game Recap: Rutgers came back from a 25-point deficit and hit a short field goal as time expired to upset Indiana 55-52. It looked as if Indiana had secured the victory when scoring to go up 52-27 late in the third quarter. The two teams combined for 1,223 yards of offense, 15 touchdowns and 43 plays of at least 10 yards.
Key Players: Nate Sudfeld returned from an ankle injury and threw for 464 yards and 4 touchdowns (and added a short rushing touchdown) but also threw a pair of costly interceptions. Devine Redding filled in for Jordan Howard and rushed for 99 yards and two touchdowns. Mitchell Paige (8-126-0), Ricky Jones (6-119-1) and Simmie Cobbs Jr. (7-107-0) all had big receiving days. For Rutgers, Chris Laviano had a career day with 386 passing yards an three touchdowns. Robert Martin rushed 17 times for 124 yards and three touchdowns. Star receiver Leonte Carroo had seven catches for 157 yards and three touchdowns.
Injuries: Jordan Howard remained out for Indiana. He was expected to possibly play against Rutgers so he may be able to make it back against Michigan State next weekend.
Players to Watch: Indiana true freshman Mike Majette is a big-play RB/WR hyrbrid who should see his role increase after putting up 116 total yards against Rutgers. Indiana's passing offense could find some success again against a questionable Michigan State secondary. Rutgers faces a tougher matchup against Ohio State, but Leonte Carroo is still worth playing.
Nebraska at Minnesota
Game Recap: The Cornhuskers dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and cruised to a big 48-25 victory.
Key Players: Mitch Leidner had career bests with 26 completions and 301 yards but threw a pair of costly interceptions. KJ Maye had 11 receptions for 94 yards and rushed for 21 yards and a touchdown. Shannon Brookes (8-25-0) and Rodney Smith (8-20-0) formed an ineffective RBBC for Minnesota. Tommy Armstrong Jr. bounced back from a pair of bad games to complete 18-of-26 passes for 261 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also rushed for 38 yards. Terrell Newby rushed 13 times for 116 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Alonzo Moore (4-84-1), Jordan Westerkamp (6-76-0), and De'Mornay Pierson-El (3-31-1) all had decent days in the balanced Nebraska pass offense.
Injuries: De'Mornay Pierson-El is starting to look like a potential impact player as he slowly ramps up his snaps in his return from injury.
Players to Watch: Newby could be a good option next week against a Northwestern defense that suddenly looks vulnerable against the run. Pierson-El is a big-play guy who should continue to see his role grow down the stretch. Minnesota has a bye and then three straight brutal matchups.