Category: Big Ten

Expert score prediction: Nebraska vs. Iowa

Who will win on Friday?

The college football regular season ends this week, and for the first time since 2016, Nebraska will be going bowling. The Huskers are coming off a 44-25 victory over the Wisconsin Badgers last weekend, and now they have a chance to end the regular season on a high note when they travel to Iowa City to face their rival, the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Iowa’s offense lives and dies by the run this season, averaging nearly 214 rushing yards and only around 134 passing yards per game. The Huskers can stop the run, allowing just 111 rushing yards a game. But Iowa is bound to break through here and there, which could get the Hawkeyes’ offense moving. 

The question lies between Iowa’s passing offense and Nebraska’s passing defense. Though the Hawkeyes barely throw the ball, it can exploit the Huskers’ secondary if the run game stalls. 

But Iowa is on its third-string quarterback, Jackson Stratton, who’s thrown 37 total passes across five games in his collegiate career. The Blackshirts could finally rebound by getting to Stratton early and often.

The Huskers’ offense picked up a lot of momentum in a short amount of time with Holgerson as offensive coordinator. The team brings a balanced offense, succeeding through the air and the ground this season. 

Iowa’s defense continues to pose a threat to every team it faces, allowing under 18 points per game. However, the Michigan State Spartans, the UCLA Bruins, and the Ohio State Buckeyes each put up over 200 passing and rushing yards on the Hawkeyes.

The Iowa State Cyclones and the Troy Trojans exploited the Hawkeyes with the deep pass early on in the season, with both teams bringing in a receiver that racked up over 130 yards and at least one touchdown off just five catches. 

Iowa’s last home loss was to Iowa State in September. But with Nebraska’s offense looking to continue its run and the Blackshirts’ ability to stop it, the Huskers stand in a strong position to get another win.

Score Prediction: Nebraska 27, Iowa 20

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Nebraska upsets No. 14 Creighton in Omaha 74-63

Nebraska will return home to face South Dakota on Wednesday night.

The Nebraska men’s basketball team visited Omaha for its first big test of the season, No. 14 Creighton. The Huskers delivered a fierce battle on the night, stunning the Blue Jays 74-63.

This is Nebraska’s second straight win on the road against Creighton, and the Huskers delivered a defensive front to halt the Blue Jays’ offense. The Huskers held Creighton to 17-of-52 from the field with 12 of the Blue Jays’ shots coming from beyond the arc.

Nebraska meanwhile shot 24-of-57 from the field and kept its lead over Creighton for nearly the entire game. Though the Blue Jays attempted to claw their way back into the fight, the Huskers never broke.

Brice Williams and Juwan Gary led the team in scoring, each dropping 16 points on the night. Williams earned half of his points from the free throw line, going a perfect 8-of-8. Gary hauled in seven rebounds along with his 16 points.

Connor Essegian finished directly behind the duo with 15 points, going 4-of-6 from the field and 6-of-9 from the free throw line. Berke Büyüktuncel scored 12 points, going 4-of-7 from the field, and hauled in a team-high nine rebounds. Rollie Worster rounded out Nebraska’s top-five scorers, landing 11 points on the night.

Nebraska improves to 4-1 on the season and will return home to face South Dakota on Wednesday night. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. on Big Ten Network.

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Expert score prediction: Nebraska vs. Wisconsin

Who will win on Saturday?

Another week, another attempt to get win number six. Nebraska hosts the Wisconsin Badgers with both teams sitting at 5-5 and signs point to the Huskers defeating the Badgers.

Wisconsin’s got a big disadvantage. They’re on a three-game skid, lost a low-scoring 16-13 battle with No. 1 Oregon, fired its offensive coordinator and are playing in Lincoln on Senior Day. 

But this is still Nebraska, a team whose last trip to a bowl game occurred in 2016, a team on a 10-game losing streak against Wisconsin, a team that any opponent would prefer to play in November. 

Nebraska’s issues remain the same. Outside of a Ceyair Wright’s pick-six, the Trojans sliced up the Blackshirts secondary. Though some passes found a USC receiver’s hands by luck, others fell right into an open Trojan’s hands. 

It also struggled to stop running back Woody Marks, the second running back this year Nebraska fully allowed to get the better of it. 

However, the Badgers’ struggles do allow for potential rebound by the Huskers. Along with its offense making a sudden change at play caller, Nebraska’s defense is presented with a chance to hold an opponent to 20 or fewer points for the first time since the first week of October. 

Indiana and Ohio State are some of the toughest teams in the nation. UCLA was building momentum, and USC’s quarterback fit more into Lincoln Riley’s system. All played a part in Nebraska’s already struggling defense being pressured further. 

Braedyn Locke has been inconsistent this season. His main strength is hitting the deep shot receiver or the quick slant, both of which Nebraska needs to prioritize. However, the run game is just as important, with Tawee Walker averaging 4.8 yards per carry this season. 

Locke’s inconsistency lately gives the Blackshirts an opportunity to bounce back properly compared to their previous four quarterbacks. However, Wisconsin’s change in offensive coordinator makes it more unpredictable than ever, which in turn acts more as a disadvantage for the Blackshirts until proven otherwise. 

As for Wisconsin’s defense just held No. 1 Oregon to 16 points, its fewest in a game all season. But in Oregon’s defense, it played in Madison under the lights and looked to control the game offensively instead of dominating it. 

Holgorsen now has a game under his belt as offensive coordinator for the Huskers and knows more of the offense’s strengths and weaknesses during a game. 

But it’s likely going to be another one-score game, and once again, recent history shows a win by Nebraska in November by one-score is more surprising than anything else.  

Unfortunately, despite the look, history is most likely going to continue. 

Score Prediction: Wisconsin 24, Nebraska 21

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Expert score predictions: Nebraska vs. USC

Who will win between the Huskers and the Trojans?

Nebraska travels to California for a clash with the USC Trojans in the Los Angeles Coliseum. Both teams announced big changes to their offenses ahead of this matchup, making the outcome more unpredictable. 

The Huskers changed offensive coordinators and play-callers, bringing in Dana Holgorsen to jump-start Nebraska’s offense. However, USC also made a change during the bye week, benching quarterback Miller Moss and starting sophomore UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava. 

Maiava played in all 14 games for the Rebels in 2023, leading the team to the Mountain West Championship, where they fell to Boise State. UNLV then played Kansas in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl but lost 49-36 after throwing 24 completions off 35 throws for 291 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions

He finished his freshman year completing 224 of 353 passes, averaging just over 220 passing yards, throwing 17 touchdowns and ten interceptions, and suffering only ten sacks across 14 games. 

However, he also had run support at UNLV, with the Rebels racking up 2,429 rushing yards and 39 rushing touchdowns. Maiava is a dual threat, breaking seven double-digit yard runs during the 14-game span.

UCLA’s Ethan Garbers showed that quarterback runs are another critical factor in getting by Nebraska’s defense. However, Maiava only has one season of play under his belt, which primarily consisted of facing Mountain West teams. 

Now, he earns his first start as a Trojan against a Big Ten defense that, despite its struggles, still poses a threat to inexperienced quarterbacks. The Blackshirts stand with 25 sacks and nine interceptions while holding opponents to just over 19 points per game.

Also, adding Phil Snow as a defensive consultant could give Tony White support and help turn the defense around. 

USC relies on the passing game but can produce on the ground when needed. Nebraska’s defense primarily shuts down running backs, excluding Indiana. So, the Huskers need to get to Maiava if they want to stop the pass. Bring the pressure, take away the first read, and force the Trojans to run. 

With a shake-up finally occurring for Nebraska, USC can’t rely on the predictability aspect, as it’s hard to say what Dana Holgorsen will call from the playbook or even cook up. 

He’s only been in Nebraska for less than two weeks, so it’s more than likely that Satterfield’s playbook is still present. But Holgorsen is calling the shots and could even rework a few of the plays to his liking. 

However, unlike the Husker’s last three opponents, USC can’t foresee what Nebraska will do, which doesn’t help its defense. The Trojans allowed an average of around 22 points per game this season. 

However, with Nebraska’s recent history of seeking the sixth win, it’s hard to give the Huskers the win here. USC has struggled in the fourth as of late, but it couldn’t have asked for a better team to get out of that stretch than Nebraska.

Score Prediction: USC 28, Nebraska 24

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Big Ten with four top ten teams in week 12 of the US LBM Coaches Poll

Multiple Big Ten teams were represented in the US LBM Coaches Poll this week.

The Big Ten will enter week 12 of the 2024 college football season with four of the top 10 teams in the country in both the US LBM Coaches Poll and AP Top 25.

The Oregon Ducks remain the country’s top team, while the Ohio State Buckeyes are the second overall team in the country. The Texas Longhorns and Penn State Nittany Lions round out the top four, while the Indiana Hoosiers come in at the fifth spot.

The poll this week is very top-heavy for the conference, as no other Big Ten teams appear beyond the above-mentioned teams. The entire US LBM Coaches Poll is below.

 

Rank Team Record Points
1 Oregon Ducks 10-0 1,375 (55)
2 Ohio State Buckeyes 8-1 1,314
3 Texas Longhorns 8-1 1,262
4 Tennessee Volunteers 8-1 1,1138
5 Penn State Nittany Lions 8-1 1,113
6 Indiana Hoosiers 10-0 1,057
7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 9-0 1,038
8 BYU Cougars 7-1 994
9 Alabama Crimson Tide 7-2 899
10 Georgia Bulldogs 7-2 887
11 Ole Miss Rebels 8-2 877
12 Miami Hurricanes 9-1 820
13 SMU Mustangs 8-1 691
14 Boise State Broncos 8-1 691
15 Texas A&M Aggies 7-2 597
16 Clemson Tigers 7-2 536
17 Army Black Knights 9-0 466
18 Washington State Cougars 8-1 385
19 Kansas State Wildcats 7-2 332
20 Colorado Buffaloes 7-2 329
21 Missouri Tigers 7-2 277
22 LSU Tigers 6-3 257
23 South Carolina Gamecocks 6-3 118
24 Louisville Cardinals 6-3 109
25 Iowa State Cyclones 7-2 92

Schools Dropped Out

No. 23 Pittsburgh; No. 25 Vanderbilt;

Others Receiving Votes

Tulane 85; Louisiana 42; Arizona State 30; Pittsburgh 28; UNLV 17; Memphis 11; Navy 3; James Madison 2; Illinois 2; Duke 1;

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Big Ten football occupies the top spot in new CFP projections

Take a look at where each Big Ten team is projected in the bowl games this college football season.

The latest College Football Playoff projections have rolled out from USA TODAY Sports and ESPN, and that means in-depth coverage of where the Big Ten stands. Week 10 did not bring any upsets from the top seeds in the top four conferences, but it did bring a new number one seed.

The Oregon Ducks have moved up to the top spot, according to Paul Myerberg of USA TODAY Sports, while Heather Dinich of ESPN ($) has Oregon maintaining the top seed over the Georgia Bulldogs.

The change up top comes from Georgia’s projected edge over the Ohio State Buckeyes with both squads projected as conference champions. Those projections have changed, making the Ducks the Big Ten favorites and Georgia staying the favorite to win the SEC.

OSU’s strength of schedule and play against their toughest opponents has weakened their case, according to both writers. They rank 5th in Myerberg’s projection, and 6th in Dinich’s update. In the 5-12 matchup, the Buckeyes would face the Boise State Broncos. As the 6 seed, they’d take on the Clemson Tigers.

The Penn State Nittany Lions come in at 7th for Myerberg, and 5th for Dinich. Her reasoning for the top non-conference champion spot is showing how PSU could be the committee’s No. 3 team but can’t place them there as conference champs fill the top four seeds.

Dinich has the Nittany Lions against the Tennessee Volunteers. Myerberg also has them against the Volunteers in his 7-10 matchup.

Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images

Hoosiers record rings hollow in projections

Not one word of digital ink was given to the Indiana Hoosiers. At 8-0, being considered a ‘Next Team In’ should be the norm until teams fall out of CFP projections. But like Ohio State, Indiana’s schedule is void of multiple marquee wins.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers and Washington Huskies are their best wins, but have games against the Michigan Wolverines and Buckeyes Weeks 11 and 12. Michigan would be a win over a strong defense, and beating the Buckeyes would clinch a spot.

There remains optimism that QB Kurtis Rourke (thumb surgery) could come back after missing only one game. The surgery on his thumb was to repair the nail bed.

It’s apparent that the committee won’t notice the Hoosiers without winning out if these projections ring true.

Big Ten bowl projections at a glance

USA TODAY Sports’ Erick Smith is back with his college football bowl projection ahead of Week 10. The Big Ten continues to lose bowl bids as the conference middle and lower tiers beat up on each other.

Here’s where the Big Ten stands this week:

  • Duke’s Mayo – Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Duke Blue Devils
  • First Responder – Michigan State Spartans vs. West Virginia Mountaineers
  • Citrus – Indiana Hoosiers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
  • ReliaQuest – Illinois Fighting Illini vs. LSU Tigers
  • Music City – Michigan Wolverines vs. South Carolina Gamecocks
  • Pinstripe – Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Syracuse Orange
  • Rate – Wisconsin Badgers vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders
  • GameAbove Sports – Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Western Michigan Broncos
  • LA – Washington Huskies (Pac-12 representative) vs. UNLV Rebels

The conference is projected to add two more teams to bowl season, with the Spartans, Huskies, and Golden Gophers getting nods as the Maryland Terrapins fell out.

Who will be ‘College GameDay’ celebrity guest picker for Ohio State at Penn State?

From Larry Johnson to Lisa Salters to the ‘pommel horse guy’, there are plenty of Penn State alumni who would be great celebrity guest pickers on “College GameDay”.

ESPN “College GameDay” is headed to Happy Valley in Week 10 to take in a Big Ten battle between the Penn State Nittany Lions and Ohio State Buckeyes, a matchup with serious College Football Playoff ramifications.

It will be the first time in three years the GameDay crew is at Penn State, with the last appearance coming in 2021 against the Auburn Tigers.

This season has featured an array of different types of celebrity guest pickers, from Terry Saban to Kaitlin Olson to Kyle Schwarber, and there is no shortage of exciting options to choose from in Week 10.

Previous guest pickers in Happy Valley include running back Ki-Jana Carter in 2017, actor Keegan Michael-Key in 2018, journalist Lara Spencer in 2019, quarterback Trace McSorley in 2020, and running back Saquon Barkley in 2021.

While they could all be options again, let’s take a look at some new options GameDay could choose for Saturday’s show.

(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Former Football Players

John Cappelletti is Penn State’s only Heisman Trophy winner, taking home the award back in 1973, and it would be fun to see him and Lee Corso talking about the old Big Ten days on the show.

Olu Fashanu is a much, much younger option, as the most recent Penn State alumni to get selected in the top 20 of the NFL draft, going No. 11 overall in 2024. The Jets play Thursday, so Fashanu has the weekend off and could be a fun familiar face to have back on campus.

Speaking of familiar faces, wide receiver Jahan Dotson won’t be too far away with the Eagles playing a home game on Sunday against Jacksonville. The 2022 first round pick is in his first season with the Eagles, and would be a welcome return to campus for Penn State fans.

The Nittany Lions have a history of developing extremely talented running backs, and while Saquon Barkley has already done the GameDay scene it would be fun to see another NFL Pro Bowl back, Larry Johnson, in the mix on Saturday. Johnson made two Pro Bowls and was an All-Pro twice in a decorated nine-year NFL career spent mostly with Kansas City.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Other Options

Lisa Salters is a highly decorated journalist who has worked for ESPN for nearly 25 years, making her a clear option to join the GameDay crew. An alumni of Penn State and the shortest player to ever play for the women’s basketball team, Salters’ experience behind the mic and connection to the school should have her in this conversation.

Mary Ellen Clark is a wildcard option, but the former Olympic diver and two-time bronze medalist attended both Penn State and Ohio State, making her a fun choice if she can take time away from her job as the head diving coach at Amherst College.

Speaking of olympians, my top choice would be gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik, who became a media sensation this summer for his performance on the pommel horse and trademark eyeglasses. Nedoroscik won a pair of medals in Paris, and appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” “Today Show,” Season 33 of “Dancing with the Stars,” and was a co-presenter at the “76th Primetime Emmy Awards.”

His recent fame and connection to the school make him an obvious choice.

Huskers close the season out with 3-1 win over Indiana

The Huskers concluded the regular season 6-10-1 and 3-7-1 in conference play.

On Sunday afternoon, the Nebraska soccer team concluded its 2024 season at home against the Indiana Hoosiers. The Huskers closed the season on a high note, taking down the Hoosiers 3-1.

Both teams battled it out in the match. Nebraska fired 12 shots, six on goal, while Indiana delivered 13 shots, seven on goal. Despite the Hoosiers outshooting the Huskers, Nebraska’s defense stood its ground.

The Huskers built a 2-0 lead on Indiana before giving up a goal with over 25 minutes remaining. But Nebraska put the match away over ten minutes later.

Sami Hauk finished 6-of-7 in shots faced, bringing her career total to 238, holding her in fourth in school history and one shy of tying for third.

Sarah Weber led Nebraska in the win, scoring twice off seven shots. Weber’s goals move her career total to 43, placing her in seventh in school history. She also moved to third in school history with 337 total shots and sixth in shots on goal with 31.

Sadie Waite also scored her second goal of the season for Nebraska off her lone shot of the match.

The Huskers concluded the regular season 6-10-1 and 3-7-1 in conference play.

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Ohio State QB Will Howard fires shots at Penn State ahead of big-time Week 10 showdown

Will Howard grew up a Penn State fan but never landed an offer. Now, the Buckeyes quarterback wants to prove the Nittany Lions staff wrong.

Ohio State had a bit of a close call on Saturday coming off a bye following its loss to Oregon, but the Buckeyes survived at home against Nebraska 21-17 to move to 6-1 on the season.

Now, they’ll turn their attention to what could be one of the most impactful matchups of the entire season against unbeaten Penn State in State College next weekend. And for Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard, the game is more than a little personal.

Howard was born and raised near Philadelphia and, by his own account, grew up a Penn State fan with his dream being to play for the Nittany Lions. However, he never received an offer despite the three-star recruit holding offers from other Big Ten teams like Maryland, Rutgers and Minnesota before eventually committing to Kansas State, where he spent his first four seasons.

After the win over the Cornhuskers, Howard said he’s eager to prove the Nittany Lions coaching staff wrong, according to Cleveland.com’s Stefan Krajisnik.

“I’m stoked. I cannot wait,” Howard said. “It’s going to be a homecoming for me. Grew up a Penn State fan. I wanted to go there my whole life. They didn’t think I was good enough. I guess we’ll see next week if I was.”

Shots fired, indeed.

We’ll see if Howard can make a statement to his former dream school when the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions square off at noon ET next Saturday in a game with massive Big Ten and College Football Playoff implications.

Indiana Hoosiers fans thrive on ESPN College Gameday

From honoring Lee Corso and the 1979 Indiana Hoosiers, to MLB All-Star Kyle Schwarber in the house, ESPN’s College GameDay had it all in Week 9.

ESPN’s College Gameday returned to the Midwest with a visit to Bloomington, Indiana for the Washington Huskies against the Indiana Hoosiers in Big Ten action.

Nick Saban, Rece Davis, Lee Corso, Desmond Howard, and Pat McAfee shone in a town that had not seen College Gameday since 2017, and for only the second time ever.

The crew pulled out everything from the first minute, including recognizing Corso and the 1979 Holiday Bowl team. In that game, the Hoosiers (7-4) upset the No. 9 BYU Cougars 38-37 on a 62-yard punt return touchdown and blocked field goal attempt with seven seconds left.

Indiana would not go to another bowl game until 1986.

Corso and his former players and coaches got a segment in the first 30 minutes of College Gameday, as well as plenty of shine live on set. Bloomington mayor Kerry Thomson was there to announce that October 26, 2024 would be ‘Lee Corso Day.’

It was a great pre-game show that showcased the Hoosiers and their history-making season. Let’s look and hear the sights and sounds from ESPN College Gameday with the Hoosiers.

McAfee was hyped to be in Bloomington, but that is also just a mindset for the ESPN show host and former punter.

It’s easy to forget that some fans never leave. The Hoosiers have been more bad than good, but the foundation for generations of fans is there.