Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
Five lessons from the week that was in the Big Ten.
1. More missed opportunities: The Big Ten will need to wait until bowl season to improve its national reputation. Although Iowa scored a nice win and Indiana improved to 3-0, Minnesota couldn't keep pace with Cal and Michigan State suffered a heartbreaking loss at Notre Dame. The league's upper crust performed well Saturday, but losses by Purdue and Northwestern put a damper on the day. Illinois and Purdue still have chances for nice nonconference wins against Cincinnati and Notre Dame, but the Big Ten will need to make its mark in December and January.
2. Iowa's back in the mix, thanks to D -- Many wrote off Iowa after its Week 1 scare against FCS Northern Iowa, but the Hawkeyes have posted impressive wins in back-to-back weeks. Despite some shaky play from quarterback Ricky Stanzi, Iowa's lockdown defense and young running backs continue to come up big. Defensive end Adrian Clayborn was a beast, and safety Tyler Sash recorded another interception. If the defense maintains its level of play, especially on the road, the Hawkeyes will contend for the Big Ten championship.
3. Terrelle Pryor is still a threat -- Sure, it was Toledo, but Pryor desperately needed a game like the one he had Saturday in Cleveland. Pryor played the way he needed to against the Rockets, racking up 110 rush yards and a touchdown to go along with 262 pass yards and three touchdowns. His two interceptions are a bit unsettling, but he got some confidence back as Ohio State finally put together a complete effort. Pryor needs to follow it up next week against Illinois.
4. Penn State can run the ball -- The Lions couldn't go into Big Ten play without at least one decent rushing performance. They got it Saturday against Temple as junior Evan Royster racked up 134 rush yards and a touchdown on only 19 carries. The exhibition season is over for Penn State, which needs its young offensive line to step up next week against Iowa. But head coach Joe Paterno saw improved toughness along the line of scrimmage, which is a good sign.
5. Gut check time for Spartans, Illini -- Two teams projected to finish in the Big Ten's upper half enter Big Ten play with tons of anxiety. Michigan State fought hard at Notre Dame, but the Spartans sit at 1-2 with a tough stretch looming against Wisconsin, Michigan and Illinois. The Illini were idle this week, but they lost starting middle linebacker Martez Wilson for the season and will open Big Ten play against Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan State. One or both of these teams could be in big trouble by mid October.
Five lessons from the week that was in the Big Ten.
1. More missed opportunities: The Big Ten will need to wait until bowl season to improve its national reputation. Although Iowa scored a nice win and Indiana improved to 3-0, Minnesota couldn't keep pace with Cal and Michigan State suffered a heartbreaking loss at Notre Dame. The league's upper crust performed well Saturday, but losses by Purdue and Northwestern put a damper on the day. Illinois and Purdue still have chances for nice nonconference wins against Cincinnati and Notre Dame, but the Big Ten will need to make its mark in December and January.
2. Iowa's back in the mix, thanks to D -- Many wrote off Iowa after its Week 1 scare against FCS Northern Iowa, but the Hawkeyes have posted impressive wins in back-to-back weeks. Despite some shaky play from quarterback Ricky Stanzi, Iowa's lockdown defense and young running backs continue to come up big. Defensive end Adrian Clayborn was a beast, and safety Tyler Sash recorded another interception. If the defense maintains its level of play, especially on the road, the Hawkeyes will contend for the Big Ten championship.
3. Terrelle Pryor is still a threat -- Sure, it was Toledo, but Pryor desperately needed a game like the one he had Saturday in Cleveland. Pryor played the way he needed to against the Rockets, racking up 110 rush yards and a touchdown to go along with 262 pass yards and three touchdowns. His two interceptions are a bit unsettling, but he got some confidence back as Ohio State finally put together a complete effort. Pryor needs to follow it up next week against Illinois.
4. Penn State can run the ball -- The Lions couldn't go into Big Ten play without at least one decent rushing performance. They got it Saturday against Temple as junior Evan Royster racked up 134 rush yards and a touchdown on only 19 carries. The exhibition season is over for Penn State, which needs its young offensive line to step up next week against Iowa. But head coach Joe Paterno saw improved toughness along the line of scrimmage, which is a good sign.
5. Gut check time for Spartans, Illini -- Two teams projected to finish in the Big Ten's upper half enter Big Ten play with tons of anxiety. Michigan State fought hard at Notre Dame, but the Spartans sit at 1-2 with a tough stretch looming against Wisconsin, Michigan and Illinois. The Illini were idle this week, but they lost starting middle linebacker Martez Wilson for the season and will open Big Ten play against Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan State. One or both of these teams could be in big trouble by mid October.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Adam Rittenberg
Rittenberg joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four years at the Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald, where he covered sports at Notre Dame, Northwestern, DePaul and several other colleges. He lives in Chicago.
BIG TEN SCOREBOARD
Friday, 11/27
12:00 PM ET Illinois 5 Cincinnati
