Looking Ahead Following A Shaky Start For A Few Big Ten Teams

Ohio State of shock

While Arch Manning rallied the Longhorns from a 23-3 deficit after three quarters to stun Ohio State and replace the Buckeyes atop the polls, Ryan Day’s team is not about to disappear from the playoff conversation. There is much sting for sure in blowing a 20-point lead, but the larger picture is one that must be in focus because everything remains on the table.

Besides, fans in Columbus, perhaps more than any fan base in the country, know what it is like to have their team rebound following a most disappointing setback. See the 2024 loss against “The Team Up North” and what happened after that.

Those same fans likely desired to see their team keep its foot on the Longhorns’ throat instead of letting up. Facing a fourth-and-four from the UT 39-yard line on the first series of the second half and with a 20-3 lead, Day elected to punt instead of attempting to keep the drive alive. The decision was made despite the outstanding first halves enjoyed by QB Julian Sayin (12-for-16, 192 yards) and receiver Jeremiah Smith (6-110). It is easy to Monday morning quarterback, though it is also easy to see the Buckeyes managed less 100 yards on only 22 plays the remainder of the game.

In looking ahead, Kent State visits Columbus on Saturday to collect a likely lopsided loss in exchange for a $1.9 million payday. What follows are visits from Illinois (conference opener) and Maryland sandwiched around a trip to Iowa. The schedule gets rather heavy beginning in mid-October with a date at Indiana. First things first.

Ducks can fly if they run

The Ducks could not build on the two slim leads they had in losing at Oklahoma State, 34-31. Nor were they going to given they were outgained (554-281) by nearly a two-to-one margin. While we are not sure what to make of the new-look Cowboys with many players, including quarterback Drew Mestemaker, having joined coach Eric Morris in moving from North Texas, and opened with a loss in sweltering Tulsa, fans in Eugene should still have much to look forward to.

However, there may not be too much to l0ok forward to unless the running game picks up the pace. While the Ducks have not played an FCS or a non-power conference weakling to fatten up early-season stats – they also played Boise State – they are nonetheless near the bottom nationally (120^th) in rushing yards per game. That, of course, will need to change with a trip to USC next week after Dan Lanning’s team hosts Portland State this Saturday.

Should they get past the Trojans, the Ducks could go on a roll because October has a very manageable conference slate with UCLA, Nebraska, Illinois and Northwestern. Only the Fighting Illini is on the road.

Washington’s (injury) woes

Utah State turned the ball over four times and committed 11 penalties in losing its season opener (29-17) to FCS member Idaho State. It was no surprise the Huskies were favored by four touchdowns against the Aggies last week in Seattle. Alas, it was all UW could do to hang on.

The Aggies scored a fourth-quarter touchdown to come within two points, forced a three-and-out and drove to the Huskies’ 39. A shot and the end zone for an opportunity at a monumental upset was picked off. (And what on earth was third-year DB Rashawn Clark returning the football when all he had to do was take a knee?)

The Huskies, who opened with an Apple Cup win (24-10) over Washington State, a game in which they committed a dozen penalties for 130 yards, have totaled 40 points in their first two games. They won both, which is a lot better than some other teams right now. Still, while Demond Williams has not turned the ball over, he has only one touchdown pass (also one rushing) and is 95^th nationally in pass efficiency.

At least in the short term, Williams is likely going to have to carry the offense because the running backs room took a big hit against the Cougars with Quaid Carr (hand) and Jayden Limar (elbow) sustaining injuries that could sideline them for two months. This comes a few months after Jordan Washington injured his neck and will not return any time soon. On Monday, the bad news continues to pile on when it was learned that receiver Christian Moss (quad) could be lost for up to three months. Goodness.

Coach Jedd Fisch certainly needs to have an RB or two step up in a meaningful way – sixth-year transfer Trey Cooley (with his fourth school) and true freshman Brian Bonner, Jr. combined for only 44 yards on 16 carries against Utah State — beginning this week against FCS foe Eastern Washington. They will be critical reps before the Big Ten slate commences next week versus visiting Minnesota, which will be followed by a matchup at USC.

Michigan not scoring, but winning

Like Washington, Michigan has won both of its games. It came down to a second opportunity within the final second to beat Western Michigan. Then, it was a slog of a win against Oklahoma. Add it up and, well, there is not much arithmetic required with the Wolverines having scored all of 30 points in two weeks. Again, there are a couple of wins on the board despite a total of 26 first downs and 539 yards.

Bryce Underwood? How about 21-of-39 for 281 yards? Total! He made some things happen with his feet (87 yards, 1 TD) against the Sooners, and did not turn the ball over after throwing a pick and losing a fumble against WMU. Obviously, much more is going to have to click for a unit that is 131^st among 138 FBS teams in averaging 270 yards. Meanwhile, hats off to a defense that has allowed only one touchdown in two games and held John Mateer and the Sooners to 289 yards while forcing a pair of turnovers. A huge assist shall be credited to punter Cam Brown for pinning OU deep in its own territory time and again.

After UTEP visits the Big House on Saturday and collects $1.9 million, Iowa comes to Ann Arbor to open Big Ten play and close the curtain on September. While defense and special teams could continue to reign supreme, Kyle Whittingham’s team is going to have to pick up the pace offensively, which could include a consistent dose of Underwood on the ground.

“He’s a very good runner, and we plan to continue to utilize that in some capacity, pretty much every week,” said the coach of the sophomore quarterback who had some impact on the ground last season, but was not a major threat in rushing for 392 yards and six TDs.