Just three weeks into the season we have a coach firing, and it is in the Big Ten. Deshaun Foster sets a new record being fired just 15 games into his tenure, making Purdue look like it was infinitely patient with Ryan Walters last year. The Bruins are baaaaaaaad, and if they cannot win at Northwestern in their next game they might end up 0-12. A big Ten team has not gone completely unwinfeated since Illinois went 0-11 in 1997. Can UCLA go 0-12? It certainly seems possible.
Here is the week that was:
Indiana 73, Indiana State 0
Just an absolute bloodbath of a game that served only to finance the Indiana State athletic department. The Trees didn’t even gain 100 yards of offense.
New Mexico 35, UCLA 10
New Mexico might be kinda, sorta good, but this was a Darrell Hazell dead coach walking special. UCLA is a broken team right now.
Penn State 52, Villanova 6
The Nittany Lions lost the shutout on the final play of the game. It was the saddest of sad touchdowns.
Ohio State 37, Ohio 9
This was 13-9 in the second half and we were all at least teased with the possibility of Ohio doing the funniest thing. It must be nice to just wake up and realize “Oh, that’s right. We have guys that are just better than you.”
Oregon 34, Northwestern 14
Much like their trip to Purdue last year, the Ducks jumped out to a multi-score lead and put it on cruise control. Solid strategy for a long road trip.
Illinois 38, Western Michigan 0
The Illini look like a second half team. They have started slowly for two weeks in a row, but then dominated the second half. This week’s game at Indiana is, dare I say, compelling?
Alabama 38, Wisconsin 14
This game was the opposite of Purdue-USC, in that the margin feels much closer than the result would indicate. Alabama was never in any real danger. The next few games will be speed round style.
Michigan 63, Central Michigan 3
Nebraska 59, Houston Christian 7
Maryland 44, Towson 17
Rutgers 60, Norfolk State 10
Michigan State 41, Youngstown State 24
Iowa 47, UMass 7
All blowouts where the winning Big Ten team never even trailed. When Iowa scores 30 points in the first half you know it is a bodybag game.
USC 33, Purdue 17
“Purdue is not absolutely terrible anymore” is a good general consensus after this one. At least for a week there were signs of improvement in a loss. 4-5 wins total this season now seems like a reasonable goal, with six on the table if everything goes perfect. The next two games are tough for the Boilers, but maybe they pull a surprise.
California 27, Minnesota 14
The Gophers left their offense in Minneapolis. Last week they scored points than Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele has letters in his name. Two turnovers by the Gophers were critical.
Non-Conference Opponents
Ball State 34, New Hampshire 29 – A decent win for the Cardinals over a ranked FCS team.
Southern Illinois 37, Tennessee-Martin 10 – DJ Williams had 128 yards rushing and three TDs.
Texas A&M 41, Notre Dame 40 – I am not saying Purdue has a chance this week, but clean up some mistakes and get a demoralized Irish team after two gut-wrenching losses and… maybe? Is it a 2% chance?
