The USC Trojans and the Indiana Hoosiers are coming off a break with a game that will change the Big Ten. The seasons for both the Oregon Ducks and the Ohio State Buckeyes have taken sharp turns. Oregon still has a shot at contention, while the Buckeyes' season seems to be crumbling. Kyle Whittingham of Michigan might have a hotter seat than Lincoln Riley.
Here is what we learned from Week 10 in Big Ten football:
Indiana vs USC will heavily affect the outcome of Big Ten football season
It is becoming more and more clear that the UCLA Bruins will end up in the Big Ten title game. Their opponent could be one of the 2 teams featured in the Indiana Hoosiers vs. USC Trojans game this Saturday. Both teams have a clear path to reach that destination, solely if they win out. The Trojans can not afford another loss; the Hoosiers,
however, with 1 loss, have a cleaner path. If the Trojans show up as the team that beat down the Ohio State Buckeyes in Week 9, they should be able to handle the Hoosiers as well. Like many games, it will just depend on which Trojans team shows up. The UCLA Bruins could be facing either a familiar foe or a program that they are constantly being compared to.
Matt Rhule's coaching seat should be scorching hot
The Nebraska Cornhuskers have now lost 4 straight games, and each loss continues to get worse. What was a season that started off with hope has fallen completely on its face following a loss to the Illinois Fighting Illini. How much faith is left in Matt Rhule to turn things around? This team looks no better than when he took the program over in 2022.
UCLA has a quarterback
Backup quarterback Ty Dieffenbach played with confidence, and he has taken his game to the next level. He is no longer just a serviceable fill-in for the UCLA Bruins; he looks the part. He led the Bruins past an underrated Minnesota Gophers team with 3 passing touchdowns, 303 yards, and 27 yards on the ground. He is heating up at the right time.
Michigan has hit rock bottom
Losing to a struggling rival, the Michigan State Spartans, is inexcusable and a sign that the Michigan Wolverines do not have the right head coach. It has been nothing but disappointment this season for the Wolverines, and one of the biggest issues for this team has not been solved, with quarterback play remaining an obstacle. Kyle Whittingham's tenure as Michigan's head coach might end just as quickly as it started. He could get fired in a month, making him more of a hot seat threat than Lincoln Riley. Adding Matt Rhule to the picture, a lot of Big Ten football coaches are running into real hot-seat trouble. Ryan Day at Ohio State is another example.
Oregon Ducks have shot at the CFP
Their season looked dead a few weeks ago, but the Oregon Ducks have quickly revived themselves and are back in the hunt for a College Football Playoff berth, with a great play as of late. The Ducks have some great wins on their resume, and it seems like Dylan Raiola has found his footing with the offense. The Ducks have as much talent as anyone, and that talent is now playing to the expectations on both sides of the ball. I would not be surprised if they can get in the playoffs as a 3-loss team.
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Ohio State and Michigan might have hotter seats than Lincoln Riley
