All 18 Big Ten teams were in action this weekend, each playing a rivalry game to close out the regular season. (Well, Michigan State and Maryland didn't, because both of their main Big Ten rivals each have bigger rivals to save for rivalry weekend, so they played each other.) As a rule, rivalry games don't often teach you much. There's too much emotion and too many quirks at play to assume they act like regular games. Also, no one wants to end their season on the bad note of losing to a rival. So, for this final installment in our series these year, we're not going to have a takeaway for the losing teams. No reason to add insult to injury. So it's one takeaway from each Big Ten game this weekend, but (for the most part, at least), we're just looking at the winner.
1. Ohio State exorcised a lot of demons
The Buckeyes finally beat Michigan again, and they did it with some impressive bully-ball in the second half. Ryan Day got the monkey off his back, and no one will ever challenge this program's toughness for a long, long time.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement2. Michigan was so confident in their loss that they had a plan to pretend the midfield logo
Okay, so we can add insult to injury to TTUN, can't we? Also, this is legitimately funny. As was this:
3. Indiana is a dominant force
We'll find out what happens next week when the Hoosiers finally face the Buckeyes, but this team certainly looks elite. Buckeye fans should be wary of this one.
4. Oregon is returning to the Playoff
In the first two years of the 12-team Playoff, we're likely looking at a maximum of five teams reaching both brackets. Oregon will be one of them (as will Indiana and Ohio State).
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement5. Iowa has found its offense
The Iowa Hawkeyes didn't have a consistently potent offense this season, but it was strong far more often than we're used to seeing from this program. Iowa was one drive away in each game. This team came very close to going undefeated against one of the tougher schedules in the country, losing four games by a total of 15 points. Watch out for Iowa next year.
Aug 31, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Luke Lachey (85) looks for yards after catch against the Illinois State Redbirds during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports6. USC finished strong
The Trojans were one slightly off game against Illinois away from making the Playoff. They started slow against UCLA, but eventually found their rhythm and crushed their crosstown rival. Next year's schedule is rough (to say the least), but 9-3 might be good enough for a Playoff berth against it.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement7. Minnesota reversed the trends
Minnesota was a bit listless heading into its rivalry game, while Wisconsin was rapidly improving. P.J. Fleck's team ended that, though, controlling the line of scrimmage and the pace of the game to end the regular season on a high note and to take home Paul Bunyan's Axe.
8. Penn State salvaged something
After a brutal six-game losing streak, Penn State won its last three games to earn a bowl berth. And this win didn't come easy, as Rutgers played well with its season on the line. The Nittany Lions will have something to build on as the new regime begins next year.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement9. Michigan State finally won one
The Spartans looked like they had given up on their season at times this year. They lost their first eight Big Ten games, though they kept most of them close. Closing out the season with a win always feels good, especially considering that with next year's brutal schedule, getting to even four wins again might not be possible.
10. Illinois limped to the finish
The Illini came into the season with borderline Playoff hopes. Indiana crushed those, cruelly, just four games into the season. This team fought hard after that, but it was never quite the same, especially after Ohio State added a second loss. Still, eight wins at Illinois is nothing to sneeze at, and next year's schedule is a bit easier. Bret Bielema is building something in Champaign; the question is how low their eventual ceiling actually is.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: What we learned from each Big Ten game in rivalry week
AdvertisementAdvertisement