Indiana Makes a Statement Punking UCLA at The Rose Bowl; Wisconsin and Washington Get Humbled at Home; Oregon and Nebraska Roll; B1G Ten Top 5

Who's afraid of the big bad Rose Bowl?

The Rose Bowl is supposed to be an intimidating presence for opposing teams, especially team s from the B1G Ten.  Just ask some of those great Ohio State and Michigan teams from the '70s and '80s.  Well, someone forgot to tell that to Indiana and quarterback Kurtis Rourke.  All he did was pass for 307 yards and four touchdowns as the Hoosiers pummeled the Bruins 42-10 in Pasadena this past Saturday night.  Head Coach Curt Cignetti said earlier in the week, they were going to treat it like a business trip.  Wow did they take care of business, alright.  They hammered, bloodied, and tossed around UCLA, not ot mention embarrass them.  This was supposed to be a showcase for the Bruins.  A welcome in to the B1G Ten.  Well, I couldn't think of a ruder welcoming.  Time to take Indiana serious yet?  We shall see!

Badgers and Huskies get embarrassed at home.

Michigan losing to Texas a week ago was not a good look.  They looked bewildered and at times lost.  Texas is the number one team.  Alabama came into Camp Randall Stadium at made that game look tame.  This was another statement game.  This wasn't a neutral site game that we are accustomed to seeing Alabama play in September when they play a team of substance.  They actually went on the road and delivered the hammer.  Jalen Milroe looked like a Heisman candidate.  He was like a knife cutting through butter against that Badger defense.  Alabama is for real.  They are not letting up.  I know it's still early.  But don't think this team doesn't want to show they can win without Nick Saban.  I am not sure what is going on with Washington.  That was an ugly look at home.  You know Washington State was coming to play, feeling slighted.   They had all the motivation, all the incentive.  But Washington looked flat.  Make no mistake, that was caused by Washington State, but the Huskies are in for a long, long season if they keep this up.  

Oregon and Nebraska Roll

Oregon needed this win.  You could tell from earlier in the week, Oregon and Dillon Gabriel were getting tired of defending their wins over Idaho and Boise St.  This had the makings of another game like Washington and Wazoo.  Chip on their shoulders, feeling slighted, that being the Cougars.  Well, Oregon left no doubt who the best team in that state is.  And a road win.  Those are huge.  And this wasn't a win against a true G5 team.  This was in Corvallis.  Very impressive.  This is a win Oregon needed.  Soon, now, we will see what they can do in the B1G Ten.  If their was any worry for Nebraska to show a let down, or looking past Northern Iowa, that was short lived.  They looked good, like they had to in the win.  Now they can look forward to starting the B1G Ten weekend this Friday in a ranked matchup with Illinois.  Wow, I can't believe I am saying that.  Illinois and Nebraska both ranked at the same time in the Top 25.  

Other Comings and Goings

Michigan bounced back with a win, albeit not that impressive against Arkansas State.  Now they get USC this coming Saturday at The Big House at 3:30 on CBS, and are doing that with a new starting quarterback in Alex Orji.  We shall se how that works against the Lincoln Riley defense.  This is a game Michigan must have.  Illinois hammered CMU,  which is no surprise.  Iowa bounced back after losing in Iowa fashion.  Maryland did, as well.  Purdue....oh boy.  Michigan State had a glorified scrimmage.   Keep an eye on them this week though, at Boston College.  I wouldn't sleep on them Saturday night.  Northwestern is 2-1, all of the sudden.  

B1G Ten Top 5

1. Ohio State--They were off this week, as was USC and Penn State.  Nobody else did anything to knock them off this perch.  I think we will see their meddle October 12th against Oregon.  Another walk through with Marshall this week, then they go to East Lansing, where history has not always been kind to them.

2.  Oregon--As we mentioned earlier, this was a statement game for them.  A road test against their arch in-state rival in Oregon State.  This was a win they had to have, in the way they won.  And they checked both boxes.  We shall see if they can build on this momentum.  Off week for the Ducks.

3.  Penn State--Again, you could almost cal this a coin flip with USC for 3rd or 4th.  I go with Penn State 3rd only because they won impressively in enemy territory in week one over West Virginia.  This week they get a Kent State team that was trailing 65-0 at halftime.  Oh Boy, another glorified scrimmage.  

4.  USC---See above. Yes I know they beat LSU, but that was a neutral site game.  They get their first true road test this week against a Michigan team trying to find themselves on offense.  This could be the perfect time for USC to make a B1G Ten debut.  

5.  Indiana--Wow this was close.  But how can you not acknowledge what Indiana did, winning on the road at the Rose Bowl.  And in the fashion they did, that game wasn't even close.  The Hoosiers get the week off, so this may be a short stay, but can enjoy it while they can.

HM--Illinois and Nebraska

Both teams ranked and playing each other this Friday night to open B1G Ten weekend play.  A fun way to do that.  Keep an eye on Michigan State at Boston College.  

You can catch me every Wednesday night at 7 pmET on https://12ozsports.com/ for the Captain Lou Extravaganza, where we get you timely guests and get you ready for the sports weekend!