Michigan stuns USC with last minute TD and only 32 yards passing.
USC vs. Michigan. Wait, is it January 1st? Is it 1969? or 1977? Winning with 32 yards passing? Is this Bo Schembechler vs. John Robinson? Who turned on the time machine?
Michigan with all of their troubles on offense, turned to Alex Orji to try to resurrect their anemic offense. They also turned to a formula that worked to perfection against Penn State last year, and that was the run game. USC ultimately did not have an answer. In a game of ebbs and flows, it looked like Michigan was literally going to run Lincoln Riley and his Trojans out of The Big House and on the plane back to LA. Then USC made some adjustments and took the lead, looking like they were going to steal their B1G Ten debut. Then with under 3 minutes remaining, Michigan got the ball back, and bullied USC down the field. Kalel Mullins got his second touchdown with under 40 seconds remaining to seal it. One could second guess Riley's play calling in the last possession. Screen passes that were mystifying. Just a weird game. These two teams do not scream National Champion contender. But if they have any aspirations of getting to the playoff, this was a must win. Especially for Michigan. They stay in the conversation, for now, but will not beat teams of substance with 32 yards passing. And if you can't beat a team that only throws for 32 yards, that is all that needs to be said.
Illinois Keeps it Going with an Overtime Thriller
How many of you had Illinois still undefeated and ranked in the top 20 at the end of September. Seriously. How many of you had them in a battle of unbeaten ranked teams when they traveled to Nebraska. Luke Altmeyer had 4 touchdown passes, including the overtime winner for the Illini. This was another of those weird games that seemed like nobody wanted to win. Nebraska had leads on three different occasions in the second half and couldn't put it away. Welcome to the B1G Ten season. Dylan Riola got his first taste of B1G Ten football, and he felt it, getting hammered on numerous occasions. He will learn from it. These two teams are fun to watch. If Nebraska keeps playing like this, they are going to be a difference maker in the B1G Ten. But let's talk about Illinois. We will see what they are made of when they travel to Happy Valley next to take on #9 Penn State. Then they have a match up at home with #12 Michigan. They will also be fun to watch. Stay tuned.
Rutgers stays amongst the unbeatens, keep an eye on them with their favorable schedule.
Going into the fourth quarter, Rutgers was on the road at Virginia Tech with a two touchdown lead. Things were looking good, then all of the sudden they were tied with the Hokies. How would this team that is not so used to winning these types of games handle the pressure? No problem....a last second minute field goal, and The Scarlet Knights are still undefeated. Scoff at this if you want, but let's take a look at their schedule...No Ohio State. No Michigan. No Oregon. No Penn State. How is that possible? Their toughest test could be at USC on October 25. They only have one more ranked team on their schedule, Illinois in November. They could be heading into Michigan State on Thanksgiving weekend, looking for a spot for the B1G Ten Championship game. Sound crazy? Maybe not.
No other surprises this week in conference play.
Iowa looked great on the road with a win in Minnesota. One wonders how long the PJ Fleck experience will keep going before it gets stale. Washington is undefeated in conference play. No surprise there, it was a home game against Northwestern. Michigan State lost in heartbreaking fashion, but still show a lot of promise. They will be a factor. Indiana keeps going, albeit against a cream puff. UCLA and Purdue, welllll.....
This week's Top 5
1. Ohio State---Hard to take them from the top spot. They looked impressive against Marshall. They get their first taste of the B1G Ten with a road game in East Lansing against MSU. Michigan State is depleted on the offensive side of the ball. May be an ugly night game.
2. Oregon -- Again a coin flip with Penn State. I will go with Oregon here, based on their last game against Oregon St. in Corvallis. Next up for them, a road trip to UCLA. They are almost as big a favorite on the road as Ohio St. is in East Lansing. Ouch.
3. Penn State--I know they played this past week, but it was Kent State. The Golden Flashes are the whipping boys for the Power 5 this year. It is hard to take anything good from this. But they didn't lose. So I will leave them at 3. They get the upstart #19 Illini this weekend. Should be fun!
4. Illinois---Yes, I know that they are ranked below Michigan. But they won a big road game against a ranked opponent. It isn't easy to win in Nebraska. Especially now. Ranked 19th is better than a lot of people thought they would be. They go to Happy Valley this weekend to take on #9 Penn State. Will be telling!
5. Michigan--Yes i know it's a homer pick. But they beat a ranked team. Still many question marks. But will see if this momentum will stick. We shall see. They need better O line Play and QB play, obviously. Next up-Minnesota and the battle for The Little Brown Jug.
HM--Rutgers and Indiana---Both undefeated Indiana home to Maryland, Rutgers home to Washington. Both winnable games. Enjoy the games this weekend!
Join me again this week and every week at 7 for another edition of the Captain Lou Extravaganza live on https://12ozsports.com/! We will preview the upcoming B1G Ten schedule and of course give oyu another chance to register to win in The Captain Lou Six Pack Challenge!
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Michigan stuns USC with last minute TD and only 32 yards passing..jpg)
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