Sizing up the Big Ten

Butch Crawling · 2026-10-11T19:22:15Z

We're halfway through the season and there are definitely some surprises in the conference. Oregon, ranked #2 in the AP preseason poll with 14 first-place votes, has two losses and may need to run the table to secure a CFP bid. Michigan, ranked #16 in the preseason poll, is 0-2 in conference play. Penn State, ranked 18th in the preseason poll and anticipating quick improvement under Matt Campbell, is struggling at 3-3 overall and 0-3 in the B1G. Iowa and Wisconsin (this is a very important season for Luke Fickell) look solid and USC at 5-1 is living up to expectations. Despite Matt Rhule's struggles against the best teams, we saw yesterday that Nebraska is a very good team. They have a big test this Saturday at Oregon, and they host Ohio State in November. The OSU game gives them another chance to get that elusive win against a ranked opponent. UCLA is, imo, the surprise team in the conference. They came out of nowhere in Bob Chesney's (CCC's successor at JMU) first season and are the only other undefeated team in the conference. They've got a strong opponent in Wisconsin this Saturday in the Rose Bowl, but the remaining schedule is not that tough, with maybe the biggest challenges at Michigan (because it's The Big House) and then the final game of the season at home against USC. I don't think it's a stretch to say that UCLA could be playing in Indy on December 5. Finally, I've got to reluctantly give a nod to Purdue. They're much improved, with two big wins the last two weeks. I think we'd beat them anywhere, but I'm still glad the Bucket game is in Bloomington this season.

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Butch Crawling

(@big-ryan)

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Major setback for the Bruins.

UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava to miss season with leg injury

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Topic starter Posted : 10/13/2026 10:35 am

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