At the end of the season, we might look back at Week 4 of B1G football as one of the best weeks of the year. We saw great games from Ohio State and Penn State, among other big storylines. Missed out on any of the action? Let’s recap week 4 + what’s to come in week 5.
Week 4 Recap:
Kyle McCord proved he’s QB1 in Columbus: I was lucky enough to see the last drive in the Ohio State/ Notre Dame game. Kyle McCord showed a masterclass performance to lead The Buckeyes to a HUGE win.
Iowa is NOT scoring 25 PPG this year: Iowa’s offense is terrible; I know that Penn State has a top defense in college football, but the display of offense that Iowa brought to the White Out was one of the worst games I’ve ever seen from an offense. I don’t see any way Iowa averages 25 PPG this year.
Rutgers isn’t ready to take the next level: I was high on Rutgers to upset Michigan last week and at the very least thought they would keep it closer. Rutgers isn’t quite ready to be at the next level in The B1G, but Greg Schiano is putting together a solid season and doing all the right things needed to elevate a program.
Maryland Remains Undefeated: Maryland hasn’t played anyone yet and will have a tough remainder of their schedule, but hey, Maryland football being undefeated coming into week 5 is exciting if you’re a Terps fan.
Wisconsin Still Favorite to Win B1G West: The Badgers haven’t looked great this year, but typically the winner of the B1G West is lackluster compared to the East. Winning the West will be easy if Wisconsin can pull it together. I love Tanner Mordecai and have confidence in them to finish with 8+ wins.
Northwestern 2-2?!: I’m probably not the only CFB fan who is shocked NW is off to a 2-2 start. With all of the controversy surrounding their program coming into the season, I honestly thought their ceiling was 1-2 wins. I don’t know if NW can sustain this as they go into B1G play, but it is impressive that they are off to a good start.
The White Out is AMAZING no matter who PSU plays: Rain didn’t stop us from partying Saturday night in Happy Valley as Penn State shutout Iowa 31-0. Despite the blowout & a little rain, the White Out was still amazing, you can’t tell me there’s a better show in sports.
Week 4 Power Rankings:
- Michigan 4-0
- Ohio State 4-0
- Penn State 4-0
- Maryland 4-0 ⬆️
- Wisconsin 3-1 ⬆️
- Rutgers 3-1 ⬇️
- Iowa 3-1 ⬇️
- Illinois 2-2
- Nebraska 2-2 ⬆️
- Northwestern 2-2 ⬆️
- Michigan State 2-2 ⬇️
- Minnesota 2-2 ⬇️
- Indiana 2-2
- Purdue 1-3 ⬇️
B1G Player of the Week: Bryce Kirtz
Bryce Kirtz went off for Northwestern on Saturday putting up 10 catches for 215 yards and two touchdowns in an OT comeback win over Minnesota. Kirtz’s big day marked the fourth most single-game receiving yards in program history and helped NW get a much needed win in what became their first home Big Ten West victory since 2020. Northwestern fans, I’m sorry but with everything up in the air with NW football, I bet Kirtz transfers out after the season if he continues to have a successful year.
WEEK 5 PREVIEW:
Game of the week: Michigan at Nebraska
Compared to last week, there are no real marquee games in the B1G, but every week can’t be 10/10 football. I think Michigan gets the win here, but with how they have been playing, I can see Nebraska keeping it close IF Heinrich Haarberg can hold onto the football.
Upset of the week: Louisiana at Minnesota
Let’s define an upset real fast; while I really wouldn’t call it an upset if Louisiana beats Minnesota this weekend, Minnesota is a double-digit favorite so we have called it upset. I don’t like The Gophers at all and if this was in Louisana, taking the Rajin Cagins would be a lock for me.
Players to Watch:
- JJ McCarthy (Michigan, QB) – McCarthy has faced more adversity to start the year than Michigan fans would have liked. Nebraska is no joke, if he struggles, The Wolverines could be in trouble.
- Darius Taylor (Minnesota, RB) – The B1G’s leading rusher needs to continue to produce if Minnesota wants any chance of winning the B1G West. Taylor is an exciting player to watch on an overall bad team.
- Bryce Kirtz (Northwestern, WR) – After his breakdown performance last week, Kirtz will look to find production against Penn State’s stellar secondary.
- Drew Allar (Penn State, QB) – If Allar wants to keep climbing the Heisman rankings, he needs another 4 touchdown performance against NW this weekend.
