Big Ten Superlatives: Week 3

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Before getting fully focused on the White Out, take a look at what happened around the conference last weekend

Best Win of the Week: Rutgers 35, Virginia Tech 16

Look, while in BSD meme terms this would be categorized as an “elite” win, Virginia Tech clearly isn’t your father’s vintage. However, credit Rutgers with improving to 3-0 for a third straight season. In each of the past few seasons, a multi-game losing streak has followed. That’s unlikely with Wagner coming in Week 5. But first, the unbeaten Scarlet Knights, led by running back Kyle Monangai, head to Ann Arbor on Saturday.

Worst Loss of the Week: Washington 41, Michigan State 7

This one was never a contest. Less than a week removed from head coach Mel Tucker being suspended, Hesiman trophy candidate Michael Penix Jr. had the Huskies ahead 35-0 at the half in Spartan Stadium. It’s a contentious situation in East Lansing right now with Maryland and Iowa - a combined 6-0 currently - up next on the schedule.

Offensive Player of the Week: Heinrich Haarberg, Nebraska

The home-state redshirt freshman quarterback got his first appearance for the Huskers and helped Matt Rhule earn his first win as the head coach in Lincoln. Haarberg passed for 158 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 98 yards and a score on the ground, as Nebraska topped NIU 35-11.

Defensive Player of the Week: Penn State’s Defense

My weekly homer pick. I couldn’t narrow it down to one player, but we will name a few from a group that had allowed only seven points when the game was still in doubt. While most of us are wringing our hands over the offense’s fits and starts, Manny Diaz’s defense delivered on Satuday in Champaign. The group effectively stymied Illinois’s running game, forced five turnovers (including four interceptions) and played with the swagger Penn State fans have been waiting to see. Special credit to Johnny Dixon and Daequan Hardy for knowing the Illini’s route tree better than the Illinois receivers.

Offensive Play of the Week: Michigan Flea Flicker

Penn State scored on a trick play of its own on Saturday, but it didn’t have the degree of difficulty of this one from the Big House on Saturday night. It was a rough day overall for Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, but he got a little help from receiver Cornelius Johnson on this pitch and catch.

Defensive Play of the Week: Wisconsin interceptions

While the aforementioned Nittany Lions had four interceptions on Saturday, the Badgers did them one better. Here are those picks as Wisconsin bounced back with a 35-14 win in Madison.

Most Big Ten Thing of the Week: A close call at the pylon

Don’t get me started. But of course IU was stopped on fourth and goal a player later and a neutral field rally attempt against Louisville was denied.

Most Big Ten West Thing of the Week: Down to One

North Carolina handled Minnesota on Saturday, meaning that there’s just one 3-0 team in the Big Ten West compared to five teams in the East that have that record. At the moment, teams in the East have a combined record of 18-3, while it’s 11-10 in the West.

Most Iowa Thing of the Week: Band Does Cool Stuff

This is awesome. Enjoy.

Thing We Are Looking Forward to the Most: Saturday night in Happy Valley

You know…

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By: Bennett765
Title: Big Ten Superlatives: Week 3
Sourced From: www.blackshoediaries.com/2023/9/18/23877498/big-ten-superlatives-week-3-2023-football
Published Date: Mon, 18 Sep 2023 14:02:00 +0000

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