All eyes were on Madison in Week 11, as the No. 1 Ducks went down to the wire with unranked Wisconsin. Oregon's bid for a perfect season remained intact, but the showdown at Camp Randall was the highlight of what was otherwise a quiet week in the Big 10. Instead, the focus shifts toward what's shaping up to be an exciting Week 13 slate that includes a matchup between top-five teams.
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Week 12 Result: Lost 49-10 vs Penn State
It was another lopsided loss for the Boilermakers, who've had ample issues getting through their gauntlet of a schedule. Since routing Indiana State to open the season, Purdue has been outscored 393-123. They'll look to double their win total in Week 13 during a road matchup with the Spartans.
Week 12 Result: Lost 31-7 vs Ohio State
Northwestern took the lead early but all positive momentum was killed in the second quarter when a botched snap on a punt and ensuing block on a last-ditch attempt to get the kick off gave Ohio State the ball at the one yard line. From there, it was all Ohio State, as they scored 31 straight to close out the victory. Northwestern will have to defeat Michigan in Ann Arbor and Illinois at home to become bowl eligible.
Week 12 Result: Lost 31-17 vs Rutgers
The Terps suffered their fifth loss in six games. The defeat occurred despite Maryland outgaining Rutgers by 80 yards and converting on eight of 17 third-down chances. They reached Rutgers territory on three straight drives in the fourth quarter, but those opportunities resulted in an interception and a pair of turnovers on downs. Maryland will host Iowa in Week 13.
Week 12 Result: Lost 38-16 at Illinois
The contest was possibly Aidan Chiles' best game of the season. The sophomore quarterback didn't commit a turnover for the first time since Week 3 and exceeded 250 passing yards for the third time this year. His performance was enough to keep the Spartans competitive through three quarters, but Michigan State was outscored 14-0 in the final frame and took the loss. Sparty will host Purdue in Week 13.
Week 12 Result: Lost 28-20 at USC
Trailing by eight with less than three minutes to play, Dylan Raiola led the Cornhuskers down the field and got them inside the redzone with five seconds to go. However, they couldn't pull off the miracle, as Raiola's final pass was intercepted in the end zone. Nebraska has yet to gain bowl eligibility with two games left on their schedule. They'll have to knock off one of Wisconsin or Iowa to reach postseason play.
Week 12 Result: Won 31-17 at Maryland
Kyle Monangai returned from his one-game absence and delivered a pair of touchdown scores. Yet, it was the defense that locked in the Scarlet Knights' victory, forcing an interception and two turnovers on downs in the fourth quarter. Rutgers has separated themselves from their four-game losing midseason skid, having now logged back-to-back wins over Minnesota and Maryland.
Week 12 Result: Lost 31-19 at Washington
Riding a three-game win streak, the Bruins had plenty of chances to contend for a fourth consecutive victory. However, they didn't execute, resulting in the 12-point loss. UCLA fumbled twice in scoring position and missed a 44-yard field goal. Similarly, the Bruins' pair of forced turnovers yielded just three points. Though they couldn't extend the win streak, UCLA still has a solid chance at becoming bowl-eligible. They'll face USC and Fresno State to close out 2024.
Week 12 Result: Won 31-19 vs UCLA
It's been a hectic first season of Big 10 play for the Huskies, who've notched some quality wins (27-17 over Michigan) with some questionable losses (21-18 to Rutgers). Their Week 12 win over UCLA is closer to the top of their list of victories, as the Bruins entered the contest on a three-game winning streak. Perhaps the most interesting part of the victory was the success of true freshman Demond Williams. Williams took over for Will Rogers in the third quarter and led three consecutive scoring drives to clinch the victory. Already bowl-eligible, Washington will close out their season in Week 14 at Oregon.
Week 12 Result: Won 28-20 vs Nebraska
USC made a quarterback change in Week 12, benching Miller Moss in favor of redshirt sophomore Jayden Maiava. Maiava's first start yielded mixed results, as he turned the ball over twice but accounted for four touchdowns and picked up the victory. USC will close out their season with games at UCLA and vs Notre Dame.
Week 12 Result: Lost 16-13 vs Oregon
The Badgers had an opportunity to claim a program-altering victory over the top-ranked team in the nation. However, it was a story that was all too familiar for Badgers fans: subpar quarterback play ruining a masterful defensive performance. Braedyn Locke finished the contest with just 96 passing yards -- 43 of which came on one completion to Vinny Anthony. Locke struggled to make the easy plays, overthrowing a wide open Tawee Walker in the endzone and underthrowing Will Pauling on a slant that would have given the Badgers first and goal back-to-back. Wisconsin had four opportunities to drive down the field and score to win or tie the game. Those drives netted zero yards, and the final chance resulted in a game-sealing interception on a deflected pass.
Week 12 Result: Idle
Iowa, along with most of the top half of the Big 10, stayed put in the power rankings. The Hawkeyes' last month has been a rollercoaster, dropping road games to Michigan State and UCLA while picking up dominant wins over Northwestern and Wisconsin at home. Iowa has a chance to close out their season with a pair of victories, with games at Maryland and vs Nebraska left on the schedule.
Week 12 Result: Idle
Minnesota got the week off to recover from its startling loss to Rutgers in Week 11. The Golden Gophers have a chance to notch a statement win as a rebound, hosting Penn State in Week 13.
Week 12 Result: Idle
Michigan has quietly lost four of its last five games, though three of those losses have come at the hands of ranked opponents. For the first time this season, though, it feels like the Wolverines have a definite answer at quarterback. Since being re-named the starter ahead of Week 9, Davis Warren has thrown for 425 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. They'll close out the 2024 campaign with games against Northwestern and Ohio State.
Week 12 Result: Won 38-16 vs Michigan State
This game was much closer than the final score indicated, as the Fighting Illini scored 17 straight points to close out the contest and pull away from MSU. It was a much needed win for Illinois, who had dropped back-to-back games after opening the season 6-1. They'll have a chance to win out, finishing out their season with road games against Rutgers and Northwestern.
Week 12 Result: Won 49-10 at Purdue
Dominance. That's the word I'd use to describe the Nittany Lions' victory over Purdue in Week 12. Drew Allar completed 17 of his 19 attempts for 247 yards and three scores. it was another exceptional game from Tyler Warren, who turned his 11 touches into 190 yards and two touchdowns. Penn State will close out the season with games against Minnesota and Maryland.
Week 12 Result: Idle
The Hoosiers may not have played in Week 12, but they're still at the forefront of the college football news cycle. First-year Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti inked an eight-year extension and dubbed the Hoosiers the "emerging superpower in college football." The hype surrounding the program will be tested in Week 13 when the Hoosiers travel to Columbus to face Ohio State.
Week 12 Result: Won 31-7 at Northwestern
The Buckeyes had a difficult time early on at Wrigley Field -- the temporary home base for Northwestern to close out the campaign -- allowing the Wildcats to notch back-to-back methodical offensive drives. However, a redzone fumble by Jack Lausch meant that the Wildcats were only able to put up seven points. The Buckeyes put the defensive clamps on afterward, keeping the Wildcats scoreless the rest of the way. The Buckeyes have had some close calls since falling to Oregon, but they've held steady at the top of the AP Poll. They're in a must-watch game in Week 13, facing off against No. 5 Indiana.
Week 12 Result: Won 16-13 at Wisconsin
Oregon is one victory away from its first undefeated regular season since 2010. However, they needed all 60 minutes to leave Madison with a victory. It was a one-possession game from start to finish and Dillon Gabriel gave the sold-out Camp Randall crowd an injection of energy late in the first quarter when his deflected pass in the red zone fell into the hands of a Badgers defensive back. Coincidentally, it was a deflected pass that won the game for Oregon, as Wisconsin's two-minute drill in the fourth quarter ended in a batted ball interception by Matayo Uiagalelei. A road bout with the Huskies of Washington is the only thing standing in the way of a perfect season for the Ducks.