The Big Ten returned to form with some commanding Week 11 results which, combined with outside chaos, helped boost its Playoff chances.
The Big Ten needed a week like this. Week 11 of the season was notable due to the No. 1 and 3 teams falling on the same night; Mississippi State was close to creating full-blown anarchy, but Alabama always seems to find a way.
In a way, it was a reversal of what we saw in Week 10, when no teams in the top 5 lost, but chaos reigned supreme because of what happened in the Big Ten. This week, the Big Ten largely held serve while the teams in front of them went down in glorious fashion.
Not only has Wisconsin’s playoff stock risen greatly, Ohio State’s chances went from zero to “so you’re telling me there’s a chance.” Before we get to Playoff discussion, though, let’s run through the rest of the results from Week 11.
It was a battle of 0-6 teams in Illinois and Indiana, yet the Hoosiers showed how great the disparity between them was. If you find yourself winless in the Big Ten, the easiest solution to that is to play Illinois, as Indiana became the fourth team this season to get their first win against them.
All of Illinois’ first-half drives ended in a punt while Jeff George Jr. turned the ball over three times, two of which came on his team’s final two drives. They may play hard defense, but their ineptitude on offense is the reason why many knew they wouldn’t win a single Big Ten game this season. This team is clearly looking ahead to next year.
You have to feel bad for Maryland. They were down to their fourth quarterback of the year, and his first start came against Michigan’s defense. However, not all of Ryan Brand’s mistakes can be chalked up to the Wolverines’ pass rush. There was one pass he completed that managed to go 14 yards backward. Special teams played a part, too, as Wade Lees’ blocked punt led to the Wolverines going up 28-0.
The good news, Maryland just has to win their last two games to be guaranteed bowl eligibility. The bad news, those two games are against Michigan State and Penn State.