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Big Ten Football: The Sunday Morning Recap

Posted By: DJ Hoyt

Iowa and Ohio State had marquee non-conference match ups this week, but it was Iowa who rose to the occasion

Week two is in the books and we have lots to discuss. The Big Ten took center stage with big games throughout Saturday, but it was the performance by the Hawkeyes in Ames, IA that was the most impressive.

The Lead

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It was the 68th meeting between the Hawkeyes and Cyclones, and the first time these two teams met while being ranked in the AP Top 25. Iowa had won the past five meetings in the series, but talk was this was Matt Campbell’s best team yet and could flip that trend. Perhaps that talk was premature.

The Hawkeyes extended their win streak against in-state rival ISU, coming out victorious 27-17. It was 14-10 at the half, but Iowa would use three turnovers in the third quarter to pull away from the Cyclones. Like last week, Iowa would pick off the quarterback three times. Two interceptions were recorded by DB Matt Hankins, while the third was recorded by LB Seth Benson.

Adding to those picks was a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown by linebacker Jack Campbell that started the second half scoring, and put Iowa up 21-10 at the time.

In what many thought would be a battle of running backs, neither Tyler Goodson or Breece Hall would reach 70 yards rushing. Spencer Petras would not light up the Cyclones through the air either, but would complete some key throws throughout the game, such as the 21 yard strike to TE Sam Laporta on 3rd and 15 in the second quarter. That completion built momentum for a drive that would go 10 plays and 71 yards, before Petras would connect with WR Charlie Jones on a 26 yard touchdown.

For Iowa, the win over ISU is their second win against a top 25 team after beating Indiana in week one. One can argue that right now, no other team in the country has a better resume on paper. It’s still premature to discuss CFP ramifications, but Iowa has put themselves into position where current playoff discussion needs to include the Hawkeyes.

Ohio State Has A Run Problem

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Ohio State’s CFP chances on the other hand feel like they are on life support.

The Buckeyes welcomed the Oregon Ducks to the Shoe for a top 15 match up on Saturday. In what felt like a repeat of their game against Minnesota in week one, the Buckeyes couldn’t stop Oregon’s run game. CJ Verdell was credited for 161 yards on 20 carries. He would finish the day with three touchdowns, where his second was credited as a reception instead of a run.

All day long, the Ducks exploited the edge of the Buckeye defense. Defensive Coordinator Kerry Coombs continued to run a man scheme that Oregon would abuse with crossing patterns, crackbacks, and jet sweeps. At times, Oregon seemed to run identical plays in the running game and OSU defenders would never be in a position to stop it.

Through two games, the Buckeye defense has given up 472 yards on the ground. For anyone who doesn’t want to do the math, that comes out to an average of 236 yards. For a team that recruits the talent that the Buckeyes do, and that has the goal of reaching the CFP, that type of production is unacceptable.

Could the Buckeyes still win out and make the CFP? Sure, they did it in 2014. However, like last season, this Buckeye defense has significant issues. In 2020 they couldn’t stop the pass. Now they cannot stop the run. If these issues aren’t fixed this season, Ryan Day may have to ask if he has the right guy coordinating the unit moving forward.

Defense Is Returning

Some pundits have talked about how they thought defense would return to college football this fall. Reasons for why have varied from person to person. Whether it’s because of factors like super seniors, normal off-season work returning, defenses becoming more versatile, or a combination of it all, the consensus was defenses would be improved.

Taking a look at yards per game (YPG) and points per game (PPG), I wanted to see where some schools were falling two weeks in. I decided to pick out five schools who have not played a FCS opponent, but also have passed the eye test. By that I mean these units just look the part as strong defensive units.

Of course it is early in the season, but below is the breakdown of these schools compared to their 2019 metrics. I decided not to use 2020 because of some teams playing less or more games than others which would skew the results.

Michigan is giving up an average of 326.5 YPG, and 12 PPG. In 2019, the numbers were 275.2 YPG and 19.4 PPG.

Wisconsin is giving up 194.5 YPG and 11.5 PPG. In 2019, it was 344.2 YPG and 22.6 PPG.

Penn State has held the opposition to 327 YPG, while holding teams to 11.5 PPG. In 2019, it was 350.5 YPG and 20.5 PPG.

Iowa has held teams to an average of 286 YPG, and 11.5 PPG. The 2019 team recorded 293.6 YPG and 17.8 PPG.

Rutgers is holding teams to 259.5 YPG and 10.5 PPG, on their way to a 2-0 start. The 2019 team averaged 401.5 YPG and 31.4 PPG.

It is a strong start for these teams to the 2021 season, at least on defense. I’ll be interested to see how these numbers change come late November.

Tweets of the week

Players of the Week

Offense

Payton Thorne – QB – Michigan State

Thorne led the Spartans over FCS Youngstown State on Saturday, 42-14. He went 15 for 21, recording 280 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also ran the ball three times for 19 yards and one score. WR Jayden Reed caught four of those passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns.

Defense

Matt Hankins – DB – Iowa

Another week, another Iowa Hawkeye with defensive weekly honors. Matt Hankins picked off ISU QB Brock Purdy twice, helping to lead the Hawkeyes to their sixth straight win over the Cyclones. Hankins would also record four tackles along with his pair of picks.

Next Week’s Focus

#25 Auburn @ #11 Penn State