First and Ten – Week Six

Ten takeaways from the sixth weekend of Big Ten Football. You can follow along all season on SiriusXM Big Ten Radio (Ch. 372).

HOOSIERS TESTED AGAIN

Northwestern gave Indiana a run for their money a few weeks ago with the Hoosiers fending off the Wildcats in a tough matchup. Indiana had another battle on their hands last week in Lincoln and had to comeback late to beat a very solid Nebraska team looking for the upset. Indiana prevailed, barely, to stay undefeated.

NEBRASKA NO PUSHOVER

The Huskers came into the Indiana game undefeated and head coach Matt Ruhle had to like the effort his team gave against the reigning champions. But the defense wasn’t able to stand the test in the late going and Nebraska’s dream of an upset disappeared. It doesn’t get any easier for the Huskers with a trip out west to play Oregon this weekend.

DUCKS DOWN

Speaking of Oregon, things are not trending positively for the Ducks after loss number two of the season last week at the hands of UCLA. Nebraska and Illinois are next before Northwestern rolls around on the schedule.

NORTHWESTERN NOT SLOWING DOWN

As expected, the Wildcats had no problem with Ball State at home last week. As has been the case, coach David Braun’s team is playing very good defense and the Chip Kelly offense, led by Aidan Chiles, is sometimes impossible to stop. Northwestern should no longer surprise anyone and will be in the hunt playing this level of football.

THE FITZ BOWL

Ironically Northwestern’s next game is against former head coach Pat Fitzgerald at Michigan State this Saturday. Both Fitz and Braun have downplayed any animosity or hostility between the two teams given recent history. On paper, Northwestern should have no trouble against the Spartans but still expect emotions to be high in East Lansing.

UCLA IS A O K…FOR NOW

Last year’s Indiana run feels like its manifested itself at UCLA this year. Former James Madison coach Bob Chesney has in a short period of time instilled some magic in the Bruins, Ala Curt Cignetti’s JMU-Indiana transformation. But now come reports UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava is expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 season after his injury last Saturday, a blow that could derail the Bruins hot start to the season.

IOWA BOUNCES BACK

Ohio State took the wind out of Iowa’s sails two weekends ago in Iowa City. But the Hawkeyes came right back with a Friday night road win at Washington and now head into a bye weekend. Iowa has all the signs of being in the mix for the title right behind Indiana, Ohio State, UCLA, USC and even Northwestern.

EYES ON USC

The Trojans won a very tough game on the road in a “White Out” at Penn State prime time Saturday night. USC sits at 6-1 on the season and has a bye week before traveling to Wisconsin ahead of a huge match when Ohio State comes to the Coliseum. Make no mistake, Lincoln Riley will have his team ready for the visiting Buckeyes in a game that will play a huge role in the conference championship.

PESKY PURDUE

All of a sudden, the Boilermakers are on a two game winning streak. After beating Illinois in Champaign, Purdue came home and beat Minnesota in West Lafayette in at least a mild upset considering the way the Gophers have played recently. Could they make it three in a row? A somewhat wobbly Washington comes to Ross-Ade Stadium on Friday night.

O FOR CONFERENCE CONTINUES

There are now six teams looking for their first conference win of the season; Rutgers, Maryland, Michigan State, Penn State, Washington and Michigan.