B1G Rewind: How the West won, tiebreakers, old Big 12 North, games I’d like to see

Big Ten West Division teams have fought unfavorable comparisons with the old Big 12 North based on a perceived imbalance in stature and competition with their eastern brethren.

Entering Saturday's competition, the East held a 4-2 edge against the West in crossover games and its average margin of victory ws nearly 21 points. With West Division leader Iowa facing East Division cellar-dweller Indiana, pride was at stake for the divisions. An Indiana upset could shape a narrative that the East's worst team was better than the West's top squad.

While it's undetermined how equal the division's leadership is with one another, the West Division acquitted itself nicely on Saturday in winning four of the five crossover match-ups. No. 9 Iowa took care of its business in a hard-fought, 35-27 win over the Hoosiers. Nebraska shocked No. 7 Michigan State 39-38, No. 24 Northwestern edged Penn State 23-21 and Wisconsin won 31-24 at Maryland. No. 3 Ohio State prevented a sweep with a 28-14 home victory against Minnesota.

Outside of Iowa's win, the games involving Northwestern-Penn State and Nebraska-Michigan State carried the most intrigue. The Wildcats (7-2, 3-2) led 20-7 at halftime, but the Nittany Lions (7-2, 4-2) rallied for two touchdowns to take a 21-20 lead. Northwestern missed an extra point and a field goal but kept faith in kicker Jack Mitchell, who prevailed with a 35-yard field goal with nine seconds left.

'I think, coming into the game, we had the eighth-toughest schedule in the country and the toughest in the Big Ten,' Northwestern Coach Pat Fitzgerald said. 'We beat a seven-win team (Saturday), and that should do nothing but help our strength of schedule, and finding a way to win — win and advance. We're kind of in that playoff mentality.'

The raw numbers belie Nebraska's improbable 39-38 upset over Michigan State (8-1, 4-1). The Spartans drove down the field on a 16-play, 75-yard drive and churned 8 minutes, 56 seconds off the clock to lead 38-26. With 4:10 left, the Cornhuskers picked up three third-down conversions on their next drive and cut their deficit to 38-33 with 1:47 remaining.

Nebraska (4-6, 2-4) exhausted its timeouts on Michigan State's next possession and took over at its 9-yard line with 55 seconds left. Quarterback Tommy Armstrong completed three passes for 91 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown strike to Brandon Reilly with 17 seconds left. Reilly was out of bounds and re-entered the field of play to make the catch. Reilly, for one, was nervous before as the play was reviewed.

'Yeah, very,' he said. 'When it was all-time high, I think my heart just stopped. We needed this one more than anything. Words can't describe how I'm feeling right now, I'm just so excited it worked out the way it did.'

Officials ruled Michigan State defensive back Jermaine Edmonson forced Reilly out of bounds. Replays were ambiguous, and the play stood as called.

'Well, we really thought initially it was going to be ruled out of bounds,' Nebraska Coach Mike Riley said. 'So we were getting ready for another play from about the 30-yard line, is what we were actually preparing for and then we were actually surprised when they signaled touchdown. I think they were actually reviewing whether or not he caught the ball in bounds but that didn't even appear to be close, so that was how it kind of came down.'

'I got an explanation,' Michigan State Coach Mark Dantonio said. 'They said that the receiver was pushed out of bounds ... everybody saw the replay. I'm not qualified for that job. My job is to coach and I'm going to do the very best I can. That's somebody else's job.'

Cross-divisional games now stand at 6-5 in the West's favor. Three more regular-season games remain this season: Ohio State and Illinois and Nebraska at Rutgers this week, and Indiana at Purdue in the finale. Of course, there's a Big Ten championship game on Dec. 5 in Indianapolis in the most important battle between the divisions. After all, last year's 59-0 domination by Ohio State over Wisconsin at Indianapolis helped accelerated the narrative.

CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVE

Iowa remains in control of the West Division race at 9-0 and 5-0 in league play. The Hawkeyes own tiebreakers over the only teams capable of earning the title (Wisconsin 5-1; Northwestern 3-2). Wisconsin needs to win its final two games and have Iowa lose at least two, while Northwestern needs to win all three and have Iowa lose out.

The East is murkier with Ohio State (5-0), Michigan State (4-1), Michigan (4-1) and Penn State (4-2) all alive. Here are those scenarios:

All either Ohio State and Michigan State need to do is win out to claim the East title. They play each other on Nov. 21. Michigan needs to win out — it plays host to Ohio State on Nov. 28 — and for Michigan State to lose again. Penn State needs to beat Michigan and Michigan State and have both teams beat Ohio State in order to take the East crown.

Iowa last played Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State in 2013. The Hawkeyes last faced Penn State in 2012.

CROSSOVER GAMES I'D LIKE TO SEE

If only the Big Ten could schedule crossover games after the season already as started. This year's non-divisional meetings were plotted out two years ago. But if I were given a scheduling wish within the conferences, here's how I'd craft an additional crossover matchup this fall:

1. Iowa vs. Michigan. Not only are these teams ranked among the nation's top 15, but a C.J. Beathard-Jake Rudock quarterback duel has an Isaac-Ishmael flavor to it. So in Big Ten terms, it's Biblical.

2. Nebraska vs. Indiana. The Cornhuskers rank 125th against the pass and the Hoosiers are 127th. Indiana's Nate Sudfeld and Nebraska's Tommy Armstrong Jr. rank first and third, respectively, in league passing yards. This would be as close to a Big 12 game as the Big Ten would ever see (except for that Michigan-Illinois game a few years ago).

3. Purdue-Ohio State. Since 1999, the Boilermakers are 4-8 against the Buckeyes, which is about as good as it gets for most Big Ten teams. Three of Purdue's losses were in the game's final minute or overtime. With the Boilermakers this year (see near-upset at Michigan State), you never know what you're going to get.

4. Wisconsin-Michigan State. These teams (along with Iowa) engage in close, competitive, physical, tough football games with one another. The Badgers and Spartans have put together a few of the most memorable moments in recent memory, and it's a shame they don't get to do it annually.

5. Minnesota-Penn State. The Gophers' destruction of the revered Victory Bell following the teams' 2013 meeting needs a follow-up chapter.

6. Northwestern-Rutgers. Maybe they can share an iconic stadium series where the first game is at Wrigley Field and the next one at Yankee Stadium (OK, I'm reaching here).

7. Illinois-Maryland. There's not much to say except the winner would have a better shot at bowl game. The Illini's crossovers are Penn State and Ohio State. The Terrapins are Iowa and Wisconsin. Those are lumps of coal under the scheduling Christmas tree.

OLD BIG 12 NORTH ... WHOA

None of the old Big 12 North Division's six teams — now spread across four conferences — have a winning record. Nebraska, which joined the Big Ten in 2011, sits at 4-6. Colorado left for the Pac-12 at the same time also is 4-6. Missouri bolted for the SEC in 2012 and is 4-5. Remaining in the Big 12 are Kansas State (3-5), Iowa State (3-6) and Kansas (0-9).

All of the schools face an uphill climb just to reach a bowl. Nebraska must beat Rutgers (3-6) and Iowa (9-0). Colorado played an extra game and needs to beat bowl-eligible teams Utah, Washington State and USC for eligibility. Kansas State has the best chance with games against Iowa State, Kansas, Texas Tech (4-4) and West Virginia (5-5). Iowa State needs to beat Kansas State, West Virginia and Oklahoma State (9-0). Missouri meets BYU (7-2), Tennessee (5-4) and Arkansas (5-4) and has scored one offensive touchdown (one!) in the last four games.

Of course if they were in the same division at least one would have a winning record. You'd hope, anyway.

But worse than their collective on-field performance is the disintegration of their rivalries. From 1948 through 2010, all six were in the same league. Among the long-term series now defunct include Missouri-Kansas (120 games), Nebraska-Kansas (117), Iowa State-Nebraska (105), Missouri-Nebraska (104), Missouri-Iowa State (104), Missouri-Kansas State (97) and Kansas State-Nebraska (95). Colorado played them all at least 65 times. Those schools shared more than battles on the football field; they were joined in history during the march westward and the Dust Bowl.

Now those rivalries were wiped from the earth by the realignment tornado. All that's left are the memories ... and some bad football this year.

POLL WATCHING

Ohio State remains top-ranked in the USA Today/Coaches poll but fell to No. 2 by the Associated Press. Iowa moved up to No. 8 by both AP and the USA Today/Coaches polls, Michigan State fell to 14th in both polls and Michigan moved up to 15th in both. Wisconsin was ranked 22nd by the coaches and 23rd by AP. Northwestern was 24th in both polls.

THUMBS UPS

Ohio State Coach Urban Meyer became the first coach in 100 years to win 47 of his first 50 games at a school. ... Nebraska zoomed 91 yards in 41 seconds to score the game-winning touchdown against Michigan State. ... Iowa is off to its second 9-0 start in school history. ... Indiana rushed for 227 yards against the nation's fifth-ranked run defense. ... Michigan sacked Rutgers quarterbacks four times and didn't allow one on offense. ... Northwestern rushed for 227 yards on 47 carries. ... Penn State generated six sacks against Northwestern. ... Illinois rushed for 382 yards on 41 carries, a 9.3 clip.

THUMBS DOWNS

Maryland quarterbacks finished 13 of 34 passing with two interceptions and three sacks. ... Outside of a 57-yard run on a fake punt, Wisconsin ran for 60 yards on 39 carries. ... Minnesota was held to 33 yards on 26 carries. ... Despite doubling up Nebraska in time of possession and converting both third-down chances in the fourth quarter, Michigan State was outscored 19-7. ... Rutgers was 3 of 13 on third down was outgained 487-225. ... Purdue was outgained 595-263.

WEEKEND STARS

Michigan quarterback Jake Rudock completed 18 of 25 passes for 337 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for another score. ... Ohio State safety Vonn Bell recorded a team-high 10 tackles and returned an interception 16 yards for a score. ... Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook passed for 335 yards and four TDs. ... Nebraska quarterback Tommy Armstrong threw for 320 yards and two TDs and rushed for two more. ... Iowa B Josey Jewell had 15 tackles and two pass breakups.

NOTEWORTHY

All-purpose player Will Likely led Maryland with 56 rushing yards, returned three kickoffs for 55 yards and recorded three tackles, including one for loss. ... Rutgers linebacker Steve Longa had 11 tackles. ... Minnesota LB Jack Lynn finished with seven tackles, including 2.5 for loss, and forced a fumble. ... Wisconsin linebacker Joe Schobert ran a fake field goal 57 yards and also had two tackles, including a sack. ... Indiana RB Jordan Howard rushed for 174 yards and two TDs. ... Northwestern RB Justin Jackson ran for 186 yards and two TDs. ... Penn State LB Brandon Bell had eight tackles, including 3.5 for loss, and a quarterback hurry. ... Illinois RB Ke'Shawn Vaughn ran for 180 yards and two TDs. ... Purdue CB Frankie Williams had five tackles and two pass breakups.

POWER RANKINGS

1. Ohio State (1) 9-0 5-0

Will the return of QB J.T. Barrett move the Buckeyes forward?

2. Iowa (2A) 9-0 5-0

No way Hawkeyes overlook Gophers after last year's thrashing

3. Michigan State (2B) 8-1 4-1

Shocking end for more than just the score

4. Michigan (4) 7-2 4-1

MSU's loss opens East Division race for Wolverines

5. Wisconsin (5) 8-2 5-1

Week off then finishes with a pair of tough ones

6. Northwestern (6) 7-2 3-2

Important win for bowl positioning

7. Penn State (7) 7-3 4-2

Didn't quite have enough at Northwestern

8. Minnesota (8) 4-5 1-4

Faces third straight highly ranked opponent, but this one's a rival

9. Illinois (10) 5-4 2-3

Nice bounce-back after crushing loss at Penn State

10. Indiana (9) 4-5 0-5

Better than overall record but nobody cares about almost-wins

11. Nebraska (12) 4-6 2-4

Finally won a close one but faces uphill climb for bowl bid

12. Purdue (11) 2-7 1-4

Unable to sustain any positive momentum

13. Rutgers (13) 3-6 1-5

Team appears in 'shut it down' mode

14. Maryland (14) 2-7 0-5

Has good talent, just not good enough

STANDINGS

WEST DIVISION

Iowa 9-0 5-0

Wisconsin 8-2 5-1

Northwestern 7-2 3-2

Illinois 5-4 2-3

Nebraska 4-6 2-4

Minnesota 4-5 1-4

Purdue 2-7 1-4

EAST DIVISION

Ohio State 9-0 5-0

Michigan State 8-1 4-1

Michigan 7-2 4-1

Penn State 7-3 4-2

Rutgers 3-6 1-5

Indiana 4-5 0-5

Maryland 2-7 0-5

SATURDAY'S RESULTS

Iowa 35, Indiana 27

Northwestern 23, Penn State 21

Illinois 48, Purdue 14

Wisconsin 31, Maryland 24

Michigan 49, Rutgers 16

Nebraska 39, Michigan State 38

Ohio State 28, Minnesota 14

NEXT SATURDAY

Ohio State at Illinois, 11 a.m. (ABC)

Maryland at Michigan State, 11 a.m. (ESPN2)

Purdue at Northwestern, 11 a.m. (BTN)

Michigan at Indiana, 2:30 p.m. (ABC)

Nebraska at Rutgers, 2:30 p.m. (BTN)

Minnesota at Iowa, 7 p.m. (BTN)

l Comments: (319) 339-3169; scott.dochterman@thegazette.com