Big Ten Football Week 6 Recap: Elite to Trash -

In Week 6 of Big Ten football, teams delivered performances that ran the gamut from dominance to downright disaster. Let’s break down each team’s performance in a tiered system: Elite, Good, Mid, Bad, and Trash.

Elite Tier

Ohio State (35-7 win over Iowa)

The Buckeyes remain at the pinnacle of the Big Ten with a commanding 35-7 victory over Iowa. Ohio State’s offense clicked into high gear, with wide receiver Emeka Egbuka snagging three touchdowns, and Jeremiah Smith making an incredible one-handed TD catch. Quarterback Will Howard was exceptional, completing 21 of 25 passes for 209 yards and 4 touchdowns, while adding a rushing score. Defensively, the Buckeyes dominated, holding Iowa to just 226 yards and forcing three turnovers. After a slow first half (7-0 lead), they exploded in the third quarter with 21 unanswered points. Ohio State is in full stride and poised for bigger battles ahead.

Penn State (27-11 win over UCLA)

Penn State also lands in the elite tier with another stellar performance, defeating UCLA 27-11. Quarterback Drew Allar led the way with 237 passing yards, adding both a passing and rushing touchdown. Penn State’s defense was the real star, especially in the second half, allowing only 11 points while forcing multiple turnovers. Kaytron Allen filled in for Nick Singleton with 78 rushing yards and a touchdown. Now 5-0 and 2-0 in conference play, Penn State continues to look like a legitimate Big Ten contender.

Oregon (31-10 win over Michigan State)

Oregon, now 5-0, secured another impressive win, this time over Michigan State, 31-10. Despite two red zone interceptions, QB Dillon Gabriel threw for two touchdowns and ran for another. Jordan James was a force on the ground, rushing for a career-high 166 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Oregon was ruthless, holding Michigan State to just 59 rushing yards and racking up 2.5 sacks, led by Jordan Burch. Oregon is now gearing up for a major clash with Ohio State in Week 7.

Good Tier

Washington (27-17 win over Michigan)

In a rematch of last season’s national championship game, Washington avenged their loss by defeating Michigan 27-17. QB Will Rogers was efficient, throwing for 271 yards and two touchdowns. Despite a late interception, Washington’s defense came through when it mattered, forcing two key turnovers that turned into points. This win extended their home streak to 18 games, and while the performance wasn’t flawless, Washington showed their grit in taking down the Wolverines.

Nebraska (14-7 win over Rutgers)

Nebraska’s defense stepped up in a gritty 14-7 win over Rutgers, aided by the presence of Hall of Famer Ndamukong Suh. While the offense struggled, averaging just 2.3 yards per carry, Nebraska did enough to secure their fifth win of the season, moving to 5-1. Punter Brian Buschini played a critical role with a huge 69-yard punt and a trick-play pass, helping Nebraska secure the win in scorching heat. QB Dylan Raiola had a tough day, but Nebraska’s defense held strong, securing their place in the “good” tier.

Minnesota (24-17 win over USC)

Minnesota shocked No. 11 USC with a 24-17 upset win. QB Max Brosmer was the hero, scoring all three of Minnesota’s touchdowns, including the game-winning QB sneak with under a minute to play. Darius Taylor shone with 144 rushing yards, while Devin Williams’ key interception set up a game-tying touchdown. Minnesota’s defense sealed the win with a last-second interception, giving them their first win over USC since 1955.

Indiana (41-24 win over Northwestern)

Indiana improved to 6-0 after an impressive 41-24 win over Northwestern. QB Kurtis Rourke was electric, throwing for 380 yards and three touchdowns, while the rushing attack added 149 yards and two scores. The Hoosiers’ offense was unstoppable, amassing over 500 total yards and pulling away in the fourth quarter. Indiana’s strong start to the season continues, making them one of the Big Ten’s surprise teams.

Wisconsin (52-6 win over Purdue)

After two straight losses, Wisconsin bounced back in a big way, demolishing Purdue 52-6. QB Braedyn Locke threw for 359 yards and three touchdowns, while RB Tawee Walker added three rushing scores. The defense suffocated Purdue, holding them to just 216 total yards and a single third-down conversion. Wisconsin’s offense also found its rhythm with several big plays, securing their spot in the good tier with an emphatic win.

Mid Tier

Northwestern (24-41 loss to Indiana)

Northwestern showed flashes of potential offensively, with QB Jack Lausch throwing for 243 yards and two touchdowns. Bryce Kirtz and A.J. Henning combined for 195 receiving yards, but defensive breakdowns doomed the Wildcats. Missed tackles and allowing seven straight scoring drives prevented Northwestern from staying competitive.

Rutgers (7-14 loss to Nebraska)

Rutgers hung tough in a defensive battle but couldn’t capitalize on key opportunities, particularly inside Nebraska’s 2-yard line, where they were stopped six times. QB Athan Kaliakmanis was sacked four times, and while Rutgers blocked two punts, they failed to generate much offensive momentum. A gritty but ultimately underwhelming performance.

USC (17-24 loss to Minnesota)

USC’s offense, led by Woody Marks, had moments of brilliance, including 134 rushing yards and a touchdown. However, costly penalties and miscues, especially down the stretch, derailed their efforts. Minnesota fans stormed the field after this upset, marking USC’s continued struggles in close games.

Michigan (17-27 loss to Washington)

Michigan’s Big Ten win streak came to an end after 24 consecutive conference victories. Backup QB Jack Tuttle led a valiant comeback effort but was undone by turnovers, which proved too costly in a tough matchup against Washington. Donovan Edwards rushed for 95 yards, but it wasn’t enough to avoid a mid-tier placement.

Bad Tier

UCLA (11-27 loss to Penn State)

UCLA struggled to generate any consistent offense against Penn State’s fierce defense. Backup QB Justyn Martin did a decent job, but the absence of a rushing attack (under 100 yards) left the Bruins hamstrung. Penn State’s defense suffocated UCLA’s playmakers, leading to a tough road loss.

Iowa (7-35 loss to Ohio State)

Iowa’s offensive woes continued in their loss to Ohio State. QB Cade McNamara struggled with turnovers, throwing an interception and fumbling twice. Their run game was stymied, as Kaleb Johnson managed only 48 yards against Ohio State’s first-string defense. Another tough outing for the Hawkeyes.

Michigan State (10-31 loss to Oregon)

Michigan State could not hang with the high-flying Ducks, falling 31-10. Turnovers and failure to convert in key situations—such as a fumble near the goal line—left Michigan State unable to mount a serious challenge. The Spartans’ offense sputtered, and they drop into the bad tier.

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Trash Tier

Purdue (6-52 loss to Wisconsin)

Purdue continues to spiral after a brutal 52-6 loss to Wisconsin. Their only points came from two short field goals, and the offense was disjointed throughout. Losing four straight after an opening win, Purdue’s season is unraveling rapidly, and they find themselves firmly in the trash tier.

Week 6 showcased the depth of talent in the Big Ten, with some teams solidifying their elite status, while others struggled to stay afloat. With key matchups looming, the tiers may soon shift, but for now, Ohio State, Penn State, and Oregon reign supreme.