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It’s Week 10 in the Big Ten, and the focus here this weekend is on teams that are coming off losses of some shape or form, because we’ve reached a point in the season now where these teams can’t afford another one. It’s do-or-die time for these guys
Here are five players — sort of — with a lot to prove this weekend:
J.K Dobbins, Ohio State running back
One thing we never expected this season was that Ohio State’s running game would be a concern. But, shockingly, it has. Talented running back J.K. Dobbins hasn’t had a run longer than 21 yards since the season opener, and neither has star backup Mike Weber, for that matter. Against a Nebraska defense that’s been giving up big plays all season, that needs to change. Ohio State has averaged 3.1 yards per carry in its last four games, which is just ridiculous considering the talent in the backfield and across the offensive line.
Entire Ohio State defense
This group was a disaster two weeks ago. It’s all-star roster of 5-star and 4-star results got torched for 49 points in the loss to Purdue. Awful just doesn’t describe it. Ohio State missed 20 tackles against the Boilermakers, according to defensive coordinator Greg Schiano, The Buckeyes have tackled poorly, but there’s also been an issue with a breakdown in assignments. That needs to change Saturday against a Nebraska team that they’ve owned in recent years, winning the past two games 56-14 a year ago and 62-3 in 2016, the last time Nebraska came to Columbus.
Nate Stanley, Iowa quarterback
Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley injured his thumb late in the loss to Penn State last week and everyone’s been coy all week as to how bad the sprained thumb actually is. My guess is that he’ll be fine, which means he needs to go out there and shred Purdue’s defense in a must-win game. The Hawkeyes have two Big Ten losses and can’t afford another one. This is their fourth road game in five weeks, and that’s a challenge. Stanley has been mostly good this season, but he does get erratic at times and that can’t happen Saturday. He needs to be at his best for the Hawkeyes to pull off the upset.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez
The last time Nebraska was on the road, the Cornhuskers were losing a close game to Northwestern for their fourth straight Big Ten loss and sixth in a row overall. But after home wins against Minnesota and Bethune-Cookman, the Huskers are starting to feel better about themselves. But here’s the wakeup call: The Buckeyes have routed the Cornhuskers the previous two seasons by a combined score of 118-17. Martinez has been great, and has already set a school freshman record with 1,656 passing yards. But can he do enough on his own to keep this game close? He’s been impressive. “Elite guy. He’s a dual guy that can run and pass,” Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said. “He’s doing a very good job.”
Alex Hornibrook, Wisconsin quarterback
The cobwebs are gone, and so is Alex Hornibrook’s concussion. After missing last week’s loss to Northwestern, Hornibrook has been cleared to play this week against Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights are clearly the worst team in the Big Ten and the Badgers shouldn’t have any trouble, so this is a perfect game for Hornibrook to get reacclimated. He’s been a big disappointment so far this year — he’s thrown for only 1,251 yards and 11 touchdowns with 6 interceptions. He needs to come back and finish this season strong. Winning the Big Ten West is still an option, and they need Hornibrook to do that.
Tom Brew has been a recognized reporter in Big Ten sports for decades. Among other projects, he writes about Big Ten football for Saturday Tradition.