10 things I’m absolutely overreacting to in the Big Ten after Week 12

Even near the end of the season, every Big Ten football weekend leaves me shaking my head. There’s only a week left in the regular season, and I still can’t figure out who’s good and who’s not.

There were plenty of things that made me shake my head over the weekend. So here are 10 things I am absolutely overreacting to in the Big Ten after Week 12:

1. Ohio State’s defense is still a mess

Let these numbers sink in for a minute. Ohio State gave up 535 yards of offense to Maryland on Saturday — including 339 yards on the ground — and somehow still found a way to win, 52-51 in overtime. Let’s compare a few things for a moment. Against Michigan, the Terrapins gained only 210 yards, and against Iowa they had only 105. Michigan State held them to an even 100. So how does a putrid offense like that get 535 against the Buckeyes, a woefully underachieving unit that’s filled with 4-star and 5-star recruits.  This defense has been a mess for a month or more now, and it’s hard to think they’ll figure anything out in a week before playing Michigan for the Big Ten East title. Has there been a more disappointing unit EVER on a 10-1 team?

2. Michigan dodges a huge bullet against Indiana

It came as absolutely no surprise to me that Indiana played Michigan tough on Saturday, because the Hoosiers do it every year. Four straight years now, Indiana-Michigan tilts have been tight. You’d like to think the Wolverines were looking for an easy win the week prior to playing Ohio State, but this was anything but that in the 31-20 win. The Hoosiers forced Michigan’s defense to play a season-high 75 plays, and they gouged them for a 249 yards in the first half, more than what they’ve allowed for an average during an entire game. It didn’t help either that all sorts of Michigan defenders couldn’t finish the game, either. It’s going to be interesting to see how healthy this group is by next Saturday. No cupcakes here.

3. Major props to the Hoosiers, who come close again

I know there are no moral victories in big-time college football, but you had to be impressed with how the Hoosiers battled this No. 4-ranked Michigan team. True freshman running back Stevie Scott had 139 yards rushing, his fifth 100-yard game of the season, which set a school record for a freshman. He also topped the 1,000-yard mark for the season, and he looks like he’s going to be one of Indiana’s great backs. Give credit to Peyton Ramsey too, who kept drives alive with his feet. Indiana’s defense gave up a lot of yards, but they kept forcing Michigan to kick field goals, giving them a chance late. The Hoosiers just couldn’t muster up enough offense late to pull off the upset, but Michigan definitely knows they showed up. Indiana’s done that all year against the big boys. Are they close to getting over the hump in 2019?

4. Same for Maryland, with most exciting loss ever

For all the emotions the Maryland players have gone through this year, it would have been a just reward to get that win against Ohio State on Saturday. Going for two? I don’t question it one bit, because when you can go for the win from the 2-yard line, you do it. Major props to these guys  for such an entertaining game. And Anthony McFarland? Bravo! Your 298 carries on 21 carries is a day you’ll never forget.

5. Pat Fitzgerald wasn’t going to allow a hangover

The sharps were zeroing in on Northwestern last week, figuring the Wildcats would have a letdown after clinching the Big Ten West so early. It was surprising to some that Minnesota was favored, but Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald continued to talk that this is a game that champions win. I believed him, and he was right. There was no hangover, and the Wildcats won easily, 24-14. Northwestern has now won 14 of its last 15 Big Ten games. Pretty impressive.

6. Scott Frost has completely erased that 0-6 start at Nebraska

What 0-6 start, you say? It sure feels like it, doesn’t it? After beating Michigan State 9-6 on a cold, blustery day thanks to three fourth-quarter field goals by Barrett Pickering, the Cornhuskers have now won four of their past  five games. The only loss was a narrow defeat to Ohio State. Suddenly, a 4-7 record sounds respectable after that 0-6 start. Kudos to those Nebraska kids who didn’t pack it in after that six-game losing streak. It would have been easy to do.

7. Michigan State’s offense was a disaster once again

Sure, I know the weather was awful, but to only score six points was just not good enough for the Spartans. What was most frustrating was that they actually moved the ball, rolling up 143 yards rushing and 146 yards passing. But having to settle for just those two field goals was a huge disappointment. The two turnovers — an interception and a fumble — were critical.

8. Iowa ends its losing streak with authority

Three straight heartbreaking defeats had sucked a lot of fun out of Iowa’s season, but the Hawkeyes sure had a laugher on Saturday, crushing Illinois 63-0. It’s amazing they scored so many points while only having 400 yards of offense. A fumble return and a punt return helped. This makes Saturday’s game with Nebraska a lot more interesting now.

9. Much-needed 3-OT win for Wisconsin …

Another team that hasn’t had much to cheer about this season is Wisconsin, so that triple-overtime win against Purdue had to feel good. What a day for Jonathan Taylor, who rushed for 321 yards. There no doubt he’s a special player.

10. … which is causing a major problem at Purdue

It was just a few weeks ago that we were talking about Purdue contending for the Big Ten West title after beating then-No. 2 Ohio State by 29 points. That four-game winning streak seems like ancient history now. Amazingly, after that triple-overtime loss, Purdue is just 5-6 and NOT YET bowl eligible. The Boilermakers need to beat Indiana in Bloomington on Saturday for that to happen. Indiana is also 5-6, which adds some spice to that one.

Tom Brew

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.