B1G Knowledge: Fast facts about every game in Week 2
Week 2 around the B1G is quickly approaching with six games still on tap for the weekend. Unfortunately, Nebraska and Wisconsin will be idle as that game was canceled due to a COVID-19 outbreak at Wisconsin. The Cornhuskers were denied an opportunity to play a non-conference opponent this weekend and will be healthy but idle for Week 2. The weekend slate gets started Friday evening with Minnesota and Maryland.
Here are some fast facts about every matchup going down in Week 2 across the B1G:
Minnesota at Maryland (7:30 pm EST Fri., ESPN)
Fast Fact: The Terrapins enter Week 2 riding an eight-game losing streak under head coach Mike Locksley dating back to Oct. 12 last season. It dropped Locksley’s all-time head coaching record to 6-41. Maryland has eclipsed 20 points just once in the current losing streak after scoring 48+ in three of the first five games under Locksley.
Michigan State at No. 13 Michigan (12 pm EST, FOX)
Fast Fact: The last time Michigan State rushed for more than 100 yards against Michigan was in 2017. That was also the last time the Spartans beat the Wolverines in this rivalry game. In back-to-back wins in this series, Michigan is outscoring Michigan State 65-17. This week’s spread of Michigan -24.5 is also one of the largest spreads in the history of the rivalry.
Purdue at Illinois (12 pm EST, BTN)
Fast Fact: Brian Brohm did a fine job guiding the Boilermakers to a comeback win and upset of Iowa in Week 1. Any concerns that Purdue might suffer a letdown should probably be eased by the fact that head coach Jeff Brohm should be back on the sideline for Week 2 after his positive COVID-19 test. Even without Rondale Moore, the offense showed that David Bell and a host of other receivers can move the ball effectively.
No. 17 Indiana at Rutgers (3:30 pm EST, BTN)
Fast Fact: Tom Allen has never lost to Rutgers as a head coach, though it’s worth noting he has never faced Greg Schiano. Allen is 4-0 against the Scarlet Knights with Indiana outscoring Rutgers 133-44 with two shutouts mixed in. Can Indiana improve on its No. 17 ranking on the AP Poll?
Northwestern at Iowa (3:30 pm EST, ESPN)
Fast Fact: Northwestern was shut out by the Hawkeyes in 2019, but it feels like that is highly unlikely this time around. Quarterback Peyton Ramsey, who transferred to the Wildcats after his time at Indiana, had one of the best debuts for a Northwestern QB in recent history. While Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes will be a tougher defensive task than Maryland, Saturday’s game should be a nail-biter between two traditionally solid defensive teams.
No. 3 Ohio State at No. 18 Penn State (7:30 pm EST, ABC)
Fast Fact: 16 points, that’s the combined margin of victory for every game in this series going back to 2016. In that stretch, the Nittany Lions are 1-3 with Ohio State stealing a pair of one-point victories. At this point, the Buckeyes are a 12.5-point favorite for Saturday’s primetime showdown with the Nittany Lions not having the benefit of their annual White Out game.