Many truths were exposed in Week 8 of the 2023 Big Ten schedule — particularly for teams near the top of their division.

Ohio State’s whole offense is basically Marvin Harrison Jr. with a dash of Cade Stover sprinkled in — and that will usually be enough to do the trick thanks to the Buckeyes’ defense.

Penn State’s inability and/or reluctance to ever throw the ball downfield would eventually be exposed — and was against Ohio State. More exposures may be lying in wait.

Eventually, Iowa’s offensive incompetence and mountain of injuries was going to catch up to the Hawkeyes. It took a controversial call to get there, but it finally happened against Minnesota.

And that wasn’t all.

Here’s 1 thing I learned about every Big Ten team that played in Week 8.

Illinois: Penalties always bite the Illini

Illinois has been the B1G’s most disappointing team this season. But with around 9 minutes left against Wisconsin, the league scoreboard was shifting towards the unthinkable. If the Illini hung on and Iowa lost to Minnesota, Illinois would find itself very much in the thick of the B1G West race.

But then star defensive lineman Jer’Zhan Newton was ejected for targeting after a crushing hit on Badgers quarterback Braedyn Locke. It was a close call, but the right one.

Given the new lease on life, Wisconsin outscored Illinois 15-0 in the final 7:21. Illinois, the B1G’s most penalized team, finished with 9 flags for 79 yards. None was more significant than Newton’s targeting call.

Indiana: It looks over for Tom Allen

Tom Allen earned himself plenty of slack after Indiana’s miraculous 2019 and 2020 seasons. But he’s already at the end of the rope.

With the possible exception of Michigan State, the Hoosiers are the most lifeless and listless team in the Big Ten. It’s going to take some kind of miracle for Allen to avoid the axe at this point. At the very least, he needs wins over Michigan State and Purdue.

Iowa: Was robbed

Specifically, Cooper DeJean was robbed. One of the most entertaining and high-stakes punt returns in Big Ten history was wiped off the scoreboard on an incredibly strict interpretation of an invalid fair catch signal.

Does his arm move? Yes. By the strictest interpretation of the rule, that’s not allowed. But does it go near his head or even his shoulders? No. Does anyone on Minnesota’s punt team slow down? Not at all.

Basically, DeJean is being ticketed for speeding because he’s going 56 mph in a 55-mph zone.

But here’s the thing about getting robbed: That can happen when you leave your doors unlocked. And by gaining 2 yards in the second half, the Hawkeyes did just that.

Michigan: Still doesn’t care what you think

Hate Michigan for being arrogant? They don’t care.

Hate Michigan for possibly stealing signs? They don’t care.

Hate Michigan for scoring a touchdown with 8 seconds left when they have a 42-0 lead? They don’t care.

Nothing matters to Michigan except for what Michigan does.

It’s a championship model. And also an annoying model if you aren’t the Wolverines.

Michigan State: Is reinventing depression

Every game the Spartans have played since Mel Tucker’s suspension-turned-firing is more depressing than the last. It is no stretch to say Michigan State is having 1 of the 10 most nightmarish seasons in modern Big Ten history. Or maybe 1 of the 5 most nightmarish seasons.

Basketball season can’t come soon enough in East Lansing.

Minnesota: Probably deserved a break

Minnesota sports fans — and we aren’t just talking the Gophers here — have endured some of the strangest losses imaginable in every sport since 1992. And more than a few of those losses have been to Iowa.

Like last year, when workhorse running back Mohamed Ibrahim fumbled at the Iowa 9-yard line when the Gophers appeared headed for the go-ahead score in the final 5 minutes. Or 2019, when Minnesota lost despite outgaining Iowa by 141 yards, costing the Gophers the B1G West title.

The Hawkeyes were guaranteed a heck of a return on all the pain they’ve inflicted on the Gophers. And what a return it was. Or wasn’t, in this case.

Nebraska: Is winning Iowa-style

Iowa fans have largely grown exasperated with the way the Hawkeyes win games — all defense and special teams with minimal offense.

But after going through the past 6 seasons, Nebraska fans are happy to win ugly.

Nebraska’s offensive numbers against Northwestern were dismal: 85 passing yards and 163 rushing yards on 39 attempts. But the Huskers held the Wildcats to 3 of 15 on third down and 2.1 yards per carry, resulting in a 17-9 Nebraska win.

Northwestern: Is allergic to blocking

The Cats were completely overwhelmed by Nebraska’s defensive front. Northwestern quarterback Brendan Sullivan was sacked 8 times, resulting in 51 yards lost.

And that wasn’t all. The Cornhuskers finished with 13 tackles for loss.

Given the numbers, it’s amazing Northwestern made 3 trips to the red zone. And predictable that all 3 resulted in field goals.

Ohio State: Marvin Harrison Jr. needs to be in New York

No wide receiver has ever won the Heisman Trophy without doubling up as a return man. Marvin Harrison Jr. has a chance to change history. Or at the very least, he’s on pace earn the invite to New York City as a Heisman finalist.

Harrison was back at it against Penn State, finishing with 50% of Ohio State’s receptions (11), 56.6% of Ohio State’s receiving yards (162), and 44.4% of Ohio State’s total yards.

Penn State: Isn’t ready for primetime. Still.

James Franklin is now 3-16 against top-10 opponents at Penn State. That’s an acceptable record if you’re coaching at Rutgers. Not quite so much at Penn State.

Franklin is 1-9 against Ohio State lifetime, and the only win came thanks to the fluke of a blocked field goal that was returned for a touchdown.

Rutgers: Is going bowling — already?

It’s 1 thing for Rutgers to earn its 6th win of the season to clinch an honest-to-goodness bowl berth for the first time since 2014. But for it to happen a full week before Halloween? These are uncharted waters, my friends.

The Scarlet Knights haven’t clinched a bowl bid this early in the season since 2012, which was the final year of Big East football.

Wisconsin: The new B1G West favorite (for now)

Welcome to the Big Ten West, where a new favorite emerges every week.

Last week, Iowa gave itself the inside track to the Big Ten championship game with a win over Wisconsin at Camp Randall. The Badgers took the track right back with their 4th-quarter comeback at Illinois while Iowa was losing at home to Minnesota for the first time since 1999. Wisconsin now has a 1-game lead in the division standings.

But it may not last long: Ohio State looms next.