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10 things I’m absolutely overreacting to after Week 5 in the B1G

Garrett Kroeger

By Garrett Kroeger

Published:

Week 5 in the B1G has come and gone and got some insight on what could come about in the future. Wisconsin seems like the clear front runner to win the B1G West and Saquon Barkley should just sit out the rest of the damn season because he has already earned the damn Heisman with his performance against Indiana. So, here are the 10 things we are absolutely overreacting to after Week 5 in the B1G:

1. Just give Saquon Barkley the Heisman already

The Heisman race is officially over because Penn State running back Saquon Barkley can do it all. Along with running for scores and catching touchdowns, he can also return kicks for points and throw dimes.

 

If Barkley can score a defensive touchdown, then he literally can do everything on the football field.

2. Wisconsin is destined to win the B1G West

Last week after the Penn State-Iowa game, it seemed like the game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Hawkeyes would determine the B1G West. But after this week, it seems Wisconsin might have the division in the bag.

The Badgers battled back and avoided the upset bid against the Northwestern Wildcats and the Hawkeyes were less than stellar as they suffered defeat to the Michigan State Spartans. If Wisconsin plays like they did against Northwestern as the season progresses, it is destined to represent and win the B1G West.

3. Northwestern fooled us all

At the beginning of the year, I though Northwestern would win nine games. However, it looks like the Wildcats may struggle to win six this year.

 

Northwestern’s last eight games are extremely tough. It has Penn State, Maryland, Iowa, Michigan State, Nebraska, Purdue, Minnesota and Illinois. Out of all those games, Illinois seems like the only give me game for the Wildcats for the rest of the season.

4. Michigan State’s defense may have one of the best units in the league

The Spartans had the task to try and stop Iowa running back Akrum Wadley, who could be the B1G’s most explosive player right behind Saquon Barkley. And Michigan State’s defense did.

The Green and White held Wadley to 30 yards rushing on 17 carries and 17 yards on three receptions. That was Wadley’s lowest output on the year. Michigan State also held Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley and the rest of the Iowa offense in check. The Spartans only allowed 226 yards on Saturday.

If Michigan State’s defense can play like that for the rest of the year, it could be one of the B1G’s best.

5. Rutgers is improving…slowly.

The Scarlet Knights have improved from last season. And it very slightly showed in their game against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday.

 

In 2016, Rutgers loss to Ohio State, 58-0. This season, it loss to the Buckeyes 56-0. That is improvement, even if it is a slow progression.

6. Max Bortenschlager isn’t all that bad

Max Bortenschlager went from Maryland’s third-string quarterback to the Terrapins’ starter due to season ending injuries to the two previous starters.

Bortenschlager made his first start on Saturday against Minnesota, and he surprisingly played well. He completed 18 of his 28 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns.

That stat line may not be eye popping but it was respectable. If Bortenschlager can be a solid game manager for Maryland, the Terrapins’ season can be salvaged.

7. Iowa’s offensive line needs to improve…

The Iowa offensive line was absolutely abused by Michigan State on Saturday. Running back Akrum Wadley could not get going and quarterback Nate Stanley had no time to throw the ball.

The Spartans defensive line won’t be the best line the Hawketyes will face this year. Iowa’s line needs to improve if it wants to make the B1G Championship this season.

8. …So does Penn State’s offensive line

The Nittany Lions’ biggest weakness is their offensive line. Against Indiana, Saquon Barkley only ran ran for 56 yards on 20 carries. That is a pitiful 2.8 yards per carry.

Part of the issues in coach James Franklin’s first two seasons was a simple lack of depth. But depth is better now and the unit’s overall experience is ramping up, meaning it’s more than time for the Penn State line to start playing with more consistency against Power Five competition. It will be interesting to see how the Nittany Lions handle a defensive line like Ohio State’s here in the near future.

9. Indiana needs to figure out its quarterback issue soon

One week, it seems like Richard Lagow should be Indiana’s starter at quarterback and then the next Peyton Ramsey looks like it. Against Penn State, neither looked like the answer. However, coach Tom Allen said he liked what he saw from Ramsey. So maybe the freshman should be the Hoosiers’ starter. But all in all, Indiana needs to figure out the situation sooner rather than layer.

10. Nebraska may have won its last game of the season

Congratulations Cornhuskers you defeated Illinois….which will be your last win of the season.

Nebraska’s remaining schedule is as followed: Wisconsin, Ohio State, Purdue, Northwestern, Minnesota, Penn State and Iowa. The only game that the Cornhuskers could win is the Northwestern game. Other then that, Big Red maybe screwed.

Garrett Kroeger