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Week 6 saw Ohio State continue its dominance, Michigan State defeat Michigan in a defensive battle in the rain and Penn State overcoming a slow start against Northwestern to win easily. Here are the 10 things we are absolutely overreacting to after Week 6 in the B1G:
1. Ohio State’s loss to Oklahoma was devalued on Saturday
Four weeks after Baker Mayfield planted the Oklahoma flag in the middle of The Shoe, the Sooner quarterback got flag planted by the Iowa State Cyclones.
Iowa State completed the biggest upset of Week 6. And with that, Ohio State loss to Oklahoma dropped in value.
In the College Football Playoff era, it is all about resume. The Buckeyes needed the Sooners to look strong and possibly go undefeated if they wanted their resume to still look stellar. But a loss that loss to Iowa State indirectly made Ohio State’s defeat to Oklahoma less valuable. Now, the Buckeyes cannot have a mishap if they want to make the playoffs once again.
2. The Buckeyes’ playoff hopes are still alive
While Ohio State’s loss to Oklahoma did lose some value, the Sooners’ lone defeat opened the door a little more for the Buckeyes playoff chances.
Would the playoff committee value a one loss Ohio State over lets say a one loss Big 12 Champion? Who knows. But if the Buckeyes keep up their impressive play, their playoff chances can continue to grow. I mean, they did make the College Football Playoffs when they lost to six loss Virginia Tech team back in 2014.
3. Michigan State is a top-4 team in the B1G
The Spartans are doing their thing again. If there was any doubt, Michigan State erased it with a 14-10 win at Michigan — a fourth win in five years and eighth in 10 years over the Wolverines. But who’s counting?
The Green and White’s defense has looked unstoppable this year. Plus, quarterback Brian Lewerke has been effective for the Spartans this year.
Michigan State might be overly impressive, but as of right now, it is a top-4 team in the B1G.
4. Michigan is a four loss team this year
I wrote this exact same statement a couple weeks ago. And after last night, it looks like I am right.
The Wolverines have the defense to win a national championship. However, their offense has struggled mightily this season.
Michigan still has Wisconsin, Penn State and Ohio State on its schedule. With the way those three teams have looked this year compared to the Wolverines, at the moment, those contests look like they will be L’s come later this year for the Maize and Blue.
5. Jim Harbaugh’s seat is heating up
Michigan has high standards. And while coach Jim Harbaugh has led the Wolverines to 10 wins in his first two seasons, he hasn’t fully reached Michigan’s standards.
Against the likes of Michigan State and Ohio State, Harbaugh is a combined 1-4 in those games. Plus, he has yet to win a B1G Championship. If he continues on this path, Michigan may start getting frustrated with Harbaugh and his seat could be heating up soon.
Mark Dantonio: Still got it.
Meanwhile, Jim Harbaugh falls to 1-4 vs. Ohio State and Michigan State.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) October 8, 2017
6. Peyton Ramsey looks like the future at Indiana
In the first four games of the season, the Hoosiers had a quarterback issue. But after the fifth, it looks like freshman Peyton Ramsey is the man for the job.
Ramsey made his first start this season and he was effective. Against Charleston Southern, Ramsey was 32-of-41 for 321 yards and two touchdowns. If he continues that type of play, he will undoubtedly be the future of the Indiana program.
7. Northwestern is not making a bowl this season
The Wildcats fooled us all. Currently, they are 2-3. Now, Northwestern’s schedule is not that imposing moving forward but it has a lot of problems.
Quarterback Clayton Thorson has struggled with turnovers, running back Justin Jackson has not been as effective as he should be and the defense has also struggled. If these mishaps continue, the Wildcats may not make a bowl, which looks like the direction they are heading right now.
8. Maryland has had the worst luck this year
It’s official, the Terrapins have had the worst luck this season. Maryland has gone through three, yes THREE, quarterbacks this season due to injury. If that’s not the definition of unlucky, I don’t know what is.
9. Jonathan Taylor looks like the B1G’s next great running back
While Saquon Barkley has taken the next by storm, Wisconsin back Jonathan Taylor has quietly looked like the B1G’s next great back.
In the blink of an eye, Jonathan Taylor is GONE! #JayTD#OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/GN90PmjSit
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) October 8, 2017
Last night against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Taylor rushed for 249 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. On the year, the freshman back has ran for 767 yards and nine touchdowns on 97 carries (7.9 yards per attempt). So start learning the team people. Taylor is a good one.
10. Saquon Barkley’s Heisman chances improved
The nation’s best all-around back once again didn’t have huge rushing numbers, gaining 75 yards on 16 carries for two touchdowns as the Nittany Lions thumped Northwestern on the road. However, his follow contenders have already suffered defeats. Stanford back Bryce Love is on a two loss team and Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield suffered his first defeat yesterday. If Penn State can win out and Barkley can keep up his play, he will win the Heisman easily.