Michigan clinches a 28-21 comeback win over Rutgers, improving to 5-3 overall and 2-3 in the Big Ten. Freshman QB Tommy Carr shines in his second start with a career‑best 320 yards, three touchdowns and a go‑ahead rush with 4:24 left. DE Benny Patterson III records a career‑high seven tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss. WR JJ Buchanan adds six catches for 63 yards and a touchdown, surpassing 1,000 career receiving yards. Linebacker Chris Bracy tallies six tackles, a sack and a QB pressure, bolstering his All‑Big Ten case. WR Andrew Marsh leads the team with eight receptions for 66 yards, also crossing the 1,000‑yard mark.
UCLA remains the sole undefeated Big Ten team heading into Week 9, bolstering its 8-0 (5-0 conference) record with a 27-0 shutout of Nevada thanks to three first‑quarter interceptions, including a pick‑six. Indiana clings to an 8-1 (5-1) slate after a 23-16 OT win over Minnesota, while USC (7-2, 4-2) jumps up after a 30-18 victory over Ohio State, who fall to 6-2 (4-1). Iowa and Northwestern sit at 6-2, with Iowa cruising past Wisconsin 30-0, and Northwestern dropping a close 34-26 contest to Oregon. The blog highlights the shaky prospects of Michigan, Wisconsin, and other mid‑tier programs as the conference race tightens.
The Big Ten confirms the rivalry clash between Michigan and Michigan State will tip‑off at 7:30 p.m. on Peacock on the first weekend of November. Both programs are struggling; Michigan State’s first‑year coach Pat Fitzgerald sees his Spartans stumbling to a 28‑10 loss at UCLA and remaining winless in conference play, while Michigan holds a 75‑38‑5 edge in the series and has claimed the past four meetings. The Wolverines aim to extend their streak after the Spartans’ recent 38‑37 OT loss to Illinois and 24‑21 defeat by Northwestern. The game decides who grabs the Paul Bunyan trophy.
Michigan vs. Michigan State will kick off November 7 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Michigan Stadium. Find out how to watch the rivalry game on Peacock.
On Halloween, Michigan edged Rutgers 28-21 at SHI Stadium after a back‑and‑forth battle. Rutgers tied the game at 21 with a fourth‑quarter touchdown and two‑point conversion, but Michigan answered with a 75‑yard drive, scoring the go‑ahead TD with four minutes left. Rutgers quarterback AJ Surace was 3‑of‑12 for 123 yards and a TD, hampered by injuries to Dylan Lonergan and KJ Duff, while the Wolverines’ pass rush logged two sacks and four TFLs. Running backs Antwan Raymond and Clay Thevenin combined for 115 yards and a score, and true freshman DB JJ Conyers led the team with nine tackles. Rutgers now heads to Wisconsin next week.
Michigan edged Rutgers 28-21 on Oct. 31, 2026, but a disputed kick‑catch interference call in the fourth quarter sparked outrage. After a fumble recovery at Rutgers’ 22, officials flagged Zeke Berry, nullifying the turnover and allowing the Scarlet Knights to tie the game 21‑21. Rutgers then scored on a 54‑yard run and a one‑yard TD with a two‑point conversion. Quarterback Tommy Carr later scrambled for a go‑ahead TD with 4:24 left, and Michigan held on for the win. Analysts, including ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg and former NFL official Mike Pereira, weighed in, while fans blasted the ruling as “blatant cheating.”
Bryce Underwood posts a heartfelt Instagram message after Tommy Carr leads Michigan to a 28-21 victory over Rutgers in his first win as QB1.
Indiana fans overwhelmingly back quarterback Josh Hoover for Saturday's home game against Minnesota, despite his recent injury‑marred performances. Hoover completed just 50% of passes against Ohio State and 44.4% versus Michigan, even playing through a sore throwing arm before scoring the winning touchdown in overtime. A poll shows only 47% of supporters favor starting backup Grant Wilson, indicating a clear preference for Hoover. Indiana enters the matchup as a 20‑point favorite at FanDuel, hoping to boost a faltering offense with the pass while Minnesota’s run game struggles.
Penn State vs. Michigan, 3:30 p.m. ET
Rutgers heads home to Piscataway on Oct. 31 for a Big Ten showdown against Michigan at SHI Stadium, kicking off at 12:30 p.m. on BTN. Michigan opens as 16.5‑point favorites (originally 14.5) and the over/under sits at 44.5. Expect mild weather—58° at tipoff, climbing to 60°, with light winds and no rain. Fans are invited to share their thoughts in the comments.
Rutgers faces Michigan on Oct. 31, 2026, entering the game at 2-5 after three double‑digit defeats. The Wolverines arrive as two‑touchdown favorites, having won nine straight meetings since 2015 and outscoring the Scarlet Knights 407‑116. Rutgers' lone victory came in 2014 (26‑24); since then they’ve managed over 20 points only once and have been shut out twice. Coach Greg Schiano hopes the team can finally compete, but the history suggests a daunting challenge. The article reviews each past matchup, highlighting Michigan’s dominance and Rutgers’ struggle to find a win against a Big Ten rival they haven’t beaten in over a decade.
Week 9 of the Big Ten turns out to be a chaotic race with no clear dominant team. Ohio State and UCLA emerge as the front‑runners for the conference title, while Indiana, Minnesota and Purdue hover as potential spoilers after recent clutch performances. Michigan’s defense shines but its offense stalls, and Wisconsin faces a tight rivalry game against Iowa (16‑13). Northwestern’s creative offense beats Oregon (27‑17), and UCLA remains unbeaten at 7‑0 after a 38‑point showdown with Purdue. Meanwhile, Maryland’s woes continue and Rutgers struggles against Michigan. The preview highlights key matchups, records and upset possibilities heading into the weekend.
The Big Ten’s Week 9 slate offers several must‑watch matchups, highlighted by No. 2 Ohio State (6‑1) traveling to face USC (6‑2) in a 7:30 p.m. NBC showdown, where a backup Buckeye QB could decide the conference race. Early in the day, No. 25 Wisconsin (5‑2) battles No. 24 Iowa (5‑2) at Kinnick with a 3‑point spread and a bronze trophy on the line. Indiana, now 7‑1, hosts Minnesota (5‑2) after a recent loss, looking to cement a title run. Other games include Illinois at Maryland, Michigan at Rutgers, and Northwestern versus Oregon, each with intriguing spreads. Penn State opens the weekend against Purdue.
The Big Ten’s Week 8 shake‑up sees Indiana edging Michigan in overtime, while Ohio State enjoys a bye to regroup after Julian Sayin’s injury. Indiana climbs to #4 after its first win at Michigan since 1967, and UCLA remains a solid #7 with a 7‑0 record. Northwestern jumps to #20, facing a tough stretch against Oregon, Iowa and Ohio State. Minnesota and Wisconsin are tied at #5, both riding recent wins despite tough schedules. Meanwhile, Nebraska, Iowa and USC tumble in the rankings as the conference heads into pivotal Week 9 matchups.
The Week 8 Rutgers‑Northwestern matchup aired on Peacock but, unlike other Big Ten games, it didn’t release viewership numbers, suggesting modest streaming interest. Northwestern drew 27,156 fans at Ryan Field—up from its Ball State game but shy of the sold‑out Penn State opener—while Rutgers averages just over 42,000 attendees, down from 48,000 in 2025. NBC’s Saturday Night Big Ten game ranked seventh overall, trailing four SEC contests, and Pitt‑Miami attracted nearly 2 million viewers. Upcoming clashes include Rutgers vs. Michigan on BTN and UCLA vs. Nevada on the same network, highlighting the ongoing battle for both stadium and TV audiences.
In the SEC coaches’ teleconference, Michigan’s Kalen DeBoer defended offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, calling him a “great play‑caller” and blaming recent offensive hiccups on execution, not scheme. DeBoer also addressed Noah Rogers’ limited snaps, praised Rico Scott’s recent impact, and offered high praise for LSU’s explosive offense and Lane Kiffin’s coaching. Meanwhile, Kiffin warned LSU about Alabama’s “most talented” lineup, likening them to historic Crimson Tide squads, a claim met with skepticism from analyst Michael Casagrande. The exchange highlights contrasting coaching philosophies ahead of LSU’s upcoming SEC showdown.
The Maize n Brew piece outlines three daring forecasts for Michigan’s upcoming clash with Rutgers. After a lackluster offensive showing against Indiana, the author warns Michigan could be shut out, citing coach Jason Beck’s play‑calling woes and a demoralized squad. Conversely, a stout Michigan defense—led by Jay Hill—might hold Rutgers scoreless, especially with the Scarlet Knights missing QB Dylan Lonergan and receiver KJ Duff. The most optimistic scenario predicts a 7‑0 Michigan win, banking on a defensive pick‑six. The preview stresses Rutgers’ low defensive rankings (123rd overall) and Michigan’s need for a bounce‑back win to avoid a season‑long slump.
Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano held his weekly press conference before the Halloween showdown with Michigan, focusing on the quarterback carousel. He explained that Rutgers teaches both head‑first and baseball slides after Dylan Lonergan’s head‑first collision at Northwestern, expressing disappointment over the injury and noting Lonergan’s status will be confirmed at the 8 p.m. availability report. Schiano also reviewed the Northwestern game, praising AJ Surace and Sean Ashenfelder’s adjustments while admitting Rutgers missed open throws despite a 288‑yard rushing effort. When asked about Northwestern’s resources, he credited coach Brian Braun’s benefactor and reiterated his commitment to advancing Rutgers’ program.
The Big Ten Power Poll for Week 8 shows Ohio State still atop the league at 6‑1, but injuries at quarterback and a looming matchup against USC keep the Buckeyes’ lead shaky. Indiana follows at No. 2 after a 13‑6 OT win over Michigan, while UCLA remains unbeaten at 7‑0 after a dominant 28‑10 victory over Michigan State. Northwestern vaults to No. 4 with a 42‑14 rout of Rutgers, and USC drops to No. 5 after a 24‑7 loss at Wisconsin, exposing a struggling offense and defense. With parity raging and five weeks left, any team from 2‑14 could flip the standings on any Saturday.
Indiana hoists a 13-6 overtime win at Michigan, but the triumph masks deeper offensive woes. Quarterback Josh Hoover’s injury‑linked struggles force reliance on a faltering passing game, while a stagnant rush and a league‑worst third‑down conversion rate hinder rhythm. Penalties emerge as a new hazard: the Hoosiers have already incurred 30 infractions for 265 yards this season, including costly false starts and offsides that jeopardized key moments. Defensive penalties also gifted Michigan a missed field‑goal opportunity. Coach Curt Cignetti’s staff must curb these miscues if Indiana hopes to sustain success.
Michigan (4-3, 1-3) fell 13-6 in OT to No. 4 Indiana, ending its CFP hopes, yet coach Kyle Whittingham says motivation isn’t a concern. He praised freshman QB Tommy Carr’s poise despite two turnovers and no touchdowns, and confirmed Carr will remain starter against Rutgers. Whittingham also highlighted the defense’s consistency, especially the linebackers led by senior Troy Bowles, who ranks ninth in Big Ten tackles with 55. Defensive coordinator Jay Hill’s 4‑2‑5/3‑3‑5 schemes and the depth of young players keep Michigan competitive. The staff believes the team’s pride and effort will carry them through the remaining games.
Inside NU’s Week 8 Big Ten Power Rankings break down the conference after a week of upsets, with five Big Ten teams in the AP poll and seven in the coaches poll. Ohio State (6‑1) stays at No. 1 despite QB Julian Sayin’s season‑ending injury, handing true freshman Luke Fahey the start against USC. Indiana (7‑1) remains No. 2 after a gritty 13‑6 overtime win over Michigan, though QB Josh Hoover’s struggles raise concerns ahead of Minnesota. UCLA (7‑0) holds steady at No. 3, leaning on a dominant run game after senior QB Nico Iamaleava’s loss. Northwestern jumps to No. 4 after a 42‑14 win over Rutgers, fueled by Aidan Chiles’ five touchdowns and Caleb Komolafe’s 150‑yard rushing performance. The rankings set the stage for a pivotal Week 9 as teams eye CFP spots.
The Big Ten Power Rankings for Week 8 drop a blazing tier list after a night of upsets. Ohio State and Indiana lock up Tier 1 playoff spots, with Indiana edging Michigan 13‑6 in overtime. UCLA (28‑10 over Michigan State) and Northwestern (42‑14 over Rutgers) sit in Tier 2 as hopefuls. Wisconsin (24‑7 over USC) tops Tier 3, while Minnesota, Iowa and USC round out the middle. Low‑tier bowl contenders include Illinois (21‑10 over Oregon) and Michigan (13‑6 OT loss to Indiana). The author notes the rankings are subjective and the conference’s chaos makes them feel like improv comedy.
After a dramatic 13-6 overtime upset of Michigan at the Big House, Indiana football improves to 7-1. The Hoosiers also rack up wins over North Texas (52-16), Howard (55-0), Western Kentucky (38-0), Northwestern (29-23), Rutgers (47-15) and Nebraska (20-17), with their only loss a 19-15 defeat to Ohio State. ESPN’s Football Power Index now updates its game‑by‑game forecasts for IU, reflecting the surge in performance.
Indiana football climbs to No. 4 in the latest AP Top‑25, jumping from No. 6 and overtaking Notre Dame after a 13‑6 win over Michigan. The Hoosiers’ only loss was a narrow defeat to No. 2 Ohio State, while they hold a ranked victory over No. 20 Northwestern. Upcoming games vs. Minnesota and USC could solidify their top‑5 spot. The article also notes related coverage on Indiana’s basketball NIL spending and fan sentiment about the program’s national contender status.