The Big Ten power rankings after Week 9 see UCLA surge to the top spot at #5 (8‑0, 5‑0), despite a modest win over Nevada and a tough road trip ahead against Minnesota, Michigan and USC. Indiana climbs to #6 (8‑1, 5‑1) after an overtime thriller, while Ohio State slips to #11 (6‑2, 4‑1) with two losses looming. USC rebounds to #18 (7‑2, 4‑2) after beating Ohio State, and Iowa rises to #21 (6‑2, 3‑2) following a dominant performance over Wisconsin. The list continues with Minnesota, Oregon, Northwestern and others battling for postseason positioning.
The Only Colors revives a 2011 deep‑dive into the Michigan State‑Michigan rivalry, updating the series record through 2025. The piece traces the feud from its 1850s roots—when the University of Michigan’s agricultural dominance sparked resentment—to the modern football clash for the Paul Bunyan Trophy, now standing at 42‑29‑2 in Michigan’s favor since 1953 and 10‑9 for MSU since 2007 under Mark Dantonio. It highlights key flashpoints, including the massive UM basketball cheating scandal of the ’80s‑’90s, quotes from coaches, and the broader cultural rivalry that fuels fan “hate.” Readers get a fact‑checked, humor‑tinged chronicle of why the green‑and‑white and blue‑and‑gold rivalry remains one of the Big Ten’s fiercest.
Three-star offensive lineman Sidney Rouleau has decommitted from Michigan after originally signing in March. The 6‑foot‑5, 265‑lb Canadian visited Syracuse during Halloween weekend, and the Orange are reportedly pushing for his switch to the ACC. Michigan’s staff is moving on, with interior linemen Conner Rutherford and Braden Chaffin slated to visit Ann Arbor ahead of the Michigan State game. The Wolverines now have three OL commitments—Jakari Lipsey, Lincoln Mageo and Louis Esposito—and 21 total recruits for the 2027 class.
The Big Ten may adopt a “dynamic scheduling” model as early as the 2028 season, according to Ohio State AD Ross Bjork. The proposal groups the 18 conference teams into three six‑team pods based on prior‑season records, matching top programs against each other and pairing lower‑ranked schools with similarly competitive opponents, while preserving rivalries like Michigan‑Ohio State. The system mirrors the NFL’s placement‑based matchups and aims to balance strength of schedule amid NIL and transfer‑portal driven parity. The article outlines a sample Rutgers schedule under the pod format, highlighting potential improvements over the current rotation.
Michigan football's November 14 game against Oregon will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on FS1. Get the time, TV channel, and location.
Ohio State will host no primetime home games this season—the first time since 2018—after the Nov. 14 matchup with Northwestern is scheduled for a noon kickoff on Fox. All three home games this year (Oregon, Northwestern, Michigan) air in early windows, reflecting Fox’s “Big Noon” strategy that prioritizes the Buckeyes as its marquee draw. Athletic director Ross Bjork has warned fans about the lack of flexibility in the network contract, and existing TV‑deal clauses further limit night‑time slots in the season’s final weeks. Unless Fox alters its approach, Ohio State’s fans must expect more noon games through the decade‑long media deals.
Michigan donor Dave Portnoy ridicules Ohio State after the Buckeyes fall 18-30 to USC in Week 9. Starting rookie QB Luke Fahey struggled, settling for four first‑half field goals, while the team racked up 11 penalties and failed to capitalize on red‑zone chances. Coach Ryan Day’s conservative play‑calling and a failed two‑point conversion after a late touchdown drew further criticism. Portnoy, on Barstool Sports, mocked the team as "rolling over" under pressure, likening their performance to a pet begging for belly rubs. The loss drops OSU to 6‑2, leaving questions about quarterback depth and defensive lapses as they eye the rest of the season.
The No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes stumble 30‑18 to USC in Los Angeles, dropping to 6‑2 overall and slipping to No. 11 in the AP Top 25. Despite outgaining the Trojans 464‑338, the Buckeyes were hampered by 11 penalties, red‑zone failures and two big Trojans touchdowns, including a 69‑yard strike to Trent Mosley. Freshman starter Luke Fahey threw for 260 yards and a TD with no interceptions, Bo Jackson rushed for 121 yards and Jeremiah Smith set a Big Ten record with his 40th career touchdown reception. With a 4‑1 Big Ten record, Ohio State now faces Oregon, Northwestern, Nebraska and Michigan, needing to tighten defense and finish drives. The hosts also recap other college football results and preview the upcoming OSU‑BYU basketball game.
Michigan beats Rutgers 28-21 but slips two spots in ESPN’s SP+ rankings to No. 29 after a less‑than‑convincing win despite being two‑touchdown favorites. The Wolverines’ SP+ rating sits at 11.5, with a top‑4 defense (ranked 4) but a modest offense (ranked 87). With games remaining against higher‑ranked Oregon, UCLA and Ohio State, SP+ predicts a 6‑6 finish. Next up is a home showdown against 2‑6 Michigan State for the Paul Bunyan Trophy, where Michigan holds a two‑touchdown advantage per the metric. The article breaks down what the ranking shift means for Michigan’s season outlook.
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.
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.