Big Ten Week 2 Takeaways: Michigan's disappointment, another Oregon scare, Cy-Hawk upset

Texas hammered Michigan, 31-12. For the second week in a row, a school from Idaho gave Oregon fits, and this time the Ducks needed a field goal at the buzzer to edge Boise State, 37-34. Iowa State got the best of Iowa for the second time in the last three years, taking the Hawkeyes’ place in the AP Top 25 in the process. Speaking of the AP Poll, the Big Ten still has six teams ranked.

Despite its own struggles, Penn State held steady at No. 8. But Oregon slipped two spots to No. 9, and Michigan fell seven additional spots to No. 17. Ohio State clocked in at No. 3, and USC came in at No. 11. The newcomer is No. 23 Nebraska.

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I’m unloading my Big Ten notebook after another hectic, and occasionally head scratching, week of college football. Let’s get into it.

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Texas dominated Michigan in the trenches

Michigan’s best shot at beating Texas was winning the battle in the trenches. The Wolverines failed to do that, and not just on offense where they’re still pretty green up front, but also on defense, which was more surprising given the talent of their defensive line.

Texas ran the ball for 143 yards — more than Michigan gave up in all but two games last season — and, conversely, Donovan Edwards and the Wolverines mustered just 82 yards on the ground. Quarterback Davis Warren is averaging 5.6 yards per attempt over two games and has thrown three interceptions as opposed to only two touchdowns. Sherrone Moore’s Michigan needs to find an offensive fix with USC coming to Ann Arbor in two weeks for another highly-anticipated Big Ten clash.

Oregon is still a work-in-progress…can the Ducks find their rhythm?

Well, Oregon ended its losing streak to Boise State — but just barely, and the green and yellow Ducks are still covered with red flags as Big Ten play looms. There are prolonged headaches along the offensive line, which they shuffled against the Broncos. Oregon gave up four sacks in the first half alone, a week removed from conceding three sacks against FCS Idaho. The Ducks got over the three yards per carry hump, although not by much. They finished with 110 yards on 35 rushing attempts.

Oregon needed two special teams touchdowns and a last-second field goal from Atticus Sappington to escape Week 2 with a victory. The Ducks punted seven times, at one point trailed Boise State in the fourth quarter and, overall, looked far from an 18.5-point favorite.

So, about that Iowa offense…

Iowa had won eight of the last 10 games against Iowa State. The Cy-Hawk game was in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes came in as the No. 21 team in the country and scored 34 second-half points in Tim Lester’s first outing as offensive coordinator. Head coach Kirk Ferentz was back from a one-game suspension. All signs pointed to continued success for the Hawkeyes. And then Cade McNamara took a big step back with 99 passing yards on 29 attempts, not to mention two interceptions.

Iowa State scored all 20 of its points in the second half. Quarterback Rocco Becht dialed up a 75-yard touchdown pass to wideout Jaylin Noel late in the third quarter, and Kyle Konrardy played hero in the final frame. He made a pair of kicks, the second a 54-yarder with six seconds left for the win. So much for Iowa’s easy schedule, and the jury is still very much out on the Lester offense, despite Kaleb Johnson rushing for 187 yards and two touchdowns Saturday.

The Nebraska hype train is full steam ahead

If you haven’t jumped on the Nebraska hype train, now’s the time because it’s leaving the station. A win over Colorado alone isn’t a reason to get excited about the Cornhuskers. What’s most intriguing about Matt Rhule’s team, however, is the way in which it’s dominated its first two games — Saturday, defense was at the center of that domination.

The Huskers’ defense held Colorado to 10 points and quarterback Shedeur Sanders to 244 passing yards while sacking him five times and notching a pick-six. Dating back to last season, Nebraska has now held nine straight opponents to 24 points or fewer. With a surging defense and a blossoming true freshman quarterback in Dylan Raiola, the Huskers are steamrolling.

Penn State’s first-half defense against Bowling Green was concerning

Penn State gave up 24 points and 286 total yards to Bowling Green in the first half. Scot Loeffler and the Falcons had Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Tom Allen in a pickle. By intermission, journeyman transfer and former Big Ten quarterback Connor Bazelak completed 16-of-20 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns. On top of that, Bowling Green running backs Jamal Johnson and Jaison Patterson each collected 46 rushing yards over the first two quarters.

Allen’s unit made the necessary adjustments in the second half, and a pair of interceptions helped Penn State hold off the Falcons. That said, Penn State has some tackling and communication issues to sort out on defense.

Ohio State took care of business against its MAC opponent

So Northern Illinois upset then-No. 5 Notre Dame, and Bowling Green had a lead against Penn State into the third quarter. But Ohio State took care of its MAC opponent Saturday. The Buckeyes recorded their first shutout since 2019. What’s more, they held an opponent to fewer than 100 total yards of offense for the first time since 2017.

On the other side of the ball, Ohio State piled up 686 yards. Quarterback Will Howard completed his first 10 passes, and the Buckeyes scored touchdowns on five of their first six drives.

Hat tip to Illinois: a bounce-back season for the Fighting Illini?

Illinois got back at then-No. 19 Kansas after losing in Lawrence last year, in part thanks to a strong fourth quarter Saturday night. The Illini failed to reach 300 yards of offense, except they made plays when it mattered most, like when running back Kaden Feagin scored a go-ahead touchdown with 9:34 left and when David Alano drilled a 43-yard field goal in the final minute.

Other highlight-reel plays included a jaw-dropping, one-handed catch by wideout Zakhari Franklin in the second quarter, followed by a 30-yard pick-six from cornerback Xavier Scott. On one hand, Illinois has to play Penn State, Michigan and Oregon over the next six games. On the other hand, those three ranked opponents look vulnerable.