Looking back, looking ahead: Deep dive on Big Ten's lopsided weekend, Odom's connection to USC quarterback and more
Women's basketball had two recruits on campus and men's basketball hosted Sinan Huan, a 7-footer from China
It’s no surprise Big Ten football teams won 15 of the 18 games on Friday and Saturday.
But how the league delivered those victories was eye-popping.
Here’s a sampling: 70-0, 69-3, 56-9, 68-0, and 70-10.
Seven teams scored 50 or more points, including 70 by Ohio State and Washington, and rolled up impressive numbers in pummeling a combination of FCS and FBS programs.
Why the top-ranked Buckeyes played Grambling State is beyond comprehension, but Oregon took Oklahoma State - a respected member of the Big 12 - to the woodshed, winning by 66 points.
The Ducks scored their 69 points in the first three quarters. Minnesota had 59 at halftime against Northwestern State and finished with 66 before the game was called due to inclement weather with 6:15 left.
Even before the storms swept through, the school had drained its supply of fireworks.
"We ran out of fireworks ... Ope, sorry!" the school posted on the Jumbotron inside Huntington Bank Stadium.
Purdue’s 34-17 victory over Southern Illinois was mild compared to the other scores. The Boilermakers, though, didn’t punt, and neither did Nebraska and Washington. Ohio State, Minnesota, and Rutgers punted once.
Iowa, Michigan, and UCLA were the three teams to lose their matchups to Iowa State, Oklahoma, and Utah, respectively.
Some numbers to digest:
• The 15 teams averaged 51 points. The average winning margin was 40.3.
• The group combined to score on 64.9% of their drives, including touchdowns on 56.1%. They totaled 96 touchdowns, a 6.4 average.
• Washington was 9-for-9 - all touchdowns - on offensive scoring drives and added a punt return for a TD to tie a program record for points. Jonah Coleman rushed for five TDs, tying the program’s modern day single-game record.
• The teams had a combined 48 scoring drives of 70 yards or more, and 29 drives featured at least 10 plays.
MORE: Dave Wegiel Photography | Chad Krockover Photography | Mark Elsner Photography
• Seven teams generated more than 500 total yards, led by USC (755) and Nebraska (728). Collectively, the teams totaled 7,785 yards.
• Led by Ohio State’s Julian Sayin’s 18 of 19 performance, nine quarterbacks completed a combined 75.5% of their passes and tossed 30 touchdowns. Five quarterbacks had four TD passes. For the season, seven conference quarterbacks are completing at least 70% of their passes.
• The defense got involved. Oregon had two interception returns for touchdowns.
• Only 14 total three-and-outs with Illinois, Nebraska, Purdue, Ohio State, Washington, and Rutgers avoiding them.
• No team punted more than three times, and the group combined for 27.
Don’t expect another collection of lopsided results the remainder of the season. However, there’s always next year.
FAMILIAR FACE
Maybe in this age of the transfer portal, a coach/player reunion isn’t a surprise.
But an intriguing storyline to Saturday’s matchup against USC - and across the Big Ten - is Trojan quarterback Jayden Maiava.
He played for Purdue coach Barry Odom at UNLV.
Maiava was a redshirt freshman in Odom’s first season in 2023 but transferred to USC following the season. At UNLV, Maiava led the program to its most wins since 1984 and an appearance in the Mountain West championship game.
Maiava took over USC’s quarterback position for the final four games in 2024 and is off to a fast start this season. He’s 31 of 42 for 707 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions against Missouri State and Georgia Southern. He leads the nation in yards per attempt (16.8).
HOOPS VISITORS
Women’s basketball 2026 target Chikae Desdunes, a combo guard who attends DME Academy in Daytona Beach, Fla., and 2027 prospect Lillie Graves from nearby McCutcheon, were on campus over the weekend.
Desdunes was on an official visit, the first of six she has planned. It was an unofficial visit for Graves.
Meanwhile, the men’s basketball program hosted Sinan Huan, a 7-footer from China. Haun, who attends Georgetown Prepatory School near Washington, D.C., is scheduled to visit Illinois this week.
FAMILY BATTLE
Tuesday’s Purdue-Butler volleyball matchup (7 p.m., ESPN+) at Hinkle Fieldhouse has a Shondell theme.
Dave is the long-time head coach at Purdue. His son, Kyle, is in his third season with the Bulldogs.
The Boilermakers are 4-1, winning a pair of five-set matches last week. Butler is 4-2 after a five-set loss to Illinois State at the Iowa Invitational.
All these pre-season patsy that teams play— I guess it’s good— but you take Ohio State— They won the championship last year— couldn't they find a tougher opponent— seems like they could— but it is what it is— a lot of money goes to the loser— millions— that is why Pee Wee State played Ohio State—with an enrollment of only 38 pupils— every one there is on the team— but it was just right for Ohio State—they said that was exactly the competition they were looking for—- Oh—- I forgot to mention— Pee Wee’s Coach—who is also the janitor at the school—- thru the towel in after 8 minutes of play — the score at that time 48 to nothing— Ohio State at that time said it was a good warm up for them and wanted to wish Pee Wee the best of luck for the rest of the season— one bright spot—they let the Coach from Pee Wee clean their locker rooms and showers so he would have some gas money to get the team back home and maybe even stop at a burger joint on the way-—an act of sportsmanship — Kudos to Ohio State— that's it from me—————————-Ed from Wanamaker