Pat Forde
The Big Ten West Is Big Ten Westing
In America’s most lopsided divisional format, the Big Ten West (34) is playing to the script. They’re fresh out of unbeatens before we’re out of September, with Iowa being the last to go down—and go down hard—at Penn State. While the Big Ten championship game looms as another mismatch, it’s also quite possible that the West will crown a fourth different champion in the last four seasons, which does keep things fun for the fans of West Division teams. Purdue, for example, sure enjoyed making the title game last year.
The division remains an offensive quagmire. The two lowest-rated passing offenses (35) from power conferences both hail from the Big Ten West: Minnesota checks in at No. 125 nationally, with old reliable Iowa at No. 126. Not far up the ladder is Nebraska at No. 109, Purdue at No. 96, Wisconsin at No. 92 and Northwestern at No. 85. Congratulations to Illinois for being the aerial standard bearer for the division at No. 84.
In crossover divisional games (36) thus far, the West is 0-3, outscored 85-20. Iowa has a good chance to get the West’s first win over the East Saturday, when Michigan State staggers into Iowa City. The Dash doesn’t like Nebraska’s chances against Michigan or Northwestern’s chances against Penn State.
Doing Great: Jeff Brohm, Louisville (21). The Cardinals are 4–0 for the first time since 2016, when Lamar Jackson was on his way to the Heisman Trophy. Louisville leads the ACC and ranks fifth nationally in total offense, emerging as one of several contenders for a potential league championship berth now that Clemson has two conference losses.
Not Great, Bob: Ryan Walters, Purdue. Speaking of that game in West Lafayette: The Boilermakers (1–3) committed three turnovers, one week after committing four against Syracuse. They don’t have a good enough defense to withstand that. Walters was handed a tough first-year schedule, but starting 0–3 in Ross-Ade Stadium reduces aspiration of bowl eligibility.
@PurdueHonk
