Luke Miller/Indiana Athletics
Week 3 gave us a clearer picture of the Big Ten. From dominant shutouts to gut-check finishes, the league showed both its strength at the top and some lingering questions in the middle.
Ohio State – The Buckeyes steamrolled Grambling State, 70–0, behind freshman QB Julian Sayin, who went 18-of-19 for 306 yards and four touchdowns. The defense allowed just 166 total yards and only one drive past midfield.
Penn State – The Nittany Lions were just as stingy, blanking FIU 34–0. Their defense limited FIU to 14 first downs, while Kaytron Allen’s 144 rushing yards paced the offense.
Nebraska – The Huskers piled on Akron 68–0, their biggest shutout since 1986. Dylan Raiola threw for 364 yards, while Emmett Johnson added a 140-yard rushing day.
Minnesota – The Gophers hammered Northwestern State 66–0, outgaining them 484–42. Darius Taylor (141 yards) and Grant Washington (126) both went over 100 yards on the ground.
Illinois – The Illini stayed hot, handling Duke 45–19 on the road. Hank Beatty had 128 receiving yards, continuing his strong start.
Indiana – The Hoosiers rolled Kennesaw State 56–9, with Roman Hemby rushing for 111 yards. Indiana quietly looks like a team to watch.
Michigan State – The Spartans pulled off a dramatic 42–40 double-OT win over Boston College. Aidan Chiles accounted for four touchdowns and sealed it with a two-point conversion in the second overtime.
Michigan – The Wolverines fell 24–13 at Oklahoma, struggling on third down (3-for-14) despite another 100-yard game from Justice Haynes.
Wisconsin – The Badgers looked sharp in a 42–10 win over MTSU. Receiver Lance Mason went for 102 yards, giving them needed explosiveness.
As we head into Week 4, the Big Ten looks top-heavy. Ohio State, Penn State, and Nebraska flexed with shutouts, Illinois and Indiana kept momentum rolling, and Michigan suddenly finds itself needing answers after an early stumble.
About the Author
Dalton Tinklenberg is the Founder and Media Director of The Scouting Depot, where he leads comprehensive coverage of college and professional football. He is an active member of some of the most respected organizations in sports journalism, including the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), Maxwell Football Club, Online News Association (ONA), National Football Foundation (NFF), and the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).
Before launching The Scouting Depot, Dalton worked with Blue HQ Media, where he covered major sporting events such as the Indianapolis 500, the College Football Playoff, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Through his professional affiliations and on-the-ground experience, Dalton combines deep knowledge of the game with recognized standards of storytelling, editorial excellence, and authenticity in sports coverage.
