Big Ten football is back, and Week 1 wasted no time shaking up the league’s early storyline.
A couple of near-misses had the conference staring at two upset losses, while the usual heavy hitters mostly looked every bit like teams built to chase a title. USC also kept making noise with another strong win, and the Trojans may be pushing their way into that conversation too.
Here are five takeaways from the opening weekend in the Big Ten.
Michigan did not look like a team that should be held to high expectations
Michigan came painfully close to suffering one of the most stunning upsets in recent memory. Bryce Underwood made plays when it mattered most on the final drive, but the overall performance left plenty to question.
The Wolverines got the win, but it was anything but convincing. If this was supposed to be the kind of showing that reinforced their status before kickoff, it did the opposite. Based on what showed up in Week 1, this does not look like the contender many expected.
Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith are already a nightmare matchup
Ohio State’s offense came out humming, just as expected, and the Sayin-to-Smith connection looked about as effortless as it gets.
Julian Sayin was sharp in his first game as a starter, going 21-for-25 for 320 yards and 3 touchdowns. Jeremiah Smith did most of his damage early, finishing the first half with 8 catches for 156 yards and 2 touchdowns.
That pairing is going to cause problems all season. If USC wants to beat Ohio State, it will have to keep pace on offense.
Indiana should feel good about the quarterback situation
With Heisman winner and #1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza gone, there was a natural question about whether Indiana would take a step back at quarterback.
Josh Hoover answered that early concern with a strong debut. He played with toughness, delivered throws all game, and finished with 231 yards and 4 touchdowns. It was the kind of performance that settles a room down fast and gives the Hoosiers confidence that they can still be a factor this year.
Oregon had to work for it
Oregon entered Week 1 as the title favorite, but Boise State landed the first real shot. The Ducks fell behind 17-7 early and had to dig themselves out of that hole.
They did just that, with Dante Moore standing out in the second half as Oregon found its rhythm and finished the job. Still, the slow start matters. It was a reminder that this team is good, but not the unstoppable force many were ready to label it.
Rutgers had a brutal opening day
Rutgers opened the season with one of the roughest Power 5 losses in a long time. UMASS controlled the game and was up 24-7 at halftime.
That was the biggest win in UMASS program history against Rutgers, and it made the Scarlet Knights look far less competitive than they needed to be. KJ Duff was the one bright spot, looking like an NFL receiver, but he could only do so much on his own.
UMASS looked like the better team from start to finish, and that is not the kind of sign Rutgers wanted in Week 1.
In Other News...
Maiava Just Gave USC Fans A Real Heisman Conversation
Week 1 gave USC exactly the kind of early jolt it needed, and Jayden Maiava was right in the middle of it. Among a slate of eye-catching opening performances around college football, his showing for the Trojans stood out enough to push his name into a much bigger conversation than just a strong start for one quarterback.
For USC fans, that matters because the Heisman race can feel like it starts before most seasons really settle in, and Maiava has at least put himself on the board. There is a long way to go, of course, and plenty of other early stars to compare him against, but after opening weekend he is no longer just part of the backdrop of the national conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Jayden Maiava Is Raising USCs Ceiling Faster Than Anyone Expected
Jayden Maiava has barely had time to settle into USCs offense, and already he looks like the kind of quarterback who can change the math around the Trojans season. Through the first two games, he has been sharp and decisive, and his performance against Fresno State was especially eye-opening, with 23 completions on 25 attempts for 349 yards and three touchdowns. Lincoln Riley has noticed, too, praising Maiavas understanding of the offense and the arm talent that makes the whole system look like it has another gear.
For USC, the encouraging part is not just the production, but how quickly it has arrived. FanDuel Sportsbook now lists Maiava with the 10th-best Heisman Trophy odds, a reflection of how fast his name has moved into the national conversation. The Trojans still have a long season ahead, but if this is the baseline, the bigger question is no longer whether Maiava can manage the job. It is how high he might push USC if this level keeps up. [Read more 🡒]
Lincoln Riley Enters A Season That Could Change Everything At USC
Lincoln Riley is heading into a season at USC with the kind of pressure that comes with expectations, especially after the move into the Big Ten raised the stakes around every game. Analyst Paul Finebaum recently pointed to Riley as one of the coaches who could do a lot for his standing this fall, and much of that hinges on the same formula that has long defined his best teams: a quarterback who can tilt games and an offense that keeps USC in the conversation.
Jayden Maiava has become part of that discussion after arriving from UNLV and showing well enough to give the Trojans real hope at the most important position. Even so, USCs path is about more than offense. The Big Ten has no shortage of physical tests, and Rileys team will need its defense to hold up if this season is going to look less like another reset and more like the one that changes the tenor of his tenure. [Read more 🡒]