Reece Vander Zee caught the game-winning touchdown with absolutely no time left on the clock, completing a wild 91-yard drive that stunned Michigan 20-19. That last-second grab in Ann Arbor completely flipped the script, securing a huge road win for the Iowa Hawkeyes and showing everyone they are for real. Nobody expected that kind of finish, especially against a team like Michigan, but Iowa just delivered one of the biggest upsets of the young season.
Iowa’s Statement Win Sets Up a Monster Matchup
The Hawkeyes are looking really good, sitting at 4-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play after that incredible victory over Michigan. Who saw a 91-yard drive for a last-second touchdown coming? It was pure madness! That win wasn’t just exciting, it solidified Iowa’s position as a major contender. They were ranked number 6 last week, and taking down Michigan like that is a massive statement. Now, the stakes couldn’t be higher for their next game. Iowa gets Ohio State at home this week, and if they pull off another stunner, the entire Big Ten landscape could get flipped on its head. Imagine the energy in that stadium!
Purdue’s Struggles and Glimmers of Hope
Meanwhile, over in West Lafayette, things are not looking great for Purdue. They’re now 1-3 on the season and it’s starting to feel like another lost year. The renewed Notre Dame series has been a tough go, with Purdue performing significantly better in South Bend than at home, which is honestly just sad. The current coaches haven’t fared well against the Irish, certainly not better than Danny Hope or Darrell Hazell did. Against Notre Dame, Purdue didn’t even look like they belonged on the same field after the second possession.
But hey, there’s always a little bit of hope, right? Purdue did hang relatively well with UCLA in Los Angeles, even grabbing a second-half lead against a team that just cracked the top 25. Wake Forest, just outside the top 25, just upset Louisville, showing that upsets are possible. Purdue is unquestionably better than the last two years, and there has to be at least one more win out there in their remaining eight games. Maryland looks really bad, Washington has been shaky, and Illinois just fired its defensive coordinator. This week in Chambana against Illinois feels like a great bounceback opportunity, because anything more than two wins the rest of the way probably requires an upset unless the defense suddenly remembers how to play. At least they’re not Rutgers, right?
Big Ten Quick Hits and What’s Next
Around the rest of the league, Indiana, ranked number 1 last week at 4-0, 1-0, narrowly beat Northwestern 29-23. Northwestern really stood toe-to-toe with them and almost grabbed a monumental road win. Indiana should have an easy win against Rutgers this week, but then a very rough stretch begins. Ohio State (3-1, 1-0) beat Illinois 42-19, but I gotta ask, are they quite as good as everyone expected? Jeremiah’s huge game against the Illini was really the difference there. Oregon (3-1, 1-0) snagged a good road win against USC 41-27, even with a horrific injury to Dante Moore. Backup QB Dylan Raiola, who might be the best backup in the nation, did just fine. UCLA (4-0, 2-0) is rolling, crushing Maryland 54-3 and looking like a really, really good team that’s now in the top 25. Nebraska is also 4-0.
This weekend, everyone’s eyes are on Iowa versus Ohio State. Can the Hawkeyes maintain this incredible momentum after that Michigan shocker and make another huge statement? It’s going to be wild.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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