By: Joe Cumberland (@punterjoe)
Michigan Taking Control of Conference Race
The Big10 is neck and neck this season. Want proof? Look at the scores for Week 6. All 3 games were decided by a score, and each was a closely battled contest. Week 6 began with four teams knotted at 1-1 in the conference standings. Two of those teams separated themselves slightly with a win, but Michigan moved to 3-0 in Big10 play and is in the driver’s seat for that conference championship. Each team still has a shot to make the playoffs, so the last two of the season will be fun to watch within the Big10.
Wolverines Remain Perfect In Big10 Title Chase
It was just one point that separated Michigan and USC on the scoreboard, but that one point moved the Wolverines to 3-0 in conference play. The win positions Michigan to be in a spot to clinch a playoff bid with a win in Week 7. A victory over Penn State and an Ohio State loss would clinch the Big10 for Michigan. The loss drops the Trojans to 1-2 in conference action, but the door isn’t closed on USC for a playoff run.
Freshman Michael Amber continues to impress as he went 39/54 for 345 yards and 3 touchdown tosses. Jaylen Zachery had 10 catches for 112 yards and a score on the night. Star cornerback Amarion Xander Martel lined up on the offense and hauled in a 4-yard pass from Amber for a score.
Brock Powers led the way with 9 tackles for Michigan. Cornerback Jerry Harrison added 7 stops and an interception. The Wolverines got sacks from Martavious Jacobs, Zayden Hawthorne, and Harry Gills.
The Wolverines will host Penn State on Tuesday night in a game that could lock up a playoff bid for the “maize and blue”. USC will take on rival Ohio State in Week 7 action.
Ducks Go On The Offensive Versus Penn State
Oregon amassed 618 yards en route to a 41-34 victory over Penn State. The win moves the Ducks to 2-1 in Big10 play and in a good position to make the playoffs. Penn State falls to 0-3 in conference play after beginning the season 3-0.
Alexa Earl went 29/39 for 434 yards and a pair of touchdowns. She also used her legs plenty and found 103 yards on 19 carries, one of those being a touchdown. Ryan Ralosky and Kylan Odin also scored on the ground for the Ducks. Receiver Matthew Gulley had a big night, hauling in 9 passes for 119 yards and a score. Dylan Powell posted 136 yards on just 3 catches to aid in the Oregon win.
Safety AJ Zackary led Oregon defensively with 9 tackles. Jay Reed would log 7 tackles in addition to a sack. Marquiten King would match the output of Reed with 7 tackles and a sack of his own.
Penn State will look for its first Big10 win against the only undefeated team in conference play, Michigan. Oregon will travel to Iowa in a battle that has conference-standings implications on the line.
Buckeyes Prevail In Tough Match With Hawkeyes
Both Iowa and Ohio State entered their Week 6 matchup with the Big10 title still within grasp. Each team played with that in mind, and the result was a hard-fought game decided by less than a touchdown. In the end, the 29-24 victory for Ohio State still leaves them in conference championship discussions. Iowa is still very much alive for one of the 3 automatic playoff bids in their own right.
Jaylen Tyree didn’t have his best night, but the Buckeye signal caller did what he had to do to secure victory. He went 41/51 for 357 yards and a touchdown pass, while throwing a pair of interceptions. Yards on the ground were harder to find than usual as Tyree had just 44 yards on 20 tries. Hadrian Crenshaw added a touchdown on the ground to go with 54 yards on 14 carries. He also led Ohio State in receiving with 12 catches for 72 yards. Smokey Woods was on the receiving end of the lone Tyree touchdown pass of the night.
Four Buckeye defenders had 5 tackles on the night to lead the way. They were safeties Jordan Stork and Johnny Taylor, linebackers Vladimir Antkowiak and Mason Davis. Mac Williams and Evan McDuffy got sacks to aid in the victory. Stork and Davis, along with Jonathan Gold, were able to intercept Iowa passes and give Declan Murphy a tough game.
Iowa will host Oregon in Week 7, while Ohio State takes on its familiar foe USC.
Big10 Week 6 Results
Oregon defeats Penn State 41-34
Ohio State defeats Iowa 29-24
Michigan defeats USC 25-24
Big10 Week 7 Schedule
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Ohio State @ USC 6:30 Twitch
Penn State @ Michigan 8:30 Twitch
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Oregon @ Iowa 6:00 Twitch
Big10 Potential Game of the Week
The only undefeated Big10 team plays the only team without a conference win. Michigan could take another step toward a conference title with a win, but Penn State needs the win to keep playoff hopes alive. I think both teams come out swinging and that we are in for a dogfight. Tune in Tuesday night at 8:30 to see this Big10 clash.
