The Big Ten finally kicked off its full college football slate, shaking off the cobwebs from a limited Week 0. Sure, the conference teams are mostly feasting on cupcake schedules to start, but after this opening trio of Thursday games, it really feels like the authentic flavor of college football has returned to the table.
Minnesota, Rutgers and Illinois all faced their opening opponents, but don’t let the weak competition fool you. The results told a different story. Here’s where each program stands after shaking off the offseason dust.
Big Ten Week 1: What Did We Learn About Rutgers, Minnesota and Illinois
Rutgers
No need to sound the alarm — everyone with a pulse already knows Rutgers losing to UMass is the punchline of the week. Rutgers is bad, and transfer Dylan Lonergan looked like a quarterback on borrowed time, with backup AJ Surace waiting in the wings to rescue an offense that may not even be able to run through the breakaway banner on homecoming. The Scarlet Knights managed a pitiful 1.2 yards per carry against a Minuteman defense that spent last season as everyone and anyone’s punching bag en route to 0-12.
Greg Schiano’s seat is hotter than a skillet, and the fanbase is already eyeing the exits on all fronts. It’s early, but improvement feels like a rumor. Pass catcher KJ Duff was the lone spark, torching UMass for three touchdowns and nearly 200 yards. If I were him, I’d be lawyering up to hit the transfer portal; surely there’s a judge somewhere who’d grant that motion by now, right?
Minnesota
Minnesota did exactly what you’d expect against Eastern Illinois — ran them out of the building. But there’s more to like than just the lopsided score. Drake Lindsay looked like he never left, and the backfield duo of Darius Taylor and TJ Thomas Jr. gave the offense teeth at every level.
The defense held firm, but the real fireworks came from Javon Tracy, who not only led in receiving yards but also took two punts to the house. Special teams usually stumble out of the gate, but P.J. Fleck’s crew looked like they’d been practicing all summer with the lights on. If Minnesota keeps this up, they’ll be the wrench in the Big Ten’s gears. Don’t count out the Golden Gophers as a dark horse just because the opening act was a lower-tier blowout.
Illinois
UAB rolled into Gies Memorial Stadium with about no chance, and Illinois made sure it stayed that way. Katin Houser ran the offense with extreme efficiency, tossing three touchdowns and adding another on the ground, while the Illini backs churned out 5.8 yards a pop. The real story, though, was the defensive leaks — giving up 23 points and managing just one sack.
Linebacker Ismael Kante’s 59-yard pick-six was the lone highlight for a pass defense that looked shaky even against a UAB team that was outgunned. The Blazers logged a triad of rushes that went 10+ yards, a 42-yard reception and a game-high 219 passing yards from gunslinger Ryder Burton, although his averages and completion percentages were subpar.
Main Image: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
