Week 6 Big Ten football scores, picks recap and quick analysis.

GAMES IN ORDER FROM BEST TO WORST

Wisconsin at Nebraska

Final Score: Wisconsin 23, Nebraska 21
Pick: Wisconsin 24, Nebraska 16
Line: Nebraska -1.5, o/u: 48

Down two, Wisconsin PK Rafael Gaglianone hit a possible game-winning kick off the right upright with just over a minute to play, but the Badgers had three timeouts left and were able to get the ball back for one more shot. Gaglianone took advantage of the second opportunity, as Joel Stave led the offense 42 yards in six plays leading to a 46-yard field goal in the final seconds for the win. Nebraska got a second quarter seven-yard touchdown run from Tommy Armstrong and a 41-yard scoring pass to Alonzo Moore, who went up and grabbed the ball away, but it wasn’t until a 55-yard burst from fullback Andy Janovich to take the lead late. There was still too much time left with the Badgers getting two more shots to get the win, and they came through.

Player of the Game: Wisconsin QB Joel Stave completed 24-of-50 passes for 322 yards and a score.

Michigan State at Rutgers

Final Score: Michigan State 31, Rutgers 24
Pick: Michigan State 37, Rutgers 20
Line: Michigan State-14, o/u: 51.5

LJ Scott ran for a three-yard score with 43 seconds to play to give Michigan State the lead, and Rutgers closed out stalled as QB Chris Laviano spiked it on fourth down instead of getting a shot at a Hail Mary. Leontee Carroo returned from suspension to catch three touchdown passes for the Scarlet Knight, scoring from five, 39, and 28 yards out, but Michigan State slugged its way back with Scott running for a one-yard score and DeAnthony Arnett coming up with a 25-yard touchdown for a 24-14 lead. Carroo’s third touchdown and a 22-yard Kyle Federico field goal tied it up, but the Spartans burned 3:38 on the way to the winning score.

Player of the Game: In the loss, Rutgers WR Leonte Carroo caught seven passes for 134 yards and three scores.

Illinois at Iowa

Final Score: Iowa 29, Illinois 20
Pick: Iowa 27-14
Line: Iowa -11, o/u: 44

Iowa survived thanks to Jordan Canzeri and the running game, helping to crank out two late drives leading to two of Marshall Koehn’s three field goals and with a 75-yard scoring run to pull off the win. Illinois fought back with two Taylor Zalewski field goals and a 53-yard Geronimo Allison touchdown catch to pull within three in the fourth quarter, but the Iowa defense held on and Canzeri and the offense ground out the clock. Without RB Josh Ferguson, Illinois ran for just 46 yards, Iowa ran for 278.

Player of the Game: Iowa RB Jordan Canzeri ran 43 times for 256 yards and a score, and caught two passes for 15 yards and a touchdown.

Maryland at Ohio State

Final Score: Ohio State 49, Maryland 28
Pick: Ohio State 41, Maryland 6
Line: Ohio State -33.5, o/u: 55

It wasn’t quite as close as the final score might make it appear. Cardale Jones threw two touchdown passes, and Ezekiel Elliott ran for two scores, but it was J.T. Barrett who ended up putting things out of reach with three touchdown runs scoring from three, one, and 18 yards out. The Buckeyes juggled the quarterbacks in a mostly lackluster effort, and Maryland managed to make thing interesting with Perry Hills running for two scores including a four-yarder to tie it up at 21 in the second half. But 28 straight points – on two Barrett runs, an Elliott 16-yard touchdown, and a 48-yard Jalin Marshall touchdown catch – finally put it away.

Player of the Game: Ohio State QB J.T. Barrett completed both of his passes for 26 yards and ran 12 times for 62 yards and three scores.

Indiana at Penn State

Final Score: Penn State 29, Indiana 7
Pick: Penn State 24-17
Line: Penn State -8, o/u: 41.5

Christian Hackenberg threw two touchdown passes and ran for two more as Penn State had no problems rolling by the Hoosiers. Without starting quarterback Nate Sudfeld and running back Jordan Howard, IU had problems moving the ball, only managing a 12-yard Zander Diamont touchdown run in the first quarter to tie it at seven. The Nittany Lions scored 22 unanswered points, with the only negative two failed extra point attempts from Joey Julius. The Hoosiers ended up with just 234 yards of total offense, Penn State cranked up 420.

Player of the Game: Penn State QB Christian Hackenberg completed 21-of-39 passes for 262 yards and two scores, and ran nine times for 21 yards and two touchdowns.

Northwestern at Michigan

Final Score: Michigan 38, Northwestern 0
Pick: Northwestern 20, Michigan 17
Line: Michigan -8, o/u: 35

Michigan came out roaring with a 96-yard kickoff return for a score from Jehu Chesson, and that’s all the points needed. Drake Johnson and Jake Rudock came up with two short scores for a 21-0 first quarter lead, and Jourdan Lewis put it away by ripping away an interception for a 37-yard touchdown in the second. Kenny Allen hit a 47-yard field goal in the third and Derrick Green added a four-yard touchdown run in the fourth, but it was all about the Michigan defense that allowed just 168 yards of Northwestern offense.

Player of the Game: Michigan CB Jourdan Lewis made four tackles with an interception for a touchdown.

Minnesota at Purdue

Final Score: Minnesota 41, Purdue 13
Pick: Minnesota 24, Purdue 20
Line: Minnesota -3, o/u: 46

Purdue scored first on a one-yard D.J. Knox run, and then came the avalanche with 41 straight Minnesota points with Shannon Brooks leading the way with a 71-yard scoring dash and Mitch Leidner finding Brandon Lingen for two third quarter touchdown passes. The Gopher D came up with four takeaways and allowed just 276 yards of Purdue offense, with Jalen Myrick taking a third quarter pass 27 yards for a touchdown. Purdue didn’t get back on the board until a ten-yard touchdown pass in the final minutes.

Player of the Game: Minnesota RB Shannon Brooks ran 17 times for 176 yards and a score.

MORE: Week 6 College Football Rankings, No. 1-128