There were not too many nailbiters this week in Big Ten football. It was, on balance, a dominant weekend for the league. Most teams are heading into their off week sitting at 3-0 or are heading into conference play feeling confident after their nonconference games. Then there is UCLA, which made a very early coaching shakeup by firing head coach DeShaun Foster.
Here are my five biggest takeaways from Week 3 in the Big Ten:
Iowa’s passing attack has a pulse
Mark Gronowski came in with expectations to save the Hawkeyes’ dying passing attack, and in the first couple weeks he was very disappointing. Finally in Week 3 the Hawkeyes’ passing game showed life. Gronowski had 179 yards passing for two touchdowns. For the first time in years, Iowa’s passing attack was the main focus of a game. Iowa has a solid O-line and a capable rushing attack. If this passing game can open up more, Iowa can surprise teams in the Big Ten this season.
Bryce Underwood with more experience could become a great player
After showing his inexperience last week versus Oklahoma, Bryce Underwood shined against Central Michigan. Underwood had 235 yards passing, 114 yards rushing, and 3 total touchdowns. Underwood was fully unleashed this past weekend. If the Wolverines can maximize Underwood’s skill set and develop him more as a passer he will be a future Heisman Trophy winner — not in 2025, but maybe 2027.
Wisconsin is not good
I had hopes that the Badgers could get an upset versus Alabama, but Tide quarterback Ty Simpson put together a career performance with 4 passing touchdowns and 382 passing yards. The Crimson Tide have weapons galore. If Simpson can play like this, Bama can be viewed as a contender again.
This was a humbling loss for the Badgers’ defense. Wisconsin provided Alabama with a get-right game. With inconsistent quarterback play and subpar running back play, the Badgers will be right in the middle of the pack of the Big Ten, nothing more.
UCLA needs to bench Nico Iamaleava
Unsurprisingly, UCLA decided to fire head coach DeShaun Foster after 15 games. This move had to happen after UCLA paid $1.2 million for New Mexico to come to LA and blow out the Bruins. The next move needs to be benching Nico Iamaleava. This team needs a complete fresh start if it wants to salvage this season. Nico Iamaleava has not been the only reason for the Bruins’ 0-3 start, but he has been one of the key contributors. The Bruins still have Ohio State and Penn State on the schedule. The season has already hit rock bottom for UCLA; why not try something new.?
Minnesota at most will be an 8-4 team
Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele did not disappoint late Saturday night. Sagapolutele made special throws all night and propelled California to an upset over Minnesota. The U of M is a solid Big Ten team, but great teams can’t lose games like this. You have to wonder when PJ Fleck will break through with Minnesota. Freshman quarterback Drake Lindsey has shown a lot of promise; if he gets the opportunity to develop, he could be the Gophers’ best quarterback in recent years. Minnesota’s ceiling should be set at 8-4, exactly what the Gophers have been almost every season in the last few years.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Micah’s 5 takeaways from Week 3 in the Big Ten
Reporting by Micah Huff, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
