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Big Ten Football: Northwestern climbs at Michigan State’s expense

By Richard Kimball

EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 6: Wide receiver Cameron Green #84 of the Northwestern Wildcats celebrates his touchdown against linebacker Tyriq Thompson #17 of the Michigan State Spartans with wide receiver Solomon Vault #4 of the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Spartan Stadium on October 6, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. Northwestern defeated Michigan State 29-19. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 6: Wide receiver Cameron Green #84 of the Northwestern Wildcats celebrates his touchdown against linebacker Tyriq Thompson #17 of the Michigan State Spartans with wide receiver Solomon Vault #4 of the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Spartan Stadium on October 6, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. Northwestern defeated Michigan State 29-19. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
(Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /

At no surprise, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights lost again in Week 6, in a game that was their last real chance of winning another game this season. Part of the Scarlet Knights’ poor season falls on the bad play at quarterback. Only a freshman, Artur Sitkowski has not had the debut season he and the coaching staff hoped for. But for Sitkowski, the only place to go now is up; with the right coaching and development, Sitkowski can make a decent jump next season.

But for now, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights must endure the rest of the season, hoping for an upset win over one of the conference’s, and nation’s, top teams. The Scarlet Knights were looking to improve from their four-win season in 2017 but now have taken several steps back. Oh well, maybe the 2019 season as more in store for the Rutgers football program.

The fact that the Nebraska Cornhuskers are at the bottom of our power rankings is surprising, but what’s even more surprising is that the Cornhuskers still haven’t won a game this season. Yes, their opening game against the Akron Zips was canceled, and that could’ve resulted in a win, but even 1-5 would be an unacceptable start to the Scott Frost Era. This isn’t Alabama or Ohio State, so the tolerance for a season like this is high, but Nebraska is still a program rich with history and high expectations.

The Cornhuskers will win at least one game this season with Bethune-Cookman on their schedule, but if Frost wants to lower some of the heat heading into next season, picking up a couple more wins before season’s end would be good. They’ll have plenty of chances along the way to get those wins but it’s going to be a long season for Nebraska fans.

The Illinois Illini took care of business on Saturday, defeating the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. With this win, the Illini are just three wins away from being bowl eligible. Their schedule is tough but Illinois has shown that they are capable of competing with most of the Big Ten. Behind their top 25 rush offense, the Illini could find themselves playing in mid-December.

The Illini host a surging Purdue team in a game that means a lot for both teams. This will be one of the Illini’s easiest games that remains on their schedule. A win pulls them within just two games of bowl eligibility, while a loss could have the scrapping for upset wins towards the back end of the 2018 season.

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