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5 key takeaways from Big Ten football after explosive Week 7

The Big Ten’s Week 7 delivered a mix of breakthroughs and persistent struggles, reshaping the conference’s title race. Nebraska’s Cornhuskers, despite flashes of talent, continue to falter in crunch time, squandering opportunities against Indiana and Oregon with late-game miscues that have become a frustrating pattern.

Meanwhile, Michigan’s Wolverines finally unlocked their offensive potential after a quarterback switch, with Tommy Carr leading a 14-point surge in the second half to expose a previously stifled offense now capable of matching their top-tier defense. The USC Trojans, meanwhile, stand out as the most consistent contenders, thanks in large part to their quarterback’s elite play—if Maiava can maintain his form, the Trojans could clear the path to a conference crown by overcoming the Bruins and Buckeyes, both of whom are now navigating key injuries at critical offensive positions.

Indiana’s Hoosiers, another dark-horse threat, remain hampered by their quarterback’s inconsistency in high-stakes games, while Penn State’s transition under new coach Matt Campbell has left them stagnant, failing to capitalize on an unusually soft schedule and mirroring the struggles of James Franklin’s final seasons. Washington’s Huskies, meanwhile, showed promise without their star quarterback, Demond Williams, as backup Elijah Brown led a breakout offensive performance and a hard-fought win, raising questions about whether the Huskies overpaid for Williams’ services in the first place.

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