Week 9 was not the best week to be a ranked team, as 11 of the top 25 teams lost, 7 of those 11 teams lost to unranked teams. Texas got knocked off by Oklahoma St., Syracuse beat NC State for only the 2nd time and became bowl eligible for the first time in 5 years, and App St. lost their game as a ranked team to Georgia Southern. But none of these games qualify for biggest win of the week. Although it was tough not to choose these, Northwestern’s win over Wisconsin is huge. Utah coasted over UCLA for an easy win, easiest of the week, and I’m awarding them with most cupcake win of the week.
Most Cupcake Win of the Week: #23 Utah beats UCLA 41-10
UCLA is just not good at football this year. It is a rebuild year for coach Chip Kelly and it is showing. They only have 2 wins on the year and started off 0-5. On offense they are struggling to put up yards and points. Putting up 20 points or more in only half of their games. On the defensive side of the ball it is even worse. They are giving up an average of 36.4 points per game. They can’t stop anybody on defense and they don’t have the firepower to score with teams either.
Therefore this game against the Utes was no different. The Bruins were out-gained in total yards 470-291 and lost the turnover battle 3-1. Zack Moss had a career day rushing for 211 yards and 3 TDs for the Utes to help them cruise past UCLA and put themselves one game ahead of USC for the lead in the Pac-12 South. Because Utah came away with a lopsided win against a far inferior opponent is why they get the Most Cupcake Win of the Week.
Biggest Win of the Week: Northwestern beats #20 Wisconsin 31-17
Northwestern is now 5-1 in Big Ten play and are in the drivers’ seat to win the Big Ten West. With QB Alex Hornibrook out with a concussion, the Badgers just couldn’t overcome the Wildcats on the road. The Northwestern defense did an outstanding job, better than anyone else so far, in containing star RB Jonathan Taylor. Holding him to only 46 yards rushing and 2 fumbles with zero TDs on the day. This is the first time all season that Taylor has been held under 100 yards rushing.
The Northwestern offense turned those 2 fumbles by Taylor and a third fumble by Badgers’ QB Jack Coan into 17 points. This win for the Wildcats puts them in prime position to go to their first ever Big Ten championship game. Because Northwestern won against one of the powerhouse teams in the Big Ten to put them in their division lead, they take home Biggest Win of the Week.
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