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Entering week three of the 2022 college football season, several Big Ten teams got off to a strong start, including two teams in the top four (No. 3 Ohio State and No. 4 Michigan) and two others in the top 25 ( #11 Michigan State and #22 Penn State). Meanwhile, other teams in the conference aren’t starting 2022 as hoped, as Wisconsin suffered a surprise loss to unranked Washington State and Iowa lost to rival Iowa State while the Hawkeyes struggled to make an offensive move.
However, no program has been so thoroughly disappointed as Nebraska, whose head coach Scott Frost was fired on Sunday. How Nebraska reacts is among the storylines to be seen at this week’s conference, along with the intriguing road games from Michigan State and Penn State.
How will Nebraska react under the new head coach?
The Huskers, under interim head coach, enter a rivalry contest against No. 6 Oklahoma (2-0). Mickey Joseph after Scott Frosts Displacement that came after two preseason losses to Northwestern and Georgia Southern in the Sun Belt. After paying nearly $1.5 million for the loss, Nebraska (1-2) Southern decided to pay $15 million more to buy out Frost, which the school felt was urgent enough not to wait until the October 1 to waitSt, if the buyout had been reduced by $7.5 million. Frost had coached the Huskers to four losing seasons prior to this season, the worst of which came last year with a 3-9 record.
Joseph says he hopes not to be just a stopgap for Nebraska, where he played quarterback from 1988-1991 and joined the coaching staff this season after several seasons at LSU. He is Nebraska’s first black head coach, interim or permanent, in any sport. Joseph, 54, will coach the team for the remainder of the season.
At 1-2, the Huskers are likely already out of the talks to contend for a Big Ten division or conference title, but there are certainly some reputation and pride points at stake in this week’s Rivalry matchup. Oklahoma is a favorite on the road with more than a touchdown, but the Sooners are relatively untried this season with victories over UTEP and Kent State, and despite the bottom line, Nebraska has proven capable of passing the ball in every competition this season move. The Huskers have 866 yards through the air and 611 rush yards in three games this season and scored at least 28 points in each.
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#22 Penn State travels to Auburn in the big test for both programs
One of the more exciting week three college football matchups on Saturday will see the Nittany Lions travel to Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium in an early litmus test for both teams, both sitting at a somewhat untested 2-0 and only have met unranked teams.
Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin said turnovers and discipline are concerns for the Tigers going into this game after the team turned the ball twice and gave up 85 yards on 9 penalties against San Jose State in Week 2. He called Penn State “much better” than the teams they’ve faced before, particularly the fast and physical style of the Nittany Lions.
The Tigers have an offensive star in junior running back Panzer Bigsbybut with just one passing touchdown so far this season, they’ve shown little ability to mix up their offensive approach, which they could pursue against a stronger defense like Penn State.
The game could prove crucial for Harsin, who many thought would not be there for a second season at Auburn following the Tigers’ 6-7 win in 2021.
Likewise, the win could create legitimacy for Penn State and the head coach James Franklina 7-6 year old coming.
Newbie runs back Nick Singleton had a breakout week for Penn State last week, putting up 179 yards and two touchdowns against Ohio and adding dimension to an offense defined by Sean Cliffords transient performances in recent seasons.
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Washington hosts No. 11 Michigan State in a tough defensive game
Despite the big numbers both teams have posted in their early-season victories, this clash between the Spartans and the Huskies in Seattle is likely to become more of a defensive contest as Michigan State (2-0) is averaging 6.5 points allowed ( 7th in FBS) and the Huskies (2-0) are averaging 13. Similarly, both teams are averaging less than 300 total yards allowed per game in two contests.
Michigan State has an outstanding defensive linebacker Jacoby Windmon, who leads all FBS players with 5.5 individual sacks and 4 forced fumbles this season. Windmon has only played two games as a Spartan since joining from UNLV ahead of the 2022 season. His efforts helped Michigan State average just 81.5 rush yards in the first two games of the season.
As a result, Washington is likely to bank on the junior quarterback’s continued success Michael Penix Jr., who averaged more than 330 yards per game with 6 touchdowns and 1 interception in the Huskies’ two wins this season.
Michigan State QB Payton Thorn still looking for a rhythm after throwing 4 touchdowns but 3 interceptions so far. The Spartans’ stormy core has led the way on offense, highlighted by the running back sophomore Jalen Bergers 4 touchdowns, including three against Akron last week.
The Huskies are slight favorites for the weekend, but Michigan State’s defense will likely keep the Spartans and head coach in contention throughout the night Mel Tuckers Coaching experience can give them an even greater advantage over Washington Kalen DeBoerwho is in his third NCAA season and his first with the Huskies.