Big Ten Goes 2-6 Against Power Conferences in Week 2 as ACC Sweeps 3 Games
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Sep 13
Big Ten Goes 2-6 Against Power Conferences in Week 2 as ACC Sweeps 3 Games
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Sep 13
Summary
Eight Big Ten matchups against fellow power-conference teams produced a 2-6 record in Week 2, extending the league's shaky start despite claims on the past three national titles.
Three of those losses came against the ACC, which beat Purdue, Illinois and Rutgers through Wake Forest, Duke and Boston College, leaving only Michigan and Iowa with notable power-conference wins.
Ohio State's 24-23 collapse to Texas underscored the weekend: Ryan Day used all three late timeouts, then watched the Longhorns score with 25 seconds left, leaving too little time for a final drive.
Oregon also took a damaging upset as Dante Moore completed 48.3% of his passes for 191 yards against Oklahoma State, reinforcing concerns that the conference's top contenders look vulnerable.
The result is a sharper hit to the Big Ten's depth and title credentials, with Week 2 adding evidence that its elite reputation is outrunning on-field results.