Week 5 SEC & Big Ten Recap: Florida Upsets Ole Miss, Northwestern Stays Undefeated
Members of the Florida Citrus Sports Team Selection Committee traveled throughout SEC and Big Ten country this weekend, meeting with fans across both conferences in preparation of the 70th annual Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl.
#25 Florida 38, #3 Ole Miss 10
The Gators (5-0, 3-0 SEC) upset the Rebels (4-1, 2-1 SEC) in the Swamp Saturday night. Florida QB Will Grier came into the game battling a stomach virus, but looked sharp as he passed for 271 yards and four touchdowns. Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly threw for 259 yards and a score, but a powerful Gators’ defense forced two fumbles and an interception and sacked Kelly four times. After Friday’s win, Jim McElwain became the first Florida coach since Steve Spurrier to open his first season 5-0.
Iowa 10, #19 Wisconsin 6
The Hawkeyes (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten) upset the Badgers (3-2, 0-1 Big Ten) in a defensive battle at Camp Randall Stadium. The Badgers offense was led by QB Joel Stave, who complete 21-of-38 passes for 234 yards. After rushing for 326 yards a week ago, the Hawkeyes’ front seven limited Wisconsin to just 86 yards on the ground. That same Iowa defense forced five turnovers, including two interceptions by DB Desmond King. The Hawkeyes are the only team in the country that has yet to allow a rushing touchdown.
#13 Alabama 38, #8 Georgia 10
The Crimson Tide (4-1, 1-1 SEC) upended the Bulldogs (4-1, 2-1 SEC) in Athens. The running back battle ended almost even on the night, with both Bama RB Derrick Henry and Georgia RB Nick Chubb rushing for just under 150 yards and one touchdown each. QB Jake Coker threw for 190 yards and a touchdown, while adding a score on the ground for the Tide. The Bama defense only allowed 106 yards through the air and picked off the Georgia quarterbacks three times.
#16 Northwestern 27, Minnesota 0
The Wildcats (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten) delivered their second shut-out of the season, this time against the Golden Gophers (3-2, 0-1 Big Ten). Minnesota struggled to move the ball offensively against a Northwestern defense that only allowed 173 yards. Offensively, Wildcats QB Clayton Thorson threw for 128 yards and rushed for two touchdowns in the win.
#14 Texas A&M 30, #21 Mississippi State 17
The Aggies (5-0, 2-0 SEC) remain undefeated after topping the Bulldogs (3-2, 1-2 SEC) in College Station. Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott had 210 yards through the air and 96 yards on the ground, but that wasn’t enough against Myles Garrett and the A&M defense. Garrett had seven tackles, including a sack, as well as a forced fumble. Aggies QB Kyle Allen threw for 322 yards and two touchdowns.
#1 Ohio State 34, Indiana 27
The Buckeyes (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten) have now won 18-games in a row, the longest active win streak in FBS, after defeating the Hoosiers (4-1, 0-1 Big Ten) in Bloomington. Ohio State RB Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 274 yards and three touchdowns in the win.
#2 Michigan State 24, Purdue 21
The Boilermakers (1-4, 0-1 Big Ten) battled back from a 21 point deficit at halftime, before falling to the second-ranked Spartans (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten), 24-21.
#22 Michigan 28, Maryland 0
In its first Big Ten opener under Jim Harbaugh, the Wolverines (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten) topped the Terrapins (2-3, 0-1 Big Ten) in College Park.
Illinois 14, Nebraska 13
The Fighting Illini (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten) defeated the Cornhuskers (2-3, 0-1 Big Ten) at Memorial Stadium with a go-ahead score in the closing seconds. Nebraska’s three losses have been by a combined nine points.
Arkansas 24, Tennessee 20
The Razorbacks (2-3, 1-1 SEC) overcame a 14-point deficit and defeated the Volunteers (2-3, 0-1 SEC) to claim their first conference victory of the season.
Other game results from the weekend:
#9 LSU (4-0, 2-0 SEC) defeated Eastern Michigan, 44-22.
Missouri (4-1, 1-1 SEC) defeated South Carolina (2-3, 0-3 SEC), 24-10.
Kentucky (4-1, 2-1 SEC) defeated Eastern Kentucky in overtime, 34-27.
Penn State (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten) defeated Army, 20-14.
Auburn (3-2, 0-2 SEC) defeated San Jose State, 35-21.
Vanderbilt (2-3, 0-2 SEC) defeated Middle Tennessee State, 17-13.