Big Ten links: Reliving that final play, Iowa's perfect start & more

Still don?t believe what you saw at the end of the Michigan State-Michigan game? Mlive.com has a good breakdown from the snap, to the run, to the celebration. It still takes my breath away.

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The Spartans? win brings more focus on their visit to Ohio State on Nov. 21 in a showdown of what could be unbeaten teams at the top of the Big Ten East.

As Doug Lesmerises of Cleveland.com notes, after seven weeks of leaving doubt as to whether they belonged there, No. 1 Ohio State and No. 7 Michigan State are right where everyone predicted – 7-0 overall, 3-0 in the Big Ten, tied for first, fighting for more and on track for a potential 10-0 showdown next month. I can?t wait for this year?s ?game of the century.?

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Michigan fans are left to wonder: What if?

The last 10 seconds of the iconic MSU at Michigan game will live forever in fame-or infamy, depending on your vantage point.

"You just can't gather it all, to lose something so close like that," Michigan defensive tackle Willie Henry said. "It probably won't hit me until tomorrow how much this sucks."

Now, the Wolverines have lost control of their destiny. But this still can be a special season if they win out. And, there?s a chance that could happen.

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Ohio State had its game vs. Penn State basically wrapped up in the fourth quarter. Yet, the Nittany Lions still had starters in the game. Why?

Pennlive.com says James Franklin made similar comments to the ones he made when asked a similar question after Penn State's loss to Temple, saying the program will never quit despite the score.

"We're going to continue; no different than, late in the game, they had [Joey] Bosa and their starting defense in there," Franklin said. "Still playing football to win and find ways to be successful."

I get it. But, isn?t there a time to concede? That?s not being cowardly. That?s being wise.

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Lost amid the zany end to the Michigan State-Michigan game was the wild finish in Bloomington, Indiana, where Rutgers kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired to take a 55-52 win to bolster its bowl hopes and damage the Hoosiers?. NJ.com has 10 crazy stats from the game.

I like this one: 3 - Touchdowns for Rutgers wide receiver Leonte Carroo, who turned in his third three-TD game in four games this season. Is there a better wideout in America?

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Where does Indiana go from here after blowing a 25-point lead? The Hoosiers have now lost three in a row after opening 4-0.

Zach Osterman of IndyStar.com says postseason aspirations were a real thing for Indiana just two weeks ago. The Hoosiers played Ohio State nearly to a standstill. They forced turnovers. They plowed over or sprinted past defenders. They scored touchdowns with backup quarterbacks and didn?t seemed fazed by any of it. The distance between Indiana two weeks ago and Indiana on Saturday night must be measured in miles. Is it time to panic? Not yet. But, a win is needed-now.

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Also buried amid all the nuttiness in Ann Arbor was Iowa. Good ol? dependable Iowa, just grinding out another victory. This time, the Hawkeyes whipped up on Northwestern, taking more air out the Wildcats? once-promising season.

As Rick Brown of HawkCentral.com says, ?whatever it takes? defines this Iowa squad. And, he?s correct. This was a beat-up Hawkeye team that was on the road taking on what many felt would be an angry NU squad coming off a drubbing at Michigan. But, Iowa whipped the Cats.

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Northwestern? It showed once again that its fundamentals are flawed. When you can?t run, stop the run and commit turnovers ? well, you have little chance for success.

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Ask Purdue ?

It?s five losses in a row and counting for the Boilermakers, who looked lackluster in defeat at Wisconsin. Three years into the Darrell Hazell era, and things don?t seem to be changing. You can talk about progress, buy-in, improved depth, adjusted attitudes, better talent ? but at some point, wins must be delivered. It?s not happening.

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Meanwhile, they may have figured it out at Nebraska after suffering four gut-wrenching losses. This team really isn?t that bad. Ask Saturday?s victim, Minnesota. Know this: Michigan State comes to Lincoln on Nov. 7. I?m just sayin? ?

I will say this: Having De?Mornay Pierson-El back makes this team more deadly-and fun to watch.

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