Big Ten Roundup (Dec. 31): Ohio State, Michigan Both Lose Playoff Thrillers

For the primary time ever, the Massive Ten bought two groups into the four-team School Soccer Playoff, however Michigan and Ohio State each misplaced in dramatic style on Saturday within the best day ever of the CFP.

Michigan opened the day taking over TCU within the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Ariz., and the No. 2 seeded Wolverines misplaced 51-45 in a wild shootout that featured a Fiesta Bowl file 96 factors and a 44-point third quarter, the primary time that is ever occurred in the course of the CFP period. TCU is the primary Massive 12 crew to achieve the CPF closing because the playoff began in 2014.

The Wolverines trailed 21-3 within the second quarter and 41-22 late within the third quarter however saved working their manner again into the sport, falling simply quick for the second straight 12 months within the nationwide semifinals. 

Michigan could not overcome two J.J. McCarthy interceptions returned for touchdowns, three first-and-goal conditions that produced a complete of three factors and a speeding protection that got here into the sport ranked third nationally however allowed 263 yards on the bottom to TCU.

• MICHIGAN COVERAGE: There’s numerous protection of the sport on our Sports activities Illustrated/FanNation web site WolverineDigest.com. To see all of their protection, CLICK HERE

Ohio State’s 42-41 loss to No. 1 seed Georgia within the Peach Bowl in Atlanta was a heartbreaker. The Buckeyes, who have been 6-point underdogs towards the unbeaten defending nationwide champions, blew a 14-point lead within the fourth quarter. They’d an enormous lead because of 4 landing passes from C.J. Stroud.

Georgia went forward on a landing from Stetson Bennett to Adonai Mitchell with 54 seconds to go, however Ohio State rapidly marched down the sphere, establishing a 50-yard discipline purpose try by the often dependable Noah Ruggles, who had missed just one kick all 12 months. This potential game-winner wasn’t shut although, lacking badly to the left.

• OHIO STATE COVERAGE: There’s numerous protection of the sport on our Sports activities Illustrated/FanNation web site BuckeyesNow.com. To see all of their protection, CLICK HERE

Iowa additionally performed on Sunday, and the Hawkeyes protection was good but once more in a 21-0 shutout of Kentucky within the Music Metropolis Bowl in Nashville, Tenn. The Hawkeyes held Kentucky to simply 185 yards of complete offense and compelled two interceptions, each of which have been returned for touchdowns. 

Quarterback Joe Labas bought his first win as a starter for the Hawkeyes. He threw for under 139 yards, however did not make any errors. It was the primary shutout ever within the Music Metropolis Bowl, and it was the tenth profession bowl win for Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, tying him for probably the most in league historical past with Joe Paterno. 

• IOWA COVERAGE: There’s numerous protection of the sport on our Sports activities Illustrated/FanNation web site InsideTheHawkeyes.com. To see all of their protection, CLICK HERE

Massive Ten groups Illinois, Purdue and Penn State all play on Monday. For the entire bowl schedule, together with summaries of all of the video games, CLICK HERE

Sunday’s basketball schedule

• MARYLAND at MICHIGAN, 4:30 p.m. ET: Michigan (7-5, 1-0 in Massive Ten) has struggled via the nonconference portion of the season, and hit a brand new low on Thursday when it misplaced at residence to Central Michigan. They performed only one league. sport in December, beating Minnesota. The Wolverines host Maryland (10-3, 1-1 in Massive Ten), a crew that is been spectacular to date. All three losses are to ranked groups, Wisconsin, Tennessee and UCLA. (TV: FOX Sports activities 1). Level unfold: Michigan is a 1-point favourite in line with the SISportsbook.com playing web site, and the over/beneath is 143.5. 
• IOWA at PENN STATE, 5:30 p.m. ET: Iowa (8-5, 0-2 in Massive Ten) has struggled recently with ugly losses to Jap Illinois and Nebraska previously week and alter. The Hawkeyes, who bought Kris Murray (foot) and Connor McCafferey (hand) again in Thursday’s loss at Nebraska, are hoping to show it round towards a Penn State (10-3, 1-1 in Massive Ten) who’s been taking part in nicely. They’ve a house loss towards Michigan State in league play, however a highway win at Illinois. Jalen Pickett is averaging 16.1 factors pert sport. (TV: Massive Ten Community). Level unfold: Penn State is a 3-point favourite, and the over/beneath is 147.5.
• OHIO STATE at NORTHWESTERN, 7:30 p.m. ET: Northwestern (10-2, 1-0 in Massive Ten) has been the shock crew within the league early within the season. The Wildcats’ solely two losses are to Auburn and Pittsburgh, they usually have already got a Massive Ten highway win at Michigan State. Ohio State (9-3, 1-0 in Massive Ten) has three losses, all towards ranked groups (San Diego State, Duke, North Carolina.) The Buckeyes bought a break of their Massive Ten win vs. Rutgers as a result of Tanner Holden’s buzzer-beater three-pointer for the win mustn’t have counted. He was out of bounds when he caught the go, and the league admitted the referees blew the decision. Level unfold: Ohio State is a 2-point favourite, and the over/beneath is 136.5.

• BIG TEN POWER RANKINGS (Vol. 2): Purdue has been the one true fixed this season, and everybody behind them has proven some warts to date. It is a jumbled mess, however we attempt to kind all of it our in our second Massive Ten Energy Rankings via the video games of Dec. 28. Right here they’re, from No. 1 to No. 14. CLICK HERE
• BIG TEN ROUNDUP (Dec. 29): A struggling Iowa crew had its second straight ugly loss regardless of the return of Kris Murray, falling at Nebraska. And Michigan continued to battle as nicely, dropping as a heavy favourite to Central Michigan at residence. Here is our Massive Ten roundup for Dec. 29. CLICK HERE
• BIG TEN ROUNDTABLE PODCAST: The School Soccer Playoff kicks off on Saturday, and for the primary time ever, the Massive Ten has two groups within the postseason semifinals. Michigan takes on TCU, and Ohio State takes on No. 1 seed and defending nationwide champion Georgia. This week we chat with BuckeyesNow.com writer Brendan Gulick reside from Atlanta to interrupt down the Buckeyes. CLICK HERE
• INDIANA WOMEN FINALLY LOSE: No. 4-ranked Indiana misplaced its undefeated file on Thursday, falling to Michigan State 83-78 in East Lansing, Mich. Senior ahead Mackenzie Holmes scored a career-high 32 factors for Indiana. CLICK HERE
• BIG TEN TRANSFER PORTAL REPORT: The school soccer switch portal is extra distinguished than ever this offseason, already surpassing 1,000 entries. Here is a full breakdown of the place every Massive Ten crew stands. CLICK HERE