UNDATED (AP) — Exactly 68 schools reached or came within 5 percent of reaching the $20.5 million revenue-sharing cap over the first season of a system that allowed the schools to pay their players directly. That's the same number of athletic programs in the four biggest conferences in Division I. The College Sports Commission says 319 schools opted in to the arrangement that allowed them to pay players. Of those, 307 doled out $1.77 billion in revenue. The CSC did not divulge the identities of the 68 schools who went all-in, though it was widely expected that all Power Four schools would.
UNDATED (AP) — No. 14 Iowa heads home to follow up its dramatic victory at Michigan by upsetting No. 5 Ohio State in the most attractive game on this week's Big Ten schedule. Iowa edged Michigan 20-19 with a touchdown on the game’s final play. The Hawkeyes are seeking to beat Michigan and Ohio State in the same season for just the second time ever. Another interesting Big Ten game has Northwestern opening its new $850 million, 35,000-seat stadium with a Friday night matchup against Penn State.
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Indiana running back Turbo Richard and Rutgers quarterback Dylan Lonergan, former teammates at Boston College, are set for a reunion Saturday. Richard is now a key player for the sixth-ranked Hoosiers, while Lonergan has struggled at Rutgers. Richard has run for 383 yards and four touchdowns this season. Indiana coach Curt Cignetti is optimistic Richard will play despite a recent injury. Indiana boasts a 20-game winning streak. Rutgers coach Greg Schiano acknowledges the challenge ahead. Rutgers' KJ Duff leads the nation with seven receiving touchdowns. A sellout crowd is expected for Indiana's first road game.
UNDATED (AP) — Ohio State coach Ryan Day sees good things ahead for his No. 5 Buckeyes if they can pass the test Kinnick Stadium presents Saturday. Iowa enjoys a big home-field advantage because the crowd is raucous, fans are in close proximity with benches close to the stands and noise is held in because of the steep vertical rise. Day says a win in Iowa City would build momentum for his team. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz isn’t worried about his team letting down emotionally after its 20-19 win at Michigan last week.
UNDATED (AP) — Sometimes a team just has another team’s number until it doesn’t. That’s part of what makes college football so fun. Several matchups Saturday pit teams that had seasons ruined by an upset loss to opponents they otherwise dominated throughout history. Sometimes the loss fueled the fire for the future. Ohio State's playoff hopes died when it got blown out by Iowa in 2017. A loss to Vanderbilt launched Georgia's run to the national championship game the following year. A loss to North Carolina in 2008 was the beginning of the end for Charlie Weis at Notre Dame.
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin showcased how it could respond to adversity when it erased a 17-point deficit at then-No. 13 Penn State, delivering the signature victory of coach Luke Fickell’s tenure. Now the Badgers must prove they can handle prosperity, something they generally hadn’t needed to worry about the last couple of years. Wisconsin’s 24-20 triumph moved the Badgers on the verge of the Top 25 and raised their potential ceiling as they try to bounce back from consecutive losing seasons. First the Badgers must avoid a letdown as they prepare to host Michigan State on Saturday.
EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — Northwestern coach David Braun has been looking forward to the first game at the new Ryan Field for a long time. That moment has arrived. The Wildcats host Penn State on Friday night for the highly anticipated debut of their $875 million stadium. The first game is being played on the 100th anniversary of the opening of the original Northwestern Stadium. The new Ryan Field seats 35,000. It features a canopy designed to keep noise and light focused on the field and includes cutting-edge technology and scoreboards, as well as concessions with food from local restaurants.
