Summary:

Rob and Eli react to Indiana's 13-10 upset over Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship, securing the Hoosiers' first title since 1967 and a perfect 13-0 record behind Fernando Mendoza's MVP performance, while the Buckeyes drop to 12-1 amid O-line woes and play-calling critiques. They preview Big Ten bowl matchups like Washington and Boise State and Michigan v Texas in the Citrus Bowl, then break down the CFP bracket with Indiana at #1 and where does Ohio State land. 

Key Points:

• Big Ten Title Breakdown: Indiana's defense forces turnovers and stops short-yardage; Ohio State sacked 5 times, goes 2/4 in red zone with heavy 13-personnel usage; Mendoza's 222 yards/TD named MVP.
• Mendoza's MVP Edge: Indiana QB overcomes early injury for 15/23, 222 yards, key 17-yard TD to Elijah Serat and 33-yard strike to Charlie Becker in clock-managing drive.
• Bowl Matchups: Washington (8-4, -8.5) vs Boise St (9-4); Northwestern (6-6, -12.5) vs Central Mich (7-5); New Mexico vs Minnesota (-3); Penn State (6-6) vs Clemson (7-5, +3); Tennessee (-5.5) vs Illinois (8-4); USC (9-3, -6) vs TCU (8-4); Vanderbilt (-4) vs Iowa; Michigan (9-3) vs Texas (9-3, -4.5); Utah (-14.5) vs Nebraska (7-5).
• Final CFP Bracket: #1 Indiana vs #8 Alabama; #2 Ohio State vs #10 Miami; #3 Georgia vs #6 Ole Miss; #4 Texas Tech vs #5 Oregon; #12 James Madison (Sun Belt champ) over Duke; rematches include Alabama-Oklahoma, Ole Miss-Tulane

Summary:

Rob and Eli recap the Big Ten regular season finale, highlighting Indiana's 56-3 rout of Purdue for a perfect 12-0 record, Ohio State's 27-9 dominance over Michigan snapping a four-year streak with Julian Saine's three TD passes and Bo Jackson's 117 rush yards, and other results like Oregon's 26-14 win over Washington and Minnesota's axe victory. They break down CFP rankings with Ohio State #1 and Indiana #2 facing off in the title game, then share picks for conference championships favoring Ohio State over Indiana by double digits, Georgia over Alabama, and G5 chaos scenarios.

Key Points:

• Big Ten Recaps: Indiana crushes Purdue (548-282 yards); Iowa beats Nebraska 40-16; USC pulls away from UCLA 29-10; Minnesota tops Wisconsin in snow; Penn State edges Rutgers 40-36; Michigan State nips Maryland 38-28; Illinois outlasts Northwestern.
• Ohio State-Michigan Breakdown: Buckeyes control clock with 20-play drives, limit Michigan to 39 second-half yards; Saine throws for 233 yards/3 TDs; Michigan hurt by injuries, poor D-line pressure, calls for coaching changes.
• CFP Bracket: Top buys: OSU-Indiana matchup; #5 Oregon vs #12 Lane; #6 Ole Miss vs #11 Miami; Big Ten others: USC #16, Michigan #19.
• Championship Picks: Kennesaw St over Jax St; JMU over Troy; North Texas over Tulane; UNLV over Boise St; Texas Tech over BYU; Western Michigan over Miami (OH); Georgia, Virginia, Ohio State by double digits.

Summary:

Rob and Eli from Big Ten Bloodlines recap recent conference games like Oregon's 42-27 win over USC despite injuries, Michigan's dominant 45-20 road victory over Maryland led by freshman QB Bryce Underwood, and Ohio State's 42-9 rout of Rutgers. They debate the upcoming Michigan vs. Ohio State rivalry, with Eli touting Ohio State's defensive schemes under Matt Patricia to confuse Underwood and limit Michigan's rush, while Rob highlights Michigan's run game efficiency, third-down prowess, slower Ohio State tempo, and potential snow favoring a late Wolverines win. The episode covers unchanged CFP top four (Ohio State #1, Indiana #2, Texas A&M #3, Georgia #4), Michigan at #15, and Rivalry Week picks like Iowa over Nebraska and Indiana covering Purdue.

Key Points:

• Game Recaps: Oregon showed playoff depth beating injured USC; Michigan converted 12/14 third downs without punting vs. Maryland; Ohio State's run game rotated effectively despite missing top receivers; Washington dominated UCLA 48-14.
• Michigan-Ohio State Preview: Eli predicts Ohio State snaps streak via pass rush (2-3 sacks), spy coverage on Underwood, elite rush defense (<100 yards allowed), and opened passing attack; Rob sees Michigan controlling pace with top rush offense, weather edge, and no early blowout.
• CFP Rankings: Top seeds locked; Big Ten playoff hopefuls include Michigan (#15), USC (#17); Oregon (#6) vs. Miami, Ole Miss (#7) vs. Alabama highlight risks in rivalry games.
• Rivalry Picks: Iowa (-6.5) over Nebraska; Indiana (-28.5) covers Purdue; Oregon (-6.5) edges Washington; Wisconsin upsets Minnesota (+1.5); Penn State (-13.5) beats Rutgers.

Summary:

This episode breaks down a key week in Big Ten and adjacent college football action. The hosts recap each major matchup, spotlighting standout player performances, big upsets, dramatic finishes, and storylines heading into the next week. Rankings are discussed twice: once with AP numbers, then recalibrated with fresh playoff rankings. The show closes with bold predictions and humorous asides about upcoming games, stadium atmospheres, and crowd energy.

Key Points:

• Oregon vs. Minnesota: Oregon dominated behind Dante Moore's near-perfect passing and a stifling run defense. Minnesota's young QB gained valuable experience despite the lopsided score.
• Indiana vs. Wisconsin: Indiana remained unbeaten, with Fernando Mendoza breaking the school single-season TD record and the defense shutting out Wisconsin in the second half.
• USC vs. Iowa: USC mounted a big comeback from 11 down, with Mikhail Lemon starring and the defense clamping Iowa post-halftime. Iowa's first half saw a rare triple-threat TD from Markanowski.
• Penn State vs. Michigan State: PSU rode Katron Allen to snap a losing streak, capitalizing on Michigan State's ongoing Big Ten woes in what's humorously dubbed the "Lizard Bowl."
• Illinois vs. Maryland: Illinois controlled the game with tough defense and efficient rushing, handing Maryland another defeat.
• Washington vs. Purdue: Washington bounced back behind Adam Mohammed's 3-TD day. The Purdue game included a scary moment when Washington freshman receiver Raiden Vines-Brite was taken off in an ambulance, but he’s reported to be okay.
• Ohio State vs. UCLA: OSU's ground game exploded despite top receivers being out. Ohio State’s defense continued a historic run of holding opponents under 100 rushing yards.
• Michigan vs. Northwestern: A nail-biter at Wrigley Field, Michigan survived late turnovers to win on a last-second field goal; Andrew Marsh and Jordan Marshall both starred, with injuries and shaky late-game execution almost costing the Wolverines.
• Upcoming Games Preview: The episode features lively predictions for marquee matchups like Ohio State-Rutgers, Michigan-Maryland, and USC-Oregon, including ticket price jokes and musings on stadiums after dark.
• Playoff Picture: The hosts break down the week 13 playoff bracket and the recalibrated top 25, with Big Ten teams moving up or solidifying chances.

Fun and Notable Moments:

• Rebranding the Penn State/Michigan State matchup as the "Lizard Bowl," adding a running joke for future shows.
• A comedic take about how tickets for lackluster games are cheaper than the stadium hotdogs.
• Callbacks to classic video game moments, such as a linebacker with a “video game-like interception.”
• Lighthearted griping about games at Wrigley Field ("not conducive to playing football in") and “Big Ten after dark.”
• Comments about coaching hot seats and the unpredictability of midseason favorites.

Summary:

Chaos ruled in Week 11 as tight finishes, wild turnovers, and dramatic upsets shook up the Big Ten and the playoff picture—while hosts Rob and Eli break down every game, rant about rules, and set the stage for colossal showdowns ahead with fresh rankings and spicy predictions.

Key Points:

• Playoff Rankings & Chaos: The second week of College Football Playoff rankings arrives with Ohio State and Indiana still at the top, but upsets and surprising results threaten to shake up seeding for the home stretch.
• USC’s Friday Night Win: USC beats Northwestern 38-17 with explosive performances (Makai Lemon: 161 yards, 2 TDs) and a bizarre illegal punt number-swap story. Defensive heroics and a controversial end zone fumble turn the game’s momentum.
• Indiana Survives at Penn State: The Hoosiers’ perfect season barely survives as Omar Cooper Jr. hauls in a toe-tap TD for a dramatic road win, overcoming a tough Penn State team and keeping playoff dreams alive
• Oregon Escapes Iowa: Ducks grind out a win with a last-second field goal in a rain-soaked, defensive slugfest, keeping their playoff hopes alive and handing Iowa a rare home defeat.
• Wisconsin Upsets Washington: Washington’s newly acquired ranking vanishes on the road as Wisconsin’s punter matches the quarterback’s passing yards, ending the Huskies’ credibility with the playoff committee.
• Rutgers Rolls Maryland: Antoine Raymond’s career night leads Rutgers to bowl eligibility, while Maryland’s coaching drama heats up as their season threatens to unravel.
• Nebraska Tops UCLA: Freshman QB TJ Latif’s efficient debut and Emmett Johnson’s monster game help Nebraska withstand a late UCLA comeback in the Rose Bowl, now the subject of a bizarre stadium lawsuit.
• Ohio State Dominates Purdue: Buckeyes move to 9-0 as their defense suffocates Purdue and offensive stars shine, setting up a favorable matchup with UCLA.
• Week 12 Previews: The hosts analyze point spreads and offer predictions—expect competitive battles, desperate teams hunting for bowl eligibility, and “The Lizard Bowl” between Penn State and Michigan State.
• Rants, Trivia, & Trophy Talk: The Jewett Trophy rivalry for Michigan-Northwestern gets a spotlight, and the crew delivers classic banter on football rules, playoff quirks, and coaching hot seats.

Summary:

Week 10 of the Big Ten season showcases Indiana’s dominance, ugly yet gritty wins for Michigan and Ohio State, and the debut of the College Football Playoff committee rankings—with plenty of predictions for the road ahead in a league where chaos is the only constant. 

Key Points:

• Playoff Rankings Take Center Stage: The crew pivots from the AP poll to real playoff scenarios as the College Football Playoff rankings are unveiled, with Ohio State and Indiana at #1 and #2, and the Big Ten flexing its muscle with multiple teams in the top 25.
• Indiana Stays Unstoppable: The Hoosiers obliterate Maryland 55-10, improve to 9-0, and showcase balanced offense and stifling defense. Maryland’s five turnovers turn an already lopsided contest into a rout.
• USC Survives Nebraska with Ground Game: Despite dismal passing, USC rallies to beat Nebraska 21-17 as King Miller shines and Nebraska loses QB Dylan Raiola for the year.
• Illinois Cruises, Minnesota Survives: Illinois throttles Rutgers for bowl eligibility (35-13); Minnesota escapes Michigan State in an overtime thriller (23-20), keeping MSU winless in the Big Ten.
• Michigan Guts Out a Win Over Purdue: In a grind-it-out, injury-racked effort, Michigan edges Purdue 21-16 behind Jordan Marshall’s three TDs, with an ugly performance that still secures bowl eligibility and keeps stretch-run hopes alive.
• Ohio State’s Statement Win: Ohio State puts away Penn State 38-14 with Joen Sane tossing four TDs, vaulting him to the Heisman front-runner spot and furthering the nation’s best completion percentage. The Buckeyes’ defense continues to dominate, smothering the run.
• Playoff Committee Quirks & Rants: The hosts debate the ranking logic, gripe about Notre Dame’s spot, celebrate Washington finally breaking into the poll, and break down scenarios for Iowa, BYU, Oregon, and more.
• Week 11 Preview & Picks Galore: The hosts look ahead to style matchups (USC/Northwestern), Indiana at Penn State, blowout predictions for Ohio State at Purdue, toss-ups like Maryland/Rutgers, and a few coin-flip calls on Nebraska/UCLA and Oregon/Iowa.
• Vintage Banter: Includes classic rants about football rules, the quirks of perennially snake-bitten teams (Purdue, Penn State), injury storylines, and some fun with playoff bracket hypotheticals.

Summary:

This episode covers Week 9 of the 2025 college football season, with hosts Rob and Eli breaking down Big Ten games and looking ahead to Week 10. The episode features deep analysis of several key matchups, with Indiana continuing their perfect season by demolishing UCLA 56-6, Michigan beating Michigan State 31-20 in the Paul Bunyan Trophy rivalry game, and several other Big Ten contests. The hosts also provide predictions for upcoming Week 10 games, with particular focus on the anticipated Ohio State vs Penn State showdown.

Current Rankings & Storylines:

• Ohio State remains #1, Indiana stays at #2, Oregon holds at #6
• Michigan jumps 4 spots to #21, USC rises to #23 from unranked
• Washington still unranked despite strong play (hosts think they deserve ranking)

Major Game Results & Analysis:

• Indiana 56, UCLA 6: Complete domination by the Hoosiers, ending UCLA's "Cinderella run"
• Indiana had touchdowns on 7 of first 9 drives
• UCLA went 1-for-11 on third down conversions
• Indiana extends nation's longest home win streak to 14 games
• Michigan 31, Michigan State 20: Rivalry game with Michigan's ground game controlling the second half
• Justice Hayes: 152 yards, 2 TDs; Jordan Marshall contributed significantly
• Michigan State made it competitive but self-inflicted wounds (10 penalties, 2 turnovers on downs) hurt their upset bid
• Michigan now 4 straight wins in the rivalry
• Oregon 21, Wisconsin 7: Ugly weather game that Oregon struggled through
• First points Wisconsin scored since Week 6 vs Michigan
• Oregon should be used to these conditions but looked lackluster

Summary:

This episode of Big Ten Bloodlines, hosted by Rob and his son Eli, delivers a fast-paced, insightful, and humorous recap of the latest Big Ten football action. After a brief note on missing the previous week due to technical issues, the duo dives into the current AP Top 25 rankings, highlighting Ohio State’s dominance, Indiana’s continued success, and the fluctuating fortunes of Illinois and Michigan.

Takeaways:

• Ohio State continues its reign at #1 for the 8th straight week, while Indiana, Oregon, Illinois, and Michigan round out Big Ten representation in the top 25.
• Minnesota dominates Nebraska 24-6 with a school record nine sacks, exposing Nebraska's ongoing offensive line woes and containing QB Dylan Riola despite his Mahomes-like improvisations.
• Indiana cruises past Michigan State 38-13, fueled by Fernando Mendoza's Heisman-worthy campaign and potent offense; Michigan State continues its downward spiral.
• Oregon obliterates Rutgers 56-10, amassing 750 yards of offense and extending their road win streak, leaving Rutgers outclassed across the board.
• Notre Dame vs. USC: In perhaps the "Big Ten-iest non-Big Ten game," Notre Dame upsets USC on the strength of explosive rushing and key defensive plays.
• Northwestern surprises with a 19-0 shutout over Purdue, showing resilience and emerging as a potential bowl contender.
• Iowa vs. Penn State: Iowa squeaks by 25-24 in a classic, chaotic matchup defined by running, special teams drama, and Penn State's mounting frustrations ("Four straight lizards for Penn State!").
• UCLA clinches a last-second victory over Maryland 20-17, continuing a strangely positive midseason trajectory.
• Michigan bounces back, beating Washington 24-7 and showing renewed defensive grit and offensive cohesion.
• Ohio State blanks Wisconsin 34-0, with Julian Sayin lighting up the scoreboard and OSU defense staking its claim as possibly the best of the playoff era.
• Preview & predictions: The show closes with picks for upcoming games, highlighted by the Michigan/Michigan State rivalry and lighthearted speculation about potential chaos in East Lansing.

Summary:

Illinois steamrolls Purdue to reclaim the Cannon Trophy, Washington stages a comeback for the ages against Maryland, and Northwestern obliterates UL Monroe. Michigan grinds out a win over Wisconsin, and Ohio State dismantles Minnesota with Carnell Tate’s NFL-ready performance. Nebraska edges Michigan State in a turnover-fueled battle, and the guys trade barbs about Buckeye Tears and a snapping turtle named Illibuck, whose tragic 1920s saga is the real MVP of this episode. Looking ahead, expect fireworks as Michigan takes on USC’s flashy offense, Ohio State faces Illinois’ sneaky-good attack, and Indiana dares to dream big against Oregon. It’s Big Ten football—where upsets, rivalries, and questionable play-calling reign supreme!

Takeaways:

• Ohio State remains at the top of the Big Ten rankings.
• UCLA's upset over Penn State was a historic moment.
• Illinois reclaimed the Canon Trophy with a win over Purdue.
• Washington's comeback against Maryland showcased their resilience.
• Nebraska's victory over Michigan State highlighted their balanced attack.
• Michigan's win against Wisconsin demonstrated their offensive growth.
• Ohio State's dominance against Minnesota solidified their status as a powerhouse.

Summary:

In this episode, hosts Rob and Eli dive into the latest Big Ten football action, discussing key matchups, team performances, and predictions for upcoming games. They analyze the AP Top 25 rankings, highlight thrilling games such as Indiana vs. Iowa and Penn State vs. Oregon, and provide insights into the strengths and weaknesses of various teams. The conversation also touches on coaching strategies and player performances, setting the stage for future matchups in the Big Ten.

Takeaways:

• Ohio State remains at the top of the AP Top 25.
• Indiana's Fernando Mendoza shines with a game-winning touchdown.
• Illinois edges out USC with a last-second field goal.
• Minnesota rallies to defeat Rutgers despite missing key players.
• Northwestern spoils UCLA's debut with a narrow victory.
• Oregon's thrilling double-overtime win over Penn State.
• Ohio State's defense dominates Washington.
• Michigan's upcoming challenge against Wisconsin.
• Illinois' emotional recovery after a tough loss.
• Nebraska's potential to pull away from Michigan State.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Big Ten Action
00:15 AP Top 25 Rankings and Team Performances
01:36 Indiana vs. Iowa: A Close Encounter
02:57 Illinois vs. USC: A Thrilling Finish
04:44 Minnesota vs. Rutgers: A Comeback Victory
05:51 Northwestern vs. UCLA: Spoiling the Debut
06:38 Penn State vs. Oregon: A Double Overtime Thriller
09:27 Ohio State vs. Washington: Defensive Dominance
11:40 Upcoming Matchups: Predictions and Insights
15:00 Michigan vs. Wisconsin: A Clash of Titans
16:36 Illinois vs. Purdue: Emotional Recovery
17:23 Penn State vs. UCLA: Cross-Country Showdown
18:44 Nebraska vs. Michigan State: A Tough Matchup
19:44 Ohio State vs. Minnesota: Expectations and Predictions
20:43 Conclusion and Look Ahead