2026 Big Ten Roundup Week 8-- defenses lead the way

The 2026 Week 8 of college football has wrapped up and the Big Ten Conference had six conference games played with two ranked opponents falling to unranked teams.

The No. 7 UCLA Bruins remain the final undefeated team in the Big Ten Conference as the usually competitive teams like Michigan, Oregon and No. 25 USC continue to flutter away their chances at a Big Ten title. There were 12 teams that played this week with the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes, Purdue Boilermakers, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Washington Huskies, Penn State Nittany Lions and Maryland Terrapins all taking their bye week. Here is the Week 8 Big Ten Roundup.

13-6 Indiana over Michigan

The Hoosiers escaped an overtime nail-biter after the two teams managed to get just two field goals being scored by both teams during regulation. Fortunately for Indiana, senior quarterback Josh Hoover was able to run in for the Hoosiers first touchdown of the game in overtime and their defense managed to force a turnover on downs against the freshman quarterback Tommy Carr-led Michigan offense.

28-10 UCLA over Michigan State

The Bruins had a sloppy performance against the Spartans with two first half fumbles, but the defense gave Michigan State fits throughout their game. UCLA held Michigan State to 156 total yards and forced three turnovers to give their offense plenty of chances. The Bruins scored on two of the turnovers and ended the game with a fourth quarter interception.

13-10 Minnesota vs Iowa

Iowa dropped the ball in a defensive matchup against Minnesota, which ended with the Golden Gophers game-winning field goal drive. The Hawkeyes managed to tie the game up with minutes left in the fourth, but after each team went three-and-out, the Golden Gophers took charge with a quick 1:46 long drive at home. Minnesota's senior place kicker Luke Drzewiecki made the 46-yard field goal attempt and Minnesota left the game with an upset win.

24-7 Wisconsin vs USC

The Badgers silenced the Trojans in a defensive battle at the Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. USC's senior star quarterback Jaydan Maiava was picked off twice in the first quarter by the Badgers and ended the game being sacked five times for a loss of 57 yards. Maiava's loss of yardage helped Wisconsin stop the run game as they held the Trojans to -17 rushing yards and forced the USC signal caller to sling the rock 50 times in their loss. The Badgers upset dropped the Trojans to a 3-2 record in the Big Ten Conference.

42-14 Northwestern vs Rutgers

The Wildcats gave the Scarlet Knights no chance at an upset with a 21-point first quarter. Senior signal caller Aidan Chiles had a five touchdown performance game and scored on all three of Northwestern's first quarter drives. Chiles ended the day completing 76 percent of his passes for 219 passing yards and three touchdowns through the air with 83 rushing yard and two touchdowns on the ground on 12 carries.

21-10 Illinois vs Oregon

Despite the Ducks being up 10-7 at halftime, the Fighting Illini's defense were able to shutout junior quarterback Dylan Raiola's offense in the second half to get the win. Oregon's offense was able to drive down the field, but two missed field goals left the offense leaving the field without points. The opportunity for Illinois to defeat the spiraling Ducks arose with two touchdown drives giving them a win at home.

This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: 2026 Big Ten Roundup Week 8-- defenses lead the way