¶ When the Big Ten fumbled through a mediocre season last year—including Wisconsin’s humiliating 44-8 loss to Washington in the Rose Bowl—the experts began wondering aloud whether the famed football conference had lost its punch. This season the Big Ten began promisingly by winning ten and losing none against non-conference teams. But not until last week, when Big Ten teams turned on one another, was it clearly apparent from the skill and violence of play that the Midwest was back in form. Undefeated Ohio State, ranked fifth in the nation, routed fourth-ranked Illinois, 34-7. Trailing 15-14 with five minutes to go, third-ranked Iowa rallied to defeat Michigan State. 27-15. Meanwhile, Michigan boosted conference prestige higher yet by trouncing undefeated Duke, 31-6.
¶ In other key games, a surprisingly strong Navy beat Southern Methodist, 26-7; Penn State gave Army its first loss, 27-16; Missouri routed the Air Force, 34-8; North Carolina beat tottering Notre Dame, 12-7; and Syracuse, still below its potential despite its top ranking, barely got past ho-hum Holy Cross, 15-6.
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