Backup QBs steal the spotlight in latest Big Ten power rankings

🔮 Having already prevailed in road games against Rutgers and Penn State, the Trojans will try to further erode the perception that Lincoln Riley can’t win in the Eastern and Central time zones.

🔮 Students got in for free and tickets could be had on the secondary market for practically the cost of a McDonald’s Happy Meal.

🔮 While it might sound like an insult to suggest that a backup could be better than Nico Iamaleava, Dieffenbach’s performance during the No. 12 Bruins’ 17-7 victory over Wisconsin indicated that, at the least, his team should be in good hands the rest of the season.

🔮 After helping UCLA hold off Oregon in relieft last weekend – eliminating the need to get back into those boats – Dieffenbach is expected to make his first start Saturday afternoon against Wisconsin (4-1) at the Rose Bowl.

🔮 “Dip the ankles in before practice in the hot tub, whatever I need to do.” Thankfully, the days of trainers relying on liniment and a ball of tape are long gone. USC’s fancy new facilities could be especially advantageous during the team’s first extended break.

🔮 On a stunning Saturday showdown in which neither team could get out of its own way, it was the Bruins who were doing all of the celebrating.

🔮 UCLA will have to rely on its backup quarterback to beat Oregon.

🔮 This could be labeled the Buyer’s Remorse Bowl.

🔮 A victory over No. 13 Oregon at Autzen Stadium would make Chesney the first coach in program history to start 5-0 while also putting the Bruins (4-0 overall, 2-0 Big Ten) firmly in the running for the College Football Playoff. How big of a deal is that? Remember, this is a program that hasn’t played in a major bowl game since going to the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, 1999. What’s happened since has been a forgettable collage of Holiday Bowls, losing seasons and tarps covering the end zones at their home stadium because of small crowds. So, yeah, beating the Ducks (3-1, 1-0) on national television would be huge. “It means,” Chesney said when asked about the possibility, “it’s a next step in what we can do.” Here are five things to watch in a game scheduled to kick off at 12:38 p.m. PDT on CBS: Ducks’ Backup plan Oregon erased any doubt about which quarterback UCLA would face midweek by listing Dante Moore as out. It wasn’t a surprise given the jarring hit he absorbed from USC’s Desman Stephens II late last month at the Coliseum, which sent Moore to the hospital.

🔮 ROSEMONT, Ill. – Austin Reaves spots Mick Cronin five, maybe six shots a side whenever they play golf.