The Big Ten in Week 8 will be fueled by rising quarterbacks stepping up to the plate and delivering. The UCLA Bruins will lean on running back Wayne Knight, but across the rest of the conference, quarterbacks will generate the headlines for the week.
Here are the players to watch in Week 8 of Big Ten football:
Tommy Carr will outplay Josh Hoover
Josh Hoover has been struggling lately. He enters this week's game against Michigan with all of the pressure and everything to lose. Tommy Carr will be starting his first game of the season, coming off a game where he led the Michigan Wolverines to a comeback victory. Carr gives the Wolverines' offense a whole new outlook. Carr will outplay Hoover in his first start and keep the confidence high for the Wolverines' offense.
Wayne Knight will have a dominant performance on the ground
Wayne Knight has consistently been the backbone of the UCLA Bruins offense. It has been a running back committee for the Bruins, and they have a three-headed monster. However, the Bruins will win this week's game because Knight will go off for 100 yards on the ground and multiple rushing touchdowns.
Michael Clayton of Illinois will impress against Oregon
The Illinois Fighting Illini will have a new starting quarterback under center this week. I think that bodes well for their chances of making this game closer than it should be. There is a lot to like about Michael Clayton, and Oregon does not have a lot of time to prepare for him. I expect him to shine in his debut and push the Oregon Ducks to the brink of an upset. He will keep the ball out of harm's way and get the best of the Oregon Ducks with a 200-yard, 2-touchdown performance. There is not much hope for postseason contention for Illinois. However, the future will look bright after this performance from the true freshman.
Star of the week- Aidan Chiles
Chiles had his best performance of the season against Ball State a couple of weeks ago. This week he will replicate that same production against a bad Rutgers Scarlet Knights defense. Chiles will throw for 3 touchdowns and 300 yards. He will hurt Rutgers the most through the air and show that this season he is one of the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten.
Underrated performer of the week- Jeremy Hecklinski
Jeremy Hecklinski of Iowa dominated against the Washington Huskies a few weeks ago, lighting them up for three passing touchdowns. As good as his run game is, defenses have no choice but to play to stop the run. Minnesota will make that same mistake, and Jeremy Hecklinski will make them pay. Hecklinski will throw for 250 yards and multiple passing touchdowns to lead the Iowa Hawkeyes to another win.
Contact/Follow @TrojansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of USC Trojans news, notes and opinion.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Big Ten football players due for a big performance in Week 8