Week 4 of the Big Ten football season brought the true start of conference play.
Headlines were dominated by No. 12 Michigan, which defeated No. 13 USC 27-24 thanks to an all-world performance running the football. Iowa also did the same against Minnesota in its 31-14 rivalry win.
Related: Big Ten Power Rankings after Week 4: Michigan is alive
Week 5 should see more of the same. The slate is headlined by Washington at Rutgers, Wisconsin at No. 13 USC, Minnesota at Michigan, Maryland at Indiana and No. 19 Illinois at No. 9 Penn State. Those games should see contenders continue to emerge as the conference landscape gains clarity.
One aspect of that landscape that already has clarity is the list of the conference’s best defenders. Some of the most well-known names, however, are still yet to put together a statement performance this season. That includes Wisconsin safety Hunter Wohler, Michigan linebacker Jaishawn Barham, and Ohio State linemen J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer.
Some names have emerged, evidenced by our snapshot of the Big Ten’s current leaders in total tackles through four weeks:
(Note: All ties are broken by the player’s solo tackles. If that is also tied, they are listed alphabetically)
24
Mikai Gbayor (Nebraska)
Michigan State’s Sam Leavitt, left, is sacked by Nebraska’s Mikai Gbayor during the first quarter on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. Nick King/Lansing State Journal-USA TODAY NETWORK
Tackles: 21 (No. 234 nationally)
Week 4 Stats: Six total tackles (three solo), one fumble recovery
Season Stats: 21 total tackles (eight solo), one fumble recovery, one pass deflection
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23
Dante Trader Jr. (Maryland)
Oct 7, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) and Maryland Terrapins defensive back…
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