SHORT TAKES

• The Big Ten did Michigan a favor, allowing quarterback Jake Rudock to compete this year after transferring as a graduate student from Iowa. Athletes who transfer within the conference normally must sit out a season. In Rudock's case, there wasn't much uproar over the waiver, probably because he'd struggled at Iowa. The tone will change if Rudock keeps playing well. He threw three interceptions against Utah, but has completed 63 percent of his passes with two picks in his past three games.

• In inter-division play, Wisconsin faces Maryland and Rutgers, two teams that are an absolute mess. Payback comes next year. The Badgers draw Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State from the East in 2016. The Gophers get Rutgers, Maryland and Penn State from the East next season, when the Big Ten moves to a nine-game conference schedule.

• With three consecutive three-point wins, the Gophers have been too close for comfort against Colorado State, Kent State and Ohio. The Gophers are now 9-3 in games decided by four or fewer points under Kill. As CBSSports.com noted this week, Kirk Ferentz is 20-30 at Iowa in games decided by four points or fewer.