Bet you're wondering where I've been given the results of last weekend? Still on cloud nine, thank you. Yes, while I try to be unbiased, one thing is clear - I am a Michigan State Spartan so I am happy as pigs in the proverbial that MSU won last week. That said, I am gutted by the Tigers and their collapse and several blown opportunities tonight. Now, onto my Big Ten views...
It was a fairly telling weekend around the conference. Penn State got right. Illinois got more wrong. Michigan State showed some life. Michigan nearly pulled off ANOTHER amazing, freshman quarterback led QB. Ohio State is rolling. Indiana's near miss in Ann Arbor looks more and more like it was a bit lucky. Speaking of luck, Northwestern was the lucky recipient of WAY too many turnover gifts from Purdue. And Bucky still owns Goldie. Lastly? Iowa needs to stay away from these small schools...
Team of the Week: Michigan State. The Spartans finally showed some defensive life - despite that stupid prevent the win stuff teams do. It was much needed. Now the question is, springboard or pinnacle?
Player of the Week: Michigan QB Tate Forcier. He wasn't gaudy or perfect but he was gutsy. And Michigan fans should be thrilled that he's only a freshman. He needs some meat on his bones to survive the pounding long term, but my hat's off to him.
Around the Big Ten
Illinois - Is Illinois the best worst team? QB change is in the air. Ron Zook senses the orange clad crazies are getting restless. Must win time. Next Up: Michigan State
Indiana - Okay, so Indiana isn't better than I thought. OSU smashed them and made them look very lower tier Big Ten. A decent OOC trip looms, win that and gain back some respect. Next Up: at Virginia
Iowa - Did Iowa get caught looking ahead or do they just like to let the little guy hang? Come on Hawkeyes. I was ready to anoint you "team to beat." Next up: Michigan
Michigan - Michigan was owned for three and a half quarters in East Lansing, but what's new? The only difference this time is that the Wolverines didn't stun the Spartan faithful with a comeback win. Still, they caught my attention. Some work remains, but Forcier is the real deal. Next up: at Iowa
Michigan State - The Michigan game was just what the doctor ordered. If the Spartans can bottle up that intensity - perhaps with a few less 15-yard penalties - it could be onward and upward. We'll learn a lot this week. State traditionally flounders a bit post Michigan week. Next up: at Illinois
Minnesota - The Golden Gophers tried to get the Axe back but just weren't up to the task. There are a few missing pieces, most notably on defense. This can still be a solid season and that starts with stopping the bleeding this weekend. Next up: Purdue
Northwestern - The Wildcats were gifted by a Purdue team in the giving mood. NU is still not defending or tackling nearly as well as they need to be in order to see seven wins. But last week was a nice rebound from the previous two losses. Next up: Miami-OH
Ohio State - The Buckeyes have the defense rolling. The offense is coming together. After a few easy weeks in a row, the slate heats up. Next Up: Wisconsin
Penn State - The Nits started slow in Champaign but finished strong. A visit from Eastern Illinois provides a nice tuneup for a schedule that starts to ratchet up the following week. Next up: Eastern Illinois
Purdue - Purdue just can't get out of it's own way. Four losses by a total of a couple of scores. It doesn't get any easier this weekend. Next up: at Minnesota
Wisconsin - Wisconsin, like Iowa, is a bona fide contender. We'll see if that lasts past a trip to C-bus. Next up: at Ohio State
Get Gamm Winner:
AndrewJ1313 went a perfect 6-0 and gets to pick this week. He closed the gap by a game on St. Louis who was a strong 5-1 with his late switch to MSU. Smart man!
Miami-OH at Northwestern
Michigan State at Illinois
Purdue at Minnesota
Eastern Illinois at Penn State
Indiana at Virginia
Wisconsin at Ohio State (Tiebreaker)
Team of the Week: Michigan State. The Spartans finally showed some defensive life - despite that stupid prevent the win stuff teams do. It was much needed. Now the question is, springboard or pinnacle?
Player of the Week: Michigan QB Tate Forcier. He wasn't gaudy or perfect but he was gutsy. And Michigan fans should be thrilled that he's only a freshman. He needs some meat on his bones to survive the pounding long term, but my hat's off to him.
Around the Big Ten
Illinois - Is Illinois the best worst team? QB change is in the air. Ron Zook senses the orange clad crazies are getting restless. Must win time. Next Up: Michigan State
Indiana - Okay, so Indiana isn't better than I thought. OSU smashed them and made them look very lower tier Big Ten. A decent OOC trip looms, win that and gain back some respect. Next Up: at Virginia
Iowa - Did Iowa get caught looking ahead or do they just like to let the little guy hang? Come on Hawkeyes. I was ready to anoint you "team to beat." Next up: Michigan
Michigan - Michigan was owned for three and a half quarters in East Lansing, but what's new? The only difference this time is that the Wolverines didn't stun the Spartan faithful with a comeback win. Still, they caught my attention. Some work remains, but Forcier is the real deal. Next up: at Iowa
Michigan State - The Michigan game was just what the doctor ordered. If the Spartans can bottle up that intensity - perhaps with a few less 15-yard penalties - it could be onward and upward. We'll learn a lot this week. State traditionally flounders a bit post Michigan week. Next up: at Illinois
Minnesota - The Golden Gophers tried to get the Axe back but just weren't up to the task. There are a few missing pieces, most notably on defense. This can still be a solid season and that starts with stopping the bleeding this weekend. Next up: Purdue
Northwestern - The Wildcats were gifted by a Purdue team in the giving mood. NU is still not defending or tackling nearly as well as they need to be in order to see seven wins. But last week was a nice rebound from the previous two losses. Next up: Miami-OH
Ohio State - The Buckeyes have the defense rolling. The offense is coming together. After a few easy weeks in a row, the slate heats up. Next Up: Wisconsin
Penn State - The Nits started slow in Champaign but finished strong. A visit from Eastern Illinois provides a nice tuneup for a schedule that starts to ratchet up the following week. Next up: Eastern Illinois
Purdue - Purdue just can't get out of it's own way. Four losses by a total of a couple of scores. It doesn't get any easier this weekend. Next up: at Minnesota
Wisconsin - Wisconsin, like Iowa, is a bona fide contender. We'll see if that lasts past a trip to C-bus. Next up: at Ohio State
Get Gamm Winner:
AndrewJ1313 went a perfect 6-0 and gets to pick this week. He closed the gap by a game on St. Louis who was a strong 5-1 with his late switch to MSU. Smart man!
Miami-OH at Northwestern
Michigan State at Illinois
Purdue at Minnesota
Eastern Illinois at Penn State
Indiana at Virginia
Wisconsin at Ohio State (Tiebreaker)
Michigan at Iowa
6 comments:
First off Andy Congrats to your Spartans! Second off I hit .500 woohoo!
NORTHWESTERN(who won't be lucky to get 6 turnovers) 42 miami 14
MICHIGAN STATE 28 illinois 14
PURDUE 35 minnesota 28(we finally win a close game!)
PENN STATE 49 eastern illinois 3
VIRGINIA 31 indiana 21
OHIO STATE 28 wisconsin 17
IOWA 21 michigan 17
GO BOILERS! Not giving up "hope" yet
Useless statistic of the week: Purdue cumulatively has outscored its opposition by three points this season. Would have had a perfect week except for the turnover-fest at WL. On to Week 6:
Miami (OH) 7 at NORTHWESTERN 28--If memory is correct, the Red Hawks lost to Vandy earlier and I am confident that the Wildcats are better than Vandy.
MICHIGAN STATE 20 at Illinois 14--Zook sees unsoliticed realtor signs in his yard.
PURDUE 24 at Minnesota 21--I'll go out with Phats on a limb one more week, though I wouldn't bet a nickel on the pick.
Eastern Illinois 3 at PENN STATE 35--JoePa extends none of the mercy given by Iowa to AR State last week.
INDIANA 17 at Virginia 14--Why not? Maybe Lynch WILL make something out of this year.
*Wisconsin 20 at OHIO STATE 31--Beating the Buckeyes would be several steps up for Bucky Badger. Don't see it happening.
Michigan 14 at IOWA 24--Still think that the Hawkeyes are stronger than the Wolverines this season; though Forcier might get the maize and gold into a decent bowl.
Wow Andy, I would have picked Cousins as the POTW, he was awesome on those 3rd down runs. He's got a head for the game to be sure.
Miami-OH 13 at Northwestern 36
Michigan State 31 at Illinois 24
Purdue 23 at Minnesota 29
Eastern Illinois 6 at Penn State 41
Indiana 27 at Virginia 17
Wisconsin 21 at Ohio State 17 (Tiebreaker)
Michigan 28 at Iowa 31
Here's my lates attempt to get to the top and pick with Andy.
miami (OH) vs NORTHWESTERN
MICHIGAN STATE vs illinois
purdue vs MINNESOTA
eastern illinois vs PENN STATE
indiana vs VIRGINIA
wisconsin 13 vs tOHIO STATE 27
michigan vs IOWA
GO GREEN
St. Louis says:
Illinois vs Michigan State
MSU
33-20
Indiana @ Virginia
Indiana
24-23
Iowa vs Michigan
Iowa
28-24
Minnesota vs Purdue
Minnesota
31-18
Northwestern vs Miami (OH)
NW
35-17
Ohio State vs Wisconsin
Ohio State
24-21
Penn State vs Eastern Illinois
Penn State
45-10
Miami-OH 10 at Northwestern 24
Michigan State 28 at Illinois 24
Purdue 31 at Minnesota 36
Eastern Illinois 7 at Penn State 38
Indiana 24 at Virginia 27
Wisconsin 10 at Ohio State 27(Tiebreaker)
Michigan 21 at Iowa 27
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