Another weekend, another rash of wild and unpredictable outcomes. Been waiting for Iowa to finally lose a close one? Check. Wondering when Purdue might finally win again in Ann Arbor? Check. Prepared for the road team to win again in the hotly contested Penn State - Ohio State series? Check.
And that wasn't all. Illinois got it done, again. Indiana nearly stormed back to beat Wisconsin. Michigan State finally pounded someone while finding another capable tailback in the process. Every single team in the Big Ten still has at least a shot at bowl eligibility.
It all sets up for a great run to the finish, even if the top of the conference was likely signed, sealed and delivered on November 7...
Team of the Week: Purdue. The Boilermakers came off a 37-0 pasting at Wisconsin, spotted Michigan a 24-10 lead, came back and won in Ann Arbor for the first time since 1966. That's 43 years. When a guy the youngsters know as a recently suspended college football color commentator quarterbacked the gold and black (Bob Griese). Hat's off to Purdue...
Player of the Week: Kirk Cousins, Michigan State. Yep, gonna give one of my guys the love. He was nearly perfect, going 22-25 for 353 yards and two touchdowns. Others stepped up big too, but Cousins had no turnovers - while Joey Elliott had a couple. Honorable mention to OSU defensive lineman Cameron Hayward who had a HUGE game at Penn State.
Around the Big Ten
From here on out, I'll focus the team-by-team capsules on the adjusted bowl possibilities and projections. Here are ESPN.com's, ESPN Big Ten Blogger Adam Rittenberg's, and CBS Sportsline's.
A few things to keep in mind: a 6-6 team can be selected ahead of a 7-5 team as long as the 7-5 team is guaranteed a Big Ten bowl tie-in. All bowls except the Insight and Little Caesar's Pizza cannot select a team with two fewer wins than the team above it in the standings. Note that the picking order is as follows: Rose, Capital One, Outback, Champs, Alamo, Insight, Little Caesar's.
And that wasn't all. Illinois got it done, again. Indiana nearly stormed back to beat Wisconsin. Michigan State finally pounded someone while finding another capable tailback in the process. Every single team in the Big Ten still has at least a shot at bowl eligibility.
It all sets up for a great run to the finish, even if the top of the conference was likely signed, sealed and delivered on November 7...
Team of the Week: Purdue. The Boilermakers came off a 37-0 pasting at Wisconsin, spotted Michigan a 24-10 lead, came back and won in Ann Arbor for the first time since 1966. That's 43 years. When a guy the youngsters know as a recently suspended college football color commentator quarterbacked the gold and black (Bob Griese). Hat's off to Purdue...
Player of the Week: Kirk Cousins, Michigan State. Yep, gonna give one of my guys the love. He was nearly perfect, going 22-25 for 353 yards and two touchdowns. Others stepped up big too, but Cousins had no turnovers - while Joey Elliott had a couple. Honorable mention to OSU defensive lineman Cameron Hayward who had a HUGE game at Penn State.
Around the Big Ten
From here on out, I'll focus the team-by-team capsules on the adjusted bowl possibilities and projections. Here are ESPN.com's, ESPN Big Ten Blogger Adam Rittenberg's, and CBS Sportsline's.
A few things to keep in mind: a 6-6 team can be selected ahead of a 7-5 team as long as the 7-5 team is guaranteed a Big Ten bowl tie-in. All bowls except the Insight and Little Caesar's Pizza cannot select a team with two fewer wins than the team above it in the standings. Note that the picking order is as follows: Rose, Capital One, Outback, Champs, Alamo, Insight, Little Caesar's.
Illinois - Don't look now, but Illinois has strung together two straight, and this time with a (formerly) third string signal caller. It won't be easy to get to six, but momentum is key in college football.
Best case is 6-6. Worst case is 3-9. Prediction is 4-8. Next up: Northwestern
Indiana - Another week, another tough loss for the Hoosiers. This time, instead of giving up a lead, Indiana nearly came back to pull off a big upset. Time is not on the Hoosiers' side, needing two wins with a trip to Penn State looming.
Best case is 6-6. Worst case is 4-8. Prediction is 5-7 and no bowl. Next Up: at Penn State
Iowa - Easy come, easy go. Iowa had lived on the edge for most of its nine wins and it finally bit them over the weekend. Losing Stanzi was the nail in that coffin. Now the Hawkeyes MUST beat Ohio State or the Rose Bowl that seemed almost a given goes down the drain.
Iowa - Easy come, easy go. Iowa had lived on the edge for most of its nine wins and it finally bit them over the weekend. Losing Stanzi was the nail in that coffin. Now the Hawkeyes MUST beat Ohio State or the Rose Bowl that seemed almost a given goes down the drain.
Best case is 11-1. Worst case is 9-3. Prediction is 10-2 and a Capital One Bowl berth. Next up: at Ohio State.
Michigan - The heat on RichRod was just cranked up to max temp. Michigan blew another first half lead with laughable defense. With a road game and a game against Tressel still on tap, it looks like another season of home for the holiday's for the boys in blue.
Best case is 7-5. Worst case is 5-7. Prediction is 5-7 and no bowl. Next up: at Wisconsin
Michigan State - That was just what the doctor ordered. The Spartans jumped on Western Michigan early and often and pulled within a game of bowl eligibility with two left. This week sets up to be a great game, with two snake bitten teams going toe-to-toe to try and get to a bowl.
Best case is 7-5. Worst case is 5-7. Prediction is 7-5 and an Alamo Bowl Berth. Next up: at Purdue
Minnesota - So much for turning any corners. Minnesota fell back to earth - hard - against Illinois and set itself back in the quest for a good bowl berth. This weekend appears to offer up the sixth win gimmie, but the loss to Illinois punts Minnesota all the way to the bottom.
Best case is 7-5. Worst case is 5-7. Prediction is 6-6. Minnesota goes from Disney to Detroit with that one loss. Little Caesar's Pizza anyone? Next up: South Dakota State
Northwestern - The Wildcats hung one on Iowa and probably gain the most of anyone in the conference other than Ohio State. The 'cats are bowl eligible and now it is a matter of improving positioning.
Best case is 8-4. Worst case 6-6. Prediction is 7-5. The Wildcats head to Phoenix for the Insight Bowl. Next up: at Illinois
Ohio State - Guess who sits in the driver's seat in the Big Ten - again? Ohio State put forth a dominating defensive effort at State College and put itself in great position to make a run for the Roses. That win was a huge money maker for the scarlet and gray.
Best Case is 10-2. Worst case is 8-4. Prediction is 10-2, a fifth straight title and a trip to the Rose Bowl. Next Up: Iowa
Penn State - The Nittany Lions are 0-fer against upper tier competition so far this year. The shocking part is that both losses happened at home. With the title all but out of the question, and with it, a BCS berth, it is all about where in FLA the Nittany Lions want to spend the holidays.
Best case is 10-2. Worst case is 8-4. Prediction is 9-3 and a berth in the Outback Bowl. Next up: Indiana
Purdue - That was a huge win for Purdue. The only spoiler factor was the Danny Hope / RichRod incident with the suspended lineman. That was a rookie move by an emotional coach. Nonetheless, the Boilers can go bowling with two more wins. The question is, which Purdue will show up on Saturday?
Michigan - The heat on RichRod was just cranked up to max temp. Michigan blew another first half lead with laughable defense. With a road game and a game against Tressel still on tap, it looks like another season of home for the holiday's for the boys in blue.
Best case is 7-5. Worst case is 5-7. Prediction is 5-7 and no bowl. Next up: at Wisconsin
Michigan State - That was just what the doctor ordered. The Spartans jumped on Western Michigan early and often and pulled within a game of bowl eligibility with two left. This week sets up to be a great game, with two snake bitten teams going toe-to-toe to try and get to a bowl.
Best case is 7-5. Worst case is 5-7. Prediction is 7-5 and an Alamo Bowl Berth. Next up: at Purdue
Minnesota - So much for turning any corners. Minnesota fell back to earth - hard - against Illinois and set itself back in the quest for a good bowl berth. This weekend appears to offer up the sixth win gimmie, but the loss to Illinois punts Minnesota all the way to the bottom.
Best case is 7-5. Worst case is 5-7. Prediction is 6-6. Minnesota goes from Disney to Detroit with that one loss. Little Caesar's Pizza anyone? Next up: South Dakota State
Northwestern - The Wildcats hung one on Iowa and probably gain the most of anyone in the conference other than Ohio State. The 'cats are bowl eligible and now it is a matter of improving positioning.
Best case is 8-4. Worst case 6-6. Prediction is 7-5. The Wildcats head to Phoenix for the Insight Bowl. Next up: at Illinois
Ohio State - Guess who sits in the driver's seat in the Big Ten - again? Ohio State put forth a dominating defensive effort at State College and put itself in great position to make a run for the Roses. That win was a huge money maker for the scarlet and gray.
Best Case is 10-2. Worst case is 8-4. Prediction is 10-2, a fifth straight title and a trip to the Rose Bowl. Next Up: Iowa
Penn State - The Nittany Lions are 0-fer against upper tier competition so far this year. The shocking part is that both losses happened at home. With the title all but out of the question, and with it, a BCS berth, it is all about where in FLA the Nittany Lions want to spend the holidays.
Best case is 10-2. Worst case is 8-4. Prediction is 9-3 and a berth in the Outback Bowl. Next up: Indiana
Purdue - That was a huge win for Purdue. The only spoiler factor was the Danny Hope / RichRod incident with the suspended lineman. That was a rookie move by an emotional coach. Nonetheless, the Boilers can go bowling with two more wins. The question is, which Purdue will show up on Saturday?
Best case is 6-6. Worst case is 4-8. Prediction is 5-7. Next up: Michigan State
Wisconsin - The Badgers tried to give one away in Bloomington over the weekend, but instead put a stranglehold on a Florida bowl berth. Two winnable games remain and that means the Badgers do have a chance - albeit a very outside shot - to hit a BCS bowl.
Best case is 10-2. Worst case is 7-5. Prediction is 10-2 and a trip back to Orlando for the Champs Bowl. Next up: Michigan
Get Gamm Winner:
For the first time in forever, we have a new leader at the top. Andrew won with a 5-1 record and pushed St. Louis into second place.
Michigan at Wisconsin
Northwestern at Illinois
South Dakota State at Minnesota
Wisconsin - The Badgers tried to give one away in Bloomington over the weekend, but instead put a stranglehold on a Florida bowl berth. Two winnable games remain and that means the Badgers do have a chance - albeit a very outside shot - to hit a BCS bowl.
Best case is 10-2. Worst case is 7-5. Prediction is 10-2 and a trip back to Orlando for the Champs Bowl. Next up: Michigan
Get Gamm Winner:
For the first time in forever, we have a new leader at the top. Andrew won with a 5-1 record and pushed St. Louis into second place.
Michigan at Wisconsin
Northwestern at Illinois
South Dakota State at Minnesota
Indiana at Penn State
Michigan State at Purdue
Iowa at Ohio State (Tiebreaker)
Michigan State at Purdue
Iowa at Ohio State (Tiebreaker)
8 comments:
Congrats Andrew on taking the lead.
WISCONSIN 31 michigan 10
NORTHWESTERN 28 illinois 17
MINNESOTA 35 s dakota state 10
PENN STATE 35 indiana 3
PURDUE 35 mich state 24
OHIO STATE 21 iowa 10
Still time to challenge for the top spot, so here goes.
WISCONSIN 34 michigan 13 Wisky tries to bury the Wolvies
ILLINOIS 28 northwestern 24 Juice or not, I'll go out on a limb and go with the surging Illini at home.
MINNESOTA 42 south dakota state 0 Play somebody :(
PENN STATE 31 indiana 17 not good time to play at PSU
tOHIO STATE 31 iowa 3 Stanzi hurt + Bucks rolling = blowout city
MICHIGAN STATE 31 purdue 27 This one is really hard for me to pick. The Spartans rarely play well in W. Lafayette. I'm picking with my heart not my head in this one. Cousins need to come up BIG again this week for the good guys to have any chance.
GO GREEN
Playing out the string on Week 11after last week's 2-4 performance.
Michigan 17 at WISCONSIN 28--Forcier and Minor prevent a total blowout but the Wolverine meltdown continues against the hottest team in the Big 10/11 right now.
Northwestern 14 at ILLINOIS 21--Second toughest game to pick this week. I believe that the Illini keep bowl hopes alive one more week.
South Dakota State 10 at MINNESOTA 28--A comfortable route to bowl eligibility for the Gophers but the Brookings gang avoids outright blowout.
Indiana 13 at PENN STATE 31--End of the road for Hoosier bowl hopes.
Michigan State 24 at PURDUE 27--What a game!! Not quite bowl elimination for the Spartans; not exactly play-in for the Riveters, but VERY important to both. Spartans are bowl eligble by winning and both teams have travelled similar paths (both beat Michigan, both lost to Minnesota, Notre Dame close and a MAC team). Home field (and homer?) pick with a Wiggs 45+ yarder to win in the last minute.
Iowa 14 at OHIO STATE 24--No Stanzi on the field for the last stanza of Hawkeye Rose Bowl hopes.
Michigan 23 at Wisconsin 31
Northwestern 24 at Illinois 23
South Dakota State 10 at Minnesota 28
Indiana 17 at Penn State 32
Michigan State 27 at Purdue 34
Iowa 10 at Ohio State 35(Tiebreaker)
Man, last week kicked my butt!
Game
Winner
Score
Illinois vs Northwestern
NW
24-21
Indiana @ Penn State
Penn State
35-21
Iowa @ Ohio State
Ohio State
28-13
Michigan @ Wisconsin
Wisconsin
35-17
Michigan State @ Purdue
MSU
28-24
Minnesota vs South Dakota State
Minnesota
45-7
Hey Phats, leave the lights on when you get out of the basement this week...
Michigan 19 at Wisconsin 31 - Rumors swirling that Denard Robinson will be starting, and Rich Rod's replacement is going to be Harbaugh, Miles or Kelly after next season.
Northwestern 22 at Illinois 29
South Dakota State 3 at Minnesota 41
Indiana 25 at Penn State 28
Michigan State 27 at Purdue 23
Iowa 16 at Ohio State 38(Tiebreaker)
Hey Phats, leave the lights on when you get out of the basement this week...
Michigan 19 at Wisconsin 31 - Rumors swirling that Denard Robinson will be starting, and Rich Rod's replacement is going to be Harbaugh, Miles or Kelly after next season.
Northwestern 22 at Illinois 29
South Dakota State 3 at Minnesota 41
Indiana 25 at Penn State 28
Michigan State 27 at Purdue 23
Iowa 16 at Ohio State 38(Tiebreaker)
Haha will do Mayo, try to keep place the clean though please
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