12-2, let that sink in for a second. the league went 12-2. Every team is at least 1-1 and six teams are 2-0 in the early going. Lots to be happy about across Big Ten nation. Let’s break it down.
Team of the Week: Michigan State – A – The defense was solid, giving up just 21 points and holding Oregon to a poor third down rate. The offense was incredible racking up 31 points and having a bruising running game to the tune of 197 yards. So why was the game so close? That’s the scary thing…MSU has room for improvement. Missed tackles and shaky special teams highlighted by an Oregon punt return for 7. If MSU sorts out these issues, wow.
Illinois – A – 141 yards and 5 first downs is all WIU could muster. Wes Lunt had another nice day as UI racked up 500 yards and 44 points in the shutout. It was an FCS team but 2-0 is 2-0 and Bill Cubit has his kids buying in. I’m curious what record he needs to finish with to get a legit shot at removing the interim tag.
Indiana – C+ – Trailing 14-13 at half the Hoosiers made some nice adjustments and won the second half 23-8 to pull away to a second straight victory. Still, it wasn’t pretty. The defense gave up over 400 yards again. Strangely they forced three turnovers and only won by 14. That doesn’t sound right. Need to take advantage of those extra possessions.
Iowa – B+ – Great adjustments made at halftime as the Hawks won the second half 21-0. As a whole though, there were some issues, none bigger than the coaching gaffe to end the first half. With a 2nd and 2 the hawks ran twice and were stuffed twice. Facing a fourth and 1 they let the clock drain and then took a timeout with one second left. The kick was a fake and resulted in zero points. Inexcusable.
Maryland – F – 692 yards and 48 points allowed, enough said. I know Bowling Green is a nice team and a favorite in the MAC but the Terps played with zero pride and were gashed terribly in the second half. Not a good sign going forward.
Michigan – A- – 38:01 TOP, 405 yards gained vs 138 allowed, De’Veon Smith are all the positives. Still some issues in the passing game and two turnovers, both by Ruddock. Improved no doubt but also much softer competition than week one. Still a lot of questions about this team’s offensive potential moving forward but the defense is playing up to their potential early.
Minnesota – C – A very strange game to say the least. Gopher’s racked up over 400 yards and the passing game was effective. Meanwhile CSU used two quarterbacks, neither all that good, and found a way to force overtime. Gophers survived which is the key. CSU is a very strong group of five program and playing in altitude like Fort Collins is tricky when you aren’t used to it so it may not have been pretty but UM avoided a stunning 0-2 start.
Nebraska – A – 24-0 at half set the tone. Big credit to Tommy Armstrong Jr. with another strong performance throwing the ball. He and Stave seem to be a notch above the other quarterbacks in the division. Defense was vastly improved but still not flawless, so expect the coaches to have plenty to pick apart in tape sessions. 3 takeaways was nice though.
Northwestern – A – ‘Cats hot start continued with a 41-0 stomping of FCS Eastern Illinois. Held EIU to 138 yards, 8 first downs, 0/11 on third as the defense continues to be a rock as the offense grows.
Ohio State – B- – Defense pitched a shutout and while the quarterback rotation leaves a lot to be desired but all things considered, a 38-0 win is nothing to scoff at. If this is OSU’s worst-case performance, Buckeye fans have to feel pretty confident.
Penn State – C – No sacks allowed, defense held the Bulls to just 14 points and under 300 yards but there were still plenty of issues. The passing game struggled to just 4.7 yards per and despite a two touchdown win, it was 13-7 heading into the fourth quarter. Sigh of relief to even up the record at 1-1 but far from polished.
Purdue – B+ – Can’t give an A since it wasn’t flawless and it was against a FCS club but still a nice win. They jumped out to a 24-7 lead at halftime and didn’t really look back. Austin Appleby had a great bounce back after a rough game at Marshall and the defense looked improved BUT, level of competition needs to be factored in.
Rutgers – C- – Agonizing loss and the second half collapse by the defense was jarring. 559 yards allowed won’t win very many games but RU’s offense was good outside of three turnovers. The mistakes are fixable. This could be a nice wake up call for the Knights to get into gear after a very unusual start to the season between dismissals, suspensions and the Kyle Flood investigation.
Wisconsin – A – 58-0 against an overwhelmed Miami (OH) team had to be therapeutic after tough sledding against Alabama. Joel Stave has strung two nice games together and, as I said last week, looks like the best quarterback in the western division.
Game of the Week – MSU vs Oregon – I mean two top 5 clubs, down to the wire, big plays, big hits, fun special teams moments, how could you not have been glued to your seats during this one?
Why Did I Watch This? Award – Northwestern’s defense versus a weak FCS club? There’s a reason I caught the high lights of this one at half time of other games.
Gambling Report Card:
- Indiana vs FIU, Over (56)
Hoosiers won a back and forth affair 36-22 to total 58 and give us a win. Whew.
- Iowa at Iowa State, Iowa (-3), Over (50)
Hometown hawks won by 14 but the stout defense held ISU scoreless in the second half resulting in just 48 points scored for a split.
- Maryland vs Bowling Green, Points (UM, -7.5), Over (71.5)
Falcons won to give us one win but they scored nearly 50 points! The 48-27 final barely cleared that lofty over for our first double-dip of the week.
- Michigan vs Oregon State, UM (-15), Under (45.5)
The 35-7 Wolverine victory was nice to Michigan fans and great to gamblers as we get another double-up. Thanks for stinking up the joint Beavers!
- Michigan State vs Oregon, Over (65)
The four point spread scared me off and with a three point margin I feel good staying away. Unfortunately, the two combined for just 59 points so nothing gained from this great game.
- Minnesota at Colorado State, UM (-5), Under (54.5)
A split as Gopher’s only needed a field goal in overtime to win but combined just 43 points were scored.
- Nebraska vs South Alabama, NU (-27.5), Over (54)
A late touchdown by the Jags resulted in 57 total points! A late win, awesome. Obviously we double-dipped thanks to the Huskers blowing ’em out, 48-9.
- Ohio State vs Hawai’i, OSU (-41), Under (65)
Although a split, I still feel good about the bet. I knew OSU would rack up the points but that the Rainbow Warriors would contribute very little to try and clear that over.
- Penn State vs Buffalo, Under (48), PSU (-17.5, Degenerate Pick)
Only 41 points combined so casual gambler’s got the win. Us degenerates have to settle with a split as the Nittany Lions won by just 13.
- Rutgers vs Washington State, Stay Away! RU (-3.5, Degenerate Pick)
The casual gambler saves their money while the rest of us get a tough beat as WSU scores with just 13 seconds left to win the game by 3. Without the score RU wins by 4, thus covering the slim spread. Damn.
- Wisconsin vs Miami (OH), UW (-31.5), Over (52)
I’ll admit, I was a little worried when Miami missed a field goal and contributed very little but a late touchdown during mop up duties gave the Badgers a 58-0 win for a great win for the gamblers.
Week Record: 13-6-0
Season Record: 22-16-0
Big Ten and Counting 