With so many rivalry games (and Thanksgiving) last Saturday felt like one of those weeks that is a bit of a calm. It was anything but as it turned out. Michigan State was a failed two point conversion away from giving the league another huge upset in consecutive weeks. Penn State, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Michigan all kept their Indy aspirations alive. Iowa and Minnesota notched another win to improve their bowl standing and Rutgers did Rutgers-y things in another shutout defeat.
Team of the Week – Penn State – A+ – It’s hard to get too excited for a team that shuts out Rutgers, considering that was the FOURTH time RU has been goose-egged but I’m still taking the Lions. They held RU to just 87 total yards and 5 first downs. Monster day from the Lions offense as well as they pummeled the hapless nights, 39-0. Michigan has that defense, Ohio State has those athletes, but Penn State is the hottest team in the East and making an awesome charge for Indianapolis.
Illinois – F – In 25 mph wind that gusted up to 40 Illinois attempted 41 passes, completing just 19 of them for 137 yards. They never established the run and on the flip side were gashed for 262 yards and a 5.3 average. Worse, the special teams was non-existent with zero spark from their return game while giving up a punt return for six. So, yeah, not a good day.
Indiana – B – They gave themselves a shot, that’s all they could ask for. In previous big tilts, the Hoosiers routinely shot themselves in the foot with turnovers and missed kicks. IU didn’t turn the ball over once against Michigan and kicker Griffin Oaks hit all his kicks. Indiana just couldn’t move the ball well enough against that stout Michigan defense and when UM had the ball, the up and down De’Veon Smith had him self a gem with 158 yards and 2 scores on 23 carries.
Iowa – A+ – Iowa shook off a sluggish start (and confusing play calls while having the wind) to dominate Illinois, 28-0. All three phases of the game were in Iowa’s favor. The two headed monster of Daniels and Wadley each averaged over 6 yards a pop as the big uglies up front manhandled the Illini.
Maryland – F – When Maryland was at its best early in the season they had a scary offense that Perry Hills was leading and a multi headed rushing attack. In their slump Hills has been hurt and the running well dried up. That happened again in Lincoln. Hills didn’t play and the dynamic Ty Johnson rushed just seven times. Worse, without that offense functioning, the defense has to play longer and execute more perfectly. Nebraska had the ball for 39 minutes. Few teams can survive than onslaught.
Michigan – B+ – That defense came up big and the biggest Michigan weakness, rushing, came up large in the snow. Back up John O’Korn struggled and that helped scrappy Indiana stay in the game but in the end that championship caliber defense was the difference maker.
Michigan State – A- – In their super bowl MSU was a two point conversion away from potentially stunning Ohio State. They got there by an incredible effort by Lj Scott. The sophomore carried the rock 19 times for 160 yards and a score. The defense held up really well too. MSU is a talented team that just has inexperience under center and in the skill positions outside of Scott. The injuries certainly didn’t help but don’t be surprised if MSU battles back next year.
Minnesota – B+ – Out gained in yards, no problem for the Gophers. They won thanks to a great day by their kicker Emmit Carpenter hitting all 3 of his filed goals on an 11 point day. The other factor for the victory: outstanding pass rush. SEVEN sacks completely flipped this game around in the Gophers’ favor.
Nebraska – A- – TCOB, baby. That’s what Nebraska did in getting a nice game by back up QB Ryker Fife starting in place of Tommy Armstrong Jr. The ground was also strong with 181 yards and 3 scores as a team. Most of those yards (and all the TDs) came from Terrell Newby. The blackshirts also showed up as the Huskers stay in the hunt for the western title.
Northwestern – D – As you can see from the UM grade, Northwestern had a great shot to win this game. In many ways they outplayed the Gophers but their pass protection was awful and it cost Fitz’s crew.
Ohio State – B – The defense was solid and the running game was good but what on earth was that passing attack? J.T. Barrett ended 10/22 for 86 yards and a score. They can’t do that against Michigan or if they make the playoffs.
Purdue – D- – Not going to give it a total fail because they were scrappy to start, leading after the first quarter 3-0. Late in the second they scored another touchdown to make it 28-10 and give a sliver of hope. Of course they gave up an even later first half TD to trail 35-10 and never got it really close in the second. 293 total yards against that stout Badger defense is nothing to scoff at.
Rutgers – I’ve crunched the numbers and in league play this club is averaging 9.125 ppg and allowing 41.125 points per. They are giving up less but scoring much less than the Purdue team that went 0-8 in Hazell’s first year. Ash is burning up all his new-hire house money and unless something drastic changes, this will be the first team to ever go 0-9 in league play. I realize this is the first year of the nine game schedule but the number of teams that have gone 0-8 isn’t exactly a mile long, so it could be a while before another team joins RU on this painful list to be a part of.
Western Michigan – A+ – Not only did the Western d post the shut out, but the Broncos got a career high in passing yards from stud quarterback Zach Terrell with 445 yards and tossing an Abe Lincoln like four scores.
Wisconsin – A – A little nitpicky but in addition to giving up nearly 300 yards to hapless Purdue, the team only rushed for 221 yards on a 3.9 average – not the stellar day we expected. Also the defensive touchdown meant only 42 points of offense were put up. Ooops, all those are good things. UW dominated their tune up before the axe game.
Game of the Week – MSU and OSU was a thriller that went down to the end and with the late two point call, Dantonio’s gutsy call will be talked about for long after this game ended. Vintage hard hitting Big Ten affair.
The Why Did I Watch This? Award – It may have taken Wisconsin a quarter to get used to playing in front of six people, but once they did and dropped 35 points in the second quarter to take a commanding 35-10 lead in at the break, this one was O-V-E-R.
Gambling Report Card:
- Illinois vs Iowa, Iowa (-8)
This game ranged in how much Iowa was favored. Some places had it as a single digit game and some had Iowa up by as much as two TD favorites. Either way, betting on black came through as Iowa dominated, 28-0.
- Indiana at Michigan, Points (UM -25.5), Under (51)
This was a gambler’s delight for a successful day. A scrappy underdog, a huge spread, a back up qb for the favorite, and bad weather. In the end it added up to a double up as Michigan could only scratch out a 20-10 win.
- Maryland at Nebraska, NU (-13)
I thought that with Armstrong out Maryland could be a sleeper upset but when I saw that the Huskers were less than two TD favorites at home against an equally banged up Terps team I jumped at that and took the home team. It paid off as NU dominated, 28-7.
- Michigan State vs Ohio State, Points (OSU -20), Under (50)
It is really fun to predict games that are going to have awful weather. That howling wind kept this one close and low scoring giving me yet another double up in what is quickly becoming my best week of the year gambling wise.
- Minnesota vs Northwestern, Points (NU -1)
Still not sure why a team with a better record was a home dog to Northwestern but I’ll gladly take the gambling win. Thanks for an easy one as the hotter than hot week continues.
- Penn State at Rutgers, PSU (-26), Over (56)
My first miss of the week! Penn State dominated, 39-0 but as I feared relying on Rutgers to contribute to that over was a really dumb idea. Stupid! Stupid!
- Purdue vs Wisconsin, UW (-27.5)
The awesome week gets another win by just the hair on my chinny chin chin. Thanks to Purdue putting up 20 points, the Badgers 49 points covered by an insanely slim 1.5 point margin. WHEW!!!
- Western Michigan vs Buffalo, WMU (-34.5), Under (55)
My best week of the year by far ends with a final double up as the Broncos dominated the Bulls to win, 39-0.
Week Record: 11-1-0
Season Record: 72-77-1
Big Ten and Counting 