Another year, another late collapse by Penn State against Ohio State. They are apparently “too comfortable being great.” Also, apparently great equals on conference title and nothing else.
Team of the Week – Ohio State – A+- This was championship level. Not just league but national. The Buckeyes were up against the ropes for vast stretches of the game yet Dwayne Haskins and the defense found a way to win. Against a different team on a different week, it will be J.K. Dobbins or Mike Weber and that defense but the results are clear: OSU can find victory in numerous ways. Factor in they did this while on the road in Beaver Stadium and a clear statement has been sent to Michigan, Michigan State, and Wisconsin: not this year, fellas.
Illinois – Bye
Indiana – C- – Strange game for the Hoosiers. They fell down 7-0 early but then scored 24 unanswered before the half to go into the locker room with a sizable lead. Second half? Nada. 24-17 final. Sure it was a road win in the league but it wasn’t impressive at all. Maybe they scored with such ease that they checked out? Maybe they were looking forward to Ohio State? Who knows, but it was surprising to see such an uninspired half of ball.
Iowa – Bye
Maryland – Bye
Michigan – D+ – Well they won, right? That’s all that matters, no? Well…kind of. The problem is the offense took a step back against a Big Ten team after displaying so much promise against weak foes. Then there were the 11 penalties for 100 yards. Don’t forget about three straight scoring drives by NU to open up 17-0. Against a deeper opponent, it is probably game over. Playing this lackadaisical against a Penn State or the Buckeyes? Forget about it, they’ll be done 31-0 at the half if they play like this against the cream of the Big Ten crop.
Michigan State – C- – Another week, another ho-hum game for Michigan State. Central didn’t do anything well, no really, they had just 245 yards, were out gained by a hundred yards, had more penalties, were worse on third down, and lost the turnover game yet they hung tough in the first half and then put up 17 in the fourth to make the game mildly interesting. The concern has to be the lack of offensive pop MSU continues to show combined with the lack of killer instinct. Sure 31-3 entering the fourth means the game is well in hand but how do they not finish better and wrap that game up like 41-3? I just don’t know what to make of this year’s squad for Dantonio.
Minnesota – Bye
Nebraska – F – The woeful Husker D gave up over 500 yards again, was dreadful on third down, and had no takeaways. The offense played well statistically but had a giveaway and couldn’t keep pace with Purdue’s scoring. As a team the Huskers held the ball for under 24 minutes and had 11 penalties for 136 yards. At least Adrian Martinez is fun to watch, right?
Northwestern – B – A team coming off 10 win season probably shouldn’t be having moral victories but the Wildcats did a ton of good stuff in this game after two poor outings. This is a performance to build on and if they play like they did against Michigan versus most of the teams on their schedule, they’ll start winning. The growing concern now is how this team will rush the ball. Yes Michigan’s d is fantastic but their first game without Jeremy Larkin yielded just 28 yards on 34 carries. Uff-da.
Penn State – F – How do you blow it two years in a row? How do you blow it with one of the worst play calls since Pete Carroll signed off on a certain pass in a certain Super Bowl? How do you blow it at home? How do you take the ball out of your best player’s hands on the last play? How does your defense collapse? If Penn State could answer just one of these questions, they would be the team of the week and have the inside track to Indianapolis.
Purdue – A – Yeah, yeah, yeah, they gave up some yards but we knew that the defense would be a work in progress heading into the season! The real story is David Blough’s hot streak continuing as he shredded the Husker secondary. More importantly, this team is one game away from .500 ball and lurking around another bowl. Considering how erratic they played to start the season, this is quite the turnaround.
Rutgers – D – Take the tape of that second half and find a way to do that for sixty minutes. RU shut out the Hoosiers in the second and manufactured 10 points. Maybe it was a sign of some potential…but that is a big maybe for this team lacking talent. At least they have Illinois next!
Wisconsin – Off
Game of the Week – The mammoth sized top ten battle in State College, PA lived up to the billing as Ohio State’s gritty comeback and one point win has a chance to be the best game in the Big Ten this year despite coming in the first half of the season.
Why Did I Watch This? Award – Indiana at Rutgers had such a dull second half I fell asleep. Sure I missed a minor comeback but I feel a few extra moments of zzz’s were worth it. Remember kids, sleep > RU football.
Gambling Report Card:
- Indiana at Rutgers, IU (-16.5)
When it was 24-7 at half I was feeling really smug. Perhaps some instant karma came my way as the Hoosiers were held scoreless in the second half, resulting in a pedestrian 24-17 win.
- Michigan at Northwestern, UM (-15.5), Over (46.5)
Oh-for-two as the sloppy win by Michigan neither covered (they won by 3) nor went over (37 total points). Thanks for nothing, Michigan.
- Michigan State vs Central Michigan, points (MSU -28.5)
Chips found some points in the second half to end up losing by just 11. Sure they are 1-4 now but they are reliably just bad enough to lose by about two touchdowns, not four.
- Nebraska vs Purdue, PU (-3.0)
In hindsight I wish I had taken the over with NU’s putrid defense but that’s life. Settle for a smaller win as Purdue easily covered the spread in their 42-28 road win.
- Ohio State at Penn State, Over (68.5), Points (Degenerate Pick, OSU -3.5)
Degenerates get a split thanks to the one point win but the defenses performing above expectation was, well, unexpected.
Week Record: 3-4-0
Season Record: 30-31-1…uh-oh, under .500. Haven’t finished a year with a losing mark but the last two weeks haven’t been exactly banner weeks.
Big Ten and Counting 