Big Ten Recap – Week 2
We got a mixed bag from Week 2 from our Big Ten teams. A couple highs, definitely some lows. Let’s take a look.
Scores: Saturday
Michigan State 44 Florida Atlantic 0
Illinois 56 South Dakota State 3
Ohio State 27 Toledo 22
Wisconsin 35 Oregon State 0
Iowa State 44 Iowa 41 (3 OT)
Alabama 27 Penn State 11
Rice 24 Purdue 22
New Mexico State 28 Minnesota 21
Northwestern 42 Eastern Illinois 21
Virginia 34 Indiana 31
Nebraska 42 Fresno State 29
Michigan 35 Notre Dame 31
Illinois: The Illini had no problem with South Dakota State on Saturday. Not much we can say, but they did a nice job taking care of business against a weak opponent. Tough to tell what we have with Ron Zook and his Illinois club, but they were a bowl team last year and I think they could have a decent season. They have an enormous test next week playing Arizona State at home. Arizona State is just coming off a thrilling win on Friday night vs. Missouri. Next Game: Vs. Arizona State
Indiana: The Hoosiers redeemed themselves a little bit in defeat. Virginia is not a great ACC team by any means, but they are at least an upgrade over Ball State from a week ago. The reality is, however, they are a 0-2 football team, and with a Big Ten schedule beginning real soon, losing winnable non-conference games means you probably aren’t going bowling. They get an opportunity to get a ‘W’ against an FCS team next Saturday. Next Game: Vs. South Carolina State
Iowa: Ugh! Where do I begin? Bottom line is when you let a team like Iowa State hang around by playing ‘not to lose’ instead of ‘playing to win’ then you deserve to lose a game like this. Iowa State does have a very gutty quarterback in Steele Jantz, who was making fantastic plays. I did have a weird feeling about this game going in, as Iowa has struggled in Ames in recent years. It doesn’t get any easier next week. Pittsburgh comes to town. Pitt beat Iowa in Pittsburgh in 2008. Next Game: Vs. Pittsburgh
Michigan: Michigan was the bright spot for the Big Ten in Week 2. They won a thriller against rival Notre Dame. Yes, we know, Notre Dame isn’t very good, but this was a big game for Michigan in their quest to get back to the top. First night game in the Big House, they got down early, but came back and won in the end. Definitely a classic up in Ann Arbor, and this was a much needed win for the Wolverines that some experts did not think they would get. Now they are 2-0, and in real good position at the half way point of the non-conference slate. Next Game: Vs. Eastern Michigan
Michigan State: Sparty gave me a little more confidence in them with the drilling of the Owls of Florida Atlantic. Yes, again, we know, FAU is not good, but I like seeing shutouts with 30+ on the board in these types of games, and Michigan State redeemed themselves after being rather lackluster the previous week. This came at a perfect time as they head to South Bend to face the 0-2 Irish. Michigan State has had a fair amount of success at Notre Dame. Going 3-0 would be huge for MSU. Next Game: At Notre Dame
Minnesota: First of all, my heart goes out to Jerry Kill and his family. Coach Kill collapsed on the sidelines with a seizure with about 20 seconds to go in the game. All reports indicate that he will be okay, but definitely a scary moment, and not something I personally want to see anyone go through. As for the game; Sorry Gopher fans, bad performance against a REALLY bad team. Losing at home is bad enough. Losing to New Mexico State sucks any positive energy gained from the solid 2nd half vs. USC, right out. It really doesn’t get any easier as they play a decent Miami (OH) team. The game is at home, but the Gophers need to figure things out real quick. Next Game: Vs. Miami (OH)
Nebraska: Truth be known, I was not able to watch this game, nor see any highlights either, but Fresno State is always an average to above average opponent. The Huskers were down in the 3rd Quarter and came back and took control in the 4th with a 46 yard td run by “T Magic”. This finish does reinforce what is pretty obvious about this team. If Taylor Martinez can run around like he did in the 1st half of 2010, then Nebraska should win the Legends Division going away. If he gets roughed up, and plays like he did in the 2nd half of 2010, then Nebraska will be relying on their defense to keep games low scoring and have to grind out games. Next week the Huskers play the team they played twice last year. Washington comes to town, but without Jake Locker this time. Next Game: Vs. Washington
Northwestern: The Wildcats moved to 2-0 with another impressive win. Yeah it was over an FCS team, but Northwestern got the big road win over BC last week, and now NW is in a very good spot to be 3-0 going into the Big Ten slate. They head to West Point to play Army. Next Game: At Army
Ohio State: The Buckeyes had a tough time with Toledo. Ohio State is always good for one of these every year, where they grind out a non-conference win over a fellow Ohio school. They clearly are not as good as they were in 2010. Maybe not as well paid? I doubt that. Still don’t know what we have with Ohio State here. We will definitely find out next week. Ohio State at Miami. Winner gets to claim to be the filthiest program! Next Game: At Miami
Penn State: Penn State just made too many mistakes against a really good team on Saturday. Alabama’s defense proved they are probably the best in the country, and they were flying all over the field. PSU’s defense played good too, but eventually just got worn down by a better, more complete football team. Penn State absolutely needs to figure out their quarterback situation though before the conference schedule begins. All in all, PSU played better this year than last year against Alabama, but the quarterback thing needs to be addressed real quickly. Next Game: At Temple
Purdue: The Boilermakers are not good. Losing to Rice? FREAKING Rice? In the words of legendary Tennis player John McEnroe “YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!” I have nothing here. Next Game: Vs. Southeast Missouri State
Wisconsin: This was a nice thumping over a Pac 12 school. Wisconsin looked damn good. I don’t think Oregon State is a very good team but Wisconsin beat them like they didn’t even deserve to share the same field with them. Nice to see from a Big Ten team with disappointing performances like Iowa, Minnesota, and Purdue dragging the conference down. Wisconsin has established themselves as the heavy favorite in the conference this year. Next Week: At Northern Illinois
My Week 2 Big Ten Rankings:
1. (1) Wisconsin
2. (3)Nebraska
3. (2)Ohio State
4. (5)Northwestern
5. (8)Michigan State
6. (7)Illinois
7. (10)Michigan
8. (6)Penn State
9. (4)Iowa
10. (9)Minnesota
11. (11)Purdue
12. (12)Indiana
Thoughts around the country:
Two weeks in, and Alabama, Boise State, and LSU are the best teams I’ve seen so far. Before the season I picked LSU to win the BCS Mythical National Championship. After they lost Jordan Jefferson indefinitely I changed my mind to unknown. After they destroyed Oregon in Week 1, however, it restored my confidence in them. Alabama and Boise State both look like serious contenders as well. I have not seen Oklahoma yet. Beginning in Week 5, I will begin doing a Top 25. I don’t like preseason polls, so I would be somewhat of a hypocrite to rank teams until I at least have watched them play for a few weeks.
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