After two weeks who do you think wins the BIG?

Submitted by Brandon_L on
After the embarrassment of Saturday overall, the BIG seems to be reeling nationally. I have had the opportunity to see just about every big ten team play over the last few weeks and it doesn't seem like there is a real runaway threat to win the BIG ten this year. With the opportunity of a playoff spot for the big likely out of the question, who has the best opportunity to win the BIG Ten? The variables I am looking at are schedules, injuries to key players, who has looked the part and so far I don't believe anyone stands out. Lastly, does anyone believe that Michigan has a chance? My personal opinion is that the conference is wide open on both sides. I think the next few games for Michigan will tell us how much heart this team has. If we can do to Miami OHio what we did to App State the team will have a shot at putting the Notre Dame loss to bed. I think michigan has a shot at the east if they can get past Penn State without anymore losses I think a loss to Michigan State will not kill our shot at the east, but a loss will certainly mean Michigan needs to beat OHio State in Columbus. Now this is obviously hyperbole and everything needs to set us perfectly for Michigan to win the east. The other reality is this team could just lay down and quit on the coaches and end up 6-6 or worse. I know we are all on the edge of the cliff with this staff and ready to jump, but there still is hope abut there that we could hypothetically make it to the Big ten title and have a shot to win.
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WichitanWolverine

September 7th, 2014 at 10:08 PM ^

I thought we'd have a shot to win the conference 2 years ago after getting smoked by a very good Bama team...which held true until Denard got hurt. I feel the same way after last night's debacle. We lost composure and folded but I think this team is much better than what that scoreboard showed. I think Sparty will probably win the conference but I think we will be in the running for the division at least...

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UMForLife

September 7th, 2014 at 10:08 PM ^

My homer pick at the beginning of the season was one loss to ND. I figured they will not gel until the bye week. If they show improvement against UTAH and MN, which is possible, I think they have a realistic shot at MSU and OSU. Looking back at ND game, the game was within reach and they couldn't manage 3rd down conversations. I say they improve and take care of business. In 2007, they had an embarrassing loss at the beginning of the year. They improved and went on to beat the GOD of football (Meyer and Tebow) in their own backyard. This team will come together and deal with the Deamons this year. I am sticking to my early season prediction and going with the B1G championship win against Wisconsin. I am starting my prayers right now...

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Perkis-Size Me

September 7th, 2014 at 10:18 PM ^

I'll have what you're having.

Both MSU and OSU are on the road. What makes you think after yesterday that we could go on the road and beat either of those teams? Maybe, just maybe OSU since Hoke does wake this team up for that game. If OSU's line hasn't improved much by then and if Barrett is still average, we've got a shot, but MSU is going to slaughter us. They're going to save all their anger and frustration from this past weekend specifically for that game.


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Perkis-Size Me

September 7th, 2014 at 11:18 PM ^

I don't like it either. I hate saying it, but comparatively speaking, they're a much better team than we are right now, and I have little reason right now to believe we can beat them. They're still the favorites, in my eyes, to win this conference, although that's really not saying much. Who else would you pick? Just about anyone else has glaring problems.

Again, I hate being so pessimistic, but what reason has this team given me, or any one of us, to be optimistic?


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UMForLife

September 7th, 2014 at 10:40 PM ^

I am having a cup of obnoxious English tea. Want some? Just kidding. It is probably wishful thinking. I can argue both sides. Do you really think ND was that good? I am betting on M to improve this year. I still think Mattison is a good coach and he will improve the team. They played pretty good run D. If they can make MSU one dimensional, I like our chances against cook. I know there was no pressure from DL, but our CBs didn't do a good job pressing. I am betting on the CBs to improve and Peppers coming back to lay the wood. And I am expecting Jake Ryan to improve as the season goes on and we should have Morgan back by then along with Taylor. OL would have had enough opportunities to gel by then and Smith would have established his running game. A lot needs to go right, but I like our chances this year as opposed to last year. I think this team gets up for OSU and I am expecting DG to play with two feet instead of one. It will be hard, but I like our chances. Hoke's team has played them hard every year and this year won't be any different.

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Perkis-Size Me

September 7th, 2014 at 10:11 PM ^

It's really still MSU's to lose. They played pretty well for the first half of the Oregon game and looked like they'd walk out with a win. There's not much shame in losing to Oregon on their home turf. Everyone else just looked pretty atrocious. Ohio State included. Outside of Bosa their whole team looked bad.

I think Wisconsin could challenge MSU, but MSU would still beat them. Wisconsin is completely one dimensional and MSU would stack the box to stop Gordon. I'd rather not see MSU win back to back titles, so if we can't win it, I'm hoping someone unexpected can win it. Maybe Minnesota or, heaven forbid, Indiana. The Big Ten's perception can't get any worse, so what difference does it make if either of those teams win it all? Besides, it'd be nice to finally see one of them break through after decades of futility and ineptitude. Especially for Jerry Kill.


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uminks

September 7th, 2014 at 10:44 PM ^

Most likely WI vs MSU. I don't care who wins. Neither team will be in contention for the playoff spots. B1G looks really pathetic! It would be an easy pickin's year for Michigan if they were a good team.

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snowcrash

September 7th, 2014 at 10:50 PM ^

They hung with Oregon in Eugene for most of the game. If not them, then probably Wisconsin, who should have beaten LSU. Everyone else looks very shaky, including OSU whose offense has been nearly as ugly as ours and whose defense is still pretty lame.

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Yeoman

September 7th, 2014 at 11:29 PM ^

Their half of the conference is a disaster; they've got a lot more room for error than MSU or anyone in the east. Which means they've got a full season to work out their quarterback issues.

I don't even think they'll be favored in the title game, but they're a lot more likely than anyone else to get there and I'd write lower odds on them winning it than anyone else.

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CoachBP6

September 7th, 2014 at 11:47 PM ^

I took the time to watch mostly all of the MSU and Oregon game.  I don't think there is any question that Sparty is the best in a historically bad conference. 

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Sopwith

September 8th, 2014 at 12:31 AM ^

"you know that really hot girl in our English class?  Now that I know she'll never go out with me, who do you think she'll go out with?"

All I know is the answer is "someone else/I don't give a shit."

EDIT:  on second thought, a B1G title is not a hot girl at this point.  It's a mid-major girl, kinda nice and you know her from way back when you were growing up, but you hope you don't run into your friends when you're out with her.  Which you don't have to worry about this year anyway, because obviously.

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allintime23

September 8th, 2014 at 5:34 AM ^

Michigan and somehow hoke keeps his job. The new oline coach and returning players after early season injuries help. Devin Gardner becomes an elite wide receiver.

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UMMAN83

September 8th, 2014 at 6:34 AM ^

I have seen ZERO that gives me any hope that this Staff has a clue.  I had the domer game as a pivotal early season game and we embarrasssed ourselves.  We will know very soon whether these kids will play for Hoke.  It obvious, they are learning very little.  Same mistakes, no adjustment over and over and over and over and over. Its sick.

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saveferris

September 8th, 2014 at 8:44 AM ^

Michigan State clearly looks like the team to beat at this point.  That said, no team appears to be invincible and the conference is a non-factor in the playoff conversation this year.

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Soulfire21

September 8th, 2014 at 9:02 AM ^

I think nobody.  We should just call it good this season after Saturday.  We can split the trophy into 14 pieces and hand them out as participation medals.

As an aside, I'm glad we have Miami (OH) next week because (a) we probably won't lose and (b) we can use it to get Gardner's confidence back.

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jblaze

September 8th, 2014 at 9:13 AM ^

I don't think they have the pure talent to compete against the elite teams, but nobody in the B1G is elite. I'm not sure how much better Barrett is going to get at OSU, but my guess is not enough to beat MSU.

Other than that, Wisconsin has a decent chance, but I'd (sadly) put my money on MSU.

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