Big 10 Bowl Predictions?
I think that the Big 10 has a really favorable bowl schedule, for the first time in a loooong time. The only team that truly doesn't have a shot is MSU. They fell on the two loss Bama grenade, which... awesome.
From there it gets much easier:
Wiscy v TCU - A pressure game for a big team like Wisconsin, but there are way more murderous opponents in BCS games. Easier draw than Stanford (whether you like the coach or not...) This is a can't lose game though, as we don't want a Big East team like TCU to beat a solid B10 school.
OSU v Arkansas - Another solid pull for a BCS game. Could have been a lot worse. I think OSU keeps with the trend and does them dirty ala Oregon from last year.
Iowa v Mizzou - Mizzou had a decent year against a very immasculated Big 12. Their only big win was against Oklahoma. They beat Illinois by 10 on opening day, FWIW. Iowa didn't play Illinois. I think Iowa is overrated, and that this is a coin flip.
Illinois v Baylor - Maybe the name Baylor just doesn't resonate with me, but I think Illinois puts on a clinic. I haven't been a proponent of the Big 12 for a few years, and Baylor is... Baylor. Illinois is going to be pretty solid next year, and Scheelhause (sic) can benfit from the extra practice. Home game for Baylor.
PSU v Florida - Probably not a bad year to play Florida in a bowl game. Losable game, but I think it's more likely a win. Home game for Florida.
Northwestern v Texas Tech - I don't have enough data on these teams to know. Home game for Texas Tech. Maybe a loss? Someone who's more knowledgable than me fill me in...
...and Michigan v MSU - (NNTMSU) I think we match up well against them. Even when our teams lose to 1AA schools, we still can bank on beating SEC schools. Another positive is that our team will have no distractions whatsoever going into this game. I'm sure there won't be any extracurricular banter by the press in the weeks leading up to it.
Another thing to consider is that we play only 3 true away games (in the state of the opposing team). That's down from the average year. I can see the Big 10 going 7-1 or 6-2 without a doubt. I think 5-3 is more likely.
December 5th, 2010 at 9:56 PM ^
7-1 with Sparty being the only loser.
A fella can dream can't he?
December 5th, 2010 at 10:26 PM ^
Sparty haterz can hate all they want. I just can't wiat till Shedrigez's contract gets shredded!
December 5th, 2010 at 11:33 PM ^
Who's Shedrigez and what does "wiat" mean?
December 5th, 2010 at 9:58 PM ^
and i'd take that to the bank:
Wins- Wisconsin, OSU, Michigan, Penn St, Illinois
Losses- Mich St, Iowa, NW
December 5th, 2010 at 9:59 PM ^
they are a decent team that was actually in the drivers seat in the Big 12 for a little while. They also beat Texas FWIW.
December 5th, 2010 at 10:05 PM ^
Beating a 5-7 non-bowl eligible Texas team is not a big resume builder this year.
December 6th, 2010 at 4:29 PM ^
but when msu beat us the past couple of years they suddenly got "better." Regardless of that, they got slaughtered by oklahoma st. which is a ton better then illinois.
I think it will be a good game.
December 5th, 2010 at 10:01 PM ^
Usually can find a way to snatch defeat from jaws of victory
December 5th, 2010 at 10:07 PM ^
Case in point: Fresno State. After that game, I wouldn't count on any bowl opponent being an easy win for Illinois.
December 5th, 2010 at 10:29 PM ^
To estime the Zookster is enough...please never, EVER!, overestime Mr. Ron ZOOK!!
Repeat: Keep it at estime level...please, for all our sakes!
December 5th, 2010 at 10:01 PM ^
December 5th, 2010 at 10:05 PM ^
I think Iowa will be a slight favorite as well.
December 5th, 2010 at 10:15 PM ^
December 6th, 2010 at 9:27 AM ^
And how exactly is Vegas going to get anyone to bet Iowa if Iowa is favored??
December 5th, 2010 at 10:05 PM ^
Bama/MSU-State's 2nd loss of the season.
Wisky/TCU-Bad matchup for TCU IMO. Wisconsin runs to a victory.
OSU-Arkansas-Always iffy which Buckeye team shows up in a bowl game. OSU but it's close.
Iowa-Mizzou-Mizzou.
Illini/Baylor-Ugly game defensively. Either team could win depending on who is better b/w LeShoure/Scheelhaase and Griffin.
PSU/Florida-PSU's presumably healthy and could pull it out. Coin flip.
NW-Texas Tech-Haven't watched much of either team. Without Persa though, I'll go with Tech.
UM/MSU (NNTMSU)-Not a terrible matchup for us. Their offence is not overly strong which is a bonus for obvious reasons. They are good on defence but we've had success against strong defensive teams this season and with a solid 5 week break from the OSU game, we should be fresh. I like us to win this one.
Have the Big Ten going 3-3 with a couple coin flips. Call it 4-4.
December 5th, 2010 at 10:14 PM ^
Wins - Wisky, OSU, Illinois, NU, Michigan (yeah I'm picking us to win)
Losses - MSU (lol), Iowa, PSU
Illinois and NU are the most questionable matchups for us but I think the B10 finishes with a winning bowl record this year.
December 5th, 2010 at 10:20 PM ^
Bama has 3 losses! So it's the 3 loss Bama grenade.
December 5th, 2010 at 10:24 PM ^
Sparty will be the only black spot on B10s shining resume in bowl games this year.
Even the God's hate Sparty - their best season in 100 years lands them in an unwinnable bowl game.
LOL(S)PARTY
December 5th, 2010 at 10:37 PM ^
I'll take the following:
Wiscy > TCU. Wiscy pushes TCU around and sets back the argument for schools from lesser conferences twenty years.
Arkansas > OSU. Mallett finally gets another chance at OSU. OSU really should win this game, but I just can't bring myself to pick them.
Iowa > Mizzou. Iowa is a solid team and has enough to beat up-and-down Mizzou.
Baylor > Illinois. Sorry, Zooker.
PSU > Florida. PSU has gotten over their early QB problems; Florida hasn't. 'Nuff said.
TTU > NW. Like the Baylor/Illinois matchup, you gotta love those TX teams in their "home games." I am guessing that in both games, the TX teams "travel" just a little bit better than the IL teams.
Michigan > MSU. Michigan will have superior motivation because of the recent fan/media shitstorm. MSU will probably be "just happy to be here."
That would make Michigan the "swing vote" in a 4-3 Big Ten bowl record. At any rate, it's great to be saying "Michigan" and "bowl" again.
December 5th, 2010 at 11:21 PM ^
Wisc demoralizes TCU - They will run the score up and roadgrade these fools
OSU beats Ark - Even though all we hear about is SEC defenses, I think OSU's pass D is better than anything Ark has seen this year.
Iowa beats Mizzou - Iowa is sound in all three phases, and they win most close games
Baylor beats Illinois - high scoring game in the style of our matchup with them this year
PSU beats Florida - I just hate Florida and like to see Urban lose whenever possible. Go McGroin go...
NW beats TTU - Tech was good with Leach and now just a shell of what used to be a potent air attack
UM vs. MSU - I wrote a long paragraph here, and I'm not sure I should share my feelings about this team right now. I don't want to bitch about the state of affairs our team is in. Let's say I hope UM wins, but I'm not betting any money on it. Go Blue!
December 5th, 2010 at 11:23 PM ^
based on flimsy evidence and instant gut reaction:
Wiscy vs TCU- Wiscy much to strong with always fresh legs and healthy O-line. Wiscy
osu vs Arkansas- osu's kryptonite? ESS EEE SEE. Arkansas
Iowa vs. Mizzou- Iowa may pull this out, but if they are able to lose to the LOLophers, then they will lose to Mizzou. Mizzou
Illnois vs. Baylor- Illinois lost to Fresno St. Another toss up, but my internal trajectory for Illinois sees them taking the L to a good Baylor team that is used to being an underdog. Baylor.
PSU vs. Florida- Florida wishes it could have Mullen back. PSU will have time to practice McGroin more. Florida gets McGroined. PSU
NW vs. Texas Tech- No Persa. No win. Texas Tech.
MSU vs. Alabama- Old MSU coach versus new and improved jackass. Alabama will not get a 4th lost with extra practices. Alabama.
Michigan vs. Miss St.- This is a true toss up. I am hoping the defense will gain some confidence with extra practice. Michigan has emotional reason to win. Not a total fear of aerial bombings. Michigan squeaks it out. Michigan
I see a 3-5 record.
December 5th, 2010 at 11:14 PM ^
Let's not forget OSU's futility against the SEC. Their last 10 bowl games against SEC opponents have resulted in 10 losses. I don't know how sold I am on Arkansas, though. I think they're good but not great. The bucks might finally break the losing streak this year.
Otherwise? I don't think it looks good for the Big 10 at all. This could get ugly.
December 6th, 2010 at 1:08 AM ^
I see OSU, MSU, Iowa, and Illinois losing.
Michigan, PSU, and Wisconsin as wins.
I know next to nothing about TT this year and can't make a call on the NW game. If they had Persa back I'd give them the benefit of the doubt.
Edit- I meant for this to be a new post and not a reply to the above.
December 6th, 2010 at 2:09 AM ^
For semantics' sake, we're 0-9, not 0-10 against the SEC. Also, I'm not sure that the 2000, 2001, 2006 etc. losses to SEC teams have anything to do with the 2010 Buckeyes and their ability to win. History has no bearing on the present especially when the teams, players and coaching staffs are different IMO.
December 6th, 2010 at 2:17 PM ^
And besides, most of the SEC teams that gave you guys fits were very strong defensively. That doesn't describe Arkansas. I think the Bucks will get over the hump this time.
December 6th, 2010 at 2:40 AM ^
TCU over Wisconsin
Arkansas over osu
Mizzou over Iowa
Baylor over Illinois
PSU over Florida
Tech over N'Western
Michigan over Miss St
(2-6 will be worth it to watch Sparty get Roll Tide -ed)
December 6th, 2010 at 3:24 AM ^
Now bowl predictions:
Hope I'm wrong, but Miss State is going to be pretty psyched for this game and they have a strong running game and a better defense than UM (obv).
Miss State beats Michigan
Texas Tech beats NW
Iowa beats Missouri
Baylor beats Illinois
Florida beats Penn State
Michigan State upsets Alabama
Ohio State beats Arkansas
Wisconsin beats TCU
Big 10 4-4, but wins in two BCS games
December 6th, 2010 at 5:05 AM ^
osu vs. sec teams doesn't work out well, and I don't think msu is that good. I hope mallett shits on the buckeyes.
December 6th, 2010 at 6:36 AM ^
in what the TV ratings will be. That will tell us what the rest of the country thinks of us. I bet DB looks at ratings too to make his decision.
GO BLUE
December 6th, 2010 at 9:10 AM ^
That is not going to factor into his decision. He's not targeting an 8.0 share or whatever the hell it's called.
A win may or may not factor in--I'm convinced Rodriguez stays absent something humiliating.
December 6th, 2010 at 7:56 AM ^
Texas Tech beats NW (if Persa was healthy, I'd be picking NW)
Missouri beats Iowa (Gabbert is a damn good QB and MIzzou has a good D)
Baylor beats Illinois (Curtains for Zook?)Alabama beats Michigan State (MSU has had too many close shaves this year)
Ohio State beats Arkansas (close game down to the wire, Mallet throws key INT late)
Wisconsin beats TCU (Wisky rolls early, hangs on late)
Miss State beats Michigan (Our problems on D and turnovers on O won't disappear)
December 6th, 2010 at 9:08 AM ^
Unfortunately, I think you're pretty close to right. Iowa and Illinois should be the swing games for the Big 10. Illinois has a lot of problems with mobile QBs and Robert Griffin is a star, but overall they are probably like Michigan-lite (not as explosive on offense, but somewhat less bad on defense). Iowa is better on paper, but I read a quote from one of there guys about them basically mailing in the season after they lost a couple games. Both seem like near coin flips with the Big 12 favored in both.
December 6th, 2010 at 9:46 AM ^
Illinois hasn't been the same since we beat them. They would be winless if Northwestern wasn't playing without their QB. And regardless of Iowa's slide, Missouri is a good team.
I just think it's going to be really ugly for the Big Ten. Obviously I hope for the best for us, but our defense never leaves me with any confidence.
December 6th, 2010 at 9:43 AM ^
PSU/Florida...which is tough, a month for Florida to get things right at home...vs. a PSU team that isn't very good, no matter how they looked vs. us. But I'm not getting burned on the "Florida can't be THAT bad" anymore...I'll go with PSU.
NW wasn't THAT good with the QB. Without him, forget it. Texas Tech (with the home crowd).
Missouri rolls Iowa. Good team vs. a not good team.
Baylor better than Baylor usually is, and no faith in Zook.
Saban's crew wants to prove they're still a great team; MSU still thinking they should be down south further in the Orange. Not the blowout some people predict though.
OSU's D too much for Arkansas's O.
Wisconsin in a tougher game than some people think, but Wisconsin seems to perform well in bowls, especially Rose Bowls.
I'm going to flip here, and go with Michigan, but barely. 35-31 type game, where we make their offense look all world, but Denard heals up, and has an offseason to rest, so the O can go balls out. It could have been a lot worse, stuck with Missouri if we had slipped in the bowl standings.
December 6th, 2010 at 11:15 AM ^
......I could see the B10 with a losing record in the bowls just as easily as I can see them with only one loss, or even no losses.
TCU/Wisky - Not the best matchup for Wisky. TCU is very, very good against the run, but this could be the strongest run offense they've seen all year. The kicker will be Wisky's defense against Dalton and his receivers. I could easily see TCU winning here, although I think Wisky pulls it out(they are pretty good in the RoseBowl).
Arky/tOSU - Arky will have the best passing offense tOSU has seen all year, but from the SEC games I've seen, tOSU will have the best overall D Arky has seen all year. I believe it will come down to a last play FG. Again, I could easily see Arky winning, although I think tOSU comes out on top.
MSU/Alabama - Self-explanatory. I don't see how MSU wins this unless Bama comes out flat like they did in 08'.
Florida/PSU - Florida sucks, but isn't as bad as everyone thinks, while PSU can be very ineffective on offense at times. Florida's D is still pretty good. If UF gets a few breaks in the first half, they could win this going away. I'd take UF in this one.
NW/TT - Without Persa, NW is a one-trick pony, although they have nearly a month for the backup to prepare. TT isn't what they used to be. I think NW plays it close and wins by a FG.
Ill/Baylor - This should be a very high scoring affair. Baylor has a similar QB to ours who gives opponents fits trying to contain him. Illinois is better than they played against FresnoSt. Tossup here as it looks like the team with the ball last wins.
Iowa/Mizzou - Yeah, Iowa has imploded over the last quarter of the season, but they still have a senior at the helm who has played very well this year, along with a decent overall D. Illinois played Mizzou close to start the season and the B12 North isn't that great. I think Iowa wins by a ton.
Finally, us:
UM/MissSt. - I believe our offense gets healthy and runs/passes all over their D. As for ours, I don't believe our D is the worst MissSt. will have seen all year, and they haven't actually been world-beaters on offense. I think we score 50 in this game and that our D holds them to several 3 and outs. UM wins by more than 10.
The only obvious loss for the B10 is the MSU/Bama game, but then again, the B10 usually surprises during bowl season in at least one or two games. Could go 8-0 or 3-5, based on the matchups, but I believe it will be 6-2.
December 6th, 2010 at 2:09 PM ^
Another positive is that our team will have no distractions whatsoever going into this game. I'm sure there won't be any extracurricular banter by the press in the weeks leading up to it.
When I read this, I assumed sarcasm, but I'm not sure. Are you being serious? Our coach's status is completely up in the air and that isn't a distraction? It's possible that it could work to our benefit (a "Win one for Coach Rod" type thing), but it's definitely something the players have to hear about for a month.
December 6th, 2010 at 6:48 PM ^
to watch sparty go for less than 2.0 YPC aginst Bama