Bye Week Implications, Division Standings
Currently the division standings are as follows:
- MSU (2-0)
- Michigan (2-1)
- Nebraska (1-1)
- Iowa (1-1)
- Northwestern (0-2)
- Minnesota (0-3)
This week, MSU plays Wisconsin, Iowa plays IU, PSU is at Northwestern in cross-divisional play. As always, we want teams from our division to lose to cross-divisional opponents. Nebraska also plays Minnesota in divisional play, and we could really benefit (in the short term at minimum) from a Minnesota upset.
Realistically, it looks like Wisconsin will take down MSU, Iowa holds serve and Nebraska cruises. This will result in a four-way tie for first place at 2-1 (but with MSU holding the only tiebreaker so far).
Predicted division after this week:
- MSU (2-1)
- Michigan (2-1)
- Nebraska (2-1)
- Iowa (2-1)
- Northwestern (0-3)
- Minnesota (0-4)
At this point, we need MSU to lose one more game (IU, Minnesota or Northwestern seem to be the most helpful for us, since it doesn't guarantee a win for Iowa or Nebraska) and Michigan needs to take care of business against our remaining schedule, especially Iowa and Nebraska [obligatory OSU is a must-win here].
Possibly helpful games (cross-divisional games and winless divisional teams):
MSU: Wisconsin 10/22, Minnesota 11/5, Indiana 11/19, Northwestern 11/26
Nebraska: Minnesota 10/22, Northwestern 11/5, PSU 11/12
Iowa: Indiana 10/22, Minnesota 10/29, Purdue 11/19
BTCG Berth Tiebreakers:
- Conference record
- Head to head
- Divisional record
- BCS ranking
October 18th, 2011 at 3:11 PM ^
If we can survive on the road against Iowa and Illinois it will be time to seriously talk about Michigan as a threat to win the B1G (win against Purdue as well, obviously), but based on recent history, not until then. MSU is not going to win against Wisconsin AND Nebraska, and it's up in the air if they will win either (Wisconsin is Wisconsin, and MSU does not usualy travel well). I think that's managable for this team, it would prove that we're not overrated, and will create an awesome atmosphere in Ann Arbor for those last two games. Season still looks promising even with the early divisional loss.
October 18th, 2011 at 3:30 PM ^
Sparty loses to Wisconsin twice (once in the title game), Michigan loses to either Nebraska or Illinois/OSU.
Does a 10-2 Michigan get to the BCS before a 9-3 MSU does?
October 18th, 2011 at 4:07 PM ^
If they play in the Big Ten Title Game, they'll be playing 13 games.
October 18th, 2011 at 5:21 PM ^
The question remains the same though.
October 18th, 2011 at 5:28 PM ^
Wasn't sure if you meant Sparty and UM would tie at 6-2 in the division, which would mean Sparty was 9-4 overall or whether Sparty goes 7-1 in conference and finishes 10-3.
Answer: it depends. It could be neither. There's 4 at large bids. Barring a collapse, the loser of Bama and LSU gets one. Oregon and Stanford still have to play but if if the loser is 10-2 Oregon (losses to LSU and Stanford) or 11-1 Stanford, that's probably the second at large. If Boise St. wins out, they probably make the BCS - that's 3. Then you have Oklahoma and Oklahoma St. If both of those teams keep on winning, there's a good chance both of them are in the BCS.
October 18th, 2011 at 4:10 PM ^
10-3? They are worried about ticket sales and TV ratings. Michigan beats them on both. Michigan gets into a BCS game if they are 10-2 unless there are 6 undefeated teams still (OU/OSU/KSU, LSU/Bama, Clemson, Houston, BSU, Stanford).
October 18th, 2011 at 4:59 PM ^
Michigan would jump Houston in the BCS. The BCS bowls only have to take 1 Non-AQ conference champ, and only then if they are ranked in the top 14 and above a BCS conference champ. Houston will be lucky to sniff the top 10 no matter how many games it wins.
October 18th, 2011 at 8:49 PM ^
remember when they put the zookers in the Rose Bowl over us and we beat the zooker that year!
October 18th, 2011 at 8:45 PM ^
will lose thier next 2 games! We on the other hand can win are next 2 games. If we can win out after that off to shock the world.GO BLUE!!!