Week 5 Around the B1G
I figured it'd be interesting to discuss the happenings around the B1G this week aside from Michigan, cokegate, etc.
Surprised by anybody so far? Nebraska and Penn State are still undefeated. I expect them to keep that going against Illinois and NW, respectively.
Can OSU beat Cinci at home?
Is Indiana a legit threat in the B1G? They take on Maryland this week.
How good/bad will Iowa look against Purdue?
Overall, who are the favorites for the B1G? I still think MSU in the east, but the west is probably Wisconsin?
Discuss. Or don't.
[ED-S: Combining with GoWings2008's similar thread. Here's what he said:]
In response to some positive feedback from this last week, I'm repeating the practice of some news from around the conference, plus one story that I thought was humorous. So, without further ado...
Penn State is requesting a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by one of JoPa’s sons and another assistant coach for being fired a year ago. The plaintiffs feel they were unjustly tied to the way the Sandusky scandal was handled. Penn State says that their termination had nothing to do with the Sandusky issue. Link: http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/11579989/penn-state-wants-judge-dismiss-jay-paterno-lawsuit
A University of Cincinnati professor, Steve Fuller, tweeted/trolled any osu fans who may be unlucky enough to enrolled in one of his classes. Seems as though anyone caught wearing any ohio state gear in his class will receive a failing grade in the course. I like this guy already. Link: http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/story/cincinnati-bearcats-professor-ohio-state-gear-students-fail-cfb-am-092414
And now for the funny, although not a story from the conference. Florida State brought a group of recruits in last week for a visit, and served a meal…which I hope did not include any cream cheese. However on the menu…crab legs. Uhhh, really? Is this some sort of bad joke? “A Priest, a Rabbi and a Preacher all walk into a bar…the bartender says, ‘What, is this some sort of joke?’” Link: http://www.foxsports.com/buzzer/video/c-mon-florida-state-s-football-team-serves-crab-legs-to-recruits-092414
September 24th, 2014 at 9:54 PM ^
Roughly the state of the Big Ten.
September 25th, 2014 at 10:22 AM ^
Except that the conference went 12-1 last week.
They could have gone 13-0 (that's amazing, I don't care who the conference is) except for, um, us.
We did not have much time to be embarassed by that, because Cokepocalypse happened so soon.
The pathetic Big Ten has a shining moment of non-patheticness and we are too pathetic to even be a part of it.
*sigh*
September 24th, 2014 at 9:55 PM ^
Ohio will get a scare out of Cincy. Michigan is irrelevant. Iowa is no good. Nebraska will win the west. Sparty conference champs.
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September 24th, 2014 at 10:06 PM ^
Pack it in for the year, we're done here.
September 25th, 2014 at 4:03 AM ^
I think Sparty is overrated and Nebraska is underrated. They should at least be flip-flopped in the rankings. At any rate, we'll see if Nebraska can handle Sparty in EL in a week and a half.
September 25th, 2014 at 5:19 AM ^
Watching the McNeese Nebraska game made me think Nebraska is just as vulnerable as we are.
Sparty held on vs. Oregon for the first half, and shit the bed in the second half. In their other games (Even considering their competiton) they have looked pretty darn good. Defense has taken a step back, offense has taken a step forward.
September 25th, 2014 at 1:12 PM ^
Imagine McEnroe responding to this statement.
September 24th, 2014 at 9:57 PM ^
Most certainly.
If this game were at Paul Brown Stadium (UC plays their home games this year at PBS, home of the Cincy Bengals), then maybe...maybe UC might have a chance.
But no, I follow UC football pretty closely, and I just cannot see Tommy T pulling off the upset in Columbus over the Fighting Urbs. In fact, I think this one has the potential to get a little out of hand. UC will score a few points, for sure, but their defense is just not good.
Look for OSU to win comfortably, something like 42-28 for a final.
September 24th, 2014 at 10:39 PM ^
Well... I want to believe Ohio is weaker than people think. On top of losing Miller they've got a bunch of new starters on the OL. We'll find out Saturday.
September 24th, 2014 at 10:42 PM ^
I just see OSU running all over these guys, to be perfectly honest. I think OSU's OL pushes UC's DL in a big, big way on Saturday.
September 25th, 2014 at 9:15 AM ^
OSU has never lost a football game to another Ohio school. That's a streak that is destined to end at some point.
Please be this weekend.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:56 AM ^
In 1921, Oberlin defeated OSU in Columbus by a score of 7-6. That was the last loss OSU had to an in-state school.
Which is, admittedly, basically never.
September 25th, 2014 at 1:28 PM ^
UC's defense has been really bad, especially the tackling. Ohio will be able to move and score with impunity probably.
But contend that Ohio's defense is way overrated this year despite their star-studded DL. They've played some quality opponents, but have struggled to stop good offenses. UC is another good offensive team. Tuberville is not a guy who lavishes praise on teams or players much, but he's already stated that the WRs on this UC team are the best he's ever coached and that he's pleased with the explosiveness on offense. I think UC is going to score some points and quiet down the Horseshoe. And as we know all too well, it only takes a few collossal fuck ups on special teams and QB play to put your team in a deep hole - even with a great defense.
Ohio should win, but UC beating Ohio would not surprise me either.
September 24th, 2014 at 10:01 PM ^
That's unfortunate, because Gunner Kiel will put up some points. But probably only half as many as OSU does. I'd guess something like OSU 54 Cincinnati 27 for a Final score.
That said, I will be there w/ my 8-year-old nephew Bearcat fan ....... so please please let me be wrong!!!
September 24th, 2014 at 10:01 PM ^
That winner wins the West.
September 24th, 2014 at 10:15 PM ^
in the country in Ameer and Gordon. Should be fun to watch
September 25th, 2014 at 7:47 AM ^
plays Sparty this year. Nebraska travels to Spartyland - so I think the advantage goes Wisconsin in the west.
Go Blue!
September 24th, 2014 at 10:03 PM ^
Hilarious avatar
September 24th, 2014 at 10:05 PM ^
When was the last time Ohio State lost to a team from Ohio? I can't remember it happening.
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September 24th, 2014 at 10:11 PM ^
1921 to Oberlin.
September 24th, 2014 at 10:30 PM ^
Oberlin was in the midst of a record losing streak on their way to being ranked 5th worst college football team of all time, when I was a student there. But hey, they were the last team from Ohio to beat OSU!
September 24th, 2014 at 10:41 PM ^
Do people say O men instead of Yeomen?
September 25th, 2014 at 12:34 AM ^
...the ultimate frisbee team is dynamite.
September 24th, 2014 at 10:20 PM ^
Dayton beat OSU in basketball. I'm counting that
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September 24th, 2014 at 10:46 PM ^
That was so satisfying when OSU had the heartbreaking loss to Dayton by 1 point. In the first round.
September 24th, 2014 at 10:51 PM ^
Technically, it was the second round.
Yeah, I know...
September 25th, 2014 at 8:37 AM ^
It's still the "1st" round to me, and it will always be the "1st" round.
September 25th, 2014 at 8:59 AM ^
is still Hudson's to me. #nevergiveup
September 24th, 2014 at 10:33 PM ^
One way to not lose to teams from Ohio is to not schedule them.
September 25th, 2014 at 8:01 AM ^
Did Michigan stop scheduling Toledo?
I kid, I kid.
September 24th, 2014 at 10:18 PM ^
The rest of the schedule is a minefield. Each game is a toss-up at this point, based on what I've seen so far.
minnesota completing 1 pass for 7 yards against San Jose State this past week leads me to believe that the defense should tear minnesota to shreds.
Since opponent stats became available beginning in the 1984 season, Michigan has only held their first 4 opponents of the season to under-300 yards one other time. 2006.
I'm looking at you, Michigan offense. This could very well be a 14-3 Michigan win. This offense has to come alive. It's now or never.
September 24th, 2014 at 10:29 PM ^
Counting on a special teams/ defensive TD again? /s
September 24th, 2014 at 10:39 PM ^
Backs against the wall, Brady Hoke's job very much in doubt...it'd sure be nice to see our guys play a complete, mistake-free game and leave nothing to chance against the Gophers.
I've actually got a good feeling about this game. I might be delusional, of course.
September 24th, 2014 at 10:44 PM ^
I kept saying last Saturday that I woke up feeling great about the game.....
So, I feel really awful about this coming Saturday. REAL bad.
September 24th, 2014 at 10:46 PM ^
I woke up last Saturday feeling very very BAD about the Utah game.
September 24th, 2014 at 10:50 PM ^
Me too... Now I've officially cashed it in for the season. I'm using it as an excuse to eat and drink and relax and enjoy a nice fall day... For the first time in 10 years, I may stay home and watch on a crappy day.
September 25th, 2014 at 9:05 AM ^
It makes no sense--I felt that way before ND & Utah--but I guess I'm just hard-wired to hope for good things for Michigan.
My head tells me otherwise.
September 24th, 2014 at 10:11 PM ^
Slate again.
September 24th, 2014 at 10:55 PM ^
No ranked team vs. ranked team games...except for a "thrilling" UCLA-Arizona State matchup.
Our game is actually right up there with the most intriguing of the weekend, for sure.
September 25th, 2014 at 2:42 AM ^
rank all of the FBS teams, CBS sports has us at 58th, but ALL of the teams we play the rest of the year are ranked higher than us ( yes, even MN ) but Scout has us 53rd and Mn and Rutgers lower. I would go with Scout on this. I have no fear ( but fear itself ) from Mn. I can't believe for a minute we can lose that game, especially at home. No I can't remember where Sagarin had us and opponents.
September 25th, 2014 at 12:54 PM ^
September 25th, 2014 at 1:09 PM ^
September 25th, 2014 at 1:10 PM ^
Rankings are understandable because not many people look deeper into the game other than the final score.
And let's face it, both loses were ugly, very UGLY looking at the final score. But I have more confidence in the team overall because of the way the games unfolded. We have some Glaring mistakes to improve on. But they are all correctable. And the box scores show a very different story. None of our games where we dominated. (Note: for those who disagree with the last statement---example of a game we were dominated, the Alabama opener in Jerry World)
In no way did either of the teams this year come close to the disaster in Texas!!
Just take care of the DA$N BALL.
September 24th, 2014 at 10:19 PM ^
Last beat the Buckeyes in 1897!
September 24th, 2014 at 10:22 PM ^
That was also the first time The Game was played.
I'm guessing not one of the thousands at Regents Field that day thought that game would be anything historic. Or that Michigan's opponent would become their most hated enemy later down the road.
September 24th, 2014 at 10:33 PM ^
And THAT would have been a great win -- preventing OSU's eventual NC, of course.
OSU was without Mr. Clarett that day, and UC dropped two passes in the endzone.
September 24th, 2014 at 10:39 PM ^
Can you imagine the sweetness if Navarre's pass wasn't picked at the goal line that November?
Ugh. I would've traded the 2005 :01 over PSU for that :01 win.
September 24th, 2014 at 10:40 PM ^
Ugh is right.
And same here, I definitely would make that trade.
September 24th, 2014 at 10:42 PM ^
To ruin their season.....like THAT.....would've trumped 1995 and 1996. Maybe even 1969.
Also, I've always wondered something........how in the hell did ohio get to play 13 regular season games that year?