Week 5 Around the B1G

Submitted by TheRonimal on

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

M-Dog

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*

 

JohnCorbin

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.

pinkfloyd2000

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.

markusr2007

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.

NittanyFan

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!!! 

Wolverine Devotee

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. 

 

pinkfloyd2000

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.

caliblue

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.

chatster

September 25th, 2014 at 12:54 PM ^

Michigan's opponents (four rated higher; four rated lower) are in italics.
 
9 Michigan State
13 Wisconsin
17 Ohio State
27 Nebraska
37 Penn State
46 Iowa
47 Maryland
52 Michigan
55 Indiana
64 Minnesota
60 Northwestern
81 Rutgers
84 Illinois
109 Purdue
 
Five of Sagarin's top ten and nine of Sagarin's top 23 come from the SEC. Notre Dame is rated 12th. Utah is rated 36th. Appalachian State is rated 140th.  Miami-Ohio is rated 157th.
 

chatster

September 25th, 2014 at 1:09 PM ^

Michigan's opponents (seven ranked higher; one ranked lower) are in italics.
 
9 Michigan State
18 Wisconsin
19 Nebraska
20 Ohio State
27 Penn State
45 Minnesota
50 Iowa
53 Maryland
57 Indiana
63 Illinois
66 Rutgers
69 Michigan
87 Purdue
92 Northwestern
 
Notre Dame is ranked 11th.  Utah is ranked 51st.  Miami-Ohio is ranked 143rd. Appalachian State is ranked 154th.
 

Blue NY Gold

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.

Wolverine Devotee

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.

In reply to by Wolverine Devotee

pinkfloyd2000

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.

Wolverine Devotee

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?