Maize_in_spartyland

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Date	Title	Body
3 weeks 4 days ago	Touche, but isn't	Touche, but isn't Northwestern a bit outside the Ivy League's footprint?
3 weeks 4 days ago	It makes it more likely the	It makes it more likely the Big Ten sends extra teams to bowl games, meaning more money.  If the argument is that money is the driving force behind realignment, the best way to attract new members (should there be an expansion to 16), would be to increase the pot of money. The top tier teams, even with "parity-based" scheduling, would still make bowl games - most would consider Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, and Wisconsin in this group (setting aside Penn State due to the bowl ban). The "best of the worst" teams would have an increased shot at making a bowl game - probably Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Rutgers in this group. Really the teams who are hurt the most are the programs considered to be good enough that they draw top teams, but bad enough that they can't win - Iowa, Michigan State, Purdue. If you can figure out where to put Maryland and Northwestern, hats off to you.
3 weeks 4 days ago	A terrible team?  No.  By	A terrible team?  No.  By that logic, Maryland would have a significantly better shot at making the Title game. A decent team who isn't great?  Maybe, but keep in mind that a loss to a divisional opponent is effectively worth two. Example: Michigan plays Nebraska and Wisconsin in crossovers; Ohio plays Iowa and Wisconsin; and Rutgers plays Northwestern and Illinois.  Assume Michigan and Ohio lose BOTH crossovers, but both beat Rutgers.   Even if Rutgers wins out, they would need BOTH Michigan and Ohio to lose at least once more.
7 weeks 2 days ago	Wait, Rick Pitino resigned	Wait, Rick Pitino resigned from Minnesota midway through the year so his son could take over as head coach? The two situations couldn't be anymore different, actually. Richard's dad probably had some influence, but he wasn't the most recent coach at Minnesota.
7 weeks 2 days ago	While Minnesota has the money	While Minnesota has the money to pay for a big time coach, there is little reason to take this job if you are established.  Having to compete with Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, MSU, and Wisconsin on a yearly basis (not to mention Iowa, Purdue) is not exactly easy. I tend to agree its a very good hire. Somewhat risky given Richard's lack of head coaching experience, but he's a great recruiter, when given the resources. The Gophers are going to have to upgrade facilities if they expect to keep him, and if they want him to do well.
8 weeks 19 hours ago	I've actually heard the	I've actually heard the samething.  I don't remember where I heard it from, and while it would be a different style than Beilein, it should would help bring recruits in.  Not to mention the resources are greater at Michigan than VCU.
8 weeks 1 day ago	Its also a coincidence that	Its also a coincidence that Florida got one of the easiest draws for their Sweet 16.  Let's connect the dots . . . Florida plays FGCU.  Who at Ohio used to be at Florida?  Urban Meyer.  This was clearly Gene Smith's way of appeasing Florida fans after stealing their coach. I might have upvoted your post if you would have added that tidbit, but alas, you did not.
8 weeks 1 day ago	On a serious note, don't	On a serious note, don't waste your time with Caesars Windsor sportsbook, unless you are cashing the winning bet in person.  I wagered on a parlay, won, mailed in the ticket and was told that I did win, but they couldn't mail the winnings.  They offered to hold the money at the casino or I could pick it up on Toronto.
9 weeks 5 days ago	The argument has been used in	The argument has been used in the past by various committee chairs when stating why a Big Ten team was not seeded on the 1 line. It's been a few years but the statement has been made before.
9 weeks 5 days ago	One thing the committee has	One thing the committee has been consistent on from year to year is that the Big Ten Championship is played too late.  Unless the game paired a team, or teams, that wouldn't make it in without an autobid, the game is meaningless for the committee.
10 weeks 2 days ago	I think Wisconsin is probably	I think Wisconsin is probably too low right now to worry about them taking Michigan's spot in Auburn Hills.  There are two potential spots in Auburn Hills - MSU likely gets one.  Worry about Marquette - as they could stake a claim. As for Lexington and Dayton - those places are likely going to be hosting the winners of the play-in sites.  I've seen Lunardi project other places as hosting the winners of the play-in games but the distance simply doesn't make it likely.
13 weeks 3 days ago	Given the latest rumors about	Given the latest rumors about membership offers on the table to North Carolina and possibly Virginia/Georgia Tech, this is extremely timely. Which leads me to one of two conclusions, either (1) you shared this with Jim Delany a short time ago or (2) you are Delany himself?!?!?
13 weeks 3 days ago	All your conferences are	All your conferences are belong to us.
16 weeks 2 days ago	Sandwich game for Michigan -	Sandwich game for Michigan - coming off big win against Illinois and a huge game against Indiana coming up. I'd take the 'Cats with the 19 (eventhough Michigan is 13-6 ATS), but Michigan still gets the win. The line is down to 16 now, after opening at 19.5 FWIW.
16 weeks 3 days ago	Agree with The FannMan, but a	Agree with The FannMan, but a couple other thoughts . . . Procedural and substantive are different - Procedural is sort of like getting off based on technicality; substantive is getting to the meat of the issue, if you will. Most, if not all, attorneys will seek to bounce a case procedurally - you avoid having to litigate the case, etc. Doesn't mean the NCAA can't win, but former players have at least a somewhat viable suit, giving them some leverage to negotiate. The key issue here is class certification. In many cases, if a judge certifies a class for a class action, more likely than not, the defendants end up settling with the class. That may not be the case here, since there is likely billions on the table. A number of factors go into class certification, one of which includes how the members of the class are or are not similarly situated to one another. For example, how similar (or different) are Ed O'Bannon and Kris Johnson (little used frosh on the 1995 team)? The more the defendants (NCAA) can show that the members do not have common claims that predominate, the less likely the judge would certify the class. Keep in mind, this could (eventually) apply to multiple sports, possibly even sports that do not have video games (or other external revenue streams).
24 weeks 21 hours ago	On another note, Goodell has	On another note, Goodell has discussed eliminating the NFL entirely.
24 weeks 2 days ago	I am denying rumors that I	I am denying rumors that I have accepted the Tennessee head coaching job.
25 weeks 2 days ago	They need help too, though. A	They need help too, though. A win and a UCLA loss might not be enough - there is a pretty large point differential.
25 weeks 3 days ago	If ECU is only joining for	If ECU is only joining for football, where do the rest of their sports go? I assume C-USA won't keep them for the rest . . .
29 weeks 1 day ago	So-so week for me last week.	So-so week for me last week. 2-4 ATS, 4-2 O/U = 6-6 overall.   1. Illinois @ Ohio (-27.5, +/- 51.5) Illinois is 2-6 ATS, including 0-3 on the road. The Illini have looked to pack it in for the year. I'll take Ohio to cover and the over. 2. Michigan @ Minnesota (+12.5, +/- 46.5) Looking at the numbers makes this pick against conventional wisdom (Minnesota 4-1 ATS at home, Michigan 1-3 ATS road). With that said, give me Michigan to cover and the under. 3. Penn State @ Purdue (+3.5, +/- 51.5) Nittany Lions are 3-0 ATS in road games. Must win game for Purdue, as they very well could be short the minimum six wins for bowl eligibility. Penn State to cover and the under. 4. Nebraska @ Michigan State (+2, +/- 44) I've gone back and forth on this one. I think Nebraska is the more balanced team, but Sparty has the better defense. The situational numbers for both teams are dreadful - Nebraska 0-3 ATS road, Michigan State 0-5 ATS home. Spartans haven't hit the over at home this season, either. Give me Michigan State with the points and the under. 5. Iowa @ Indiana (-1.5, +/- 55.5) When I see a line that is completely unexpected, I usually stay away from it. I tend to think Iowa is the better team, but the Hoosiers are coming off a big road win (hey, when you are IU any road win is big, right?) and must beat Iowa in order to have a shot at being bowl eligible. Oh and Indiana controls their own destiny for the Leaders Division. I'll take the over and reluctantly take Iowa with the points.
30 weeks 3 days ago	1. Michigan State @ Wisconsin	1. Michigan State @ Wisconsin (-6.5, +/- 41.5) Since 1999, home team is 8-3 SU, but 6-5 ATS. Including the Big Ten Championship, four of the last six games have been decided by less than seven points. With that said, I'll take Wisconsin, who seems to have hit their stride, but I'll take the under. 2. Iowa @ Northwestern (-6, +/- 49.5) Crucial game for the Hawkeyes, as a loss likely eliminates them from the division race. Iowa has been tough to figure out this year. I'm inclined to take the under with a weaker play on Iowa with the points. 3. Purdue @ Minnesota (+3.5, +/- 51) I'm still of the belief that the Gophers will be bowl eligible, but that makes the game against Purdue a must win. I'll take Minnesota with the points and the over. 4. Michigan @ Nebraska (-2.5, +/- 57.5) At the beginning of the year I took Nebraska, here. I'm really unimpressed with Nebraska, and seeing how the 'Huskers defended Ohio State's offense, I'm less concerned about Michigan's chances here. Still, its very much a tossup. I'll take Michigan ATS and the under. 5. Indiana @ Illinois (-1, +/- 58.5) Illinois has become a complete tirefire. It wouldn't surprise me to see them lose out. When was the last time Indiana won a road conference game though? November 27, 2010, against Purdue. Still, I'll take the Hoosiers and the over. 6. Ohio @ Penn State (PK, +/- 50) I'll admit, I was wrong on Penn State. They have proved to be much better than I thought and have shown the ability to bounce back after an 0-2 start. The Nittany Lions defense has been pretty good - that could very well be the difference. If the Buckeyes win, I expect the over to pay. But I'll go with Penn State, and the under, in a rare 5:30 PM start.
34 weeks 19 hours ago	Given that my wife and I are	Given that my wife and I are expecting our first on October 14th, but her doctor says the baby could come any day now, mine could very well be spent in the hospital.
37 weeks 2 days ago	Point taken. Still, the Irish	Point taken. Still, the Irish have won 4 of the last 5, with 3 of those wins coming by double digits.
37 weeks 2 days ago	I'll take (all with the points)	New Hampshire (Regardless of the line, but I do like Minny to win) Penn State (I think the loss to OU has created a massive overreaction, PSU could very well win this one) Ohio (UCF is actually playing a team that has a defense this week, UCF is much better offensively than Miami though - should be close for the first half) Massachusetts (Depth is a concern for Indiana, but the entire team is a concern for UMass - until I see the Hoosiers blow out a weak non-conference opponent, I'll pick against them) Iowa (although 5 might be a bit high - the home team has dominated this series) Notre Dame (I can't remember the last time Purdue beat ND offhand, let alone kept it close) Michigan (I'm wary of this one, too, but depth should show through in the second half) Michigan State (CMU simply isn't good, with that said, MSU was less than impressive offensively against Boise - assuming Maxwell doesn't throw three picks, Sparty should roll) Wisconsin  (Line originally opened at 11 and has dropped. I'm thinking this is a massive overreaction to Wisconsin getting by Northern Iowa - a decent FCS program) Nebraska (If Burkhead doesn't play, all bets are off. Nebraska's defense is the difference in this one, if Burkhead plays) Northwestern (A true toss up game here. I tend to think Vanderbilt is a better team, but something tells me the Cardiac Cats get the job done) Arizona State (I was surprised by how dominant Illinois was last week - they contained Carder and forced key INTs - the Illini face the "High Octane Offense" this week, and on the road)
37 weeks 3 days ago	I wonder how much of his	I wonder how much of his comments have to do with the UM-MSU rivalry. In recent years, MSU has had the upper hand and, arguably, more talent. With graduation, maybe he realizes this year's game is a toss up, if not leaning towards Michigan.
39 weeks 3 days ago	Texas coaching staff is	Texas coaching staff is overrated, especially in light of recent years. I'll take issue with the Ohio staff being on there as well - the crew hasn't spent a season together in their current roles, let alone one game. I'd argue USC should be somewhere on the current list, how they were left off is beyond me.
39 weeks 4 days ago	Whose secondary will be	Whose secondary will be worse, 2011 Minnesota or 2012 Notre Dame?
41 weeks 1 day ago	I did not notice the MGoPatio	I did not notice the MGoPatio ad, but I did notice the A-1 Bail Bonds ad at the top. I take it bail bond agencies in Columbus couldn't pony up the cash for ad placement?
43 weeks 1 day ago	#RememberTheFive
43 weeks 3 days ago	33% can mathmatically not	33% can mathmatically not make it, but realistically, how many can? When looking at Illinois, Indiana, Purdue, and Wisconsin, the Badgers can still lose three in conference and make it. Its not along the lines of the PAC-12 South fiasco last year, but basically sets up Wisconsin for a repeat appearance.

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