Around the Big Ten

[Rocky Bleier]

Watch a replay of the 2000 Orange Bowl to see when Michigan matched up with Bama physically. Do not want to play them next season.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Bama is arguably the SEC's best team. Penn State is not the best rep from the B1G

The SEC is definitely looking the best but look at the rest of the conferences. The Pac12 has had a lot of bad games, the Big East has looked like utter crap, and the ACC looks like a non-factor again

[Dr. Strangelove]

I still think Illinois may be a bit of a sleeper. They look solid. And they have the easiest road schedule in the conference (at Indiana, at Purdue, at Penn St, at Minnesota). If they beat Arizona State they could be 6-0 when we go to Champaign

[WM Wolverine]

Big 12 is a pretty clear #2 so far, the others are a big step behind...

Pre-season, I saw projections for Illinois anywhere from 4 to 9 wins, 7 is where I had them.

[iam416]

I like Illinois. Had them as 3rd in the Leaders. W/ the OSU game at home, they could get 2nd.

[Hannibal]

Bleh. Their defensive talent left and Scheelhausse isn't a good passer. Recruiting has dropped off badly since Zook's first few classes. Plus, Ron Zook is coaching them. I repeat -- Ron Zook is coaching them.

[WM Wolverine]

I'm interesting to see if their QB can complete passes against a BCS caliber opponent.

[Optimus Prime]

Watch a replay of the 2000 Orange Bowl to see when Michigan matched up with Bama physically. Do not want to play them next season.

No way, it's a must attend game in Dallas! DR will be a senior, Hoke and Co will be in their second year ...besides Sabanj and most of his team stand pretty good chance at getting arrested! Can't miss that one, gonna have my hotel BBQ a Steer for The Prime....get me some new boots too!

[Dr. Strangelove]

Bleh. Their defensive talent left and Scheelhausse isn't a good passer. Recruiting has dropped off badly since Zook's first few classes. Plus, Ron Zook is coaching them. I repeat -- Ron Zook is coaching them.

They will beat Western Michigan and should beat Indiana, Purdue, and Minnesota. Between OSU, PSU, Michigan, and Northwestern I think they will win a couple. That would put them around 8-4, 9-3 if they beat Arizona State.

[hack]

Doesn't help that 2 of the B1G's premier programs have been nonexistent. Hopefully UM will be back and PSU will be taken off hold when JoePa retires, and that should restore some balance. But, in the end, things are trending in the wrong direction for non-OSU B1G teams. Unless the NCAA cleans things up a bit, the SEC will continue to display the most professionalism among major college conferences.

[iam416]

The Penn State thing is particularly suck-worthy. That's a sleeping giant that ought never be worse than 8-4.

[Jamie H]

JoPa has become a greedy bastard. I understand he doesn't want to retire because he is afraid he will die or something. But his inability to let go is damaging the entire program. He has had his time. Let someone else have theirs now.

If he really wanted to stay involved, why not retire as coach but remain on as a replay-advisor or some other capacity where he is still involved with the team? Doing what he is doing has become pretty ridiculous.

[hack]

Awful. IMO Lloyd Carr hung on too long; I can only imagine what PSU fans feel.

[lineygoblue]

Carr hung on for about two years too long. But, he had made promises to some players that he wouldn't retire before they graduated.

I agree with Jamie about Paterno. His hanging on now is completely selfish. He's not contributing anything to the team other than talking to prospects when they make visits. He is not involved in the every day running of the team, game day planning, .. play calling .. nothing.

Can't miss that one, gonna have my hotel BBQ a Steer for The Prime....get me some new boots too!

I think seeing that, is enough reason to come to the game...:-D

[Jamie H]

Especially now that Bowden has retired, thus meaning that Paterno will have the all-time wins record when he dies. I could understand trying to hang on to stay ahead of Bowden a bit, but now it is time for him to step aside and let someone else be king.