Around the Big Ten

[Rob F]

this season is starting to remind me of the 1990 season, which ended in a 4-way tie at 6-2 between Michigan, Iowa, msu, and Illinois. I would have to look it up, but I think that Michigan had the best overall record with 3 losses, but a 4-loss Iowa went to the Rose Bowl due to some tie-breaker, probably who hasn't been there in the longest time

[whodean]

I doubt MSU loses again, they looked real sharp today.

[Optimus Prime]

Good point Rob.

[DennisT]

I'd like to see Wisconsin wax Sparty on a neutral field.

[Rob F]

[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Big_Ten_Conference_football_champions"]List of Big Ten Conference football champions - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

I was right about the year (1990), the 4 teams involved in the tie, and the fact Michigan ended up with the best record after bowl games. It looks like, though, that all 4 teams ended the regular season with 3 losses, msu must have been eliminated from Rose Bowl consideration due to a regular season tie leaving them at 7-3-1 while the other 3 ended the regular season at 8-3.

Only thing that confuses me, then, is that Iowa went rather than Illinois, if last-to-go/longest absense was the deciding tie-breaker?

[lineygoblue]

I'd like to see Wisconsin wax Sparty on a neutral field.

You may get your wish.

[WM Wolverine]

Those are probably the top two teams, Nebraska probably a close #3.

[Rob F]

Those are probably the top two teams, Nebraska probably a close #3.

Probably being the key word, WM

In reality, there is actually very little separating the top 5 teams (msu, Wisky, Penn St., Michigan, and UNL, all at 8-2 overall) other than the schedule itself---with few exceptions, the head-to-head games between any of the upper-division teams have gone to the home teams.

Wisky is still probably the best of a mediocre bunch, but had the misfortune of having to do road games at msu and osu, losing both.


msu is probably next best, but had the home-turf advantage be the biggest difference-maker in the U of M game and a squeaker vs. an awful Minnesota.

UNL? Probably the most inconsistant of the top 5, lucky to beat osu, laid an egg at home vs. Northwestern, blown out at Wisconsin, but they've looked as good as any other team in the conference at times

Penn State? No doubt their defense is as good as any in the Big Ten, but poor QB play has doomed their offense, and it is likely the scandal will sink them with their last 2 games on the road at osu and Wiskey

And then there is Michigan, perfect at home, 2-2 on the road. Can't Brandon ever get it right and schedule the entire season at The Big House!!!?? Seriously, though, if our offense ever starts clicking---and with our QB play, not likely to happen---we're capable of beating any and all in this mediocre bunch

[hack]

Can't put us in the same category as those teams, IMO. Even if they beat Nebraska.

[Rob F]

Can't put us in the same category as those teams, IMO. Even if they beat Nebraska.

No, I agree---we're not as good as Wisky and sparty, and that's pretty much what I said here:

Wisky is still probably the best of a mediocre bunch, but had the misfortune of having to do road games at msu and osu, losing both.


msu is probably next best, but had the home-turf advantage be the biggest difference-maker in the U of M game and a squeaker vs. an awful Minnesota.

We couldn't beat sparty in EL, even though they had well over 100 yards in penalties (and probably could have had over 200 yds assessed if the zebras had any guts), and we're fortunate not to have to go to mad-town to try to tackle Wisky----but make either of those teams come to The Big House and they're both beatable.

Like I said, though, home field advantage is huge this season in the Big Ten. Likely the biggest single factor in a league in which near-parity and mediocrity rule.

[hack]

Sure, I can get behind that one.

[Jamie H]

B1G removes Paterno from championship trophy:

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7233492/big-ten-removes-joe-paterno-name-championship-trophy

[Mike]

Good move.

[madootra]

His name should never have been on it to begin with. There's no way he would have approached 400 wins if he had coached in the Big10 his entire career.

[Jamie H]

Yeah, i didn't really understand that one either. It should have been Bo and Woody, except that Woody had to retire in disgrace. Oh, and Delany hates Bo's guts, mostly because Bo was willing to call him out for the slimeball that he is.