State of the Big Ten: Week 5

This is the first installment of the State of the Big Ten which will be a weekly rant/praise/commentary on how the Big Ten has performed over the weekend. Every Monday we'll take a trip to every Big Ten city, evaluate performances, talk about the atmosphere for the coming week, and highlight anything important. The State of the Big Ten will also feature "Big Ten Gaffe-o-Meter". This gauge will rate how bad the Big Ten screwed up this week. The ratings will be defined below when we get to the "Big Ten Gaffe-o-Meter". Sit back and relax as we now present the State of the Big Ten.

The position we find our beloved Big Ten in this week is:

BEFUDDLING

Coming off a week where Big Ten teams were 12-1 in non conference play, we headed into a week where 10 played conference games, and 4 others played non-conference games. And hey guess what?!?! We didn't blow this one! All 4 teams competing in non-conference games came away with a victory! But hold the champagne everyone. Just as the Tigers were supposed to win the AL Central (and should have a long time ago; no need for the champagne), the Big Ten teams competing in non-conference games were supposed to win on Saturday and did. The only teams in jeopardy of losing this week were Wisconsin (slow start U) and Ohio State (who broke away late). The 4 teams playing out of conference this weekend did not garner a win against a Power 5 conference therefore making their wins, nothing more than another number added to the W column. These games could have been week one warms and just like this week no one bats an eye lash at the Big Ten. These wins didn't strengthen the Big Ten but did keep them from hitting the panic button.

Conference play on the other hand brought with it some surprises and ultimately knocked the Big Ten back (if it even moved at all) to the point it was at, at the start of the year. Iowa-Purdue confirmed what everyone already knew about both teams. Purdue hasn't improved and Iowa is the lack-luster team that Kinnick Stadium hasn't seen in years past. Northwestern-Penn State was a complete shocker! Having not followed Northwestern too closely I expected a Penn State team with a second year QB playing at home to roll over Northwestern or at least win for that matter. Northwestern with a first year QB walked in and stunned 102,910 in State College. You go wildcat! (Yes that is a High School Musical reference, deal with it.) Indiana coming off an upset of #18 Missouri at Missouri came home to be crushed by Maryland. Really Indiana???? You just squandered the bright spot of last week by doing this. Back to national laughing stock. If you see smoke rising near Lake Erie, do not panic, it's just Ann Arbor. The city spontaneously combusted as well as was set fire too by irate Wolverines. Minnesota steals back the jug they've only seen in pictures. The Gophers struck the heart of the Wolverine and shocked many. More on Michigan this week. A lot more. If you haven't seen Ameer Abdullah play I feel bad for you son, he's got 99 problems and playing football ain't one. Nebraska did as they were supposed to and rolled the Illini. The Big Ten made no case that they deserve a spot in the College Football Playoff and with teams having not improved  and teams losing that should have one, no clear winner has emerged from this conference. Therefore I'll be befuddled till someone figures it out.

Around Big Ten Country:
East Lansing- Sparty on, just Sparty on.
Madison- Ask less for your tickets if your team only shows up in the second half. Be worried about those slow starts, especially against an upstart Northwestern team.
New Brunswick- An offense that has racked up at least 31 points in all 4 of their victories shows no sign of slowing unless they hit a good defense. Michigan, as much as they are struggling can stop the run but not the pass. If Rutgers can hit the pass, start the party in New Jersey.
Iowa City- Lack luster at best, it'll be a down year for the Hawkeyes but hey they're due for an upset victory anytime soon. Enjoy the bye week.
West Lafayette- No improvement from last year. Long year ahead. It'll be boring game next week as they take on Illinois
Evanston- Wilbon should be giddy after this week, same as every alumni.
State College- Be afraid, very afraid.
College Park- These Terps aren't slow, and might be this conference's dark horse. We'll see how good they actually are this week vs Ohio State.
Bloomington- Be ashamed. Don't screw up vs North Texas.
Ann Arbor- Send in the national guard, it's about to get worse.
Minneapolis- Love that brown jug  with all you hold dear. It's a friend that was once lost but now has been found. (Hey is that Amazing Grace flowing from the rafters?)
Columbus- Maybe all is not lost? Barret for Heisman.
Lincoln- Ameer needs a key to the city if he doesn't have one already. Enjoy it while it lasts, Sparty awaits.
Champaign-  What else is new? Should beat Purdue.

Big Ten Gaffe-o-Meter
So here's how this is going to work. Each Monday, after the State of the Big Ten I'll release the Big Ten Gaffe-o-Meter that rates how the conference is doing. The seven ratings are (Best to Worst):
1.) The Clean Up Spot
- We now have the 4th College Football Playoff spot. Champagne please.
2.) Coming Up Roses
- We're oh so close to that spot
3.) Delaney
- As in Jim Delaney. The conference ain't so hot but it ain't too bad either.
4.) Bo Pelini's Cat
- This conference is whack, much like Pelini and his cat.
5.) John L Smith Slap
-What the hell is going on?
6.) Rich Rod Tears
-Cry just cry about how you want to be good again.
7.) Jim Tressel Stupidity
- The conference has spun out of control, we all need to step down and hide from everything.

This week the conference is:

-Stephen

Week 5 Roundup: Wolverines have the blues, Northwestern claws Penn State

Week 5 started conference play for all but 4 Big Ten teams; and this conference never ceases to amaze. Well maybe it doesn't amaze anymore because the irregularity of this conference has become the norm. No longer are the days of the dazzlingly boring dominance of non-conference teams by the Big Ten. The days of the uncertain play have arrived for Big Ten teams, save a few. This week proved that to win on Saturday your best is needed. Ask Michigan and Penn State. I can't tell which was more surprising.

#9 Michigan State 56, Wyoming 14
Michigan State again proved that they can roll over cupcake teams. Coming off a 73-14 romping of Eastern Michigan, the Spartans proved once again they won't be caught looking ahead. With Wyoming running the pro-style offense that 5 of their 8 conference opponents deploy, the Spartans' defense was put to the test. They stood tall only allowing 98 yards rushing, and 188 yards through the air. Though the Spartans gave up 286 yards, many of the pass plays went for good sums of yards and cornerback Darian Hicks was prone to big plays over the top as he has been through the first four weeks of the year. Wyoming's 27 attempts on the ground for 98 yards comes to 3.6 yards per attempt; but take into account QB Kirkeegard's -36 yards rushing. Wyoming's running back core was able to gash Michigan State's defense for big plays including a 57 yard score. Michigan State's defense was able to stand tall as it picked up 2 fumbles and Kurtis Drummond recorded an interception. The Spartan offense collected 533 yards total, 338 yards on the ground and 195 yards through the air. QB Connor Cook was 6-for-8 with 126 yards total and 2 touchdowns on the day. Cook continued his staggering performances as well as Tony Lippet. Lippett now has one touchdown per game for the past 6 games. 5 was the magic number for the Spartan backfield as 5 different Spartans recorded a rushing score. The Spartans open up Big Ten play against Nebraska next week in East Lansing at 8 PM.
#19 Wisconsin 27, South Florida 10
The Badgers need to find a way to start and start fast. They may as well tell their ticket holders to only show up for the second half, only to save the UW Health Hospital from receiving an overdose of heart attack victims. USF struck first at 6:49 of the first quarter hitting a 26 yard field goal and Wisconsin ended the scoring of the first half with a field goal of their own. Rafael Gaglianone split the uprights with 52 seconds left in the first quarter, that one coming from 24 yards out. Entering the half tied at 3-3, fans at Camp Randall had an all too familiar feeling they had felt entering the half 9-3 against Western Illinois. But just as they did against Western Illinois, the Badgers picked up the pace. Led by Melvin Gordon, the Badgers scored first in the second half. Gordon's 7 yard scamper put Wisconsin up 10-3 and they never looked back. The Badgers added another score from Gordon 2 minutes later, that one from 43 yards out. The Bulls got with in 7 when Rodney Adams went end-around from 27 yards out to make it 17-10 Badgers. Gaglianone added a 19 yard field goal and Sam Arneson's 1 yard toss to Tanner McEvoy finished off the day for the Badgers as they toughed out a 27-10 victory. The Badgers take on the Wildcats of Northwestern in Evanston next week where a slow start may be a death sentence to the Badgers.
Rutgers 31, Tulane 6
It's never easy being the new kid. You'll be watched closely and scrutinized profusely till you're accepted. Rutgers has handled the new pressure well, refusing to give up the lunch money except to Penn State; because you must always respect your elders. Rutgers has not yet embarrassed the Big Ten but almost did squeaking out a 41-38 victory versus Pac-12 bottom feeder Washington State. The Scarlet Knights had a chance this week to mess up their good standing with the Big Ten but passed this exam smoothly. Rutgers swallowed up 462 yards of offense with 291 coming from the pass attack. The Scarlet Knights' air attack led by QB Gary Nova found pay dirt 4 times with the biggest score going for 93 yards. Rutgers is prone to big run plays, as RB Sherman Badie of Tulane broke off an 86 yard score. The Green Wave garnered 304 yards of offense with an even split in yardage on the ground and through the air. Nova's 4 TD day makes him the all time leader for passing TDs at Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights take on the struggling Wolverines next week at home at 7PM.
Iowa 24, Purdue 10
The Hawkeyes strolled into West Lafayette and walked out without breaking much of a sweat. Iowa started off by tossing a pick six to Frankie Williams of Purdue and that was the only sniff Purdue got of an offensive touchdown. Adding a 42 yard field goal with 11:48 to go in the half. The 10-0 deficit was nothing but a walk in the park for Iowa over the next 49 minutes. Having won 2 come from behind games earlier in the year, Iowa stayed resilient and punched in their first score on the back of Mark Weisman from 2 yards out. Later in the second quarter they added a Marshall Koehn 28 yard field to tie the game. The Boilermaker offense couldn't achieve much as they only racked up 156 yards of offense. The Hawkeyes struck with 45 seconds left in the 3rd Quarter as CJ Beathard found Kevonte Martin-Manley for 23 yard score to put Iowa up 17-10. Iowa's offense racked up 420 yards of offense and added a final 5 yard score from Weisman. 24-10 domiantion by the Hawkeyes puts them at 4-1 as they head into a bye week. Purdue travels to Illinois next week.
Northwestern 29, Penn State 6
I told everyone in my prior post that it was going to happen. The underdog would topple someone. Northwestern was one of two teams that surprised me today and they did it in State College! And they DOMINATED. Northwestern led by QB Trevor Siemian who had 3 touchdowns, each 1 yard punch ins. Siemian threw for 258 yards only 8 yards less than the Nittany Lions total yards. Northwestern's defensive only allowed 50 yards rushing and had a pick six that broke the game wide open. Penn State's offensive line couldn't handle Northwestern as QB Christian Hackenberg was pressured all day long. Penn State couldn't muster more than two field goals and Northwestern rolled  over the Nittany Lions with 361 yards of offense in front of 102,910 people in State College.
Maryland 37, Indiana 15
One week removed from shocking the nation, and giving me a glimpse of hope at a Big Ten team in College Football Playoff, the Hoosiers met with Maryland for the Terrapins inaugural Big Ten game and swiftly crushed my hope. CJ Brown led his Terrapins into Bloomington and Big Ten country and they left having conquered their first opponent. Brown was 10-for-15 with 163 yards passing and 2 TDs before leaving the game just before halftime due to injury. (One passing, one rushing). Brown's back-up Caleb Rowe picked up where Brown left off as he added 2 more passing TDs including a 36 yard strike to Juwann Winfree that distanced the Terps from the Hoosiers. It was all Maryland all day as they racked up 484 yards of total offense. The Hoosiers after upsetting Missouri could only muster one offensive touchdown. Maryland welcomes #22 Ohio State next week. Indiana takes on North Texas at home next week.
Minnesota 30, Michigan 14
As if Michigan couldn't have dug a deeper trench. They're closing in on Mariana's Trench as we speak. But give the Gophers credit, they took advantage of a weak Michigan team and brought the Little Brown Jug back to Minneapolis where it has evaded property tax there 22 of the past 24 years. After a quiet 1st Quarter, Michigan broke the 0-0 deadlock when Devon Smith bounced off defenders en-route to a 10 yard TD run. 3 minutes later the Big House was quieted as Minnesota QB Mitch Leidner broke off his own 10 yard run to tie the game at 7. As the 1st half closed Minnesota kicker Ryan Santoso tacked on a 24 yard field goal to make it 10-7. 3 points was the closest the Wolverines would get the rest of the night as Santoso added two more field goals, one from 48 yards and the other from 25 yards out. Up 13-7 the Gopher's defense swarmed Wolverine QB Shane Morris and the pressure forced a tipped ball that found the hands of De'Vondre Campbell who brought it 30 yards back to the house. 4 minutes later Leidner found Maxx Williams from a yard out to increase the lead to 27-7. The Minnesota D continued to pound Shane Morris and the Michigan offense, allowing only 88 yards passing and 83 yards rushing. Michigan's woes continued on offense and the whole team looked uninspired. The Wolverines dropped to 2-3 on the year and will take on Rutgers at Rutgers next week. The Golden Gophers improve to 4-1 on the year and heads into a bye week.
#22 Ohio State 50, Cincinnati 28
The Buckeyes took on in-state opponent Cincinnati looking to increase their streak of not losing to in state opponents. (It's a streak that began when Warren G. Harding was President) This time they extended the streak on the back of QB J.T. Barret who went 26-for-36, 330 yards passing and 4 TDs. The first half ended 30-21 in favor of the Buckeyes. and the second half was never closer than 33-28 when Guner Kiel hit Chris Moore for 78 yard hookup and score for the Bearcats. The Buckeyes added a field goal four minutes later and then sealed the victory when Barret hit Dontre Wilson from 24 yards out to make it 43-28. Ohio State added a TD with 10:26 to go on a 34 yard pass from Barret to Devin Smith. The Buckeyes travel to Maryland to take on the Terrapins next week. 
#21 Nebraska 45, Illinois 14
Ameer, Ameer, Ameer. That's all you need to know about this rout. Ameer Abdullah ran for 208 yards and 3 touchdowns as he led the undefeated Cornhuskers over Illinois. After Abdullah ran for his first TD, Illinois RB Josh Ferguson busted through the Nebraska defense for a 41 yard score of his own tying the game at 7. The second quarter got ugly for Illinois fast, Ameer Abdullah fast. Abdullah scored two TDs in a span of just over 5 minutes and QB Tommy Armstrong hit wide open Kenny Bell for a 63 yard score to increase their lead to 28-7. Illini WR Geronimo Allison cut the lead to 14 on a 48 yard pass from Reilly O'Toole. Drew Brown added a late field goal before the half and the Cornhuskers took a 31-14 lead into the break. Imani Cross ran for 109 yards and added the TD that put Nebraska up 38-14. Terrell Newby found pay dirt as well for the 'Huskers from 6 yards out and tacked on the final points of Nebraska's rout. The Cornhuskers head to Michigan State next week in what will be the game of the week in the Big Ten. Illinois welcomes Purdue next week to battle for the Purdue Cannon.

Week 5 was interesting, more analysis coming later this week.

-Stephen

Welcome to Big Ten Play

As college football now enters its 5th week of play, its time to fire up the grills in Big Ten country and welcome your Big Ten companions. (Remember, as much as we all hate each other across Big Ten land, we're all in this together, to show that the Big Ten is not the Wimpy Ten.) Our beloved conference may have started off bad, then jumped off a cliff but hey it's now time for conference play. The best part of conference play after all is the tradition it offers it's members. To celebrate the beginning of conference play, I'll break down the best the Big Ten has to offer.

R
Rivalries:
What's a major conference without rivalries. In the Big Ten we're chock-full of the good old rivalry. You know the ones that actually mean something when the teams play. Where the game has an actual effect on the season or the postseason picture. (i.e. Michigan at Ohio State 2006) Yes the set in stone hatred that oozes from the pores even in late October; not the early conference match ups that we tout as important. (Looking at you MSU-Indiana, Michigan-Minnesota). The Big Ten offers you good ole' ground and pound, tough-as-nails football rivalries. Take the Minnesota-Wisconsin rivalry. The states known just as much for hockey rivalries as they are football, contend every year for Paul Bunyan's Axe. With Minnesota leading the all time series 59-56-8, it's a stat Wisconsin fans would love to swing in their favor especially noting Minnesota has been the epitome of bad Big Ten football. Their wish has almost been completed as Wisconsin has won the past 10 clashes but 5 of those victories have been by 2 scores or less. The rivalry while not having been a rivalry as of late is one of the Big Ten's earliest rivalries and may well be the trap game that befalls a team late in November. Another original Big Ten rivalry that creeps on us in November is the battle for the Floyd of Rosedale. Yep the annual square off for a bronze pig. Well it used to be a live pig, but that's a story for another post. The last 5 games have resulted in 3 Iowa wins and 2 Minnesota wins, with 4 of those games being decided by 2 scores or less and of those 4 games, 2 were decided by 3 points or less. Continuing the rivalry path we stop at Ohio State-Michigan. It's called "The Game" for a reason and if you don't know that reason, hit up Wikipedia. I needn't say much about this one just that the hatred here doesn't stop. Looking for notable games just find recaps from '69, '72, '78, '87, '97, '99, '01, '05, '06. We could continue with rivalries for days in the Big Ten but I'll leave you with MSU vs Michigan. Ultimate brother versus brother battle that is never short of controversy (petty or not). More on the rivalry as we approach that game this year.

Trophies:
Definitely my favorite aspect of the conference. Here's a top 5 list.
5.) Purdue Cannon
-It's a freaking cannon! Who wouldn't want to win that? Well i guess it's a drag to march back home to Purdue or Illinois but hey it's a cannon!
4.) Paul Bunyan Trophy
- The ultimate prize for a state divided. He may be tad ugly but Paul is coveted by Michigan State and Michigan fans alike.
3.) Heartland Trophy
- A big brass bull is awarded to the winner of the Iowa-Wisconsin clash. A brass bull that changes hands almost every game. (Trophy series currently tied 4-4) The trophy may be young compared to the other trophies in the conference but it's sleek design and nasty, rough atmosphere makes it one to be prized.
2.) Floyd of Rosedale
- The Floyd of Rosedale is fought over by Iowa and Minnesota and is a bronze pig standing just under a foot tall and less than 2 feet wide. He used to be real now he's cast in bronze (everyone's dream) and is one of the most unique and hard fought over trophies.
1.) Paul Bunyan's Axe
- Paul's Axe has long stopped cutting down the wilderness, now the winner chops the loser's dreams, and goal post in half. Wisconsin and Minnesota battle it out for Bunyan's glory and have been since 1948.

Tailgating:
Maybe the on the field big ten product can be lacking but the schools here in the conference sure know how to throw a pregame party. Whether its arriving at the crack of dawn no matter when kickoff is, or playing touch football all day, tailgating in the Big Ten is an experience. From alcohol sales starting at 6 AM in Madison, Columbus's Hineygate, State College's Nittanyville, Bloomington's party all day students, Iowa City's Melrose Mob, and back again to the 'bratburger" in Madison; Big Ten tailgates know how to party. As you travel across Big Ten land, make sure to seek out the best each college town has to offer.

The Unexpected:
In this conference there will always be that one week where a top team loses to an underdog. Just ask MSU who some how finds a way to lose to Northwestern, or Ohio State who struggles with Illinois. The traditional powerhouse will be knocked off by an upstart. It's almost a commandment. (Thou shall witness his or her team lose to an underdog in the Big Ten) It will happen. Just pray its not your team so that way you can enjoy it.

To Maryland and Rutgers, welcome to the Big Ten. To everyone else, enjoy the show.

-Stephen

The Start of an Era

One hundred and eighteen years ago in Chicago, Illinois at Palmer House hotel Purdue University president James H. Smart, met with representatives from the University of Chicago, University of Illinois, University of Minnesota, University of Northwestern, University of Michigan, and University of Wisconsin to discuss regulations and policies for governing college athletics. None there could have possibly understood the undertaking that was occurring. They began an era of college athletics, organized college athletics for that matter. The group brought together in that hotel, on that January day placed the stepping stone for colleges across the nation. Little did they know that their rendezvous would lead universities to one day rake in millions upon millions of dollars upon the backs of the athletes they so cherished. Why mention this in my first post? Well, just as those representatives began an era, I too am beginning one here.

For as long as I can remember my passion for sports and writing have always found themselves on a crash course. Butting heads like boxers profusely, just to garner my attention. Well now gentleman you may stop exchanging blows and come together as one. My passion has lead me here. The world of sports writing has been softly whispering in my ear, gently nudging me to bring my desires to fruition. Here I am beginning my journey and what better place to start in the always zany but somehow weirdly magical Big Ten. Living in a Big Ten state, (Michigan) I saw it fitting that I write about the conference that runs almost everyone's lives here. Whether you're a Walmart Wolverine reliving past Michigan victories and trophies not even their fathers were alive for, or brand new Spartan who can't wait to hop on anything negative about their brothers from Ann Arbor; the Big Ten controls the aspects of your life. It's a right of passage in this state; you pick green or maize and you better be damn happy no matter what happens. I'd love to reveal which side I'm on but nah, I'd rather have some fun first. Living within the Big Ten's borders brings with it many hardships. The bashing and brandishing of the Big Ten by national pundits as a mess and a "deer in the headlights" when it comes to the national stage. I do know one thing though about the Big Ten, you love or hate it but you can't get enough of it.

This blog was developed to bring all the commentary about the Big Ten that I can cram down your throat. From story-lines, players, coaches, games, rankings, predictions, to the outright weird things the Big Ten does (and somehow there will be more I'm sure), you can find out about it here. We'll start with football and carry on from there. Here's to an era that's beginning. Good Luck Big Ten Country.

-Stephen