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
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