Big Ten Awards - Week 4

Well I said in the predictions, watch out for North Dakota State and North Texas vs Minnesota and Indiana respectively.  What happened....Minnesota suffered its 3rd loss to a Dakota team since 2007.  Indiana went to the Mean Green's new stadium and former Iowa State coach Dan MacCarney came away with a win.

Team of the Week : NEBRASKA : I would have said Wisconsin but they played a FCS school.  The Huskers went to Wyoming, 3-0 from the Mountain West and racked up nearly 500 yards of offense and controlled the game throughout.  The Huskers play their first Big Ten game next week when the go to Camp Randall and take in a top 10 showdown with Wisconsin.

Helmet Sticker : This will be a little deja vu from last week but here we go - Denard Robinson - QB - Michigan.  Yes he had a couple picks but Denard ran for 200 yards with 3 touchdowns, one being a bullet out of a gun run for 53 yards.  He won't be able to have passing performances like that in the Big Ten and win but he sure can run the ball.

Russell Wilson - QB - Wisconsin : Ok, how did he get out of NC State and to Madison?  Wilson tossed the ball for 345 yards and 3 scores.  The Badger QB is in the top 5 in passer efficiency in the nation and is on his way to All-American/All-Big Ten and Heisman status if he keeps this up.  A BIG test next week vs the Blackshirts.

James Vandenberg - QB - Iowa : If not for Wilson Vandenberg is having right now what could be an All-Big Ten year.  After 399 yard performance last week, JVB threw for 270 and 3 scores (2 to Marvin McNutt) and also ran for a score in Iowa's romp over Louisiana-Monroe.  The Iowa coaches may have seen something in their signal caller and are letting him sling it a bit more than we are accustomed to seeing.








Game of the Week : Illinois 23 - Western Michigan 20 : The Illini are off to their best start in more than 50 years after a struggle with the Broncos.  Being ranked for the first time since 2008 and the Big Ten season on the horizon the fighting Zookers might have been looking past Western Michigan a bit, but in the end were able to wear down the Broncos and rack up nearly 300 yards rushing.  Illinois next hosts Northwestern in Big Ten Play.

Highlight of the Week - Denard Robinson 53 yard touchdown run vs San Diego State

-The run is at the 20 second mark

Big Ten Take Away - I'd rather not dwell on the negative but on a weekend were there wasn't much competition (other than in Champaign) Minnesota and Indiana in their coaches first years are struggling.  They lost to teams they should have beat today in North Texas and North Dakota State.  I don't see them going winless in the Big Ten, but they will struggle this year and maybe next, but the fans should get behind Kevin Wilson and Jerry Kill.  Rome wasn't built in a day, neither are college football programs.


National Take Away - Robert Griffin III and Baylor are good.  This isn't your father's or grandfather's Baylor Bears.  RG3 has more TD's in 3 games than incompletions.  This has been against TCU, Stephen F Austin and Rice.  TCU is good but the others are world beaters.  Next week they go to Kansas State where the Bears should move to 4-0 and RG3 will continue to put up impressive numbers again.  If you get a chance to watch him, the dude is good!

Jimmy John Big Ten Challenge

Week – Matt (8-2)          Chad (8-2)          Kyle (8-2)

Season – Matt (35-11)          Chad (35-11)          Kyle (34-12)

Big Ten Awards - Week 3

Welcome back Jerry Kill!  one week after suffering a seizure on the sidelines, coach Jerry Kill returned to the Gopher sideline and notched his first W with a win over Miami(Ohio).  Along with Kill, Indiana coach Kevin Wilson got his first win as Hoosier coach with a 38-21 win over South Carolina State.

Team of the Week : ILLINOIS - Arizona State came into Champaign with a 2-0 record, some fancy new uniforms with a new logo, and a win over top 25 team already last week topping off Missouri.  Also the tallest QB in the nation at 6-8.  Though Illini QB Nathan Shcheelhaase was the QB that lead a game winning drive in the 4th with a TD pass.  The Illini and Ron Zook are now a quiet 3-0 in the Big Ten with the impressive win over Arizona State and can go 4-0 next week with a win over Western Michigan.

Helmet Sticker : Denard Robinson went off like it was 2010.  Rushing for 198 yards vs Eastern Michigan he also tallied 3 tds in a 31-3 victory.  The Wolverines were never in any doubt to lose this game but PS3 (aka Shoelace) went off again and was just fun to watch.  It's not RichRod's offense but Hoke isn't dumb enough to keep DRob just in the pocket.



James Vandenberg threw for 399 yards, 168 in the fourth quarter and 3 tds to lead Iowa to it's biggest comeback victory in school history.  Kirk Ferentz and Ken O'Keefe abandonded the run vs 8 in the box and got rid of the play action and let James sling it. Hopefully they learned something from this.  He put the Hawks on his arm and did what he does best.

Russell Wilson also put on a passing clinic.  Earning his 2nd helmet sticker, the Badger QB threw for 347 yards and 3 scores in a route of Northern Illinois in Soldier Field.  The transfer has been a nice addition for the Badgers who with Wilson have a threat at QB now with their road grading running attack.  In 3 games Wilson has 759 yards passing and 8 tds to 0 int.  

Game of the Week : IOWA 31 - PITT 27 : Don't call it a comeback!  WOW.  What happened in Iowa City was reminiscent of Iowa-Indiana 2009.  Down 21 at one point Iowa went to outscore Pitt 28-3 over the final 16 minutes to move to 2-1.  James Vandenberg tossed the ball 399 yards and had 3 tds.  With little time in the 3rd the Hawks changed their offensive philosophy from running and play action to a gun slinger in no huddle and shot gun and it worked.  The offense sparked, Jordan Bernstine started and laid some big hits.  Micah Hyde capped the game with a pick as Pitt was driving.

Highlight of the Week : Jeremy Ebert touchdown grab vs Army.  (at the 47 second mark)

Big Ten Take Away : Wisconsin is the best team in the Big Ten.  Nebraska jumped up in competition and showed its stuff.  Though I still think if you get the Huskers where they need to pass they are in trouble.  Illinois is a sneaky 3-0 and may give some teams some fits.  Iowa needs to abandon what they are known for with this young team.  Michigan State isn't in trouble, just met a desperate Notre Dame team this weeknd.

National Take Away : Auburn's luck ran out with a 14 point loss at Clemson.  Oklahoma made the biggest statement of the weekend with a win over Florida State at Doak Campbell.  

Jimmy John's Big Ten Challenge

Week – Matt (8-4)          Chad (7-5)          Kyle (8-4)

Season – Matt (27-9)          Chad (27-9)          Kyle (26-10)