Showing posts with label Ohio State. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ohio State. Show all posts

10/24/2021

Big Ten Weekly Awards - Week 8

The season is about two-thirds over, this week in the Big Ten we got a 9 overtime HUGE upset, the Buckeyes and Wolverines keep rolling (have we ever said that before?), Wisconsin win in West Lafayette sets up a big game next week in Madison that could/should decide the Big Ten West and quietly Minnesota continues to notch wins.  Think they want that Bowling Green game back?  And who is the front runner for Player of the Year in the conference?  A pair of Buckeyes?  


TEAM OF THE WEEK
Illinois



GAME OF THE WEEK
 
Illinois 20 - Penn State 18

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
CJ Stroud - QB - Ohio State
21/28 - 266 yds - 4 TDs
3 rush - 1 yd

10/11/2021

Big Ten Weekly Awards - Week 6

 Punting is Winning, Iowa's defense and Tory Taylor helped Iowa along enough to hit on some big pass plays to claim #2 in the AP Poll.  Nebraska looks to be dangerous but the schedule may haunt them but really looking like the second best team in the West and Bielema can't beat his old school (Round 1).  Oh how fun is the East going to be come a couple weeks when these teams start playing each other.  Kenneth Walker III should be on everyone's Heisman list.  Is CJ Stroud going to join him?  Ohio State looks to be in a groove now.  

TEAM OF THE WEEK
Ohio State


GAME OF THE WEEK 
Iowa 23 - Penn State 20

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
  
        CJ Stroud - OSU - QB                                        Jalen Nailor - MSU - WR
     24-33 - 406 yds - 5 td                                              5 rec - 221 yds - 3 td    
2 rush - 8 yds                                                                            

10/05/2021

Big Ten Power Rankings - Week 5

 

 Week 5 Big Ten Power Rankings



1 - Michigan
2 - Penn State
3 - Ohio State
4 - Iowa
5 - Michigan State
6 - Nebraska
7 - Rutgers
8 - Maryland
9 - Minnesota
10 - Wisconsin
11 - Indiana
12 - Purdue
13 - Northwestern
14 - Illinois

9/27/2021

Big Ten Power Rankings - Week 4


 Week 4 Big Ten Power Rankings



1 - Penn State
2 - Michigan
3 - Ohio State
4 - Iowa
5 - Michigan State
6 - Maryland
7 - Rutgers
8 - Purdue
9 - Wisconsin
10 - Nebraska
11 - Northwestern
12 - Minnesota
13 - Indiana
14 - Illinois



9/20/2021

Big Ten Weekly Awards - Week 3

Week 3 the Big Ten had some big moments to make statements, and mostly did so.  Even the Huskers in a loss in the 50th anniversary of the Game of the Century.  Indiana had a top 10 team on the ropes, Penn State whited out Auburn and Michigan and Ohio State rolled again.  The Big Ten East looks like it will be really fun! 


TEAM OF THE WEEK
Michigan State


GAME OF THE WEEK
Penn State 28 - Auburn 20

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
TreVeyon Henderson - OSU - RB
24 car - 277 yds - 3 tds
1 rec - 5 yds

1/27/2014

Big Ten Awards - Week 14

Team of the Week : Penn StateAll Wisconsin had to do was beat a 5-6 team at home and they had most likely a 4th trip to the Rose Bowl in the bag.  Penn State showed up and Bill O’Brien’s teams dominated the Badgers.  It wasn’t close.  When O’Brien gets his full allotment of scholarships and bowl eligibility back, the Nittany Lions will be back very quick.

Game of the Week : Ohio State 42  Michigan 41 : The Game lived up to the hype!  The national media will rip Ohio State for “struggling” with Michigan, just so they can get a 1 loss SEC team in the Championship game (looking at you ESPN).  But this game is a game they can play over and over and over again and you can always throw out the records.  Michigan came back on their arch rival and had a chance, and I like the call, to win with a 2 point conversion when Gardner’s pass being picked off.

Player of the Week : James Morris / Anthony Hitchens / Christian Kirksey  Iowa Linebackers :  The 3 of the senior Iowa linebackers, and the Iowa Defense, controlled the Huskers all day, and totally lit up Ron Kellogg.  28 tackles, 2 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, 2 Interceptions and 2 forced fumbles.  These 3 have been the rock in Iowa’s D all year long and they held the Big Ten’s leading rusher to 85 yards.  These 3 will be missed next year.

10/06/2013

Big Ten Awards - Week 6

Team of the Week : Indiana -- Coming into Saturday the Hoosiers have never beat Penn State in the previous 16 meetings.  That changed Saturday in Bloomington when the Hoosiers won their first conference opener win since 2000 also.  Indiana didn't fluke win over Penn State, they destroyed them 44-24.  The win was desperately needed for the Hoosiers if they want to play in a bowl game this year.

Game of the Week : Ohio State 40 - Northwestern 30 -- In a game that was really a lot closer than the score (since the Buckeyes put up 6 on the last play).  In a see or red in Evanston, the Wildcats went toe to toe with Ohio State most of the game, leading most of it too until Carlos Hyde put in his 3 second half touchdown rushes.  Even with that Wildcats still had a chance when they were stopped on 4th and 1 on the Buckeyes side of the 50.  Ohio State and Urban Meyer have now won 18 in a row, and with their upcoming schedule, many wonder how many more marquee wins it can notch till the battle with Michigan and a Big Ten Championship Game.

Player of the Week : Carlos Hyde - RB - Ohio State : Struggling most the first half against the Wildcat Defense, the Buckeyes relied on Hyde's legs the second half.  Hyde's 3 touchdowns came in the 2nd half, the last putting the Buckeyes up for good late in the 4th quarter.  Hyde finished the evening with 168 yards rushing and 3 scores, and getting rocked on a huge hit late in the fourth quarter also.

Jimmy John's Big Ten Challenge:
Matt: 3-2  12pts / 48-7  293pts
Chad: 3-2 12pts / 45-10  287pts
Kyle: 2-3 6pts / 46-9  282pts

9/29/2013

Big Ten Awards - Week 5

Team of the Week : Iowa -- Iowa went on the road and pounded Minnesota, allowing the Gophers only 30 yards rushing and the only threat offensively came after the Gophers returned a kickoff to the 37.  Mark Weisman rushed for 147 on the year and the Hawks are now 4-1 on the year.

Game of the Week : Ohio State 31 - Wisconsin 24 --  The Badgers made it interesting int he end, scoring 10 fourth quarter points, but in the end the Buckeyes won their 17th straight game.  Braxton Miller returned to the Buckeyes starting lineup, and accounted for the 4 Buckeye TDs.  The Buckeyes now take their streak to Evanston for the biggest regular season game in Pat Fitzgerald's tenure at Northwestern.


Player of the Week : Nathan Scheelhaase - QB - Illinois -- This is fast becoming the Scheelhaase/Guiton award this year.  Scheelhaase is definitely the leading candidate in the Big Ten for comeback player of the year.  The senior QB threw for 278 yards and 5 touchdowns in the Illini's 50-14 win over MAC foe Miami (Oh).  The Redhawks didn't stand a chance, the Illini QB threw all 5 of his scores in the first half.  

Jimmy John's Big Ten Challenge:
Matt : 4-0 10pts | 45-5  281pts
Kyle : 4-0 10pts | 44-6  276pts
Chad : 4-0 10pts | 42-8  275pts

8/27/2013

2013 Big Ten Predictions

It's game week!  Prediction time!



IF Ohio State goes 12-0 I think Braxton Miller is your Heisman Winner.

I think that Indiana and Iowa both could have 2 more wins….and 2 mor losses than I have predicted.

I think Ohio State could get knocked off somewhere in the Big Ten season, but not at home, I think it would be a road game they slip up on.  To go 24-0, 25-0 at OSU for Urban would be an amazing feat.

I could see any of Nebraska, Michigan State, Northwestern or Michigan winning the Legends.


1/01/2013

2012 College Football Awards

The college football season is close to being over.  Most all the awards have been awarded except the National Championship.  Before the Tide and Irish clash in Miami, here are the GFR College Football Awards.

LYNCH - TE'O - SNYDER - MILLER - KLEIN
Offensive Player of the Year - Jordan Lynch - QB - Northern Illinois : Lynch put up better numbers than Johnny Heisman, has the Huskies on a 12 game win streak, MAC Champions, oh and playing in the Orange Bowl.  He also lead the nation in rushing (going into bowl season) with 1771 rushing yards.  He also tossed the ball for 2962 yards and accounted for 43 Huskie touchdowns.

Defensive Player of the Year - Manti Te'o - LB - Notre Dame : I don't know if any player meant more to their team than Te'o did this year.  Not only did he make big plays in big games and key situations, he IS the heart and soul of this year's Irish.  If Te'o isn't there the Irish are probably and 8-4 team.  Instead they are 12-0 and playing for the BCS Championship.  Te'o had 7 picks for the Irish and 93 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Coach of the Year : Bill Snyder - Kansas State : Snyder has to be up for coach of the millennium   What he did his first go around at KState almost having them in the title game in 1998 and continuing success in the early 2000s.  Then to retire and comeback and have them 11-1 this year and a loss to Baylor away from playing Notre Dame for the title is amazing.

Big Ten Player of the Year - Braxton Miller - QB - Ohio State : Miller in year 1 under Urban Meyer has given the rest of the Big Ten a glimpse of what the Buckeyes will have the next few years, and it looks dangerous.  Miller accounted for 3200+ total yards for the Buckeyes and 28 touchdowns as the Buckeyes went 12-0 in their self imposed no post season year.

Big XII Player of the Year - Collin Klein - QB - Kansas State : How much would Klein and KState like to have the Baylor game back.  If they win in Waco they are playing in Miami for a title and Klein is the Heisman Winner.  Klein passed for 2490 yards, a 15-7 TD-INT ratio and added 890 on the ground with 22 scores. while leading the 'Cats to a Big XII title and Fiesta Bowl bid.







11/16/2012

Big Ten Predictions - Week 12

BIG TEN
GAME OF THE WEEK
OHIO STATE vs WISCONSIN

2 more weeks of the regulation left and Wisconsin has already clinched a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game thanks to the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions suspension.  The Badgers need some style points to move up in case they fall in the title game, the Buckeyes are playing for pride.  This game last year was a barn burner with Braxton Miller tossing a hail mary to win it under a minute left. 

JIMMY JOHNS
BIG TEN CHALLENGE
Big Ten Games Matt: (61-23) Chad: (66-18) Kyle: (63-21)
Indiana vs Penn State Penn State  Penn State  Penn State
Iowa vs Michigan Michigan  Michigan  Michigan
Minnesota vs Nebraska Nebraska  Nebraska  Nebraska
Northwestern vs Michigan State Michigan State  Michigan State  Michigan State
Ohio State vs Wisconsin Ohio State  Wisconsin  Ohio State
Purdue vs Illinois Purdue  Purdue  Purdue

10/26/2012

Big Ten Football - Week 9 Picks


BIG TEN
GAME OF THE WEEK
OHIO STATE vs PENN STATE
You can probably argue that 2 teams on probation matching up vs each other can’t be the game of the week, and the 2 teams in Lincoln this week may argue it.  But right now OSU & PSU are the 2 best teams in the league.  OSU is coming off a fight with Purdue where Braxton Miller was hurt.  He is expected to play this week.  PSU is high off a Big Ten Network Primetime game destruction of the Hawks.  Though no one is going bowling or to Indy, this should be a great game.

Season Record52-1655-1352-16
Week 9MattChadKyle
Indiana vs IllinoisIndianaIndianaIndiana
Iowa vs NorthwesternIowaNorthwesternIowa
Michigan State vs WisconsinWisconsinWisconsinWisconsin
Michigan vs NebraskaMichiganNebraskaMichigan
Ohio State vs Penn StateOhio StatePenn StateOhio State
Purdue vs MinnesotaPurdueMinnesotaPurdue

9/02/2012

Big Ten Awards - Week 1

The Big Ten week started with an OT win in Vegas and ended with a thud in Dallas.  In between was a start of the new era in Penn State, some close scares and a statement in East Lansing.


TEAM OF THE WEEK:  Michigan State -- Sparty had the most impressive won over the best opponent in Week 1.  Michigan State hosted Boise State, known for week 1 upsets.  Down 13-10 Michigan State put its faith in Le'Veon Bell and he ran them into the endzone.  The MSU defense then held off the Broncos to move to 1-0.





GAME OF THE WEEK:  Michigan State vs Boise State -- For reasons mentioned above.  The Broncos the last few years have knocked off Oregon, Virginia Tech and Georgia.  That was all with Kellen Moore and NFL talent playing.  This Bronco team couldn't start pull it off for the BCS Buster.


HELMET STICKER - Taylor Martinez - QB - Nebraska -- The Husker QB tossed 5 tds and 354 yards in the Huskers win over Southern Miss.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK -- Devin Smith's 1 handed grab vs Miami (Oh).  This maybe the catch of the year!



Big Ten Jimmy John's Challenge Standings
Chad: 11-1
Matt: 11-1
Kyle: 10-2


3/30/2012

Final March 6 pack

1-The Final Four is set.  In State battle with Louisville and Kentucky in one semifinal….some Midwest flavor in a Big Ten-Big 8…er..12 showdown with Kansas and Ohio State.  Who is playing Monday Night and who cuts down the nets?
Matt – I’m going to say that Pitino is going to get the best of Calipari and Louisville knocks off the ‘Cats.  Kansas wins on the other side and Monday Night Bill Self is cutting down the nets.  (**this is the scenario my boy picked on his logo bracket-so I’m hoping this happens)
WendtOhio State vs Kentucky and I'm gonna pick an upset and say the Buckeyes are cutting down the nets.
Painter – Kentucky will beat Ohio State
BlakeOhio State and Kentucky.  Kentucky is still by far the best team in the Nation, the only thing that stops them is themselves and if they were to have an off night.
BSox –Gut is telling me Kentucky vs ohio st for the title, but I have this weird feeling about Louisville, and maybe this is their year. I’ll go Kentucky though, I picked them to win, and not going to give up now
Majors – Kentucky beats the Cardinals; Rock Chalk Jayhawk beats the suckeyes, and The Kentucky Wildcats beat the Jayhawks

2-The Iowa basketball seasons are over.  In 3 words or less describe the instate seasons and future of the men’s basketball programs.
Matt  IOWA:  Getting MAD again!        IOWA ST: Keep Transfers Coming     UNI: Damn you McDermott     DRAKE: Future looks better         
Wendt  IOWA: Future is bright   IOWA ST: Future is unclear   UNI: Future is average   DRAKE: Future is below average     
Painter  IOWA: Future is bright  IOWA ST: Need high schoolers  UNI: Roller coaster ride  DRAKE: Cotlar loves you  
Blake  IOWA: Fun Again  IOWA ST: Awesome Run  UNI: Gotta start improving   DRAKE: Who?
BSox  IOWA: improvement, toughness, crowds  IOWA ST: transfers, recruiting, magic UNI: disappointment, future, bright  DRAKE: ummmmm, wha, who
Majors  IOWA: On the rise  IOWA ST: does anyone care? UNI: Still hanging around DRAKE: Ummm, about them...         

3-Des Moines had a successful showing at the women’s regional final that may have featured Pat Summit’s final game.  Will this get Des Moines a Men’s first round game?
Matt – I would think packing in 17,000 for the session for a WOMEN’S Regional and selling out the NCAA Wrestling Championships would be enough to get a Men’s First Round site here.  I flipped on the Fresno Regional final last night and ESPN wouldn’t show the crowd at all…like no one was there.  NCAA give us a MENS TOURNAMENT!  Des Moines will sell out!
WendtNot next year but I could see Des Moines getting one in the next 5 years
PainterI'd like to think so but there needs to be some sort of hotel actually connected to Wells Fargo apparently. 
BlakeI believe so, good job Des Moines!
BSox – It’s a step in the right direction, I’d say next 10 years we have a good chance of seeing it. They need to get more stuff to do around the arena to really up the shot.
Majors Living here in FL I am not in tune with the DSM sports scene. However, it seems they are picking it up rather well. It would be cool to see the state get a 1st round game!

4-Tim Tebow is now on the J-E-T-S JETS! JETS! JETS!  He apparently picked New York over Jacksonville.  Good move for Tebow and the Jets?
Matt – The Jets are going to sell jersey’s and cause controversy when Sanchez goes out and throws picks.  I thought Jacksonville would have been a better fit for Tebow.
WendtI'm still not sure why New York thought it was a good idea to even be in the conversation and why didn't Tebow want Jacksonville? Still alot of questions unanswered if you ask me
PainterI don't think so.  The Jets don't need him and he's not real good with the media.  He would have been better off going to a team with a creative offense that could fit him into certain situations.
BlakeWho cares, fun for everyone else to sit back and watch the drama!
BSox – Not at all. Jets are a mess at the moment. The first time Sanchez has a bad game they’ll be calling for Tebow. It makes no sense bringing in a guy like Tebow to an environment where you have a QB that isn’t the overall leader of the locker room. It’s going to be a huge head ache for them this season. But maybe Sanchez works way harder because of Tebow
MajorsI think it is an okay one for each side. I do think it shows a lot that the owner, coach, & GM are in Fl when the presser happened. I know the meetings are here, but they could have arranged it. I am a firm believer in the statement: "If you have 2 QB's, you have no QB's."

5-The Saints got punished heavily by the NFL.  Fair punishment or did Goodell go too far?
Matt – This was a statement punishment meant to have a ripple effect throughout the NFL down to College and then to High School.  Saints fans shouldn’t cry like they are, they just got caught.  Then the Cover Up is worse then the crime.
WendtGoodell seems to be softening a little bit on Sean Payton but the punishment was fair in my opinion
PainterGoodell wanted to send a message which he did. Kind of hard to say he went too far or not. 
BlakeNot at all.  I think everyone had an idea that bounties for good clean hits were going on, but money for Cart-Offs is barbaric and wrong in a civilized society.  Goodell had to leave no doubt that such activity would never happen again.
BSox –Completely fair, maybe not enough. Paying someone for a good play, good hit, getting a fumble stuff like that isn’t a big deal to me. Going out and trying to ruin someone’s career/life is a whole other issue. I almost go with the punter who says kick them out of the league
MajorsThe Aints... I would say they got busted. I think the penalty is very harsh, however, they had multiple chances to stop the program as well as be honest with Goodell. They did neither. He has shown he hates being lied to, and he punished them as he saw fit. Now with them talking to The Big Tuna, who knows what will happen. I think losing Payton hurts, I think losing Loomis really hurts, though. Losing a GM for 8 weeks, including the draft? Ouch. I know they will find ways to talk, but they better not get caught.

6-WRESTLEMANIA is this weekend.  The Rock vs John Cena!  Finally! What is your favorite Wrestlemania moment?
Matt – Favorite match is WM3 with Ricky Steamboat vs Macho Man…one of the best matches I’ve seen.  Also WM6 with Hogan vs the Warrior at Sky Dome.  I think Jericho-Punk steals the show this year.
WendtHulk Hogan slamming Andre the Giant was awesome
Painter – Wrestlemania X8 in Toronto (2002).  Rock vs Hollywood Hulk Hogan.  The original WWF/WWE superstar passing the proverbial torch to the "People's Champion".  Plus Jericho and Triple H had a good match for the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship.
BlakeUm, huh?
BSox –Shawn michaels vs the undertaker…or pretty much any shawn michaels match. Those were the best matches. He sells so well, and tells such a great story throughout the match. I still consider him the greatest wrestler ever, and haven’t watched a ton since he left
MajorsWow, haven't watched wrestling in years. Fav moment? Probably the original one. I remember being at my buddy's house watching it. Good times!

12/01/2011

Big Ten Awards – Week 13

Team of the Week: Michigan – Wisconsin may have wrapped up the Leaders Division with their win over Penn State, but what Michigan completed this year and this weekend was a big step in Brady Hoke’s first year.  The Wolverines beat Ohio State for the first time in 7 years, they are 10-2 after dismal stretch run with RichRod as their coach and they are also likely headed to the BCS.  Is Michigan Football back? 

Helmet Sticker: Montee Ball rushed for 151 yards and 4 touchdowns to add to his yearly Big Ten record total to 34 and lead the Badgers to Indianapolis and the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game vs Michigan State.

Game of the Week:  Michigan 40 – Ohio State 36 :  Reminiscent of 1 vs. 2 in 2006, a shoot out happened in Ann Arbor between the 2 rivals and ended with Denard Robinson leading the Wolverines to their first win over the Buckeyes in 7 years and a 10-2 finish in Brady Hoke’s first year.  Michigan with the win is also most likely BCS Bowl Bound.

Big Ten Jimmy John’s Challenge
Chad (71-25)          Matt (71-25)          Kyle(69-27)

Big Ten Take Away:  Remember this?  We get a rematch of this classic in Indianapolis for the 2011 Big Ten Championship!  It will be nice to not see those Championship TShirts that so Co-Champ from now on and it’s just BIG TEN CHAMPION!

National Take Away:  No matter what happens this weekend, we are looking at most likely a SEC rematch for the National Championship…LSU vs. Alabama.  Remember that 9-6 Game of the Crapper?  Yea that.  Heck we could have LSU lose to Georgia, not win their conference vs. Alabama a team that didn’t win its conference OR division for that matter, that plays for the National Championship, maybe time for Bill Hancock and his boys to take a look at a playoff?

Player of the Year Update:  I posted on Twitter that I wouldn’t put Trent Richardson in my top 3 of the Heisman Ballot.  Why?  I feel he’s a system RB, and with that Offensive Line, couldn’t anyone put up 1300 yards?  Put in Marcus Coker behind that line and against Ole Miss, Miss State, Georgia Southern, Vandy, North Texas, and Kent State and also the likes of Vandy and other SEC teams, he puts up similar numbers. My first vote would go to RG3 basically because of the numbers he put up are amazing and also he has Baylor at 8-3!  Baylor! 

11/22/2011

Big Ten Awards – Week 12

Team of the Week:  Penn State – Throughout all the drama that is going on in State College, these players have had nothing to do with it.  They had an emotional last game at home the week prior vs Nebraska and came up short.  This weekend they went into the Shoe and kept their Big Ten Championship Game hopes alive with a win over the Buckeyes in what is probably the last Columbus see’s of Luke Fickell as Head Coach.  Penn State now heads to Wisconsin for a Big Ten Semifinal game with the Badgers.  The winner heads to Indianapolis.

Helmet Sticker: Marvin McNutt : WR : Iowa – the converted quarterback is rewriting Hawkeye record books.  With his 9 catch 151 yards and 2 scores Marvin is the all time single season leader in touchdowns.  Next week vs Nebraska he has a chance to become the all time leader in receptions for a career and season.  He’s also making NFL scouts drool!

Game of the Week: Penn State 20 – Ohio State 14 : As Ole JR would say it was a sloberknocker.  All the points were scored in the First half.  Penn State kept its hopes for a Big Ten Championship alive with the win, and now heads to Madison for a show down with the Badgers for the Leaders division title.

Big Ten Take Away: Monte Ball is taking a moniker away from Cris Carter.  All Ball does is SCORE.  30 touchdowns this year!  Dude isn’t getting a lot of Heisman love but should be.

Jimmy John’s Big Ten Challenge
Chad (66-24)        Matt (65-25)        Kyle (64-26)

National Take Away: Bill Hancock must have his offices in SEC country because its an SEC world.  Iowa State started the shocking weekend with a win over #2 Oklahoma State in OT.  Baylor knocked off Oklahoma behind the arm and legs of Robert Griffin III.  If that wasn’t enough USC upset Oregon in Autzen and Clemson got embarrassed by Clemson.  What it means now is the top 3 teams in the BCS are from the SEC…WEST!

Heisman Ballot – Robert Griffin III : QB : Baylor / Case Keenum : QB : Houston /  Marvin McNutt : WR : Iowa

11/15/2011

Big Ten Predictions - Week 12

Big Ten Game of the Week

Penn State vs Ohio State
Where Michigan State seems to have their grip firmly on the Legends division, the Leaders Division race comes down to the last 2 weeks of the season.  Penn State has a 1 game lead over Wisconsin and 2 game lead over Ohio State.  If OSU wins out, they get the trip to Indy.  If Penn State and Wisconsin win this week it sets up a showdown next week for the ticket to Indy.

After a week of being rocked by the Sandusky Scandal, JoePa’s firing and riots and vigils, Penn State played Nebraska tight to a 17-14 loss.  Ohio State went out last week and was upset by the Boilermakers.  This week the Lions travel away from the chaos in State College into the Shoe.   I think what we will see here is going to be a lot like the Nebraska-PSU game.  Low scoring and tight to the end with the Penn State D making just one more play against Braxton Miller and the Bucks to get the Win and set up a doozie in Madison next week.  PENN STATE 20 – OHIO STATE 17

Week 12 Big Ten Picks
Indiana vs Michigan State – Mich State (M/C/K)
Iowa vs Purdue – Iowa (M/C/K)
Minnesota vs Northwestern – N’Western (M/C/K)
Nebraska vs Michigan – Neb (M) / Mich (C/K)
Wisconsin vs Illinois – Wisconsin (M/C/K)
Penn State vs Ohio State – PSU (M) / OSU (C/K)

Big Ten Jimmy John’s Challenge
Chad (62-22)          Matt (61-23)          Kyle (60-24)

Upset Alert
Iowa
--Iowa hasn’t won on the road all season, Purdue seems to be growing and getting better as the season goes on and are a win away from bowl eligibility.  Will Purdue still be amped up after the Ohio State upset or will they come out flat?

11/14/2011

Big Ten Awards – Week 11

Team of the Week: Michigan State
Sparty had a lot to play for this week in what has been a house of horrors for them.  It’s been since 1989 since Michigan State had won in Kinnick Stadium.  They came out and punched Iowa in the mouth and got 2 big turnovers and turned them in to 14 points and eventually a 37-21 win over Iowa and took a HUGE step in moving forward to the Legends Division title and a trip to Indy for the inaugural Big Ten Title game.  Northwestern and Indiana stand in the Spartans way.  A win this week end clinches a tie for the  division for Michigan State.

Helmet Sticker: Jeremy Ebert : WR : Northwestern.  The Wildcats stepped away from conference play this week with a game vs Rice.  The Wildcat WR had a big day too.  Ebert had 7 catches, 208 yards and 2 scores.  The Cats are now a win away from bowl eligibility.

Game of the Week: Purdue 26 – Ohio State 23
The Boilers fought the Buckeyes nose to nose and took a lead, punched them in the nose.  Ohio State scored a late touchdown when trailing 20-14, and blocked a field goal to send the game to overtime.  The Boilermakers then held off the Buckeyes just enough to get the win.  The Boilers have won 2 straight vs. OSU at Ross-Ade Stadium and are a win away from bowl eligibility.

Big Ten Jimmy John’s Challenge
Chad (62-22)          Matt (61-23)          Kyle (60-24)

Big Ten Takeaway:  Lots of respect to Bo Pelini this week.  His statements after the Penn State-Nebraska game were more powerful and meaningful than any explosion he had on the sidelines at the refs or a player in his comments about the situation at Penn State.  He said that the game should have been cancelled.  As a university it was a teaching moment to the young kids on his team and also those watching sports center.  Props to him.

National Takeaway: I thought one unbeaten would fall this weekend with Oregon upsetting Stanford.  I never thought Boise State would go down to TCU.  The BCS may have gotten messier with the Broncos unbeaten no more, Oklahoma State and LSU both have tough games ahead.  We may still be in for one big mess!

Heisman Ballot:  Kellen Moore : Boise State / Case Keenum : Houston / Andrew Luck : Stanford

Big Ten Player of the Year Top 3: Montee Ball : Wisconsin / Russell Wilson : Wisconsin / Marvin McNutt : Iowa