2020 Week 8 Big Ten Awards

Welcome back Big Ten Football!  It wasn't the same with out you!  Week 8 (1) brought quarterbacks going on crazy completion streaks, a rivalry trophy game, a few upsets and a shocker in Bloomington.  

Team of the Week : Rutgers : The Schiano-effect hitting full power in the Scarlet Knights first game in East Lansing. This could have gone to Indiana (upset of Penn State) or Michigan (a hot pick to be upset-see weekly picks) but this is going to a team that ended a 21 game conference losing streak in a DOMINATING fashion.  Rutgers forced 7 Spartan turnovers; 7!  One coming on the 1 yard line and setting up a 14-0 1st quarter lead.  The game wasn't as close as the 38-27 score, felt more like a 30 pt lead.  Congrats Rutgers on breaking the streak.  Next up, the newly ranked Indiana Hoosiers.

7 Takeaways 🪓 pic.twitter.com/GTlKU5OVfR

— Rutgers.Football (@RFootball) October 24, 2020

Game of the Week : Indiana 36 - Penn State 35 (OT) : Going into Saturday the Hoosiers were 22-1 vs Penn State all time.  They only gained 211 yards and gave up 488, but got it where it mattered most, on the scoreboard.  They got it by the closest of margins too.  The game went back and forth in spite of the yardage difference.  The Hoosiers raced out to a 17-7 half time lead behind Stevie Scott's 2 touchdown runs.  Penn State owned the 2nd half and got out to a 28-20 lead late in the 4th.  Indiana went 75 yards then in a 1:20 and a 2 point conversion tied the game.  After a short kick and good return, Penn State had a chance to kick a field goal at the end of regulation but missed the 57 yarder.  In overtime, Penn State QB Sean Clifford hit Parker Washington for a score, and added the PAT.  Five players later Michael Penix Jr hit Whop Philyor for the score.  The Hoosiers than opted to go for 2 and well they got it by the closest of margins.  

UNREAL ENDING IN BLOOMINGTON! 😲

The OT 2-point conversion came down to the closest of margins, and @IndianaFootball gets its first Top 10 win since 1987! pic.twitter.com/Zo6Mty0RpK

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 24, 2020

We ❤️ you, coach! #LEO pic.twitter.com/nk3x7GUr6J

— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) October 25, 2020 

Player of the Week : Grahm Mertz - QB - Wisconsin : The Wisconsin QB made his first career start Friday night vs Illinois, and made it one he won't forget.  Mertz completed his first 17 throws vs the Illini.  That tied a program record.  He also tossed 5 touchdowns among his 20 completions, also a program record.  He finished the game 20/21 with 248 yards.  This was all possible due to the Badgers original start Jack Coan.  Mertz's efforts helped lead the Badgers to a 45-7 win in their conference opener.  

Freshman QB @GrahamMertz5 sure lived up to the hype in his first career start 😎

Watch his program record-tying 5 pass TDs in @BadgerFootball's opening night win against Illinois ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/pA44wjThIK

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 24, 2020

Word did come down late Sunday afternoon that Mertz did test positive for Covid-19.  Here's wishing him a speedy recovery!  This also creates another question in the Badger backfield though. 

Week 8 Big Ten Scores

Wisconsin 45 - Illinois 7

Purdue 24 - Iowa 20

Ohio State 52 - Nebraska 17

Indiana 36 - Penn State 35

Northwestern 43 - Maryland 3

Rutgers 38- Michigan State 27

Michigan 49 - Minnesota 24

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

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

2012 College Football Predictions

Time for some official college football predictions!

SEC – Georgia over LSU

ACC – Clemson over Va Tech

Big Ten – Wisconsin over Nebraska

Pac 12 – USC over Oregon

Big XII – Oklahoma

Big East – Pittsburgh

Mountain West – Boise State

MAC – Ohio over Northern Illinois

Major Bowls

National Title Game: USC over Georgia

Rose Bowl – Wisconsin vs Oregon

Orange Bowl – Pitt vs Clemson

Fiesta Bowl – Oklahoma vs Nebraska

Sugar Bowl – LSU vs Notre Dame

Heisman – Matt Barkley : QB : USC

2012 Big Ten Predictions

Getting to be that time of year again…the magazines hitting the shelves and the pundits are all weighing in with their opinions on who’s going to win what titles and going bowling where. 

Here’s my 2012 Big Ten Predictions

LEGENDS

Nebraska 11-1 / 7-1

Michigan 9-3 / 7-1

Iowa 9-3 / 5-3
Michigan State 8-4 / 5-3

Minnesota 6-6 / 2-6

Northwestern 5-7 / 1-7

LEADERS

Wisconsin 11-1 / 7-1

Ohio State 9-3 / 5-3

Illinois 8-4 / 5-3
Penn State 7-5 / 3-5

Purdue 4-8 / 1-7

Indiana 3-9 / 0-8

2012 BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Wisconsin over Nebraska

As a result of their head to head win over Michigan, Nebraska heads to Indianapolis. I have Nebraska losing at Ohio State.   The second year in a row I’m picking an all red Indy for the title game and this year I'm taking Wisconsin.

Sparty is still good but losing Cousins will drop them from the Legends top spot.

I think Denard has another huge year in Ann Arbor, Monte Ball rushing td’s drop a bit this year from last year.

Iowa is kind of hovering in that spot of 8-4 and could be as good as 10-2 but also not shocked if they would have another 7-5 season.

Jerry Kill gets the Gophers bowling in 2012.

Fitzgerald can’t pull another miracle bowl in Evanston this year.

If only Zook could coach like he could land recruits, Illinois will benefit from 3 easy wins vs Purdue, Indiana & Northwestern. 

Indiana and Purdue battle to stay out of the cellar.

BIG TEN BOWLS

ROSE – WISCONSIN vs OREGON

FIESTA– NEBRASKA vs OKLAHOMA

CAPITAL 1 – MICHIGAN

OUTBACK – IOWA
INSIGHT – ILLINOIS
GATOR – MICHIGAN STATE

TEXAS – MINNESOTA

TICKET CITY – NO Big Ten School available

LITTLE CEASARS – NO Big Ten School available

BIG TEN AWARDS

Coach of the Year – Bo Pelini:Nebraska

Off Player of the Year – Denard Robinson:Michigan

Def Player of the Year - William Gholston:Michigan State

Wisconsin Dells

So the vacation is done and my pto days are almost over.  I'm spending my last day off home with Ryleigh.  She goes back to daycare tomorrow after a 2 week hiatus.

As for the vacation.  It was definitely fun to get a way and it was just about the right amount of time.  The trip started out Tuesday mid day with the kids and lunchables in the van.  Surprise stops in Marshalltown to see grandma and Conrad to see Grandpa were kind of impromptu.  After that it was on to Dyersville and the Field of Dreams.  

When we got there it wasn't as it was in the movies, in a few months though it will be.  The corn was about 6 inches high.  But still it was the Field of Dreams.  The kids ran the bases and there were a couple softballs there they were playing with.  The trip there ended with a trip, Brayden, skinned up a knee and had some blood and blood wrenching screams and with that the trip to the Field of Dreams was done and it was on to Dubuque.  When Brayden gets older I'm going to have to take him there for a catch.  

In Dubuque we ate at the Dubuque Mining Co.  Burgers were really good. After that headed down toward the Mississippi River and the river walk.  The kids loved it, they walked all over there.  Ryleigh especially since she was all tied up in her car seat a lot and really doesn't have a DS or leapster to play with.  It's a great view on the river and where we were looking across we saw Illinois and Wisconsin.  Breakfast at the hotel was pretty good and prompted Addy to compliment the chef on their scrambled eggs. Next was a drive to Wisconsin.

We couldn't check in to the hotel/water park till 4 so instead of driving straight to the Dells we hit Madison.  Little did I remember it was the day after the huge recall election and when I pulled up right by the capital the CNN Express was there and I swear news cameras on every corner.  For lunch we stopped at The Old Fashioned.  Great cheese curds, really good and maybe some of the best I've had.  After lunch in Madison I had to check out Camp Randall Stadium.  It took a little bit to get there with construction.  It was a cool looking stadium on the outside and I'm sure looks great on the inside.  I wanna get to a game there.  Also happened to just walk by Barry Alvarez when I was leaving, and I was in full on black and gold!  After that it was on to the Dells.

Upon arriving the kids wanted to hit the water park.  When driving up to the Wilderness Hotel all you saw were green tubes and brown buildings.  Checked in and within 2 minutes of being in the hotel room the kids where in swim suits.  The park was broken up into like 3 major parks.  2 of them had indoor/outdoor parts and one completely outdoor.  The biggest one also had a water dome with a wave pool.  I wont get into every day there because it was pretty much the same.  The kids loved the water parks.  The wave pool was fun and they jumped the waves and rode the waves.  Most of the big slides they were too small to go down so we went down with them in the double tubes.  Ryleigh was too small for a lot of them, but she did enjoy the lazy river.  It was 3 or so days of water parks, slides, big waves and a few drinks.  

The Tanger Outlet mall there was a really cool wilderness type set up.  Had my first Dunkin Donuts experience.  Brayden got a picture with the Belmont Cow.  Addy is showing she is growing up and closer to a teenager than I want.  And Ryleigh just had fun a bunch as long as she was out of the car seat.    

Overall the trip was pretty good.  The 3 water parks were pretty much the same.  The room was nice.  The one thing I didn't care for was that the prices were jacked up and if I would have looked more closely around I could have saved some cash, and next time I will but it was a good trip, but glad to be back home and have Hayden back home as of today too.  

2011 College Football Awards

I’ve normally in the past split these out in to separate blogs, but I’m combining them into one big one this year.

Offensive Player of the Year – Robert Griffin III : QB : Baylor  - No other player was as important for his team than RG3 was.  He started the season on fire vs a strong TCU defense lighting them up and ended it 9-3 with a huge performance vs Texas’s strong D.  He was a little Michael Vick and Tom Brady all in one leading Baylor to their best season since 1986

Defensive Player of the year –Tyrone Mathieu : DB : LSU – The Honey Badger may have made more plays in college football than any other player this year.  It seemed every week there was a pick, forced fumble and recovery or TD for Mathieu, and capped it with a few huge plays in the SEC championship game over Georgia. 

Coach of the Year – Mike Gundy : Oklahoma State – Gundy’s a man!  The Cowboys had an amazing year that should have ended in the BCS championship game but an overtime loss in Ames, Iowa (and an SEC Bias in human polls) have the 11-1 Big XII champs in the Fiesta Bowl.

Big Ten Player of the Year – Monte Ball : RB : Wisconsin – Mr Touchdown!  The Badger back tore through defenses behind the Badger OL for 32 touchdowns and 1759 yards.  He was dinged up a bit in the first game vs Michigan State and the Badgers National Title hopes were dashed, but then kept going and helped Wisconsin get to Back-to-Back Rose Bowls.

Big XII Player of the Year – Robert Griffin III : QB : Baylor – Griffin threw for almost 4000 yards and 36 touchdowns to only 6 picks.  The Bears QB lead Baylor to its best season since 1986 and an Alamo Bowl berth vs Washington.  He also took home the Heisman and Davey O’Brien awards.  Want to know something scary…he can come back next year too and the Bears may be even a better team!

Games of the Year (in no particular order)

Michigan vs Notre Dame

Michigan State vs Wisconsin

Baylor vs TCU

Oklahoma State vs Iowa State

Stanford vs USC

2011 BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Only one game to pick this week, finally the Big Ten won’t have any of the Co-Big Ten Championships to go around, 2 teams, 1 champion.  It’s all settled on the field!  And there really isn’t anything I can put into words on this game that this video doesn’t say its self for this game.

MICHIGAN STATE VS WISCONSIN

Chad – Wisconsin

Matt – Wisconsin

Kyle – Michigan State

Jimmy John’s Big Ten Challenge

Chad (71-25)   Matt (71-25)   Kyle (69-24)

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! 

Big Ten Predictions – Week 13

Big Ten

Game of the Week

Penn State vs Wisconsin

Really simple, this is a Big Ten semifinal.  The winner gets the division and goes to Indianapolis to play Michigan State for the 2011 Big Ten Championship!  Penn State takes its tough D to Madsion against what is the toughest offensive line in the Big Ten.  They’ll need to contain Monte Ball and Russell Wilson to have a chance.  Other side of the ball, Penn State is going to need a big game from Silas Redd again to have any shot.  I think Penn State is walking into a buzz saw here and will have their hopes dashed quick.  Badgers 43 – Nittany Lions 17

Big Ten Week 13 Picks

Iowa vs Nebraska – Iowa (C/K) / NEB (M)

Illinois vs Minnesota – ILL (M/C/K)

Michigan State vs Northwestern – MSU (M/C/K)

Ohio State vs Michigan – MICH (M/C/K)

Penn State vs Wisconsin – WISC (M/C/K)

Purdue vs Indiana – PUR (M/C/K)

Big Ten Jimmy John’s Challenge

Chad (66-24)          Matt (65-25)         Kyle (64-26)

Upset Alert

Michigan State

--Sparty has the Big Ten Legends tied up, the fighting Fitzgeralds are on a roll right and are looking to improve their bowl prospects.  The only way MSU makes a BCS bowl is to win the Championship, I think you may see the “rest” some in the second half vs Northwestern.

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

Big Ten Awards – Week 9

Team of the Week – Minnesota.  How many people coming into this past weekend had the Gophers beating Iowa, who came off 2 Big Ten wins at home?  As an Iowa fan it hurt to see the loss come the way it did, but the Gophers threw the sink at the Hawks, again.  Congrats to Jerry Kill on his first Big Ten win too.

Helmet Stickers – Fitzgerald Toussaint : RB : Michigan – The wolverine Running back ran for 177 yards vs the Boilermakers and 2 scores to help in the Wolverines rout of Purdue

Marcus Coker: RB : Iowa – In the Hawkeye loss to the Gophers, the Iowa running back ran for a career best of 260 yards and a score.  It was the most yards in a loss in a big ten Game since Lawrence Maroney in 2005 for the Gophers vs Wisconsin.

Game of the Week : Ohio State 33 – Wisconsin 29 – For the second straight week the Badgers fall at the hands of a hail mary.  This time Braxton Miller scrambled and bought enough time for WR Devin Smith to break free in the back of the end zone and the two connected for a 40 yard score and sent the Badgers to their 2^nd straight conference loss.  The win hurt the Badgers chances going to Indy with the Penn State win over Illinois.

Big Ten Takeaway – A week after Michigan State took the lead in the Legends Division; Nebraska took their manhood away and said “Not so fast” as the Huskers manhandled the Spartans.  Nebraska still has games vs Penn State, Iowa and Michigan left so that may hurt their chances and we can probably all agree its wide open.

National Takeaway – The SEC is rolling.  4 teams in the top 10, and they play each other this week.  But you won’t hear about the second game this weekend much.  Arkansas – South Carolina is going to be just as good as LSU-Alabama. 

My Heisman Ballot – Andrew Luck – QB Stanford : Kellen Moore – QB Boise State : Robert Griffin III – QB Baylor

Big Ten Awards - Week 8

Team of the Week : Really there isn’t a question…Michigan State.  The Spartans took one on the chin quickly from the Badgers going down 14-0…then fighting back to take a 23-14 lead into half time.  Russell Wilson lead a charge back in the 4^th quarter to tie the game up at 31 all.  The teams swap time outs back and forth and then the final play is the hailmary, tipped, knock it down then catch and drive past the goal line by the slimmest of margins.  Also props to Purdue for the upset of Illinois.  The Boilers controlled the Illini the whole game and then held them off in the end.

Game of the Week :  Michigan State 37 – Wisconsin 31, no question at all.

Helmet Sticker – Marvin McNutt : Iowa : WR – The Iowa wide out eclipsed the school’s career mark for touchdowns with a 3 score game in the route of Indiana.  McNutt passed Danan Hughes and Tim Dwight on the all time list with his first score and then blew it out of the water with 2 more.  McNutt will most likely destroy this record along with the all-time yardage mark at Iowa by the time he finishes his last 6 games of his senior season.  Not to bad for a one time quarter back.

Big Ten Takeaway – The Big Ten’s only hope for the National Title is all but gone with Wisconsin losing to Michigan State.  Also gives Sparty a leg up on the Legends Division with a 1 game lead over Iowa, Michigan and Nebraska.  Other side, look who’s on top – Joe Pa and Penn State.

National Takeaway – This was Bill Hancock’s favorite weekend of the year.  He doesn’t have to sweat out a handful of BCS champions (maybe) all unbeaten at the end of the season.  OK State, and SEC team and Stanford could all be unbeaten when the season is over, along with Boise State.   But the loss by Wisconsin and Oklahoma may have helped to eliminate some power conferences.

Big Ten Predictions - Week 8

Big Ten

Game of the Week

 

Badgers vs Spartans

Spartan Stadium – East Lansing – ABC 730PM

Last year these two teams tied for the Big Ten Title (7-1) with the Spartans being the lone defeat on the Badgers slate till the Rose Bowl.  And had Ohio State not “cheated” and tied these two with a 7-1 conference mark, it would have been the Spartans in Pasadena, and not Wisconsin.  This year seems to be a mirror of last year.  Wisconsin is rolling in all phases but some will say they haven’t played anyone.  Michigan State is coming off a BIG win over Michigan, the 4^th in a row over the Wolverines.  Michigan State has a D that can play with anyone and will need to slow down the best offense in the Big Ten.  I think they’ll hit Wisconsin in the face in the first half but eventually Wilson and Ball and that offensive line will get rolling and get revenge on the Spartans and take over in the second half.  BADGERS 43 – SPARTANS 20

 

 

Big Ten Week 8 Picks

Illinois vs Purdue – Illinois (M/C/K)

Indiana vs Iowa – Iowa (M/C/K)

Nebraska vs Minnesota – (M/C/K)

Penn State vs Northwestern – (M/C/K)

Wisconsin vs Michigan State – Wis (M/K) MSU (C)

 

Jimmy John’s Big Ten Challenge

Matt (0-0)          Chad (0-0)          Kyle (0-0)

Matt (48-14)        Chad (48-14)        Kyle (46-16)

 

Upset Alert

Penn State

The Nittany Lions haven’t blown anyone out and Persa and Ebert can make plays for the ‘Cats.  Northwestern is 0-3 in the conference and will go fight till the end.

 

Big Ten Awards - Week 5

Team of the Week - WISCONSIN - Well that wasn't the welcome Tom Osborne and Big Red.  Wow did Wisconsin look good.  Getting down 14-7 and then rallying off 34 straight points.  Russell Wilson looked great like he has the past 4 games and Monte Ball scampered for 4 tds and 151 yards.  Nebraska got into passing situations and this is were Taylor Martinez struggles, and it showed.  The Husker QB tossed 3 picks.  The Huskers welcome tour heads home to face the struggling Buckeyes next week.

Helmet Sticker - AJ Jenkins-WR-Illinois - The Illinois wideout had a HUGE day in the shoot out with the Wildcats.  Jenkins caught 12 passes for 248 yards and 4 scores in the 38-35 win over Northwestern.

Monte Ball-RB-Wisconsin - The Badger running back rolled up 151 yards and 4 scores vs the vaunted Nebraska Blackshirt Defense.  Ball has been a touchdown scoring machine for the Badgers, with 6 tds this year on the ground and 22 since the beginning of last season.

Game of the Week - Illinois 38 : Northwestern 35 - If you blinked in the 2nd half you missed an arena game break out at Memorial Stadium in Champaign.  The Illini needed 21 points in the fourth quarter to move to 5-0/1-0 and are a surprise in the Big Ten and the nation.  Northwestern couldn't contain AJ Jenkins as he rolled up 248 yards recieving and QB Nathan Scheelhouse had 391 yards passing a 4 tds.  In return to Big Ten play, Wildcat QB Dan Persa tossed 4 tds.  

Highlight of the Week - coming soon

Big Ten Takeaway - Where did the Fighting Zooker's come from?  5-0/1-0?  Will the keep up with the Badgers?  That will be hard, Wisconsin looks really good and like a top 4 team in the nation after they rolled up Nebraska.  Michigan State got a nice win in the Horseshoe to stay a top the Legends Division with rival Michigan.  

National Takeaway - Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma and Wisconsin are the class of FBS.  I wish we could see these four teams playoff.  Luckily we get to see the Tide and Tigers face off, but a four team playoff?  Hello NCAA?  Robert Griffin III has had one hell of a season so far, and has thrown one bad pass, an interception that lead to Kansas State to an upset of Baylor.  

Heisman Ballot - Russell Wilson:Wisconsin, Robert Griffin III:Baylor, LaMichael James:Oregon

Jimmy John's Big Ten Challenge

Week – Matt (6-0)          Chad (5-1)                Kyle (5-1)

Season – Matt (41-11)          Chad (40-12)          Kyle (39-13)

Big Ten Football – Week 5 Predictions

And now the real season begins; Big Ten Conference play!  No more directional schools or FBS, its mono e mono.  And the New Kids on the block won’t be getting a nice warm welcome….they draw the best (perceived) team in the conference on their home turf at night to a national television audience.  Have fun!

BIG TEN

GAME OF THE WEEK

CAMP RANDALL STADIUM : ABC – 7pm CST

HUSKERS vs BADGERS

Both the Badgers and Huskers are top 10 teams, and this is probably a Big Ten championship game preview.  What we know is that the Badgers can run the ball and have a true threat at QB with Russell Wilson.  The Huskers can run the ball but when you get them in to a situation they need to toss it, they are vulnerable, and the Blackshirts have given up a bunch of points early on.  Prior to the season I picked the Huskers to win this game, but I’ve changed my mind and think the Badgers are a top team in the nation that would be a tough out for anyone.  I think the arm of Wilson is the difference in this game and the game will be determined by the start of the 4^th quarter.  BADGERS 36 – HUSKERS 20

Big Ten Week 5 Picks

Nebraska vs Wisconsin – Wisconsin (M/C/K)

Minnesota vs Michigan – Michigan (M/CK)

Penn State vs Indiana – Penn State (M/CK)

Northwestern vs Illinois – Illinois (M/C) / Northwestern (K)

Michigan State vs Ohio State – MSU (M/K) / OSU (C)

Notre Dame vs Purdue – Notre Dame (M/CK)

Jimmy John's Big Ten Challenge

Week – Matt (0-0)          Chad (0-0)          Kyle (0-0)

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

Upset Alert

Illinois – How much can you trust Zook to keep winning?  And I’ll never count out a Pat Fitzgerald team, especially with a bad taste in their mouth from Army

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)