Big Ten Recap: Week 8

The football this past weekend was, mostly, uneventful (Iowa-Michigan State notwithstanding). However, around the league, many more interesting things were going on that, for once, made me thankful that the schedule(s) that I keep have pushed this back towards a later in the week process.

So, let’s discuss the Iowa Hawkeyes, Eric Decker, and the rest of the Big Ten in the week 8 recap.

It’s ok to be afraid… it’s only Halloween!

You’re an idiot. You know that, right?

I do. And so do the readers, I think.

Alright. Iowa Hawkeyes, Michigan State Spartans, and one exciting game. What can you add that other, more adept writers couldn’t?

Really? Nothing. It wasn’t a… great game, really. Both teams’ defenses stood out, something Iowa has done all year, but something that Michigan State has been flaky with. Iowa’s offense looked as week as it has all year, and Sparty didn’t look much better, though that was understandable. If the theory is that good teams know how to win close games, than I’m finally ready to recognize Iowa as more than a good team.

You thought that, if there was such a thing as a college playoff, that the big boys (Florida, Alabama, Texas, etc) would fight more to be out of whatever side of the bracket Iowa was on. Care go expound on that thought?

Iowa’s defense isn’t on the level of Florida or, maybe, Alabama. I’m not sure they’d beat Florida, Alabama or Texas. What I do think though, is that which ever team was unlucky to play Iowa for 60 minutes, in a playoff game to advance, would be left much worse for wear in the long run. It will take a LOT out of that team. I don’t think Iowa is among the elite teams (which I would classify as those three and maybe USC), but they’re in a large group that includes Oregon, TCU, Boise State, and maybe Cincinnati. It really is a transitional year for college football, as we might be seeing the last of the Elite teams (Florida, though they haven’t been really “Elite” at all this season), and a mixture of faulty, but very good teams. The BCS process is only going to get harder from here on out.

You really restrained yourself there, didn’t you. Penn State-Michigan. Go.

I really have nothing for this game. The Michigan defense couldn’t stop Daryll Clark. The Michigan offense was in full sputter mode, partly because of the overall play of Tate Forcier and the lack of using the running backs successfully. Penn State gave them an old fashioned whooping, in what is their biggest win of the year. That’s not saying much, admittedly. Penn State has three big games left: a trap game at Northwestern, vs. Ohio State, and at Michigan State; with a game against Indiana between the Buckeye and Spartan games. It has been my opinion that the Fiesta Bowl takes a one loss PSU team over an undefeated Boise State team, and possibly over an undefeated TCU team (relegating the non-BCS qualifier either to the other Fiesta spot or the Sugar Bowl). A loss in any of those games will eliminate that option. We know what Penn State is at this point; an offensive team that has a strong dual option QB in Clark, an above average running back in Evan Royster, average passing game on the receiver end, and a good line, and a good, if slightly overrated defense (because of injuries, not lack of talent).

Michigan is still trying to figure itself out. They’re not really ready to be West Virginia er, West; but are more than the bad team with a terrible mix of talent from last season. Tate Forcier has been very good at QB, but is still also a freshman. Brandon Minor is not a real fit as the back in the offense, but can still be productive at times. Denard Robinson is a man without a position; not effective enough to beat out Forcier, not durable enough to play running back, and not effective enough to be an elite wide out. If this were Florida, he’d be Percy Harvin 2.0, but I’m not sure if Rich Rodriguez has the ability to make that move with him in this offense. The defense has done it’s part, mostly, and they are still just one more win from being bowl eligible, with Illinois coming up this weekend. It’s progress.

Ohio State vs. Minnesota. 25 words or less.

Minnesota might be the most disappointing team in the Big Ten this year, as Adam Weber and the running game have failed to do much in conference play. Eric Decker is now out for the rest of the regular season, and might have played his last meaningful game in a Golden Gophers jersey. It might be time to get the Marquise Gray era off to an early start in Minnesota.

Ohio State rebounded with a good game from Terrelle Pryor and wideout Devier Posey. They won’t get much more dap in this space until their games against Penn State and Michigan.

Purdue-Illinois

Pass. No really, Illinois is terrible and can’t decide on a quarterback. Purdue, even though they upset Ohio State, will play three out of their last four games on the road. They’ve had the highlight of their season, and it will be a memorable one.

Northwestern. Indiana. Game of the Day until Iowa-Michigan State.

It really was. Indiana is far more exciting than anyone thought they would be this year, and took the game to a flustered Wildcats team in the first half. Northwestern rebounded defensively, shutting out the Hoosiers in the second half.

Given the teams, it was hard to say it was a coming out party for Northwestern’s Mike Kafka or Indiana’s Darius Willis. And three interceptions isn’t going to get you much dap anyway. It was an exciting game, if not well played. But it’s easy to see the foundations in each team that will bring along much better teams (and a conference, hopefully) in the next two years. Northwestern needs one more win to be bowl eligible, and get Illinois in 3 weeks (though, after a brutal stretch of home against Penn State and @Iowa), before finishing against Wisconsin at home. Indiana draws the unlucky task of needing two wins to be bowl eligible, but having to play the toughest part of their schedule at the end of the year (@Iowa, Wisconsin, @Penn State, Purdue). That was the biggest reason this was a huge game; winner had the easier road to a bowl game.

Lots of Crystal Ball Gazing. Or Crystal Bowl Gazing. What’s the bowl picture, anyway?

Iowa, Penn State, and Ohio State are all bowl eligible, and that order is the probable finish for the Big Ten standings. Iowa wins out and they’re going to Pasadena for (at worst) the Rose Bowl. Penn State wins out and the Fiesta Bowl is likely. If Ohio State wins out they go to the Rose Bowl. Penn State-Ohio State is the big game, with the winner probably going to the BCS game as a second Big Ten representative.

Wisconsin, Michigan and Northwestern all need one more win to be bowl eligible, and each has at least one game in which they’ll be huge favorites. Minnesota and Michigan State have the most work to do, each needing two wins with four games to play. They play each other this weekend, and Minnesota’s schedule gets much easier the rest of the year.

Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week?

With a weak group of players to pick from this week (lots of faults with finalists, really), Daryll Clark stands out. 16/27, 230 yards and 4 touchdowns is a big week any week, but it helped snap a long winless streak in Ann Arbor. Special mentions to Stefan Demos of Northwestern, who got strong consideration for this award since I don’t do Special Teams awards, and to Ricky Stanzi and Marvin McNutt (who had a great finish, if not strong games)

Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week?

Adrian Clayborn had a big game for the Iowa Hawkeyes, with a pair of sacks and a forced fumble. He was also part of a huge goal line stand for the Hawkeyes defense against Sparty that kept the game close.

What’s the big end of the week news?

Minnesota Wide Receiver, and all everything player, Eric Decker was lost for the regular season with a foot injury. He may be back for a Minnesota bowl game. Decker was a legitimate pick for the Big Ten MVP (and still is, unless someone else really steps up the last four weeks). Decker has had a fantastic career at Minnesota, and the only way he seemed to be stopped was when the coaches didn’t do enough to get him the ball. We will probably be seeing Eric Decker playing on Sundays next year.

Iowa running back (and leading rusher) Adam Robinson, who stepped in when starter Jewel Hampton was injured before the season started was lost for the rest of the regular season as well as right guard Dace Richardson. Both players will probably be back for bowl games, and Robinson might be able to return sooner. The injuries are blow for an Iowa offense that struggles to put up points, and puts more pressure on quarterback Ricky Stanzi.

What’s the big picture boss?

Halloween weekend gives us a bit of a reprieve. Purdue comes to Madison to try and stage another upset, Penn State goes to Evanston for a game that screams “It’s a TRAP” much better than Admiral Ackbar ever could, and everyone is really just biding their time until next weekend when Penn State hosts Ohio State.

Tags: Adrian Clayborn, BCS, bcs buster, Better late than never, Big Ten, Big Ten + 1, college football, Daryll Clark, Eric Decker, football, Iowa Hawkeyes, NCAA, No Wisconsin this week., Penn State, Rob in WI, Tate Forcier
Categories: Domestics, Munchies

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