Friday, September 12, 2008

5 games that matter

This week things get much more interesting in terms of the non conference schedule.

Iowa plays in state rival Iowa State a game which has often been a waterloo for Iowa. While ISU is not set to challenge for the BCS bowls, this will be a good test of whether Iowa has a chance to be a legitimate contender for a mid to higher tier bowl game. I do believe the Hawkeyes have improved and will win this game.

Michigan plays Notre Dame. The game between the 2 winningest programs in college football and also two teams that are not playing at the level that achieved those records. ND and Charlie Weis have more to lose here. They need to try and avenge the 38-0 destruction that took place last year in Ann Arbor. ND had their year of "unproven offensive players" last year.

Despite Charlie Weis crack this summer...Michigan fans are not going to make excuses. Michigan always wants to beat ND and a win would show some hope that this team can beat average Big Ten teams. As weak as ND appears to be relative to normal expectations..a win Saturday would be a boost to the Wolverines. For Notre Dame a loss here means the beginning of the end for Charlie Loudmouth. Given it's at South Bend and how weak the Michigan offense is, sad to say the Big Ten takes a loss here.

Wisconsin vs Fresno State. Well Alvridge played better last week at QB and we know the Badgers can run. Freson State has shown they are a tough team although they beat Rutgers who is really not very good this year. A win here would be a signature game for Fresno State in their effort to crash the BCS, a loss means they fight for a 2nd/3rd tier bowl spot at best. The game is at Fresno State but the Badgers should grind out a win..just hope they don't get down 2 touchdowns again.

Purdue vs Oregon. This would be a great win for the Big Ten as Oregon is rated higher and Purdue isn't even considered a Top 4 Big Ten team this season whereas Oregon certainly is within the Pac 10. The game is at Purdue and Matt Painter certainly has the experience needed for a big day. I am hoping for the upset, that Purdue shows a defense strong enough to stop Oregon from scoring 35 or more...but I think this one goes to Oregon.

Ohio State vs USC. Well Beanie isn't playing and one has to say the hopes of the Buckeyes rests on their defense keeping the Trojans out of the end zone and creating a short field for its offense via turnovers. A win at SC under these conditions would be heroic almost as much as the win over Miami a few years back for the BCS title. Given how little Pryor played last week when the game with Ohio was close..does anyone think he will get significant opportunities here? Is the risk for making mistakes too high to warrant the potential big play/series he could spark with his legs?

In summary I think we are looking at 2-3 of the big games. A 5-0 run this week would go a LONG WAY to shutting up the national media and disway my own fears about the strength of the conference.

This weak EVERYONE IN THE BIG TEN needs to be a Badger, Hawkeye, Wolverine, Boilermaker, Buckeye fan GO BIG TEN

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