When looking at the Big Ten conference standings, and trying to figure out the hierarchy for the college football bowl system, I can't help but think of one of my favorite lines from the '80s movie "Fletch." "I'd say we're in a gray area." "How gray?" "Charcoal." We do know this however- the Big Ten bellcow is still Wisconsin (get it bellcow, dairy state?). The … [Read more...] about Big 10 Bowl Projections; Much Hinges on Wisconsin Badgers
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Big 10 Football Power Rankings: Mediocrity, Parity, Blah Edition
There are only two times when doing a power rankings can be fun- way early in the season/preseason, or when everything is jumbled, disorganized chaos and blah. Doing a power rankings when the hierarchy is clear cut is a practice strictly for centrist, vanilla losers. In the current Big Ten football world, mediocrity, blahness, national irrelevance, and parity reign. And … [Read more...] about Big 10 Football Power Rankings: Mediocrity, Parity, Blah Edition
#11 Michigan State Spartans-#16 Nebraska Cornhuskers: Brutally Honest Game Preview
Maybe I was wrong to doubt Michigan State Spartans QB Kirk Cousins? Back in the summer, I believed the Spartans would be the 4th best team in the Big Ten. I was dazzled by the sexy new college football newcomer to the conference, the Nebraska Cornhuskers and their vaunted blackshirt defense. I was wrong. I did pick State to win at Michigan, but I did not see last week's … [Read more...] about #11 Michigan State Spartans-#16 Nebraska Cornhuskers: Brutally Honest Game Preview
Big Ten Football 2011 Power Rankings: Conference Season Kick-off Edition
College football is in mid-season form as Big Ten play begins this week. The Illini are 4-0 for the first time since 1951, and they just completed their first undefeated non-conference season since 2001. That's all we really need for an intro- let's get to the rankings. 1.) Wisconsin Badgers (4-0) Have put in the most impressive offensive and defensive performance so far … [Read more...] about Big Ten Football 2011 Power Rankings: Conference Season Kick-off Edition
Big Ten Football 2011 Power Rankings: Preconference Edition
One of the main storylines in the Big Ten entering this college football season was all the dual threat quarterbacks. Well so far, I'd say it's really only Wisconsin's Russell Wilson and Nathan Scheelhaase who fit that bill. Michigan's Denard Robinson did throw for over 330 yards and 4 TDs, but he is an average thrower at best. He made some really poor throws in that Notre … [Read more...] about Big Ten Football 2011 Power Rankings: Preconference Edition
Big 10 Football Season Predictions and Projections
There's four good teams in the Big Ten this season and five more that could be good or just blah. You can call it parity (just don't call it PARODY, I HATE when people make that mistake, it isn't Weird Al Yankovic playing college football here) or you can call it mediocrity. Expect a lot of conference teams to be ranked in the 30s and 20s overall in the nation. On the … [Read more...] about Big 10 Football Season Predictions and Projections
#29 Penn State Nittany Lions: College Football 77 in 77
Every year at Big Ten media days, JoePa on dais is one of the biggest highlights. There is always the token ghoulish question about his health/age. It happened again this year. He has a good time with reporters on it. And I'm not sure how much of his confused old man bit is contrived and how much of it is genuine. -JoePa when asked about his contract: "Is this the last … [Read more...] about #29 Penn State Nittany Lions: College Football 77 in 77
Future Big 10 Expansion? Playoff System? Legendary Purdue QB Mark Herrmann’s Thoughts
Former Purdue Boilermakers and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Mark Herrmann was the first to throw for both 8,000 and 9,000 career passing yards. That record has since been broken numerous times, but he's a perfect example of how the game of college football has evolved. And the perfect person to talk with on where the game is evolving next. I had such a discussion with … [Read more...] about Future Big 10 Expansion? Playoff System? Legendary Purdue QB Mark Herrmann’s Thoughts
Nebraska’s Bo Pelini: Media Day Gaffe Sounds Like Freudian Slip
This year has seen more scandal in college sports than any other in recent memory. And given today's media landscape, this malfeasance and corruption is getting much more coverage than ever. Which has opened the door for discussions on whether or not it's time to pay college football and college basketball players. This is not one of those discussions. What follows is a … [Read more...] about Nebraska’s Bo Pelini: Media Day Gaffe Sounds Like Freudian Slip
Big Ten Football Media Day: Notable Quotables, Nuggets and Tidbits
It's officially "back to school" season as another round of Big Ten Football Media Days has begun. You know what it means, college football season is now within striking distance. And it's a new era in the Big Ten, a conference championship game, new divisions, and a new member with a storied history, the Nebraska Cornhuskers. But the old is always good too. We love our … [Read more...] about Big Ten Football Media Day: Notable Quotables, Nuggets and Tidbits