1. Iowa (7-0, 3-0)
They are the best team in the Big Ten, and the most boring. They have plenty of talent all around, but quickly name three players on the squad…you can’t can you. There’s nothing flashy or exciting about any of their skill position players. And if you look at their team rankings in all the major categories, nothing jumps out at you. They’re in the middle of the pack or bottom half in pretty much everything. It all makes it a mystery as to how they remain undefeated
2. Penn State (6-1, 2-1)
They’re not as good as you might think- really. Their running game has truly been tested only once (Iowa) at it failed miserably there. I could see this team finishing 10-2 or 9-3, and then getting absolutely ROLLED by a SEC or Big 12 team on New Year’s Day
3. Ohio State (5-2, 3-1)
Come January, another OSU title game appearance would really suck for ratings, because we would have to watch them got destroyed by another 50 points to a bigger, faster SEC team yet again. But that won’t happen this year. Thanks Purdue!
4. Wisconsin (5-2, 2-2)
Tolzien is coming back down to earth playing like we thought someone with out any prior starting experience would.
They seem to “get it” now and appear to be streaking. It won’t be THAT MUCH of an upset if they give the Hawkeyes their first loss.
6. Michigan (5-2, 1-2) To quote TSB Michigan correspondent H. Jose Bosch
“Call me the cranky Michigan fan but there is no reason to be that excited about this win.” You beat Delaware St. 63-3, congratulations, what do you want a cookie?
7. Minnesota (4-3, 2-2)
Somebody has finally found a way to slow down Eric Decker. sort of.
8. Northwestern (4-3, 1-3)
Mike Kafka is REALLY great at doing two things: completing passes and giving horribly trite, rehearsed answers to questions. He’s pass completed 72% or more in 3 games this season, and I think I’ve heard him say more than 50% of my 11 phrases that should never be broadcast or published. To his credit, his performances look all the more special when you consider he has the worst offensive line in the league. They’ve “protected him” by being 10th in conference (87th nationally) in sacks allowed. And the OL has “opened running lanes” to create a rushing attack ranked 97th in the nation.
9. Purdue (2-5, 1-2)
So they are truly better than they’re record states- but only for this past week.
10. Indiana (4-3, 1-2)
The last time they beat Illinois this badly, was in another “Pillow Fight Supreme” back in ’97 when the 1-10 Hoosiers spanked the 0-11 Illini. My favorite part of that game was when Illini play-by-play man Brian Barnhart said “we’re making heroes out of all sorts of people this year,” in reference to D. Hogan (Dennis?? David) some tailback so obscure I doubt this mother has even heard of him. He rushed for 140 yards in that game.
Congratulations! The loss to Indiana, now gave Illinois a 11-41 Big Ten record since ’03 (and that includes the fluke Rose Bowl year) good for last place, now that the Hoosiers are 11-40 in the same span. The last time Illinois played Illinois State in a season, was actually 2003. And ISU was their only victim in a 1-11 season. This year, Illinois St. is their only victory this season. Therefore…..