So, this Michigan-Penn State game kinda snuck up on us. Although lowly Michigan is 1-2, the Wolverines

But the thing is, we don't know much about either team. Michigan is clearly inept against teams that run the spread offense, and its one win comes against awful Notre Dame. But remember, this team was in the pre-season Top 5. I'm not saying we should put a lot of stock into that, but maybe they're simply just built to rock the Big Ten - and its lack of spread offenses. Penn State, like Michigan, raises question marks. Their only wins have come against the aforementioned Notre Dame, Buffalo, and Florida International. Yeah, real stellar.

Two other funny things have happened heading into this game:

1. As recently as September 19, ESPN's Mel Kiper lists Penn State QB Anthony Morelli as the #4 senior quarterback in the nation (Seriously.)
2. JoePa, when asked about preparing for QBs Chad Henne and Ryan Mallet, said this (emphasis mine): "I don't think you do that. I think you've got to realize what kind of a football team Michigan has. Mike Hart, the wideouts we just talked about, a very, very fine offensive line, are the things that you worry about. Henne at quarterback, has experience and everything else and has played well against us, and is a good quarterback.

Now, whether he's not playing or the other kid's going to play, I think you got to be careful about that. For all I know, they could put Hart as quarterback. Put him in an empty backfield, shotgun, like everybody else is in the country is doing these days. All of a sudden you have a whole different ballgame on your hands." (via mgoblog)

That's real.

But yeah, this game is pretty huge for Penn State. I didn't realize its losing streak against Michigan is at eight. The streak spans over a decade, and although that's a mere sliver in the massive timeline that is JoePa's coaching tenure, the fans have to have become somewhat restless at this point.
Michigan's got this game at home, and although the Big House hasn't really made a difference lately, it means they don't have to play at Happy Valley. So, I look at this more as a Wolverine advantage than a Penn State disadvantage.

Vegas lists Penn State as a 2.5 point favorite (lots of faith there, boys), and I think Michigan can not only cover that huge spread, but win it outright.

Broadening the focus to the rest of collegiate pigskin...

Introducing...The College Football Bandwagon!: Every year, once my favorite teams have been eliminated from the national title picture (by, you know, losing just one game), my buddy Ryan and I create what we call the "College Football Bandwagon" which mostly consists of a list of all the undefeated BCS conference teams minus Texas, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and sometimes others (this year, Florida). Special exemptions are made for the Utahs, Boise States, and Hawaiis of the world. The goal of the CFB is to fake feel good about yourself when your "team" makes the national championship. Last week, after the Iowa State loss, Ryan texted me telling me that "we" were beating Nebraska 7-0 and that our "rival Bruins" from "across town" had been upset. It made the sting of the ISU loss go away much quicker. Yes, it's pretty shallow. Nonetheless...

COLLEGE FOOTBALL BANDWAGON 2007
USC - The Dynasty
USC - The other one...South Carolina
Alabama - Yes, QB John Parker Wilson is the older brother of MTV Two-A-Days QB Ross Wilson...I feel like a big enough deal isn't being made of this
Hawaii - Pass, Pass, Pass
Clemson - Love the athletes on that defense
Kansas - Just like basketball season...oops
Oklahoma - Boise-based karma payback
Texas Tech - Protect this house!
West Virginia - But we still don't believe in you
Oregon - We're with you Dennis Dixon, not against you! Please don't ever come back to Ann Arbor.
California - Speed, Dynamic-ness-acy
Arizona State - ...yeahh...
LSU - Killer D, two competent QBs...they should be making trades or something
Kentucky - Ride Andre Woodson as far as he can take you
Cincinnati
UCONN
Rutgers
Michigan State
Air Force

#12 South Carolina vs. #2 LSU - Steve Spurrier Is God: If the Ol' Ball Coach wins this game, the comedy ratings would be off the charts, and at the same time, I don't think anyone in the SEC would be laughing at South Carolina.

Alabama-Georgia - JPW Is Good: If the hilarious John Parker Wilson can take down Georgia, the comedy ratings would be off the charts, but at the same time, I don't think anyone in the SEC would be laughing at Bama. Roll Tide!

Ohio State was impressive last week: The Buckeyes went to Washington and beat the trendy Huskies pretty convincingly. Although it was close early, OSU pulled away at the end, giving them one of the more impressive wins by a Big Ten team this year. But maybe that says more about the Big Ten than Ohio State.

RIP, Northwestern: Well, Wildcats. You had the top spot in the conference to defend, and you were defending it against Duke, and still, somehow, to quote Billy Madison, "YOU BLEW IT!" Tough times in Evanston.

***

Matchup of the Week: #10 Penn State (3-0) at Michigan (1-2) - A win says a lot about whoever notches it.

Others of Interest: Iowa (2-1) at #9 Wisconsin (3-0) - This game almost brought out ESPN's College GameDay until they realized it would probably be horrible. I was ready to write Iowa off after losing to the Cyclones last week, but then I read that the defense still hasn't allowed a touchdown this season. I don't care who you play, that's impressive. I'm not saying the Hawkeyes take it, but maybe it's possible. Last visit to Madison, we were able to spoil Barry Alvarez's final home game. See you there.

Illinois (2-1) at Indiana (3-0) - Athletic QBs? Cool plays? Is this the Big Ten?

Michigan State (3-0) at Notre Dame (0-3) - One more win from a preview, Spartans fans. Can the Irish really go 0-4? Yes, they can.

Watch only with hands over your eyes: Purdue (3-0) at Northwestern (1-2) - Another game for Boilermaker fans to cry about not being ranked after Purdue wins. Here's a suggestion: schedule your non-conference games against real teams. There's a reason you're 3-0 and not ranked. These guys don't have a real game until October. Yawn.

Number Crunching
The Best - #8 Ohio State, #9 Wisconsin, #10 Penn State
The Worst - Northwestern, Michigan, Minnesota

Coming Next Week: Big Ten Power Rankings...for real this time.

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