Big Ten Rambler, Week 9: Yours and Mine

An Iowa student with a Michigan bias -- and Wazzu ties, too -- breaks down the Big Ten conference with attempted objectivity, week by week

My original title for this week's edition was "Week 9, Feelin' Fine," and I think that would have been apt. I'm feelin' fine as fine can be. The best comparison I could make is an off-the-wall mental patient going through a cycle of sedative meds.

After heading down to Purdue last weekend and taking in a horrible Iowa game (I almost quit on the team forever before a spirited kick off return calmed things down), I was cheered up later watching Michigan beat Illinois on multiple TVs in a West Lafayette bar. The bandwagon is going OK, too. Nothing great is happening, but after Appalachian State, I take each win as a gift and simply accept everything as it is. No questioning.

So our Big Ten question of the week presents itself: can Penn State topple the Buckeyes at home this weekend?

I pause, take about three seconds to calmly think, and deliver my answer...

No.

My prediction is by no means emphatic, and I know Penn State took out OSU a few years ago in a very similar situation, but if OSU goes down this season, I just can't think it'll be now. Whenever I try to talk myself into Penn State, the same two words always resonate: Anthony. Morelli.

Yes, he's had some decent games against weak teams, but that's not enough for me. The upset against OSU a few years ago was with Michael Robinson under center. The same guy that's now a running back in the NFL. That guy was tough, fast, a leader, and a winner. I just don't see it from Morelli. After watching Penn State in person a few weeks back, I remember thinking, "This team can beat crappy teams, will can lose to competent ones, Dan Connor is a beast who is wayyy more impressive than Poz was, and with Connor and a few select others, PSU can play a little bit of defense."

Tressell will have Morelli begging for mercy before this one's over. I expect a great performance from LB James Laurinaitis, who just has a knack for games and moments like these.

Yes, the world spins without the Big Ten...

The College Football Bandwagon: Every year, once my actual 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 & Boston College). 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. Plus it gives you invested rooting interests.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL BANDWAGON 2007
Hawaii - This is the most half-hearted inclusion of Hawaii, ever. We're talking about a two-loss SEC team probably getting the national title bid before these guys do. It's looking hopeless at this point.
Kansas - Big test against A&M this weekend.
Arizona State - Beating Cal would give the Bears three losses in a row.

Bandwagon Related Notes:

• I know I said if these three teams lost, I'd probably get back into USC, but how about Oregon? Dennis Dixon is so much fun. Like a B+ Vince Young with an even better arm. 

I left the Hart 4 Heisman Facebook Group: I'm not giving up, but you'd have to be crazy not to vote for Florida QB Tim Tebow and his video game numbers. We'll see how Tebow's body holds up after taking a beating last week.

BC Bests Va Tech: Big time win for Matt Ryan and the Eagles last night on ESPN. You just wonder how many people were watching it due to the tight World Series game on Fox. Ryan started off pretty shaky with two picks, a fumble, some questionable reads, and zero offensive points until late into the fourth quarter. From there, he led two separate two-minute drills en route to a BC shock fest in Blacksburg. Ryan has to be back in the Heisman hunt after seemingly removing himself through the first three quarters. What impressed me more than his big arm was his ability to buy time with his legs; it wasn't pretty, but he was running all over the field during that two-minute drill. It was like watching Michael Vick in Drew Bledsoe's body. ESPN even cut to him on the sidelines as he was throwing up after throwing the go-ahead TD pass. Multiple heaves, too. He might be the real deal.

Pac Ten Shizzle: #12 USC at #5 Oregon - Oregon quietly crept into the Top 5, and this win would HAVE to make them the best of the one loss teams. So, are we really giving Mark Sanchez a chance in Eugene? What has USC done to prove it can even play Oregon close? Not all that much. That said, they're still the Trojans, and Oregon probably doesn't even remember the last time it beat USC. Dennis Dixon and Co. should take this one, quacking all the way.

#21 California at #4 Arizona State - The Devils are the bandwagon's best bet at this point. Here are the teams ASU has wins over, through Week 8 (note: all unranked): San Jose State, Colorado, SDSU, Oregon State, Standford, Washington State, Washington

I know calling Cal's season derailed is almost an understatement, but I've gotta believe they have some pride left, and their speed and offense is going to be unlike anything Arizona State has seen this year.

***

Matchup of the Week: #1 Ohio State at #25 Penn State - This seems like one of those games where Penn State got the 25 ranking just to make the contest more interesting for everyone else.

Other of Interest: ZzZzZzZZzZzZZ - Weak week for the Big Ten; is it possible that the only intriguing games left have to involve Michigan and/or Ohio State?

Watch only with hands over your eyes: Michigan State at Iowa - Someone is about to double its Big Ten wins...in Week 9.

The Trail of Tiers...

First
#1 Ohio State (8-0, 4-0) - Number one with a bullet.
#20 Michigan (6-2, 4-0) - Would a Minnesota loss be more embarrassing than an Applachian State one? I say yes.

Second
Illinois (5-3, 3-2) - Will become bowl eligible with a homecoming win against Ball State.
Wisconsin (6-2, 2-2) - I just decided the Badger-Indiana game should be pretty cool. Well, too late to add it to games of the week.
Indiana (5-3, 2-3) - Let's see it, Kellen.
#25 Penn State (6-2, 3-2) - Last chance to make the first tier, but remember, there's no shame in being beaten by the best.

Third
Purdue (6-2, 2-2) - WR Dorien "Kobe" Bryant is fast and good. He torched Iowa last week.
Northwestern (5-3, 2-2) - Battle against Purdue for potential second tier spot. Oh, and a bowl bid.
Michigan State (5-3, 1-3) - The Ohio State loss wasn't even as close as it looked. Can also get a bowl bid with a victory over Iwa. I take out the second letter, because I wouldn't want to imply the Hawkeyes have any semblance of "o".
Iowa (3-5, 1-4) - So, so, so, so, so, so bad. It offends me that if this team wins three of its last four, it will be able to play in a bowl game.

The Basement
Minnesota (1-6, 0-4) - I'd say MSU and Iowa are set to join the Gophers down here, but after losing to North Dakota State last weekend, Minnesota truly is in a league of its own.

A few left over (non-college football items)...

- Chicago Blackhawks (5-5-0) - Not too shabby, and we hear that TV games are on the horizon

- I cannot WAIT for the Chicago Bulls to start up. I called them Baby Bulls two years ago, and Grown Up Bulls last year, but I feel like this squad needs a new nickname. Any thoughts?
- Unlike some haters, some writers for this site actually love the three-time Super Bowl champs. The ones who were cleared of any cheating during those seasons, remember? Ricky, this one's for you...