Archives for November 2012

Wisconsin defeated Indiana in a game that decided the representation of the Leaders Division and Nebraska all but wrapped up the Legends Division. Devin Gardner led the Wolverines over Northwestern in overtime but they need a few things to happen to overtake Nebraska. Wisconsin had the biggest jump, going from 6 to 4 in the rankings but welcome the Buckeyes into town this weekend.

1. Ohio State– The Buckeyes got the week off to prepare for their big time showdown at Camp Randall. Braxton and co. want to make a statement to Wisconsin that they are the best team in the Leaders Division.

2. Nebraska– Nebraska took care of business versus Penn State and now control their own destiny the Legends Division. The Cornhuskers will likely battle Wisconsin at Lucas Oil Stadium for a berth in the Rose Bowl.

3. Michigan– Looks like Michigan does have a back-up plan and his name is Devin Gardner. He looked like a real dual threat in their big, overtime win over Northwestern.

4. Wisconsin– After a slow start to the season, the Badgers will represent the Leaders Division in the B1G Championship Game. They want to take care of the Buckeyes and leave no doubt that they are the real team to represent the division.

5. Northwestern– Another heartbreaking loss for Northwestern, this time versus Michigan. The Wildcats were a couple of plays  away from representing the Legends Division in the B1G Championship Game.

6. Penn State– The Nittany Lions blew a 14 point lead at Nebraska and were unable to play spoiler. They hope to bounce back this week versus Indiana.

7. Michigan State– Sparty got the week off and hope to improve their surprising 0-3 home conference record this weekend versus Northwestern.

8. Minnesota– Minnesota’s win over Illinois allowed them to become bowl eligible, not sure if that is a positive or a negative for the conference.

9. Indiana– Indiana looked like the old Indiana versus Wisconsin. Lets just say that the Hoosier faithful is excited for basketball season to be here.

10. Purdue– Purdue defeated Iowa to continue their up and down season. They’ll likely be able to notch another win versus lowly Illinois this weekend.

11. Iowa– Following their loss to Purdue, Iowa travels to the Big House this weekend in what should be a clear mismatch.

12. Illinois– At least the Illini are being consistent.

As always, compare with last week and feel free to comment.

THE JOY OF BEING WRONG AND THE SHAMEFUL TRUTH ABOUT ALABAMA

Yeah, I hate the SEC. I’m sick of the incessant spin they get from ESPN and the most of the rest of the sports media. They have some good teams, and most years they have at least one great team. But so do all the other major conferences most years. They also, like all conferences, have some awful teams. This season, in fact, there are three SEC teams who have yet to win a conference game and three more who won just two. It’s the exact same mediocrity you’ll find in every single conference.

Alabama just lost their first game of the year, to SEC newcomer Texas A&M, suggesting that perhaps the conference isn’t so impenetrable after all. And while no one was really predicting it (and I mocked the mere thought of it last week), in retrospect this shouldn’t surprise us all that much.

Bama has beaten no one of consequence in the SEC outside of LSU, who had them against the ropes until a miracle game-winning drive. The best SEC team they’ve beaten impressively is Mississippi State, who is currently fourth in the SEC West at 3-3. They have not faced any of the top four teams from the East. Their next two opponents are Western Carolina and Auburn and then (barring upset by one of those miserable teams) Georgia in the SEC championship game. The Bulldogs don’t have a much better resume than the Tide, by the way, so any discussion of the SEC winner still making the BCS title game is simply absurd, unless you’re willing to admit that the entire system is complete sham (which it is, of course).

But if Bama can lose, then anyone can, right? Well, yes, of course anyone can lose, but my point is Bama should not be your guidepost. Oregon has already beaten numbers 2, 3 & 4 in the Pac-12 South by a combined 82 points. They still have to take on numbers 2 and 3 in their own division, but how worried are you, really? The Big 12 does not have divisions any more, but Kansas State has just the #3 and #9 teams in the conference left, with the toughest of those at home. They did struggle with #2 Oklahoma, but there’s a big dropoff from the Sooners to the Longhorns (63-21, anyone?). Notre Dame, of course, does not play in a conference at all, but they have already beaten four teams who are currently in first or second place in their own divisions/conferences. The truth is, based on what the teams had already accomplished, Alabama shouldn’t have been the #1 team even before their loss and they absolutely don’t deserve first consideration if the season ends with fewer than two unbeatens.

So that’s it, Alabama, you had your benefit of the doubt and you blew it.

Bye.

WELCOME BACK, FOOTBALL

WEDNESDAY

It’s MACtion time, and although I’m not as enamored with the conference as others, the Little Brother League is offering up a few good games this week, beginning with Ohio/Ball State at 7:00 on ESPNU and then the West division title match between Toledo and Northern Illinois at 8:00 on ESPN2.

SATURDAY

The MAC East division title match between Kent State and Bowling Green kicks off at noon on that small standard definition TV next to the rum on the shelf behind the bar at your nearest BW-3. Don’t put your good games on Saturday, MAC, it frightens and confuses us.

Rutgers @ Cincinnati is to a good college football game what the Big East is to college football in general.

Western Carolina @ Alabama. I mean, that would just be SOOO awesome, right?

USC @ UCLA will determine the Pac-12 South and therefore which team Oregon will score 60 points on in a couple of weeks. Tune in to see if the Trojans try to toss airless footballs around like frisbees without getting caught.

Duke @ Georgia Tech could actually have an impact on a conference championship race and therefore a BCS game. It could? What is happening in the ACC?

Stanford @ Oregon. I really don’t feel like the outcome is in doubt, but it’s the best game featuring a National Title contender this week, so we might as well watch it, at least until the Ducks are up by four scores.

Ezekiel Elliot continues his ascension up the recruiting rankings and in doing so he is having a monster year for his team John Burroughs.

Jalin Marshall– Jalin Marshalls season is over.
Eli Woodard– His team Eastern was on a BYE this week.
Cam Burrows– His team Trotwood-Madison beat Winton Woods 27-20. Cam had a tackle.
Joey Bosa– His team St. Thomas Aquinas beat Deerfield Beach 45-0. Joey helped his team to complete the shutout.
Marcus Baugh– His team John W North suffered a season ending loss to Kaiser 14-7 in the playoffs.
Evan Lisle– Evan Lisles season is complete
Ezekiel Elliott– His team John Burroughs HS enjoyed a 24-0 win over Park Hills Central. Zeke had 177 yards rushing and 3 TDs.
Billy Price– His team Austintown Fitch season is over.
Jayme Thompson– His team Toledo Central Catholic beat Mansfield Madison 42-7. Jayme had 3 tackles and a pass break up.
J T Barrett- His team Rider beat Wichita Falls 49-0. Unfortunately JT is out for the season with a knee injury.
Michael Hill– His team Pendleton lost 14-7 to Cheraw ending his teams season.
Taivon Jacobs– His team Suitland enjoyed a 21-14 win over Duval. Taivon was held to no catches.
Darron Lee– His team New Albany enjoyed a 42-35 victory over Tri Valley. Darron had 150 yards and 2 TDs.
Tracy Sprinkle– Tracy Sprinkles season is over.
Tim Gardner– His team Lawrence Central enjoyed a 49-21 win over Pike. Tim helped his team reach the state Semi-Finals.
Johnny Townsend– His team Boone enjoyed a 13-12 win over Edgewater. Johnny had an avg of 42.6 yards per punt.
Tyquan Lewis– His team Tarboro HS enjoyed a 48-14 win over Kinston. No stats were available.

It’s the bye week, so there’s no game this weekend. And I’m not just talking about Ohio State. There’s not a single compelling game anywhere in the nation. Sure, by Sunday something may have happened that could shake things up, but it’s going to be an upset or an injury or an equipment manager with delusions of grandeur.

You could argue that Northwestern/Michigan and Penn State/Nebraska are meaningful, but they’re not. Nebraska already owns the relevant tie-breakers and Penn State is the only team left on the schedule that can beat the Huskers. If you want to point out that the Wolverines could still win the division with a Brasky loss, you’d also have to admit that that would mean they win in the Shoe. And you don’t want to do that, right?

Syracuse, Texas A&M, TCU, Boston College, California.

Those are the opponents for the five unbeatens in action this weekend. They’re a combined 22-24. Which one do you think is going to shock the world? That’s right. None of them.

You could watch the Carrier Classic featuring the Buckeyes tomorrow night if you have something called the NBC Sports Network. I don’t. I don’t even know what that is.

So until next week, bye.