With just one game decided by less than 21 points, it was the weekend of the blowout in the Big Ten. Maryland’s 20-19 victory over Penn State was the only game of six on Saturday to remain competitive in the second half as well. Ohio State won to remain undefeated in the Big Ten, while Iowa, Nebraska, and Wisconsin all won to remain at one loss in conference play.

Iowa 48, Northwestern 7

Iowa dominated on both offense and defense as they cruised to 3-1 in the Big Ten. The Hawkeye defense held Northwestern to just 75 yards passing and 105 yards rushing. Justin Jackson was the lone bright spot for the Wildcats, rushing for 96 yards and their only score of the game.

Marc Weisman found paydirt three times on the ground to go with 94 yards. Akrum Wadley added 106 yards and a touchdown rushing in the victory. Jake Rudock threw for 239 yards and a touchdown on just 12-19 passing. Northwestern hosts Michigan on Saturday while Iowa takes a trip to Minnesota in a battle of one-loss teams in the Big Ten West.

Maryland 20, Penn State 19

It was a game that’s biggest fireworks came before the coin flip when Maryland’s captains refused to shake hands with the Penn State captains as the two groups approached at midfield. Maryland managed just 194 yards but still pulled off the road victory thanks to a Brad Craddock field goal with less than a minute to play.

The two teams combined for just 75 yards rushing and Penn State turned the ball over four times as the Nittany Lions fell to 1-4 in the Big Ten. Penn State goes to Indiana this weekend and Maryland has a week off to prepare for a visit from Michigan State.

Wisconsin 37, Rutgers 0

Wisconsin threw for just 87 yards but the ground game and defense did more than enough to welcome Rutgers to Camp Randall. Melvin Gordon ran for 128 yards and two touchdowns and Corey Clement complemented Gordon’s efforts with 131 yards and two scores of his own.

The Scarlet Knights managed just 139 yards of total offense (63 passing, 76 rushing) against a Badger defense that has now allowed just 7 points in its last two matchups. Rutgers is idle this week before hosting Indiana and Wisconsin will play at Purdue.

Nebraska 35, Purdue 14

In a game that star running back Ameer Abdullah left early, Nebraska still managed to run all over Purdue to improve to 4-1 in the Big Ten. Tommy Armstrong Jr. stepped up with his feet to add 70 yards on the ground to go with just 118 yards passing on a blustery day in Lincoln.

The Boilermakers actually outgained the Cornhuskers 340-297, but that was because the average starting field position for Nebraska was their own 49-yard line. Purdue has Wisconsin coming in to West Lafayette this weekend while Nebraska has a week off to get ready for their trip to Madison to play the Badgers.

Michigan 34, Indiana 10

It was an easy victory for the Wolverines as they welcomed Indiana into Ann Arbor for a date on Homecoming. Devin Gardner threw for 220 yards and two touchdowns and Drake Johnson had 122 yards and two scores on the ground as the Wolverines rolled to their 19th straight win over the Hoosiers.

Indiana had just 24 yards passing, but Tevin Coleman ran for 100 yards again as he is the only running back in the country to have hit the century mark in every game this season. The Wolverines will take a visit to Northwestern on Saturday and Indiana will play host to Penn State in Bloomington.

Ohio State 55, Illinois 14

In a matchup that turned into a tune-up game for the battle with the Spartans, Ohio State pounded Illinois for a total of 545 yards (249 passing, 296 rushing). J.T. Barrett only played the first half when he led the Buckeyes to a 31-0 halftime advantage behind 167 yards passing and two scores. Cardale Jone came in and threw two TDs of his own in the second half, and Jalin Marshall had a 30-yard rushing touchdown.

The Illini put up just 243 yards of offense while turning the ball over four times. Illinois did not put points on the board until the game was well in hand, 48-0, for Ohio State. Illinois has a week off before welcoming Iowa into Champaign and Ohio State makes the trek up to East Lansing for a de facto Big Ten East Championship Game against Michigan State.

What did you think of the Big Ten’s play this week? Are you ready for the game that will decide the Big Ten East? Let us know what you are looking forward to the most this weekend.

In 1997 I remember watching the Rose Bowl that Ohio State won and thinking to myself this is the greatest game I have ever watched. That bowl game just happened to be the last time I remember enjoying how National Champions were determined.

In 1998 the BCS was created and over the next 16 years College Football fans had to deal with things like computer rankings, margin of victories, biased voters, and something called a Harris Interactive Poll. In those 16 years the system overall never really didn’t work. In nearly every year the teams played their seasons and everything worked out well. In 2003 there was a split title with USC and LSU but that is the lone controversial year. Everyone hated the BCS system across the board. The call to end the system started the day it was created and didn’t end until it was destroyed.

The drama that the BCS created fed the NCAA with non-stop water cooler moments that began in August and didn’t end until after the NCG was completed. Even the mighty SEC leaders and fans hated the BCS system and they were dominating the system for the entire time. Why did they want change? Well they wanted more of their teams to get a shot at playing for the title.

So after 16 years change was a coming insert the CFB Playoff system. Whats the biggest difference between the BCS and Playoff? Instead of 2 teams you get 4 teams. Everything else stayed pretty much the same. The committee still uses biased voters rankings, computer rankings, strength of schedule, and what ever else they can use to be controversial.

Don’t believe me? Ask yourself this why did the committee use Oregon having OL injuries as justification for ranking them higher than Arizona who beat them head to head? Why did they not give OSU the same courtesy for losing Braxton Miller and starting a back up against VT?

So we have the first ever ranking releasing and the SEC has 3 teams in the top 4 and 4 in the top 6. OSU is 16th do they deserve to be higher? Does it matter? The NCAA decided to create a new system that is even more controversial than the BCS system.

Why would they do that? In my honest opinion the NCAA is utilizing a brilliant advertising strategy. There is nothing better to build buzz and viewers and marketing money than to have people talking about drama. You see if the NCAA did the playoffs the correct way All conference champions are in and a few at large bids who would care about the rankings in October? Who would turn their TVs on to watch a bunch of guys and gal picking their favorite 4 teams and teasing another 21 fan bases that they have a sliver of a chance to make the playoff?

So there you have it this is about creating buzz and viewers and people standing around water coolers discussing the controversy and how they can’t wait to see how this goes each week for the next 7 weeks. This is about building a brand and making money and yes making you angry enough to keep watching hoping for your team to be in the top 4 this week or next or never more than likely.

How do you fix this system?

I am glad you asked. A playoff is the correct way to determine a champion. But why come up with a stupid way of determining who should be in the playoff? You have the perfect model already in basketball. Every Conference Champion is in. There are 11 conferences if you include independents (which should be forced to join a conference under this plan. So you have 10 locked in and add 6 at large bids and you have a 16 team playoff where winning in the regular season matters and the SEC can still use their clout to get 3 or 4 teams in the playoffs so they are ecstatic. The B1G and Big 12 and PAC 12 all have teams in the playoff and no one is screwed. Who cares how the teams are seeded win and you move on lose and you didn’t belong anyhow.

The fix to this issue is simple yet the NCAA chose to make it controversial for their selfish reasons and the schools fell in line lemming after lemming.

The only way to change the system right now?

You need to hope and wish for the SEC to get 3 or 4 teams in the playoff this year. If they get 2 teams the fans and media can justify that enough to placate the angry people. But if the SEC fills out the bracket you will see an uproar and it will happen in the media which can influence the NCAA like no fan ever could. So if you want change this is the quickest way to facilitate it in my honest opinion.

What says you?

by: Ryan Black

Sheesh…

Last Saturday was rough, rougher than teaching an Alabama fan to read. This Ohio State team has a lot of growing up to do to even think about beating Michigan State in two weeks.

Losing to Penn State would have been a disaster of epic proportions. The Ninny (whatever they’re called) Lions under new coach James Franklin have been recruiting extremely well since he arrived on campus and look to be a long term threat to coach Urban Meyer and the good guys. They weren’t supposed to be close to competing on the field with Ohio State for a few years due to crippling scholarship reductions. Didn’t matter, they gave the boys all they could handle and now it is time to reflect.

Here are ten things we learned about our loves from the 31-24 nailbiter Saturday evening:

10. It wasn’t as bad as you think:

With Bama looking pedestrian 2 times in 3 weeks against similar teams to PSU  (Arkansas and Tennessee) , Miss State continuing to be horrible on defense against a weak Kentucky team, an undefeated Ole Miss losing to one of the most average LSU teams in a decade, or Auburn struggling against a terrible USC team it’s easy to see it is tough to bring it every week. Also, Ohio State played in the toughest environment of all the teams listed, though LSU is close. Those who say they want the Bucks to compare themselves to the best in the SEC have to do it both ways.

This doesn’t even mention the fact that Oregon has looked pedestrian against bad teams such as Washington State or Michigan State against Purdue or FSU against NC State and so on…

The local radio guys like Common Man and T-bone (whom I really enjoy) will never admit that these other elite teams struggle against lesser opponents, it’s only us… Ohio State has blown out every team they should have until this weekend and that is still a very good percentage.

9. Ohio State got some lucky breaks:

Hate to admit it but the Buckeyes got two gifts in the first half with the non-pick and the delay of game. Two egregious errors by the striped dummies but…

Those who say the refs gave OSU ten points are taking away from what the players did. Penn State couldn’t stop Ohio State on the first drive and there is no way of saying it wouldn’t have ended up in a touchdown, even if it was started 20-30 yards back. Same as you can’t say the German wouldn’t have made the next kick, he has a huge leg.

8. Penn State got some lucky breaks:

Our friends to the East are screaming bloody murder but they won’t mention the refs willed them into the game in the fourth quarter. Two questionable personal fouls and a horrible pass interference cake walked the Nitts to the tying scores. They weren’t as blatantly obvious as Ohio State’s gifts but they had just as much impact.

7. The o-line still needs some work:

3rd and 1 now seems like 3rd and 10 for the team this year. These young pups are still getting their feet wet and I don’t think we will see a complete package until the bowl game this year. Next year should be an extreme step up or it will be a major disappointment.

6. The defense is for real:

Other than a few misplays on jump balls (which somehow still happen) the Ohio State defense is looking like they got some sense. Penn State has a horrendous offensive line which helped but you cannot doubt their playmakers at tight end and receiver, not to mention Hackenberg at quarterback.

5. Tom Herman/Urban Meyer get tight during close games:

I texted my friend that I was o.k. with the play calling in the first half because Penn State couldn’t even sniff midfield. Get out of there with a 24 or 31 to 0 win and just head home. But after the momentum switched on the pick 6 I think the coaches got too scared and it nearly cost us the game. Get the ball in the playmakers hands, don’t let the defense dictate what the offense should run. Where were the jet sweeps?

This is becoming a real worry for Buckeye fans.

4. J.T. Barrett is a freshmen:

He got rattled by the ridiculous crowd and their shady piped in music. He got owned by the defensive lineman dropping into coverage and really looked green for 4 quarters. The game Saturday would have been a blowout in my opinion with Braxton.

With that said…

3. J.T. Barrett has balls of platinum:

I think platinum is tougher than steel but I don’t really understand the elements. Playing with a MCL sprain and trailing in a living hell of an atmosphere-in overtime-in a score or die situation-J.T. Barrett said, “I got this.” The freshmen scored the tying and winning touchdowns. This gutsy performance will help out so much in two weeks at a much tamer atmosphere (albeit a much tougher team).

2. Ohio State has an all Big Ten player at every level of defense:

This probably won’t end up happening but I think Von Bell, Tyvis Powell, Doran Grant (DB) Darron Lee, Joshua Perry (LB)  Joey Bosa and Michael Bennett (DL) are all worthy of first team all big ten- as of now.

Slim chance Ohio State get’s more than three total but let’s start the campaigning now.

1. You know it’s coming:

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

This team has a very bright future and we may not get to see that peak this season. This extremely young team needs more seasoning but I tell you what, I wouldn’t want to play the Buckeyes this bowl season. Last year’s team peaked and didn’t improve at all over the long layoff. I think the 2014 team is a different animal.

Bonus:

The world lost a great man this year with the death of Richard Collins who portrayed “Philadelphia Collins” on Trailer Park Boys. Here is a NSFW Language tribute

Double Bonus:

For you Halloweiners here is a short 3 minute scary flick.

I watched 20 seconds of it. Please tell me how it ends:

While Michigan State dominated their in-state rival Wolverines to improve to 4-0 in Big Ten play, Ohio State needed double overtime to put away pesky Penn State in Happy Valley to move to 3-0 in conference play. Minnesota suffered their first conference defeat at the hands of the Illini as the Big Ten West turned even more chaotic as Wisconsin and Nebraska both won to remain at one conference loss.

Wisconsin 52, Maryland 7

Wisconsin took Maryland behind the woodshed in this one as the Badgers raced out to a 24-0 halftime lead on their way to an easy victory. Melvin Gordon continued his great play again this week, rushing for 122 yards and three touchdowns. The Wisconsin defense was excellent all day, holding Maryland to 175 total yards, including just 46 on the ground.

It was 52-0 late in the 4th quarter before C.J. Brown finally found Stefon Diggs for the Terrapins’ only score of the game. Both teams hit the road next weekend, Maryland goes to Penn State and Wisconsin takes on Rutgers.

Illinois 28, Minnesota 24

In the upset of the weekend, Minnesota fell to Illinois in Champaign after V’Angelo Bentley scooped up a fumble and took it to the house in the 4th quarter for the game-winning score. The Illini jumped out to an early 14-0 lead only to see their advantage slip away in the 3rd quarter thanks to a pair of David Cobb touchdown runs.

Reilly O’Toole threw for a touchdown and ran in another as Illinois won their first conference game of the season while simultaneously handing the Gophers their first Big Ten loss. Minnesota is idle on Saturday while Illinois makes the trip to Columbus to take on the Buckeyes in primetime.

Nebraska 42, Rutgers 24

Once again, it was the Ameer Abdullah show for Nebraska as they handled Rutgers easily to move into a tie for first in the Big Ten West at 3-1. Abdullah had 225 yards rushing with three scores, plus 90 return yards and 26 receiving yards.

Gary Nova was just 8-19 passing for 156 yards and a touchdown before he had to leave the game with a right knee injury. It is still unknown whether he will be able to play this weekend when the Scarlet Knights host Wisconsin. Nebraska will host Purdue after the Boilermakers had a bye week to prepare.

Michigan State 35, Michigan 11

The Wolverines were dominated by their in-state rivals for the second year in a row, losing by 24 points a year after losing 29-6. Michigan State outgained the Wolverines on the day 446-186 and allowed just 61 yards on the ground. Jeremy Langford ran for 177 yards and three scores as the Spartans won for the sixth time in seven tries in this series.

Devin Gardner finished 15-30 passing for just 125 yards and was picked off twice by the Spartan defense. The Wolverines now have one passing touchdown and 11 interceptions against Power 5 conference teams this season. Michigan State is idle this weekend to prepare for Ohio State and the Wolverines will host Indiana.

Ohio State 31, Penn State 24 (2OT)

J.T. Barrett had his worst game since the Virginia Tech debacle, but rebounded well in the overtime periods to lead Ohio State to the victory in one of the most hostile environments in all of college football. Barrett had just 74 yards passing with one touchdown and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a score early in the second half. The redshirt freshman finished with 75 yards rushing and two overtime touchdowns.

Christian Hackenberg was 31-49 passing for 224 yards and a touchdown but was sacked by Joey Bosa on 4th down in the second overtime on the most important play of the game. DaeSean Hamilton had 14 catches, a Penn State record, for 126 yards. Ohio State hosts Illinois on Saturday while Penn State will play Maryland in Happy Valley.

What was your biggest take away from this weekend? Will the Buckeyes have an easier time of things this weekend with the Illini? Let us know what you’re looking forward to in the upcoming slate of games!