MotSaG B1G Power Poll Week 4

The Votes Are IN

Teams Points Record (Conf) Position Last Week
msu 8 3-0 (0-0) 2
Ohio State 12 3-0 (0-0) 1
northwestern 25 3-0 (0-0) 5
wisconsin 31 2-1 (0-0) 3
michigan 31 2-1 (0-0) 6
iowa 38 3-0 (0-0) 8
nebraska 44 1-2 (0-0) 6
minnesota 49 2-1 (0-0) 3
penn state 66 2-1 (1-0) 11
maryland 68 2-1 (1-0) 13
indiana 2 72 3-0 (0-0) 12
illinois 82 2-1 (0-0) 9
rutgers 89 1-2 (0-1) 10
purdue 94 1-2 (0-0) 14

Can’t say we are a homer blog anymore. Seems folks are thinking Sparty is playing better than the Buckeyes right now. Minnesota makes the biggest drop with a tight win over Kent State. Some movement here and there but nothing else major than the top two spots flipping and the Golden Gophers dropping.

Love to hear you input, leave us a comment and let us know how your B1G Power Poll would shake out

MotSaG Men’s B1G Basketball Power Poll

Another week down which means we move another week closer to March Madness. We are halfway through the B1G season and there is constant movement with some pretenders and some finally figuring it out. Where does your team (if not The Ohio State) fall on my list?

1. Wisconsin 19-2(7-1) Can anyone catch the Badgers right now? They are in total control of their destiny to bring home the regular season crown.
Last Week: #1
RPI: 8

2. Maryland 18-4(6-3) Getting beat by OSU by 14 unfortunately didn’t drop them below my beloved Buckeyes. I have to have the Terps above because of RPI and overall record right now.
Last Week: #2
RPI: 17

3. Ohio State 17-5(6-3) The Ohio State D’Angelo Russell’s are on fire. Thad Matta did a lineup change and it seems to have done wonders for the Buckeyes. Back to back wins over Indiana and Maryland have propelled the Buckeyes into the Top 25 but have a big match up against Purdue Wed.
Last Week: #3
RPI: 35

4. Indiana 16-6(6-3) The Hoosiers took it on the chin losing to their rivals Purdue last week but bounced back beating Rutgers.
Last Week: #3
RPI: 33

5. Michigan State 15-7(6-3) Don’t look now but Sparty catching a roll and defeated both Rutgers and TTUN by an average of 15 points between the two games. Don’t want to say I told you Izzo will get this straightened out but I might be right for the first time.
Last Week: #5
RPI: 37

6. Purdue 14-8(6-3) The Boilermakers have climbed their way into the Battle for Second Place. Purdue is on a three game win streak including beating rival Indiana and Northwestern last week.
Last Week: #9
RPI: 79

7. Iowa 13-8(4-4) The Hawkeyes looked like they were going to be a top team in the B1G but are on a three game losing skid.
Last Week: #6
RPI: 52

8. Michigan 13-9(6-4) Is the injury bug catching up to the Wolverines? Not yet they Beat Nebraska but lost to in state rival “lil Brother” Sparty last week.
Last Week: #7
RPI: 74

9. Illinois 14-8(4-5) The Fighting Illini are struggling losing to Minnesota but beating Penn State last week, their RPI and overall record has allowed them to jump in this weeks poll though.
Last Week: #10
RPI: 65

10. Nebraska 12-9(4-5) The Cornhuskers are on a two game losing slide and their RPI is turrible (Barkley voice). Things aren’t looking good in the Land of Lincoln.
Last Week: #8
RPI: 110

11. Minnesota 14-9(3-7) Golden Gophers might be playing tough and has moments of looking like they are ready to turn the corner and possibly get hot then they drop one to PSU. Beating Nebraska has helped ease some of that pain.
Last Week: #11
RPI: 89

12. Penn State 14-8(2-7) The Nittany Lions have 409 problems and basketball is just one of them.
Last Week: #13
RPI: 100

13. Rutgers 10-13(2-8) Rutgers might be home to the birthplace of college football but the Scarlet Knights aren’t any good at basketball, lost six straight B1G games
Last Week: #12
RPI: 116

14. Northwestern 10-11(1-7) I have no words for the Wildcats, one conference win not good.
Last Week #14
RPI: 160

As always comment down below let me know your thoughts, hit me up on the twitters or email me at AskMotSaG@gmail.com and let me know what I have wrong like you always do, looking forward to the talk about basketball just like we did with football.

MotSaG Men’s B1G Basketball Power Poll

Back for another week and there’s a lot of movement in the Big Ten conference this week, lets take a look at where I feel things shook out.

1. Wisconsin 18-2 (6-1) The Badgers are on a perch all by themselves, currently have the solo lead over the Terps in the BiG standings. Wisky smashed Iowa last week and pulled out a tight game against the maize and blue to take over the top spot from Maryland.
Last Week: #2
RPI: 8

2. Maryland 18-3 (6-2) The Terps lost a spot after beating Sparty last week but losing to Indiana. Maryland and the Buckeyes meet up this week big game for Buckeyes to add another quality win to resume (last chance) and for the Terps to try and stay on the heals of Wisconsin.
Last Week: #1
RPI: 14

3. Indiana 15-5 (5-2) The Hoosiers and their, I can’t seem to stay off the court Tom Crean, had a decent week. Beating Maryland by 19 but then lost to OSU by 12.
Last Week: #5
RPI: 32

4. Ohio State 16-5 (5-3) Buckeyes had a really good week winning a tight game at Northwestern then coming home and beating Indiana by 12 to get their first big win of the season. D’eangelo Russel showing why he is considered a top lottery pick in next seasons draft.
Last Week #6
RPI: 53

5. Michigan State 13-7(4-3) Sparty beat PSU but lost to Nebraska last week. Izzo will get this turned around Sparty fans.
Last Week : 4
RPI: 43

6. Iowa 13-7 (4-3) I know how can I have the Hawkeyes lower than the Buckeyes after they beat OSU twice. You get blown out by Wisconsin and lose a close one to Purdue to have a losing week will do that to you.
Last Week: #3
RPI: 52

7. Michigan 12-8 (5-3) The Wolverines might be living on borred time since losing Levert for season. This week they beat Rutgers and barely lost to Wisconsin without him.
Last Week: #7
RPI: 73

8. Nebraska 12-7 (4-3) Cornhuskers aren’t going away quietly mater of fact they are making some noise and making a run it looks like. Beating Minn and Michigan State has allowed them to jump up 3 spots this week.
Last Week: #11
RPI: 91

9. Purdue 12-8 (4-3) Boilermakers in the middle of the hunt for the B1G crown. They lost to Ill by 9 and beat Iowa.
Last Week: #8
RPI: 96

10. Illinois 13-8 (3-5) Fighting Illini beat Purdue but lost to Minnesota and have a below .500 conference mark
Last Week: #9
RPI: 58

11. Minnesota 13-8 (2-6) Golden Gophers lost to Nebraska but beat Illinois at home. Allowing Minnesota to move a spot is there out of conference record and better RPI
Last Week: #12
RPI: 90

12. Rutgers 10-11 (2-6) I should probably put the Scarlet Knights seeing how they are under .500 across the board and on a current 4 game losing skid. Having one more conference win allows them some reprieve for another week.
Last Week: #10
RPI: 102

13. Penn State 13-7(1-6) Nittany Lions lost to Michigan State but beat Purdue this week for their first conference win of the year.
Last Week: #14
RPI: 97

14. Northwestern 10-10 (1-6) Wildcats gave the Buckeyes a run for their money like they always seem to do and they only lost to Maryland by 1. Seems their second win is on the end of the line of the fisherman from the State Farm commercial right now.
Last Week: #13
RPI: 147

As always comment down below let me know your thoughts, hit me up on the twitters or email me at AskMotSaG@gmail.com and let me know what I have wrong like you always do, looking forward to the talk about basketball just like we did with football.

MotSaG’s Inaugural Men’s B1G Basketball Power Poll

Since my football power poll was such a huge and rousing success, I have decided it’s time that MotSAG have a Big Ten Men’s Basketball Power Poll. Lets see how I am looking at the league five or six games into conference play.

1. Maryland Terps 12-1(5-1) Newcomers to the B1G are making some noise. I am sure Duke is happy with the move of the Terps out of the ACC since they always seemed to upset Duke once a year. Being only one of two teams at least .500 or above versus Top 25 teams so far this season. The Terps only loss has come at the hands of the Fighting Illini but they have beaten Michigan State by 16.
RPI #13

2. Wisconsin Badgers 16-2(4-1) The Badgers are the favorites in the B1G this season and a preseason Final Four pick by many. The only conference loss is from Rutgers and out of conference loss was to Duke. Best win was over Oklahoma so far.
RPI #9

3. Iowa Hawkeyes 13-5(4-1) The Hawkeyes biggest concern has been closing out games. The seemed to have done fine against Ohio State dominated them in both match-ups. Iowa has lost to Texas, Syracuse, Iowa State, Northern Iowa, and Michigan State. We will find out if they are for real when they face Wisconsin this week.
RPI #43

4. Michigan State Spartans 12-7(3-2) Izzo’s squad has losses against Duke, Kansas, Notre Dame, Texas Southern, and twice to Maryland. Their best wins are Marquette and Indiana so far. Sparty will have this figured out soon I mean come on Tom Izzo is their coach.
RPI #37

5. Indiana Hoosiers 14-4(5-1) What have the Hoosiers done to get this high in the Power Poll? For starters go 3-1 against Top 25 teams, the only B1G team with a winning record in that department. Their only Big Ten conference loss came at the hands of Sparty.
RPI #58

6. Ohio State Buckeyes 14-5(3-3) The Buckeyes are having some issues to what seems (myself included) might possibly be a sweet sixteen team in some preseason picks. Having a NBA lottery pick (D’Angelo Russell) on your squad would almost guarantee that right? With losses to Louisville, North Carolina, Indiana, and basically blown out twice by Iowa has many wondering whats wrong with the current Buckeye team (more on that later)
RPI #56

7. Michigan Wolverines 11-7(4-2) The thought the Wolverines were going to possibly have another great B1G team this season after their win against Syracuse took a huge step back. With four consecutive losses to New Jersey Institute of Technology, Eastern Michigan, Arizona, and SMU. By losing to NJIT that should put the maize and blue at the bottom of the list but being 4-2 in conference play prevents that. Lets see how they cope with losing Caris Levert for the rest of the season. He was their leading scorer and rebounder.
RPI #84

8. Purdue Boilermakers 11-7(3-2) Boilermaker fans I would love to move you up at least one spot since you did beat TTUN but seriously who have you played and beat so far?
RPI #103

9. Illinois Fighting Illini 12-7(2-4) Who is this Illini team? They beat Baylor and Michigan State but lose to TTUN,OSU, Nebraska, and Indiana.
RPI #53

10. Rutgers Scarlet Knights 10-9(2-3) Scarlet Knight fans sorry but losses to Northwestern, Nebraska, and Minnesota have you bellow Illinois despite you are the only team to knock off Wisconsin.
RPI #75

11. Nebraska Cornhuskers 10-7(2-3) The only reason the Cornhuskers are this high is that they have 2 wins in conference play so far. Looking at their out of conference schedule people need to lay off Ohio State’s.
RPI #119

12. Minnesota Golden Gophers 12-7(1-5) Gopher fans starting your conference play with five straight losses is never a good thing.
RPI #97

13. Northwestern Wildcats 10-8(1-4) Wildcat fans lets face it your not a basketball school your a football one am i right? nope
RPI #141

14. Penn State Nittany Lions 12-6(0-5) Nittany Lion fans I have 409 more reasons to hate PSU even more but I digress. No conference wins to date thats statement enough for me to rank you last
RPI #103

As always comment down below let me know your thoughts, hit me up on the twitters or email me at AskMotSaG@gmail.com and let me know what I have wrong like you always do, looking forward to the talk about basketball just like we did with football.

Q&A with a Wisconsin Blogger

This week The Ohio State Buckeyes play the hated Wisconsin Badgers. I got to ask Andy Coppens of MadTownBadgers and Bleacher Report some questions about the game tomorrow. I noticed yesterday that he has been working with our friends over at the Buckeye Battle Cry also so I am thankful he worked with us here at MotSaG also.

MotSaG: First off is the team over that BS that cost them the victory against Arizona State?

MadTownBadgers: I think 41-10 just about said it all. Honestly the worries about the Badgers coming out flat or letting that game beat them twice were put to rest on the very first offensive play of the game and it was all good from there for Badger fans, players and coaches.

What will be tough to take is if we run the table the rest of the season and that game is the lone blemish on our resume. Seriously, those officials better not show up in another game we play EVER again.

MotSaG: Does Wisconsin alumni and fans consider the Buckeyes a rival?

MadTownBadgers: Of course we do, after all your guys have falsely accused us of “spitting” on them and all that jazz. Plain and simple this is rivalry built out of both of our teams being good in basketball and football and generally speaking our games have been very entertaining over the past few seasons as well.

Now, I don’t know if you are on the hatred level as much as Minnesota is, especially since we won’t see you as much as we’re used to following this season, but don’t get it twisted—Wisconsin fans loathe O$U.

MotSaG: Do you feel the national media has over looked the Badgers this year?

MadTownBadgers: I think the national media is just waking up to the Badgers really. They slept on the ground game and haven’t given the defense any credit whatsoever (something you guys should be familiar with, huh).

However, most in the UW fan base think of the lack of attention and just par for the course. It wouldn’t matter if your school and ours were in opposite positions record-wise, we’d likely be somewhere in the 15-19 in the rankings anyway. Point being, it’s old hat to be underestimated on the national level. Wisconsin just needs to go out there and control what they can on the field and let the rest take care of itself.

MotSaG: Statistically the Badger’s defense is ranked at 6th in the nation with their rushing defense at 6th and passing efficiency ranked 8th. What is Ohio State’s biggest offensive threat to the Badgers?

MadTownBadgers: I think the biggest offensive threat is the fact that there are so many different targets to worry about. Stop Carlos Hyde, here’s Jordan Hall. Stop Hall, here is Wilson. Honestly, this is a game where both defenses have to be worried about giving up the big play.

At the end of the day I think both defensive coaching staffs would give up 150 yards on the ground to a back if none of the yards came in big plays. That’s the key.

MotSaG: Wisconsin has two of the best running backs in the NCAA with sophomore Melvin Gordon leading the nation and senior James White who is the active career leader. Is the Badgers plan to use and abuse them and slow down the clock to keep the Buckeye’s offense off the field?

MadTownBadgers: I don’t know if you will ever “abuse” those two backs because they won’t ever get enough carries for that to happen. Wisconsin doesn’t run the ball to slow the game down to avoid the other offense getting on the field. The Badgers run the football because it is what they do best.

Like you said, why wouldn’t you be using the nation’s leading rusher on the season and the career leader as well? It wouldn’t make any sense to see us chucking the ball all over the field regardless of who was at quarterback.

MotSaG: What are Wisconsin’s thoughts on sophomore QB Joel Stave?

MadTownBadgers: Stave has done some good things, but ultimately most Badger fans would like to see more of out of him and that’s because they’ve seen glimpses of him being a very good quarterback. He had UW in positions to beat both Nebraska and Michigan State last year, but injuries knocked him out and UW promptly gave up the lead in both those games.

For me, that wasn’t a coincidence as his arm gives the Badgers a weapon no other QB on the roster gives them. The question is can Abbrederis and Stave get on the same page ASAP.

MotSaG: Senior WR Jared Abbrederis (who MotSaG had ranked 12th best B1G player in our preseason series) will be going against senoir CB Bradley Roby will another Badger finally step up and become a threat like Abbrederis?

MadTownBadgers: That will be the million dollar question and one that hasn’t been answered in the past few weeks, months or seasons, really. At the end of the day Abbrederis has a nasty habit of getting behind even double coverage, so that is a plus.

With Kenzel Doe out look for guys like Alex Erickson and Robert Wheelwright (a Columbus native) to be the guys with the biggest opportunity to emerge as a 2nd threat.

MotSaG: What is the condition of TE Jacob Pedersen?

MadTownBadgers: Pedersen appears to be out of this contest and that is really hurtful to the passing game. I mean we are talking about the reigning Tight End of the Year and all. However, the Badgers are plenty loaded at the tight end position, so look for names like Brock DiCicco and Austin Traylor to step up.

MotSaG: Do Badger fans dislike former head coach Bret Bielima as much as Buckeye Nation does?

MadTownBadgers: Who? Enough said.

MotSaG: Why does Bo Ryan always look constipated and angry whenever we see him?

MadTownBadgers: Probably because he’s getting ready to crap all over the Buckeyes….

Here I thought Ryan had that look cause of the cheese or Matta’s boy’s going to 2 final fours, 4 B1G tournament championships, and 5 B1G regular season championships and that’s all since he became coach in 2004!!

MotSaG: What is your prediction for the game?

MadTownBadgers: 28-24 O$U… You can see more of his prediction at Bleacher Report.

Now I’m probably going to sound like a homer but you know what I am so I feel that as close statically these two teams are on paper there is going to be a major butt whooping coming out of the ‘Shoe. While Wisconsin’s defense has been great to this point I don’t feel that they will be able to stop all of the weapons from this explosive offense. My prediction is 35-17 Ohio State.

I would again like to thank Andy for being so gracious and working with me and wish Wisconsin the best of luck the rest of the season, not really but hey trying to be nice here.

If you want to get involved and have questions about upcoming opponents feel free to send them in to me and I can send them on. Email your questions to AskMotSaG@gmail.com or MotSaG@gmail.com. Would love to know your thoughts on this post and hope you enjoyed it.