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| Glorious be thy stache |
Yes, I went there. Michigan is the favorite to make the Rose Bowl.
The remaining schedule:
Illinois
MSU
@Nebraska
@Minnesota
Northwestern
Iowa
@OSU
Things could go south if they lose in two weeks to the Spartans and of course there is a lot of football left to be played but at 3-2 Michigan looks like a team destined for no worse than 8-4 and the team that is in the driver's seat to make the B1G championship game from the Legends division where they will face off against either Purdue or Wisconsin. That sounds like a pretty nice opportunity to me.
Elsewhere in College Football
I saw the highlights of the Penn State - Northwestern game. Seems like a great comeback win for the Nittany Lions. Page me in 8 years when they are relevant again. Still looks like a 7-5ish team to me.
I LOL'd to the Spartans score at halftime but figured they would pull it out. Got to see bits and pieces of the 2nd half and it looked extremely encouraging for MSU. Having only watched the 2nd half and seeing how completely dominant the Spartans were I'm guessing the first half was an exercise in frustration for Tbone. I've been telling anyone who will listen how much I loved Aaron Burbridge as a prospect and whatdoyaknow he gets the start and is already MSU's best receiver. +1 for pjh's recruiting obsession paying dividends in knowing thangs.
Quick rundown of the Big Ten
1. OSU - Anyone else feel sick to their stomach after seeing all the love the Buckeyes are getting on espn.com? They deserve the #1 ranking here but they simply are not exceedingly better than everyone else. They easily could have lost to the Spartans.
2. Michigan - IMO the clear favorites to represent the Big Ten in the Rose Bowl.
3. MSU - They haven't really looked impressive for any extended stretch this season but who are you putting above them?
4. Nebraska - Clearly flawed on defense and not dominant enough on offense to overcome it.
5. PSU - Moving up my rankings because they keep winning but I think they'd lose to all four teams above them on this list.
6. Wisconsin - They have issues but they are still your Leaders division favorites.
7. Northwestern - That defense is pitiful. They are scary on offense and will beat some good teams this season.
8. Purdue - The hype comes before the massive letdown for Danny Hope and co.
9. Iowa - They lost to a bad Central Michigan team two weeks ago...
10. Minnesota - Got beaten soundly by a bad Iowa team.
11. Indiana - Offense is one of the best in the Big Ten but defense is probably the league's worst single unit.
12. Illinois - HaLOL
Nice write up. Saves me from having to do a round up. Yes, the MSU game was exceptionally frustrating to watch. MSU came out flat and stayed there for much of the first half. The quick outs were killing the defense. After that,everything started turning up Green. MSU held Indiana to 37 yards in the second half while gaining over 240. That was what I was expecting from the get go. And that's why I posted the season implosion. This could be a turning point, either we are that team, exceptionally mediocre or that will light a fire under some asses. I hope its the latter.
ReplyDeleteAaron Burbrudge was an absolute animal. There was one catch he made leaping between two defenders. wow. Pat you were right in everything you have said about him. Along with the Bubridge coming out party - 8 catch 134 yards - Fowler looked a lot better. On his TD catch, Fowler ran a nice route then was able to make a play up field and score. I think not being the guy could help him - it seems that the "benching" was a good idea.
Right now, MSU seems like an 8-4 team. Which would mean winning 4 of the final 6.
4-2 in their first 6 and 4-2 in their next 6. That seems reasonable.
ReplyDeleteAs bad as Wisconsin has been they will still be very difficult to beat in Madison. I think MSU will take care of business against Nebraska in EL but that is not a gimme either.
Michigan State remaining schedule:
vs Iowa
@ Michigan
@ Wisconsin
vs Nebraska
vs Northwestern
@ Minnesota
Looks like three toss-ups and three probable wins. Defining 3 week stretch starting with the big showdown in Ann Arbor.