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 Reaction: Big Ten
Posted: Tuesday August 03, 1999 03:56 PM
Over the last few weeks, CNN/SI asked users to forecast their favorite conference. In the Big Ten, opinions can be divided into two camps: Those who agree with CNN/SI that Penn State is the team to beat, and those not buying into the hype because of the Nittany Lions' questionable offense.
This year's Big Ten race will be quite like last year's in the fact that you have four solid contenders and seven also-rans. Wisconsin, Penn State, Michigan and Ohio State will again be butting horns for the chance to run for the roses in Pasadena, or even the national championship. The worst thing is, just like last year, the two best teams in the conference don't even play each other, Wisconsin and Penn State. I do believe that the Badgers will come out on top just by the fact they play Michigan at home and have a 253-pound bowling ball/Heisman Trophy candidate in RON DAYNE!!!!!!
Look out for the Buckeyes again. They got hit hard by graduation (see Boston, Germaine, Katzenmoyer, and Winfield), but they bounce back every year (see losing Eddie George, Rickey Dudley, Terry Glenn and Bobby Hoying). The only competition will come from Michigan, as Penn State will learn that even if you have one of the best defenses in the country, you still have to score.
1. Ohio State, 2. Michigan, 3. Penn State, 4. Wisconsin, 5. Purdue, 6. Michigan State, 7. Indiana, 8. Iowa, 9. Minnesota, 10. Illinois, 11. Northwestern
I think this is the year that Penn State climbs back on top of the Big Ten. They have one of the top five defenses in the country and have a great running game, and if QB Kevin Thompson can step and play big, look out! The schedule is tough but that will help the in the BCS. Michigan is the second best team in the conference, with running back Anthony Thomas and Aaron Shea, one if the best blocking fullbacks in the game. The defense is one of the best in the conference, and gives Michigan a slight advantage over Ohio State with OSU going to the Big House.
Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State are the usual suspects, with new talent, a QB problem and an unproven offense being their possible fatal flaws, respectively. Purdue and Wisconsin will challenge if their Heisman possibilities, Drew Brees and Ron Dayne, carry the team on their shoulders. Michigan State, Indiana and Minnesota could be the surprise teams and will each provide more than one major upset this year.
After reading most of the preseason write-ups on the Big Ten, I think that you guys are still not ready to give out much respect for the Purdue football team. Consider these facts: The offense, which if I'm not mistaken was one of the best in the country last year, remains in tact. In fact, add three redshirt freshman running backs from Texas, two redshirt tight ends and a second team All-American halfback to the wide-open system, and I have to wonder who will be able to stop this offense? If the defense improves at all, Purdue will outscore most on the schedule.
Look at the schedule, people. Wisconsin has a cakewalk through the league. Penn State is not going to win because it plays too many tough games. Finally, Iowa will be the surprise team in the league with new coach Kirk Ferentz. Penn State will be a huge disappointment, and Ohio State will lose to Penn State to lose the conference title.
Hate to admit this, but it looks like good old JoePa is going to make a run at the not only the Big Ten championship, but also the national championship. If Paterno realizes that Kevin Thompson is not a solid starter and inserts Rashard Casey, then the Lions will have nowhere to go but up to the top of the rankings. Ohio State will be the usual Ohio State team -- that is, they will win and win, but when it comes time to win the crucial game of the season, they will falter. Michigan -- who is the starting QB? Might be time to look to next year and start Drew Henson. Michigan State will be not perform up to its talent again. Wisconsin has Ron Dayne, but who else?
It's obvious once again that the pollsters are clueless to their surroundings. To see these so-called, all-knowing pigskin gods rant and rave over those offense-lacking Nittany Lions is ridiculous. Sure, they might hold my Wolverines to less than 20 points, but please explain to me how they are going to score at all. If these pollsters think PSU is going to turn around from the 34-8 and 27-0 beatings from the past two seasons, they are clearly mistaken. The Wolverines will clearly win this Big Ten title, and the only Big Ten Team that scares me are those pesky Boilermakers from Purdue.
Wow, the Big Ten has gone from the Big Two to its originally stated name. As many as eight teams could be in a bowl this year. Despite Ohio State losing virtually everyone, they will be the frontrunner because they are stacked everywhere. Hey, Penn State has had these same players the past few years and never made a run. We remember the last time Sports Illustrated had them picked No. 1. Can you say Citrus Bowl finish? Wisconsin will do well due to a weak non-conference schedule. Michigan and Purdue will make respectable marks, and watch out for angry bunches of Hoosiers and Gophers, league pushovers no more.
Penn State is a solid team, but there's not enough depth on the bench to stay competitive with OSU or Michigan. If Wisconsin's Ron Dayne stays healthy, he could win the Heisman. Purdue will be the fourth spot or possibly third. They only go as far as the offense goes. Michigan State will be average, competing with Purdue for that fourth spot in the conference, but it will be hard replacing a 1,000-yard runner in Sedrick Irvin. Minnesota will not be a factor; they will be battling for the cellar with Illinois, Indy and Northwestern.
A favorable schedule and a great defense should spell "Big Ten Title" for Penn State this year, but watch out for the Buckeyes. Despite sending a host of talented players to the NFL last spring, the Bucks will contend. Why? Games are won and lost in the trenches, and Ohio State has 10 returning defensive linemen and 8 returning offensive linemen -- and they've all seen significant playing time. If a QB (Bellisari or Moherman) steps forward and plays reasonably well, this team can make a run at New Orleans.
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