Big Ten Football Thread [R]

[WarrenWallace]

Big Ten Football thread.

NO TROLLS.

All posts made by trolls will have their posts edited to make the user look like an idiot. And before you say that isn't far and I can't do that, think again. I have more power than you do.

[WarrenWallace]

Here we go. Another year of Michigan/Ohio State predicted to fight for the title. Dark horse teams this year (lots of them) include Purdue, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

[WarrenWallace]

Big Ten Preview

http://www.collegefootballnews.com/Big_Ten/2004_Previews/2004_Big10_Preview.htm (http://www.collegefootballnews.com/Big_Ten/2004_Previews/2004_Big10_Preview.htm)

They predict

T1. Michigan (7-1, 10-1) lose to OSU (they don't say, but this would mean OSU to Rose Bowl, Michigan to some BCS game)
T1. Ohio State (7-1, 9-2) lose to Iowa, NC St.
T3. Iowa (6-2, 8-3) lose to Arizona St. (???), Michigan, Penn St.
T3. Wisconsin (6-2, 9-2) lose to Iowa, Ohio State
5. Minnesota (5-3, 8-3) lose to Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa
T6. Penn St. (4-4, 6-5) lose to BC, Wisconsin, Minny, OSU, Purdue
T6. Purdue (4-4, 6-5) lose to ND, Wisc., UM, OSU, Iowa
T8. MSU (2-6, 6-6) beat Illinois, Indiana, non-conf patsies (plus/including ND)
T8. Northwestern (2-6, 3-8) beat Kansas, Illinois, Indiana
10. Illinois (1-7, 3-8) beat Indiana, bye-bye Turner?
11. Indiana (0-8, 1-10) bye-bye DiNardo?

I think the top 5 are solidly better than the teams below them. Out of the top teams, I think Minnesota could jump up, they've got a legit chance to go 10-1 (can't see them winning at Michigan); Ohio State has ton of players to replace, but their talent is so good; Iowa could drop, (no Gallery or Russell, but good D) although people said the same thing last year; Michigan's receivers are the best in the nation, the oline is great and the back 7 of their defense is solid, questions at qb and running back but a lot of talent at both positions. Wisconsin always seems to lose some game early on that they shouldn't.

Of the next four, they could pretty much finish in any order, although I have my doubts about Penn St. Northwestern will be better defensively than people are used to and could suprise. Purdue will put up a ton of points, but their defense loses a ton. MSU will pull their usual trick of winning a bunch of early games, getting people excited enough to prepare the couches, and then collapsing. They'll all battle each other for trips to fabulous Nashville and El Paso.

Illinois and Indiana... Countdown to basketball begins.

[CHICO13]

Michigan's biggest question is what kind of play will we get from our QB? Gutierrez is a tough kid but hasn't taken alot of snaps. If he gets in sync with our three big receivers, we're going to be hard to stop on offense. Defense is another question all together but what I've read about the spring practices they seem to be working out ok. Special teams has been what drives me nuts about the Wolverines the last few years. I can't even sit and watch them kick extra points. :rolleyes:

[WarrenWallace]

I have noticed that Michigan hasn't been the greatest in the kicking department lately. What is it? Just a lack of concentration or not being able to get a good recruit? A kicker and a punter, to a lesser extent, are very important pieces to the overall puzzle. A lot more valuable that a 3rd string tailback.


I think that Gutierrez (sp) will start and look shaky early. But the time the Big Ten season starts up, he should be into his grove. I am picking Michigan to win the Big Ten this year.

[WarrenWallace]

ESPN / USA Today Top 25 (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1849109)

http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/sml/trans/130.gif
7. Michigan
(1,128 points, 10-3 and No. 7 in '03 final poll)
It's worth the price of admission -- even for one of those sweetheart alumni suites -- just to watch the Wolverines' receivers. Braylon Edwards, Jason Avant, Tyler Ecker and Steve Breaston are poetry in maize and blue. Now the big question is who will throw the ball to them. Matt Gutierrez finally gets his shot at QB, but some questions at O-line and RB won't help. There are also some holes on the D-line, but the secondary will be among the nation's best. Michigan gets Iowa and Minnesota at home, but a trip to Columbus to likely determine its Big Ten and BCS fate.

http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/sml/trans/194.gif
9. OhioState
(1,030 points, 11-2 and No. 4 in '03 final poll) The Buckeyes are as flashy as their coach's wardrobe, but winning never goes out of style. Ohio State will once again challenge for the Big Ten title because it does the little things right. It plays good defense. It doesn't make mistakes. It waits for you to get bored and do something dumb and then it takes advantage of your mistake. The Buckeyes won't score a lot this season, but they won't allow many points either thanks to a defense led by A.J. Hawk, one of the nation's top linebackers. The schedule is tough (at NC State, at Iowa, at Purdue), but they do get Michigan at home.

http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/sml/trans/2294.gif
12. Iowa
(642, 10-3 and No. 8 in '03 final poll)
The Hawkeyes never get the big love, but they are too good to be ignored. Defense, led by arguably the conference's best trio of linebackers, will key any Big Ten title run Iowa makes.

http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/sml/trans/275.gif
22. Wisconsin
(248 points, 7-6 and not ranked in '03 final poll)
Want a Heisman Trophy sleeper? Watch RB Anthony Davis. He could make a run at 2,000 yards.

http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/sml/trans/135.gif
23. Minnesota
(187 points, 10-3 and No. 17 in '03 final poll)
With a group of running backs as good as any in the conference, the Gophers could move into the upper echelon of the Big Ten.

http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/sml/trans/2509.gif
23. Purdue
(187 points, 9-4 and No. 19 in '03 final poll)
Kyle Orton is among the nation's best QBs and with a talented group of receivers around him, should put up Drew Brees-type numbers this season.

[CrewDust]

Ron Turner will looking for work by December 1st.

[CHICO13]

"The Wolverines three receivers, Poetry in Maize and Blue" :)

I like it......

[Levante]

Purdue is actually underrated this year. They have a kid who is a freshman that will make a big impact at Wide Receiver.

[fidlerre]

Regarding Ohio State ::

If Justin Zwick gets time to throw the ball and Lydell Ross gets out of his funk that he was in last year at running back the Buckeyes offense should be okay. They lost talent at Wide Receiver but with Santonio Holmes they have one of the better ones in the nation, and they have some very talented young guys. My biggest worry is how long it takes the offensive line to gel as they lost some talent up there...they are young but have better potential than the guys they are replacing, just how long will it take?

As with any team at Ohio State the past few years...it's all about defense and special teams though, and that is where the Buckeyes are strong. Nobody is going to put a whole hell of a lot of points on the board against this defense led by the best linebacking group in the nation in my mind. Hawk and Schlegel could be be All-Americans by the end of the year. And Carpenter isn't so bad either...the defesive backfield could have incredible freshman Ted Ginn Jr. in there early on, this kid is a certain difference maker.

Should be an interesting season opening with Cincinnati <coached by former OSU defensive coordinator Dantonio> and then hitting the road to take on North Carolona State. They also face Marshall before starting Big Ten play...if they can win their first three and get Zwick in a groove this could be a very, very tough team to beat.

[Detlef]

Ron Turner will looking for work by December 1st.


not necessarily, if he wins 4 games I bet he stays, although if Illinois doesn't make a bowl game he should get the sack.

[whirlwind]

I have noticed that Michigan hasn't been the greatest in the kicking department lately. What is it? Just a lack of concentration or not being able to get a good recruit? A kicker and a punter, to a lesser extent, are very important pieces to the overall puzzle. A lot more valuable that a 3rd string tailback.

I think that Gutierrez (sp) will start and look shaky early. But the time the Big Ten season starts up, he should be into his grove. I am picking Michigan to win the Big Ten this year.

I actually think Garrett Rivas will prove to be one of the best kickers UM has had, although that's not really saying much other than Mike Gilette and Ali Haji-Sheikh... although Jay Feely wasn't bad. This is traditionally a weak spot for us, though. Adam Finley is a decent punter.

Oh, and don't worry about Gutierrez. I agree he'll have some shaky moments here and there, but he'll be fine. I'm more concerned about who will replace Chris Perry at RB... don't want a committee back there.

And I'd love to see Minnesota do really well, we need a little variety in the conference. Preferably have them finish second to Michigan and go to the Outback bowl or something.

[CHICO13]

Oh, and don't worry about Gutierrez. I agree he'll have some shaky moments here and there, but he'll be fine.
What's the word on Chad Henne? The PSU fans around here are pissed the Nittany Lions let him slip thru their fingers!

[WarrenWallace]

And I'd love to see Minnesota do really well, we need a little variety in the conference. Preferably have them finish second to Michigan and go to the Outback bowl or something.
Um....no thanks. Something about playing indoors and to only 35k people a game. When Wisconsin plays at the Metrodome, it is sold out. Of course, about 40-50% of fans rooting for Wisconsin.

Past ten years how many teams gone to Rose Bowl:
Wisconsin - 3
Penn St - 1
Northwestern - 1
Ohio St - 1
Michigan - 2
Purdue - 1

That is a bit of variety. I only looked at the Rose Bowl info (cause that is the goal for every team every year). I know that some other teams went to other BCS games and that OSU won the title in 2002 season.

[Naco]

I don't think its fair to rate the Nittany Lions so low. With one play, they could've upset OSU, and could've beaten Wisconsin with a little more confidence in their play. I think they'll bounce back, especially by the end of the year, where they have it pretty easy. My .02

[WarrenWallace]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/football/ncaa/specials/preview/2004/08/05/bc.fbc.bigten.preseason.ap/index.html

The defending champion Wolverines were picked by the media Wednesday as the preseason favorite to win the Big Ten conference. Ohio State was second, and Iowa was third. Purdue quarterback Kyle Orton was the preseason pick for offensive player of the year while Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk was chosen as the defensive standout.

[Naco]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1852299

Big Ten using instant replay, with non-confrence games being able to opt in. Interesting.

[PSU92]

I don't think its fair to rate the Nittany Lions so low. With one play, they could've upset OSU, and could've beaten Wisconsin with a little more confidence in their play. I think they'll bounce back, especially by the end of the year, where they have it pretty easy. My .02

I hope you're right.

I'd be happy going 6-5 & playing in the Humanitarian Bowl.

[Toolhead]

I hope you're right.

I'd be happy going 6-5 & playing in the Humanitarian Bowl.

My how the times change, 5 years ago 6-5 was unacceptable, now 6-5 is wishful thinking. JoePa needs to retire.

[WarrenWallace]

http://espn.go.com/editors/chat/img/espn.gifTrev Alberts: (2:28 PM ET ) I really don't see more than 1 team possibly ending undefeated. It will be interesting to see how everything plays out. But the more championship games we have less undefeated teams we will have. What if USC plays OSU or Michigan and both are undefeated? You will never convince me an undefeated Big Ten team (as a general rule) is necessarily better than a one loss SEC or ACC or even Big 12 team.