BIG TEN! WOOOOOO!We've decided to add how the Big Ten did over the weekend to our weekly schedule.
Michigan vs. UMass: The Fightin' Velcros got a little scare in this game, and found themselves down 17-7 early. The Michigan Defense couldn't stop UMass' FCS attack to save their lives. Velcro once again accounted for 110% of the Wolverine's offense, and didn't get the rest that I think he needs before heading in to the Big Ten season. Rodriguez stayed true to form in riding his horse in to the ground for the win. In his defense, he had to this week. What did we learn? The defense is as bad or worse than we thought and the Offense is all Velcro all the time. Also, did you here this guy doesn't tie his shoes? It's getting about as old as the "Tom Zbikowski is a boxer which means he's tough" meme from 2005. Up Next: Bowling Green.
Minnesota vs. USC: Minnesota is continuing to fight Illinois for the coveted "worst in the Big Ten award". I was surprised that Minnesota kept it as close as they did for as long as they did, but ultimately the talent gap killed them. What did we learn? There's some fight in the dog still, but it isn't enough. Up Next: NIU.
Penn State vs. Kent State: Sure the Lions won this game, and at the end of the day that's what really matters. However, the way they won was less than impressive. The PSU offense under their freshman quarter back seems to be misfiring even against teams they should beat soundly. What'sreally surprising is the poor defensive play by the Nitts. If PSU doesn't get it together they might be a middling team in a strong Big Ten. Up Next: Temple. A team that really could give PSU a run for their money.
Illinois vs. Northern Illinois: Another game that was closer than it should have been. Illinois found themselves down early but managed to get Zooker a win. Illinois might not get a win in conference play this season, and they're fighting Minnesota for a spot in the Rotel Bowl. Up next: Bye week as they get ready to host the Buckeyes.
Purdue vs. Ball State: Closer than it should have been, but I'll chalk that up to missing one of your best, if not THE best offensive player. Marve so far hasn't impressed like I thought he would. Up next: Toledo
Indiana vs. Western Kentucky: The good: Ben Chappell threw for 3 touchdowns and over 3oo yards. The bad: Indiana's defense allowed WKU to score 14 in the 4th quarter and make the game closer than it should have been. Up next: Akron.
Wisconsin vs. Arizona State: Ol Bucky Badger seemed to be watching OSU special teams film and nearly lost a game against Sparky because of it. The Wisconsin defense only allowed one touchdown, all in all not a terrible game. They got the win, which is what matters, but they still have some things to work on. Up Next: Austin Peay.
Northwestern vs. Rice: Persa was the leading passer and leading rusher and scored 2 touchdowns. There's no drop-off from Kafka to Persa. Who's better PSU or Northwestern? Up Next: Central Michigan.
You been Persa'd.
Iowa vs. Arizona: Desert Swarm 1, Iowa's offensive line 0. The game ended on 4 straight sacks on Captain America himself. I must say, I was serverly disappointed in Iowa. Granted, the Hawkeyes haven't won a game west of the Rockies since Jimmy Carter was president, but we all know those sorts of statistics are worthless. A Big Ten loss on national TV is exactly what I didn't want to see. We learned that Stanzi still throws Stanziballs, meaning he just loves to throw touchdowns regardless of which team they're for. Also, Iowa's offensive line is in need of some help and it better come quick. Maybe this is another 2005 for Iowa, you know, when they collapsed under the weight of their own hype. Or it's just one game and these things happen. Up Next: Ball State. (Also, that Stanzi comeback stat is now void. It was only a matter of time before Iowa's version of Zwick cost them a game.)
