3 Burning Questions About The Big Ten And College Football

This combo is dangerous.

The Big Ten wrapped up its' inaugural Championship game this past weekend in Indianapolis as the Wisconsin Badgers squeaked by the Michigan St. Spartans in a thriller. The game was a classic back-and-forth contest that featured numerous lead changes, stellar running back play and some big hits that are commonplace here in the Midwest. I thought it was a great showcase game for the Big Ten which allowed our great conference to remain in the discussion one precious week later than years past. I believe that extra exposure was instrumental in getting the conference 2 BCS bids for yet another year even when it appeared the Big Ten was a little down this season. It didn't hurt that the game was a barn burner as well.

As I sat watching the game unfold in the Mandalay Bay sports book in fabulous Las Vegas on Saturday, I pondered some questions to discuss for Inside the Shoe. Is Wisconsin the right team to represent the Big Ten in the Rose Bowl this year? Did Michigan deserve to get a BCS bid? Does Monte Ball deserve to be a finalist for the Heisman? Finally, why did I bet football parlays instead of just sticking to the Blackjack table? I have definitive answers for the first three but am still dumbfounded by putting my hard earned Blackjack money on College Football. Lesson learned I suppose so let's get back to football rather than discuss my foolish betting practices. Early on this season Wisconsin looked as if it could waltz into the National Championship game with ease. They were destroying opponents with the running game and signed..err gained access to a stud quarterback without having to wait a year.

Recap: Ohio State 33, Wisconsin 29

Devin Smith for the win

After the first half of the season came and went with anxiety, disappointment and many second half collapses, Ohio State (5-3, 2-2) finally came out on top over a quality opponent, and did it in style. The Wisconsin Badgers (7-2, 3-2) fell to the Buckeyes on another Hail Mary play, for the second straight week. Of course, Russell Wilson had a chance at the end with about 20 ticks on the clock, but couldn't complete a pass although Nick Toon came up very close twice. When you look back on Ohio State in 2011, this may be the turning point on a chaotic season. If Ohio State wins out, the Buckeyes will be facing the inaugural B1G Championship Game in Indianapolis. This game was by far OSU's toughest test of the season, and perhaps one of the most important games as far as trying to maintain a sense of Big Ten superiority.

The two Big Ten losses the Buckeyes have suffered have come at the hands of Nebraska and Michigan State, both who are in the Legends division, while Ohio State and Wisconsin both fall under the Leaders division. There were so many key moments in this game, and for OSU to upset a rival like the Badgers was huge for confidence in true freshman Braxton Miller and the rest of this young Buckeye squad down this last stretch of games, including 2 key match-ups in November: Penn State, and at Michigan.

Preview: Ohio State vs. #15 Wisconsin

Bucky is invading the 'Shoe

The Buckeyes host the Badgers at 8 PM EST tomorrow night at the 'Shoe, and have had 2 weeks to prepare for this battle. Along the way, OSU officials have said that they will be honoring Eddie George at halftime, and they want a "Scarlet Out" to occur among the fans.

Wisconsin (6-1, 2-1) comes into this match up after falling to an instant classic Hail Mary play at the hands of the Michigan State Spartans. Ohio State (4-3, 1-2) got off with a BYE week, and had extra time to prepare a course of attack against this underrated Badger defense. The last time the Buckeyes played, was when they upset then undefeated 6-0 Illinois, which has lost it's past two games, including the one to Ohio State. OSU's ability to run the ball might be in danger tonight, for Bret Bielema is no fool, and will try and make Braxton Miller throw the ball again tonight.

National CFB Games This Weekend

I've got to get myself to do this every week, I keep forgetting. Oh well, we all know I would have picked correctly anyway. At least that's what I tell myself to keep myself from crying every night.

Last Week's Record: 0-0
Season Record: 9-4 (69% correct thus far)

Texas Tech Red Raiders (4-2, 1-2) at #3 Oklahoma Sooners (6-0, 3-0), 8 PM EST, ABC/ESPN3
The Red Raiders are a pretty decent team this year, and have aspirations of upsetting the course of the Sooners way to the Big 12 championship game. The Sooners most likely won't have too much difficulty as they are in Norman, but anything can happen. Prediction: Oklahoma Wins 44-21

North Carolina Tar Heels (5-2, 1-2) at #9 Clemson Tigers (7-0, 4-0), 12 PM EST, ESPN/ESPN3
Tajh Boyd and the rest of the Tigers came back against Maryland last week after being down 18. Twice. Yes, really. North Carolina had some good momentum, but stepped on their feet, and dropped from our BlogPoll rankings. If they can upset the Tigers, I would be surprised. Prediction: Clemson Wins 31-21

#22 Washington Huskies (5-1, 3-0) at #4 Stanford Cardinal (6-0, 4-0), 8 PM EST, ABC/ESPN3
If you're a Cardinal fan and you're upset that the Cardinal has dropped a couple spots in the AP Poll because of a weak schedule, here's why: Washington is one of 2 games that is truly important for Stanford when it comes down to the BCS. The other? Oregon. If you're a Huskie fan, you've got to be impressed with how well this team is doing, and are hoping for a huge upset. Prediction: Stanford Wins 24-10

Heisman Watch: Week 7

I have a hard time believing that it's already Week 7 of the 2011 season. With many more games to be played, though, the season is still going strong. Add to the fact that the Big 10 and Pac 12 have conference championship games, and that just adds another week to the great games to watch. Of course, with every big game, there are big names and stars. Those stars compete all season long to try and win the Heisman trophy every year. This year there is no household name like Cam Newton, or Troy Smith. It's anyone's game, and here are the standings right now, per stiffarmtrophy.com.

5. Kellen Moore, Quarterback, Boise State, Previous Rank (On ITS): #3 - Kellen Moore and his squad have done just as well these past couple of weeks as they did against Georgia (whose stock continues to rise after a 3 game-win streak). Unfortunately, the Broncos face only 1 last test, and even then, the TCU Horned Frogs aren't going to provide much strength of schedule the way they've been playing. If the Bronco's want another chance at a title, they have to win out, and win out in the most impressive fashion. Moore just needs to do what he does best. This season he is 125/169 (73% pass completion percentage) for 1,391 yards and 17 touchdowns. Don't think for a second this is just another gun-it-down-field type of offense. No, Doug Martin, the Bronco's lead back has 422 yards. 

4. Trent Richardson, Running Back, Alabama, Previous Rank (On ITS): #4 - Trent Richardson is having another monster season, but still not able to pull off a "landslide" of voters. This could be because of all the other stars, but Richardson himself is on an undefeated squad that is without a doubt one of the best teams in the country. With an impressive 729 yards on 115 carries this season, one of the only questions that remain to see if Richardson is the real deal is how he does against the best teams, and defenses, in the country. Can he gash LSU like he has against other teams? Only time will tell, but if he does you can bet that Richardson will be among the top players considered by season's end.

The Road Ahead: A Breakdown of The 2011 Ohio State Schedule

Buckeyes know it's time to get rolling.

Ed. Note: First posted at Off Tackle Empire.


When Ohio State fans took in the excellent, 12-1, Sugar Bowl Champions season, they had no idea what they were in for during the spring and heading into the summer. The worst nightmare possible, Jim Tressel stepping down, was coupled with Terrelle Pryor leaving a year early, and the notice of allegations from the NCAA. With the official doomsday coming in August, this summer has been a gloomy one for Ohio State.

So what of the rest of the Scarlet and gray-clad Buckeyes?  Without Treselball, the offense (and defense) have been left to the assistant coach Luke Fickell. Now a head coach of a talent-laden Buckeye squad, the questions arise. Who will start at Quarterback? What's the offensive gameplan? Is Fickell even prepared to take a job like this? Buckeye fans across the country are skeptic at best to see how the 2011 Ohio State football team will fare. Let's take a look at the schedule and break each game down, and see what the road ahead looks like.