Random Big 10 thoughts

[BobbyBlueChip]

Some random Big 10 thoughts that I wanted to get down on paper before watching the games interferes with my handicapping ability. . Play 'em, fade 'em, laugh at 'em or whatever

Ohio State

The conference is theirs to lose, but at Iowa won't be easy. . . Their nat'l title hopes depend on whether or not Tressel can can coach an explosive team that doesn't have a solid D. . . Troy Smith's maturation into a stud QB came at the expense of the suspect D's of ND, Illini, Minny and Indiana and his insistence that he is not a running QB will hurt the team. . .

Iowa

OLine is going to be a strength as always . . . 23-6 as a HF under Ferentz . . . 19-10 ATS after a SU loss under Ferentz . . .Run Defense always a strength and LB's won't be terribly downgraded from last year. . . Tate's going to have to bring along an inexperienced WR corp early in the year

Michigan

Could be 12-0 or 5-7 depending on outcome of ND game . . . The big house not as intimidating . . . So many changes (Coordinators, offensive mindset, linemen dropping weight) may be good in the long term, but may mean Carr's job in the short term . . . Bet with the streaks with this team.

Purdue

2005 Season got away from them and they've never been good when good things are expected . . . Painter as starter at QB was 3-2 ATS even though team 3-7-1 ATS . . . Tiller 29-17-2 as HF, 3-14-1 as AU . . . RB "issues" minimized by OL returning starters . . .

Penn State

Entirely different type of QB, but no major changes will be made to the offense. . . Dline and secondary weaker. . . the talent is young and they should be good by the end of the year, but ND, OSU and Michigan are all before 10/15 . . .

Michigan State

Always picked to be a sleeper and always disappoint . . . JUCO influx not going to be a good thing for a JL Smith coached team. . . 5-15 SU record in November last 6 years . . . Oline weakness will hamper Stanton

Wisconsin

Will continue to be ugly and solid . . . Calhoun was only playmaker, but OLine will keep offense servicable and defense should be a strength . . .

Northwestern

Basanez departure won't have the impact that is expected, Wildcats are primarily a running team . . . They have a great Oline and two above average RB's . . . Defense may even be worse this year

Indiana

Have let up 5+ yards/carry every year since 2002 . . . Wasn't competitive against the elite, but beat every team they could have last year . . .

Minnesota

RB's have bailed out Cupito since he was a frosh . . . 2 Returning OL . . . Defense below average . . . Mason 33-20 as fav

Illinois

Talent has been upgraded, gameplanning has been downgraded since Turner left . . . Team absolutely quit late last year, surprising for a first-year coach . . . possible statement games are on the road

Overall
Offensive lines are much better than defensive lines in this conference, expect early conference games to go over

Matchups that look good now

Iowa vs. Purdue - Ferentz off possible SU loss against Tiller on road following SU loss

Penn State vs. Michigan State - Lions coming into their own late season against a John L Smith team whose coaches are looking for work

Illinois vs. Michigan State - Illinois needs a big win this season. Michigan State may have a letdown if they beat ND

California vs. Minnesota - Minnesota learns that California isn't the schleps that are usually on their NC schedule

Northwestern vs. Miami (Oh) - NW shows that Basanez isn't missed

 

[AR182]

bbc...

very nice write-ups....

ohio state will be very explosive this year & if their defense plays well they should be in the title hunt.

i see a few touts are picking purdue as a surprise team...so i'll be interested in seeing how they rebound.

i really think what keeps mich. down is their coach..i'll be interested in seeing how they do inspite of him...

3 of my favorite coaches are in the big 10...

paterno, tressel, & ferentz so will be looking forward to the big 10...

good luck this year.

 

[thom24ad]

Great post BBC...

I agree with most of your thoughts...Iowa is going to be really tough for OSU on the road at night...Iowa will be a great home-dog bet in that game...and your right about MSU always a disappointment but I think this team goes 9-3 this season and will cover a lot of games due to their offense...Mich is a tough team to call but Carr is feeling the heat and another 7-5 season is not going to cut it...riding the steak is good advice...thanks for the write-up

 

[BobbyBlueChip]

i see a few touts are picking purdue as a surprise team....

I thought I was the only sharpie. Wouldn't surprise me this year if they shared a title with 2 losses.

I was really excited for the Big 10 season last year, but everyone but the Buckeyes, Penn State and N'Western forgot to show up. Hopefully it will be entertaining and I can put a few bucks in my pocket.

 

[bigdad2]

Some random Big 10 thoughts that I wanted to get down on paper before watching the games interferes with my handicapping ability. . Play 'em, fade 'em, laugh at 'em or whatever


Northwestern vs. Miami (Oh) - NW shows that Basanez isn't missed

I'd be careful with this game given that Randy Walker was a player and HC for Miami before going to Northwestern. Miami is planning a ceremony before kickoff, at halftime and after the game. It will definitely be an emotional game on both sides of the field and a nice game to start the college season (actually BC vs. CMU is first but who is counting...)

 

[bigdad2]

Updated: Aug. 18, 2006, 12:25 PM ET
Miami of Ohio, Northwestern to honor WalkerESPN.com news services


Miami of Ohio will honor alumnus Randy Walker before it plays Northwestern on Aug. 31.

Walker, who played and coached at the Oxford, Ohio, school before becoming head coach of Northwestern, died June 29 after feeling chest pains late that night at his suburban Chicago home.

"Coach Walker's contributions will forever be felt throughout Oxford, Miami, Northwestern, the NCAA and within the many lives impacted by his magnificent energy, creativity, intelligence, competitiveness and sincerity," Miami athletics director Brad Bates said.

Former Miami head coaches, Bill Mallory and Dick Crum, are among the speakers scheduled for the ceremony in the Cradle of Coaches Plaza beyond the south end zone. Mallory, who coached at Miami from 1969-73, recruited Walker and coached him for two seasons. Crum, who served as head coach at Miami from 1974-77 coached Walker during his junior and senior season and hired him as an assistant coach at both Miami and North Carolina.

A plaque will commemorate Walker's contributions to Miami University and the game of college football. It will be the first plaque to adorn the plaza, which was constructed to honor the many great football coaches who have passed through Miami.

Players from both teams will wear a sticker on their helmets that denotes Walker's Miami playing number 41 in red and nickname "Walk" in purple.

Walker came to Miami as a standout tailback, where he excelled from 1973-75 in a program that went 32-1-1 while winning three straight Mid-American Conference and Tangerine Bowl titles. He returned to Miami as head coach in 1990, where he was 59-35-5.

He arrived at Northwestern in 1999 after nine years at Miami of Ohio.

Northwestern was 37-46 under Walker. The Wildcats were 7-5 last season after a 50-38 loss to UCLA in the Sun Bowl. The Wildcats shared the Big Ten title in 2000 and went to the Alamo Bowl. Northwestern also went to the 2003 Motor City Bowl.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.