People are strange. Analysts are already grumbling that Ohio State shouldn't be considered for a Playoff berth because they had to cancel their game against Maryland, essentially punishing them for something that was NOT THEIR FAULT! Remember, it was COVID ravaging the Maryland team that required that cancellation. I guess the Big Ten haters are so concerned about Justin Fields and the Buckeyes, that they would stand a good chance of winning the championship, that they want to block them from participating, like President Trump tried to block key demographics and districts from voting in the past election. Trump's scheme failed, and I hope this scheme fails, too.
Especially since Ohio State is the only sense of normalcy we have in the conference this season. The perennial powerhouse is at (or near, depending on the ranking) the top of the conference, while perennial contenders Michigan, Michigan State, and Penn State find themselves at or near the bottom. Furthermore, common cellar-dwellers Indiana and Purdue are excelling.
Team Power Rankings [Last week's position]
1. Ohio State Buckeyes (3-0) [1] : They may not have played, but the power they showed in their first three games keep them on top
2. Indiana Hoosiers (4-0) [2] : Shutting out Michigan State adds to their power ranking, and sets up an interesting face-off against Ohio State this week.
3. Wisconsin Badgers (2-0) [3] : The Badgers returned from coronoavirus quarantine with no rust to kick off, and thoroughly manhandled Michigan (granted, not a difficult thing to do this season!)
4. Northwestern Wildcats (4-0) [4] : The Wildcats have perhaps the stiffest defense in the conference outside the state of Ohio. Who says defense doesn't win games anymore? Watch the Wildcats to learn otherwise.
5. Iowa Hawkeyes (2-2) [7] : The Hawkeyes followed up their dominance of Michigan State with a complete drubbing of Minnesota. After two slow weeks, the Hawkeyes are up to speed, and certainly pose a serious threat to their remaining opponents.
6. Maryland Terrapins (2-1) [6] : We are not sure if the Terrapins will play this week, so this position may not be safe.
7. Purdue Boilermakers (2-1) [5] : The Boilermakers suffered their first loss of the season as they couldn't find rhythm against the stifling Wildcats defense.
8. Nebraska Cornhuskers (1-2) [12] : The Cornhuskers won their first game of the season in further shaming the winless (and hapless) Nittany Lions.
9. Minnesota Golden Gophers (1-3) [8] : After being thoroughly trounced by Iowa, the Gophers should really fall further than one position, but I'm keeping them above Illinois, who they beat handily, in case this week's performance by the Illini was a one-shot. However, it definitely appears that the Gophers are on the way down.
10. Illinois Fighting Illini (1-3) [14] : The Illini won their first game of the season as their backup quarterback turned into their best runner, and ran all over Rutgers. They needed a quarter and a half to get on track, but once they did the Scarlet Knights couldn't control them. With players returning to the roster this week, the Illini just might get better.
11. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (1-3) [9] : Rutgers hasn't looked good since their Week 1 upset over Michigan State. Given what the Spartans have looked like in all of their games except the rivalry game against Michigan, maybe Rutgers isn't so hot after all.
12. Michigan Wolverines (1-3) [10] : Another team who hasn't looked good since Week 1, there are grumblings that Jim Harbaugh should be fired. That might motivate the team, as the players seem to love him.
13. Michigan State Spartans (1-3) [11] : Yup, the Michigan game was simply a fluke
14. Penn State Nittany Lions (0-4) [13] : Penn State at the bottom of the conference? They are the only winless team, and they look more confused every week.
Week 5 picks
Friday
Purdue Boilermakers at Minnesota Golden Gophers : Though you wonder if the beat-down experienced by Iowa will motivate the Gophers, they will be playing without some key players, out due to either injury or COVID concerns. A tattered Gophers team seems the perfect foil for the Boilermakers. PURDUE by six
Saturday
At this point, it is uncertain whether the Maryland game will be played. If so, it will likely be played at 3:30PM EST, so I have inserted it where it belongs.
Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio State Buckeyes : The day kicks off with perhaps the best and most competitive game of the day! If Indiana hopes that the week off will make the Buckeyes rusty, it is a futile hope. The Hoosiers have a dynamic offense, but their defense doesn't quite match up, and the Buckeyes offense is the strongest and fastest in the conference. Indiana's speed has given the Buckeyes defense some trouble in the past, and I expect the Hoosiers to keep this game close, but the Buckeyes have a very physical defense that will eventually wear down the Hoosiers in the fourth quarter. OHIO STATE by eight
Illinois Fighting Illini at Nebraska Cornhuskers : Both teams scored their first victory last week. For Illinois, it was through an expanded use of their back-up quarterback, who should see action even though the starter is back from coronoavirus quarantine. Rotating the quarterbacks should help the Illini, as each plays in a different fashion, and the Nebraska defense hasn't shown themselves too capable of adapting this season. ILLINOIS by six
Wisconsin Badgers at Northwestern Wildcats : A second battle of unbeaten teams which isn't quite as exciting as the first game of the day. Shouldn't be as close, either. The Wildcats have a potent defense, but the Badgers have multiple offensive weapons, and a quickness that the Wildcats haven't faced yet. WISCONSIN by twelve
Iowa Hawkeyes at Penn State Nittany Lions : The Hawkeyes have found their stride and their offense is clicking, much to the chagrin of the Nittany Lions. IOWA by 16
Michigan State Spartans at Maryland Terrapins : If this game happens, it's a chance for Maryland to get back on track. I think the Spartans have completely derailed, especially on their normally-exalted defense. With the strength of the Maryland offense, that will put Michigan State behind early, and keep them there. MARYLAND by 24
Michigan Wolverines at Rutgers Scarlet Knights : The cries for coach Jim Harbaugh's head might be just the motivating factor that these players need. After all, most of the troubles with this team have been mental mistakes -- dropped passes, missed coverages, and offensive penalties. The team will be playing for their coach's job, and that might just be enough motivation for them to concentrate on their task and get the job done. MICHIGAN by six
No comments:
Post a Comment