It’s kind of ironic to think that a team that made it to the BCS and lost actually gained respect, but in my book, that’s exactly what the Ohio State Buckeyes did. Yes, they lost a huge game to the Texas Longhorns, and yes, they gave them too much time at the end of the game, but other than the last drive of the game, the Buckeyes played stellar ball and gave Colt McCoy every bit he could handle. I am proud of being a Big Ten fan despite going 1-6 in the bowl season, and much of it is in due part to this game.

So call me a loser, call me someone who is relishing in defeat, but I look at it as a silver lining–Ohio State was given no chance in this game, not even by myself who supports the conference. But what they did was make every BCS promoter sweat until Quan Crosby crossed the goal line with less than 30 seconds left to give the Longhorns the victory.

Jim Tressel had them guessing–rotating Todd Boeckman and Terrelle Pryor? Putting Pryor at receiver? Those are things you just don’t normally do in a huge bowl, but that’s exactly what Tressel did, and the Ohio State defense rattled McCoy almost the entire first half and if it wasn’t for a huge adjustment that Mack Brown did in putting a hurry up offense in the second half that knocked the defense off balance, you may have been reading a different headline to this. Because that’s what it took to win the game over the Buckeyes–the Longhorns couldn’t beat them straight up, and had to adjust considerably from what they had done in the first half–which is ok, that’s what good teams do. But no one expected that McCoy and Co. would have to do as much to get the W.

Pryor was outstanding in an all-purpose way, the defense showed poise, Boeckman gained back the confidence he had lost, Beanie Wells looked solid, it was just a simple drive that beat the Buckeyes, and I know everyone will say “well if they were that good they should have won…” and you’re right. But to be sitting in bed watching this game to the final tics was enthralling and exhilirating to me.

Ohio State has nothing to be ashamed of; they came back from adversity and played their hearts out. It just didn’t turn out the way they really wanted it to in the end.

So after all that bellyaching about the Big Ten being weak, here we are with two teams in the BCS. Take that haters!

…or something….

Not that I am actually “proud” of this. Mostly because the Big Ten has only posted 1 freakin’ victory in the postseason and hasn’t really played all that great in between or been close to winning other games (other than Northwestern). So, do the Buckeyes have any chance? Read on, read on…

Looking at the Buckeyes schedule for 2008, they played 7 bowl teams, which in itself is something to not just scoff about…until it is seen that only 1 of those teams won in the postseason, which kind of HAD to happen since two were playing against each other (USC and Penn State). And the one that won that game–the mighty Trojans–shellacked OSU earlier in the year. Yeah, yeah, I know–that was without Terrelle Pryor manning the team and Beanie Wells wasn’t…well, just wasn’t. But to get smacked around 35-3 by anyone shows holes in your team–and coaching.

Which brings us to our next point; Mr. Jim Tressel, who has been kicked, spit on, chewed up, spit out, defecated on, and everything short of being called a good coach with the media and the anti-Big Ten football fans. He can’t win against good teams; his game plans are too predictable; he can’t compete outside of the Midwest. Well, that’s not so much the case as everyone would like to think, but there’s something to be said for the butt-whoopings he’s taken in the past 2 national championships to make you think–is Ohio State all that and a bag of chips?

Well, if you ask any Big 12 fan, they would actually answer you “No” after giggling hysterically for about 10 minutes. And again, it comes down to looking at the overall scheme throughout the country–the Big 12 and SEC are clearly the conferences that have withstood all comers, although the Pac 10 has made a good name of itself in the bowls. And while Pryor is a good QB with the “double threat” capabilities, there isn’t any player better in that aspect than the Texas QB Colt McCoy, who not only threw for 32 TDs and threw for almost 3500 yards, but ran wild with 576 yards and 10 TDS.

The Texas defense is good–allowing only 18 pts per game for the year in the score-happy Big 12. Ohio State gave up 13 per game which is a great stat, but we all know the scoring prowess for the Big 10 isn’t exactly staggering.

So, let’s just say it like it is…Texas is definitely the better team here, and with the odds sitting at the Longhorns being favored by 8 and a great majority of people betting this, it’s clear that I am not the only one with this sentiment. I hate to say it, but this brings to end a dismal showing overall for our fave conference, folks. And none too sooner. (Get it?)

The Big Tenet’s Prediction: Texas Longhorns 31 Ohio State 14

Remember Kansas? The cinderella from last year’s NCAA football season that didn’t go so quietly into the night? Well, they are back in the bowl season, and while the Insight Bowl was for sure below their hopes, it still gives them postseason promise for a school that is rock-chalk basketball all the way around. Continue making bowls and we will have to–gasp–consider Kansas an all-purpose school!

Minnesota, on the other hand, had a chance to play the same role that Kansas did last year, streaking out to an amazing 7-1 record with their sole loss to perennial Big Ten bully Ohio State. But then, seemingly with one fluke play, the Golden Gophers’ wheels fell off. Northwestern’s interception which gave the Wildcats the win almost knocked the full wind out of Minnesota and they then went on to lost 4 straight, backing into the Insight Bowl bid. While this team was still higher than almost everyone’s expectations after going 1-11 the previous year, after starting that hot, a 7-5 regular season finish was definitely disappointing to Big Ten fans and especially Gopher fanatics.

Looking at Minnesota’s schedule for the year, the 7-5 record shows the following statistics: all 7 wins were against teams that didn’t make bowls, and 4 of 5 were to teams that did. So, one could really surmise that while Minnesota is competitive, when facing an increased level of competition, the Gophers aren’t quite ready to face the national scene.  While it can be said that losing Duane Bennett for the season mid-October certainly hurt, the curious case of Adam Weber still has me scratching my head.  A double threat last year, his rushing yards this year were a third of what they were in 07-08. Now, something can be said for the fact that Weber had very little to hand off to last year, but you would think that it would then translate to more passing yards than the year before; this is not the case, and Weber has thrown 10 less TDs than during the 1-11 campaign. Sure, he cut down his interceptions, but through the last three games where the Gophers have gotten beat, his line:

Michigan, Loss 29-6: 105 passing yards, 0 TDS, 1 INT

Wisconsin, Loss 35-32: 202-3-1

Iowa, Loss 55-0: 127-0-2

That’s just plain awful. In order for Minnesota to have any chance versus the Jayhawks, Weber will need to step up and give Mr. Everything Eric Decker the chance to really show his stuff.They should have plenty of chances to do so against Kansas, which ranked 114th in passing yards allowed.

Kansas finished 7-5 as well, and only 1 of their wins came against a bowl team, while all 5 of their losses were to bowl teams. The Jayhawks are lead by Todd Reesing, Jake Sharp, and Dezmon Briscoe, who are QB, RB, and WR respectively, to form an offensive juggernaut that is 8th in the nation in terms of passing yards and averages nearly 33 points a game. While the Big 12 isn’t exactly a defensive stalwart of a conference, it’s still notable.  The ‘Hawks come into the Insight on a high note, eeking out Missouri 40-37 to take Auntie Mo’ on to their team in this match up of 7-5 teams.

While on paper this game looks decently matched, the Jayhawks are currently a 9 point favorite and people are betting very heavy on Kansas to cover the spread. I concur. Minnesota is certainly a good team and has impressed me, but they are way overmatched in this game.

The Big Tenet’s prediction: Kansas 41, Minnesota 24

By the accounts of the polls, Northwestern is ranked #20 and Missouri #23. So the Wildcats should win, right? Not so fast my friend. In fact, this could end up being one of the more lopsided contests in the 2008-09 bowl season. Sorry to sound so glum off the bat, but it is what it is.

Missouri, by most accounts, was a legitimate national title contender through the first several games of the season. With Heisman Trophy candidate Chase Daniel at the helm and arguably one of the best receivers in the country in Jeremi Maclin, the Tigers were primed to hang with the other teams in the Big 12. Problem was that while Mizzou was a very good team, many of the other teams made such huge strides in the talent department that it proved to be a lethal combination in Missouri’s season; considering that their 4 losses were against Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, and Kansas, 3 of those 4 losses were against teams that were ranked in the top 5 at one time and 1 that is playing in the national title game. Sure, they got bombed in the Big 12 title game, but that doesn’t underscore how good this team is.

Boy, it sure seems like I am a Big 12 fan, doesn’t it?

Well, I am not. I am a Big Ten fan. And if anyone has been following my posts this year, you know that I have great admiration and respect for the Northwestern Wildcats.  In fact, one may surmise that I am always crushing on Pat Fitzgerald’s crew.  C.J. Bacher is still a very good QB, but his stats are a fraction of what they were the year previous, and he only has 14 TDs and 14 INTs. Not exactly the ratio that a coach likes. Yes, he had some injury issues, but that is an issue in itself.  Losing Tyrell Sutton for the season was devastating to the overall offensive scheme since he kept defenses honest. Granted, the Wildcats are 9-3 and own wins against Minnesota, Iowa, and…..ummmm…..uhhh…Illinois? Michigan? Yeah…that’s about it.  Considering that NW didn’t even play Penn State or Wisconsin and lost to the other 2 top teams by a combined 82-30, the 9-3 record doesn’t look so shiny.

Missouri is currently a 12 point favorite and the money is hot and heavy after the Tigers. I wouldn’t be surprised if the ending line is well over 2 TD by gametime….and they should cover this with ease.

The Big Tenet’s prediction: Missouri 42 Northwestern 21

Random thoughts about the season openers for several schools, in no particular order:

• The jury is still out on Wisconsin’s QB situation. Allan Evridge seemed confident out there, and he completed 70% of his passes with a TD! Oh wait, he only threw 10 passes all game. Handing off to P.J. Hill continuously without fumbling was perhaps Evridge’s greatest achievement.
• What Kellen Lewis situation? The QB performed brilliantly against a decent Western Kentucky team, running for near 200 yards and passing for 2 scores. I am sure that Crimson and Cream fans are grinning this morning.
• Michigan State is the model for “close but no cigar”. The seven point loss to Cal marked the sixth straight game in which the Spartans lost the game by a TD or less. It also marked the 10th straight loss MSU has had to a Pac 10 team. Ouch.
• Minnesota’s defense is still suspect. I know Illinois gave up monster yardage to Missouri and MSU didn’t fare much better against Cal, but the Golden Gophers gave up nearly 400 yards to Northern Illinois? Minnesota wasn’t supposed to make a huge turnaround defensively, but coach Tim Brewster has to be concerned.
• Penn State’s running game seems downright scary. Ohio State, Michigan State, and Wisconsin came in with the pub, but Penn State came out with the stats–334 yards on the ground, with 5 guys getting 60 yards or more. Evan Royster only got 8 touches, but 3 TDs–now that’s a good day.
• Yes, I know it was supposed to be a blowout, but you have to give some recognition to the Iowa defense, who limited the Maine offense to 220 total yards, a field goal, 2 picks, and only 83 yards in the air. The Hawkeye defense is young but definitely looks pretty solid.
• Michigan’s running game looks pathetic. Going into the game, many were questioning the QB situation, and while Rich Rodriguez used a platoon situation, they still didn’t do terrible, but when you consider that Brandon Minor led the team with 21 yards on the ground and his longest gain was 21 yards…ummm…yeah….you get the picture.
• Did Northwestern throw more than they needed to? C.J. Bacher tossed the pigskin 35 times, but his running game was blowing up huge numbers behind him, with almost 270 yards on the day total. I don’t get it…but me suspects some stat-padding.
• As far as the biggest dissapointments from Week 1, Javon Ringer is up there, but he also faced a great defense–but people won’t look at Arrelious Benn’s numbers (7 catches for 92 yards) and think that he had a bad game–but believe me, he could have done so much more for the Illini versus an exposed Missouri secondary. He seemed like he was just going through the motions out there and dropped several passes. He better get his act together if the Illini are to bounce back in big games.
• I would not be surprised to see Utah get a bunch of votes for the Top 25. Not that they don’t deserve it, but the “aura” that Michigan carries with them everywhere will now have bandwagoners jumping on the Utes for simply going into Ann Arbor and winning. This isn’t your father’s Wolverine team.

Well, that’s enough for now. I could go on for several more bullet points, but….I digress….

This was supposed to be a game where basically the winner would have an inside line on a great season. While this game wouldn’t necessarily be the toughest either would have, the fact that the week 1 match up was as tough as you could look for as a non-conference game where both teams had a chance to win, this was certainly on many sportscaster’s minds this week.

After I watched it, I have one thing to say–Wow. Read the rest of this entry »

The Illinois Fighting Illini and the Missouri Tigers have played against each other for years in basketball and it’s always been a fast and furious “Border War”. In football, however, it always hasn’t been even consistent in terms of playing each other and even when they did, the programs weren’t always as hyped as the basketball teams seemed to be year in and year out. Well, with the way things have been going as of late for both schools on the gridiron, we could very well be seeing one of the best nonconference matchups in the country quickly taking form as the years will go by.

Last year, no one would have been able to guess that the season opener would end up being having 2 teams that would be BCS contenders. In what was a game where the score seemed a lot closer than the game really was for the majority, Missouri pulled off a win in St. Louis behind star-in-the-making Chase Daniel. Even though last year a major comeback was lead by Eddie McGee, who replaced Juice Williams deep into the game, Williams really established himself over last season as one of the Big Ten’s premier quarterbacks. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s not really groundbreaking news, but at least in the article by FoxSports they note that solid seasons from the middle rung teams like Penn State, Michigan State, and Purdue could push the Big Ten up to number three in the country. Read the rest of this entry »

Jessie Palmer didn’t mince words. He came right out in an interview with Ohio State coach Jim Tressel. The transcript went as follows…

Palmer: “The Big Ten went 3-5 in bowl games last year. Ohio State obviously has lost the last two national championship games. What do you say to critics out there who say the Big Ten is a weak conference?”

Tressel: “Well, I think anyone that’s ever played against the Big Ten would refute that. The Big Ten is not a weak conference; it’s a strong conference.” Read the rest of this entry »

I think in order to make things more streamlined and formative, I am going to start doing some frequent posting that encapsulates different items on certain days in order for fluidity to the site. That being said, here is what my schedule will be going forward per conference:

Monday-Big Ten

Tuesday-Pac 10

Wednesday-ACC

Thursday-Big East

Friday-Big 12

Saturday-SEC

Sunday-All others

In these daily capsules, I will have different posts discussing the previous week’s events, news, and future discussions about the teams and conferences themselves (not limiting to specific sports). I will also post on news events as they transpire with my two, or three cents, maybe even a dollar’s worth. For those of you out there that would like to have a discussion on a certain topic, shoot an email my way and I’ll be happy to give it a shot.

Thanks for your support of the site and I look forward to getting started on this!

Tim AKA “The Athletic Supporter”