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Big Ten Round Table Week 8: Northwestern Wildcats
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Hug it out? That might be the only thing to cure the
blues if Northwestern loses again this weekend
(AP Photo/Al Goldis)
It's time for another meeting of the Big Ten Round Table.
And while we will look around the league again this week, no one may have more on the line than Northwestern and Indiana.
Both teams need a win against the other in order to have any hope at a bowl game as the schedules the rest of the way are not kind to either one.
My guess on that one later, but here is my take on this week's queries:
1. With the release of the first batch of BCS rankings we found Iowa come in at #6 (Penn State #13, Ohio State #19, Wisconsin #21). Is Iowa a legitimate contender for a spot in the BCS Championship game?
Given the history of the BCS, I would have to say no. While starting in the top 10 is a good sign for the Hawkeyes, it is usually very difficult to make up ground on the leaders on your own. You need help.
Plus Iowa’s schedule won’t lend itself to improving some of the computer numbers when they still have Indiana and Northwestern remaining this season. Minnesota might not help either depending on which way that program teeters.
Iowa is playing well enough right now to run the table and give it a shot, but it is more than likely that they will fall aside and be left out of the party.
2. I don't think it would be crazy to say that Purdue had the upset of the week last week in the Big Ten, but Ohio State is certainly not out of the Big Ten championship picture when you look at the standings. So the question is a take off from ESPN's Around the Horn: BUY or SELL Ohio State as a Big Ten championship contender.
SELL. Ohio State is not the team that we thought they were.
Then again I didn’t think they were that great from the beginning.
Terrelle Pryor is not the best quarterback was never a Heisman contender and isn’t even the best quarterback so far in the Big Ten.
Sure, the Buckeyes will make things interesting this season. Their next two games (against Minnesota and New Mexico State) will get everyone back on the bandwagon.
But the final three games of the year will be murder for Ohio State. Between Penn State, Iowa and Michigan, count on maybe a single win which would effectively leave the Buckeyes for dead.
3. Time to take the pulse of the Examiners. Who wins the Big Ten when the season is over?
See, this is tough. I want to stick to my guns. I want to say Penn State.
But Iowa seems to be rolling right now…
Nah, screw it.
WE ARE… PENN STATE!
4. Which Big Ten team should be on the highest upset alert this Saturday? Penn State travels to Michigan, Iowa visits Michigan State, and Ohio State hosts Minnesota. Feel free to pick any of these three games or if you so feel the need the Indiana-Northwestern or Illinois-Purdue games.
Look out Iowa. You have never won eight in a row to start the season and Michigan State is starting to cook again.
Plus the Spartans are home. You don’t have the friendly Kinnick Stadium crowd on your side this week.
It is always a little iffy to pick the Spartans in a big one. They have a tendency to go “GUH!” But I am going to take my chances.
Michigan State 24, Iowa 21
5. As always, how will the team you cover do this weekend?
Oh Northwestern, how the mighty have fallen.
It was another lackluster week against Michigan State, and it just didn’t seem there was a play that could be called to give the Wildcats the edge.
Now, Northwestern is forced to win against Indiana in order to keep its bowl hopes alive.
And despite previous incarnations of the Hoosiers, this team does not go quietly. Too bad that Northwestern hasn’t put anyone to sleep this season yet except for their own fans.
Still, the Wildcats seem determined to get back to a bowl game, even though it now looks likely they won’t change their weather prospects during December.
That means a win for the purple and four chances left to get a single win.
Northwestern 21, Indiana 16
For more info: Other Round Table answers: Penn State Nittany Lions, Wisconsin Badgers, Iowa Hawkeyes
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