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Big Ten Round Table Week 3: Northwestern Wildcats
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A celebration that should never have been needed
has the Northwestern Wildcats on upset alert against
Syracuse (AP Photo/David Banks)
There is just no pleasing some people.
The Big Ten managed an 8-3 record last week, and still media pundits everywhere decried the league as over-rated.
The statement has some truth to it. In the games that received national attention, the Big Ten went 2-2. Even that required last minute heroics by Michigan and Wisconsin to accomplish, not to mention a late collapse by what was supposed to be one of the league’s best defenses in Ohio State.
The conference as a whole made strides, but there is still a bitter taste in your mouth when you think of how close other teams came to turning 8-3 into 4-7.
In this week’s long-winded Big Ten Round Table, the Examiners take a look at some history, the coming week’s action and the conference leading contender for the National Championship.
1. The Big Ten lost two games to the Pac 10 last weekend so some criticism of the conference is bound to happen. Is the Big Ten as far off as the national pundits would have you think?
First off, you have to dismiss the Purdue game. There was little reason to believe that the Boilermakers would give Oregon a game like they did headed into the week. The fact that they were as close as they were says more about the guts of that team than the league as a whole. Losing that one didn’t make a difference in the “official” standing of the conference.
The Ohio State loss does hurt though. Here was one of the recognized leaders of the conference and they couldn’t hold on with what was supposed to be one of the top defenses, and they were facing a freshman quarterback at that.
The conference is probably not as far back as it would seem, but the overall youth and inexperience does hurt. In two years, it may not be an issue as a lot of the talent that is obviously evident in the league matures.
But right now, there are going to be lumps, and unfortunately the Ohio State loss could leave a concussion.
2. The Big Ten Network recently did a special on the top running backs of the 1990's. Penn State's Ki-Jana carter and Curtis Ennis took the top two spots, ranking ahead of Heisman Trophy winners Eddie George and Ron Dayne. Who do you think was the Big Ten's best running back in the 1990's?
The Big Ten Network got it wrong, plain and simple.
I won’t take away anything from the Penn State duo, but they are not the right answer. Curtis Enis is probably one of my top five of the 1990s, despite what he did when he came to the Chicago Bears. Let’s say fourth overall for good measure.
I also dismissed Eddie George. Winning the Heisman was nice (albeit by a very close vote), in his one super season, but his career numbers pale against other backs during that time, even if they rank highly at Ohio State. Plus George was outplayed by Tim Biakabatuka in his final game against Michigan and then didn’t really show up against Tennessee in the bowl game. His legend is a bit inflated thanks to strong numbers in the NFL.
Also on the outside, Mike Alstott, although not for trying. Alstott averaged 5.6 yards per carry and is still the all-time leading rusher at Purdue. He would be a strong third on my list
At No. 2 I would put an early 1990s star in Tyrone Wheatley from Michigan. He has been eclipsed recently by other backs at the school, but at the time, Wheatley could do it all. He could catch, he could return, and he could run. He averaged 6.0 yards per carry for his career and he finished with 53 all-purpose touchdowns. It was tough not to pick him for all he contributed.
But the winner is a no-brainer.
No one even comes close to Ron Dayne. He finished with 7,125 yards rushing in his career, the first player ever to go over 7,000 yards. In all four seasons, he eclipsed 1,000 yards – one of only five players all-time), and twice was over 2,000, including his freshman season when he didn’t get the credit he deserved. If he did that now, we might have a freshman Heisman winner.
Sure, Dayne wasn’t big in the passing game, but why bother when his bulk could gain you five yards without even a blink. And he probably loses points for not being flashy. After all, it is hard to seem agile when you weigh over 250 pounds and are only 5’10”.
Dayne finished with 71 career touchdowns and out-rushed the opposing team in 29 of his 43 starts. And unlike George, Dayne was the no-brainer pick for the Heisman trophy, along with about every other award that a running back could win that season.
There was no more dominant back in those 10 years of football, and there may never be anyone like Dayne again.
3. This is not as big of a weekend for the Big Ten as last week, but there are some games to keep an eye on. Minnesota hosts #8 California in their new stadium and has a chance to make a huge statement. Meanwhile Ohio State looks to rebound against Toledo, who just wasted Colorado last weekend, in a neutral site game. So two questions; does Minnesota come away with the upset and does Ohio State avoid the upset to instate rival Toledo?
Home, sweet home for Minnesota will turn into a house of horrors this week. Ironically named Air Force and their consistent ground attack may have been stopped, but there is a wide gap between a service academy’s offense and one of the nation’s best running backs in Jahvid Best.
Plus it is still too early for the weather to be a factor at Minnesota’s new outdoor digs.
This is a similar situation to the Purdue-Oregon game last week. If Minnesota does well and comes close, it will be a pleasant surprise. If they lose, and lose badly it won’t be any different than what was expected.
Jim Tressel is apparently very worried about the team’s reliance on underclassmen at important positions, but against Toledo, I would be worried if Ohio State didn’t totally overmatch them.
Struggling against an unorthodox team such as Navy is one thing. Losing to USC, even with a freshman quarterback is another. But Ohio State shouldn’t even let Toledo believe it is in the same league as the Buckeyes.
Ohio State rolls.
4. After two weeks of football, what is most surprising to you in the conference so far?
I think Wisconsin has been surprisingly disappointing so far, despite being 2-0.
This was a team that looked as if it could surprise some people and move up a step within the conference. They had the talent and means in what should be a very fluid conference to be a title contender.
But two close wins against Northern Illinois and Fresno State have left questions about their defense and whether this team as a whole is ready for that next step. The offense seems to be there, or at least close to it, but for Wisconsin’s sake, a blowout win against a Division 1-A team would have been nice.
Playing Wofford this week won’t help that, but maybe it will get this team more focused as the Big Ten season kicks off.
5. Penn State is 2-0, but the running game has been missing in action. Is Penn State a legitimate BCS contender at this point?
The good news for Penn State is that they haven’t needed the running game in their two early season wins. They have been able to dispatch their opponents early in the games and then toy with them like a big cat with a mouse.
The bad news is that once the Big Ten season starts, someone is going to have to run the ball. Evan Royster should be showing better and Nittany Lions fans should begin to worry about Iowa coming to town in two weeks.
As for the BCS, it is too early to tell. There hasn’t been a grand statement yet by any team other than Florida at this point.
Penn State is still in the conversation, but that Iowa game will be the turning point in the season.
6. What Big Ten team should be on upset alert this Saturday?
I am staying home with this one and picking Northwestern. The scare against Eastern Michigan didn’t do much for the Wildcats’ confidence, and they should have been wary of this game after Syracuse showed so well against Minnesota.
Ron Paulus is playing well at quarterback for the Orange although he is still a little green, and he will have the home crowd behind him.
Plus the ‘Cats are nicked up on both sides of the ball, which can lead to disaster quickly.
7. What Big Ten team has the best story line going into this week's match-ups?
Michigan is certainly riding high after their late comeback against Notre Dame. They may have finally put that entire off-season flap behind them. They are ranked for the first time in what must seem like forever, and they have a soft landing against Eastern Michigan.
Oh wait, Eastern Michigan…Yeah, that was a tough one for Northwestern, wasn’t it.
Fairy tales like the one that Michigan is currently in are nice, but that can change with one less than 100 percent effort.
8. What will be the Big Ten's record this week?
This week’s schedule is quite a bit softer than last week. The Big Ten should go 8-2
However, I have less than 100 percent confidence in Northwestern, Iowa, Indiana and Purdue, so don’t be surprised at a 6-4 mark and another bashing in the media.
Wins: Northwestern, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Penn State, Wisconsin, Purdue, Ohio State
Losses: Minnesota, Michigan State
9. Finally, how will the team you cover do this weekend?
Since I have put the Wildcats on upset watch, I can’t feel great about their chances this week.
They should win.
Should.
Should.
But, it will be close.
Northwestern 28, Syracuse 21
