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Big Ten Examiner Round Table asks if Penn State's home-field advantage is over rated
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Is Penn State's offense over-rated? AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster
The regular season in the Big Ten is winding down and so is the Big Ten Examiner Round Table. as a group we have seen a significant drop off in participation but never fear! I have committed myself to fulfilling my obligations to the group as both the question asked once again and answering my own assorted inquiries.
This week the focus is clearly on the bowl picture for the Big Ten. With Iowa and Ohio State set to duke it out for the likely right to the conference's automatic BCS bid I wanted to get everyone's take on what the key to the game would be.
I also was curious what people thought about the chances that Michigan reaches a bowl game this season. Can the Wolverines score an upset victory this week at Wisconsin or next week against Ohio State? It does not seem promising for Michigan faithful, but I personally have a weird feeling abut this weekend in Madison.
Naturally I also wanted to get an outside opinion on what is more over-rated - the Penn State offense or the "greatest show in college football" and the home field advantage at Beaver Stadium.
I invite you to read through my responses below, and then use the links along the right side of the page to peruse my fellow Big Ten writers to see if they have their take posted or not. Like I said, the group has been largely dropping off the radar when it comes to this round table.
After shutting down Penn State last week it looks as though Ohio State is primed for the Big Ten title as well as the conference's automatic BCS bid. Give everyone one key to this week's game for Ohio State and one for Iowa in what should determine the Big Ten's outright champion.
The good news for Ohio State is that they are playing at home after the big road victory. It is tough for teams to come in to Columbus and leave with a victory, even though it has happened a number of times in recent years, including this season. It will be important for the Buckeyes to establish a rhythm early against Iowa, who will be playing without their starting quarterback, Ricky Stanzi.
Both teams play some tough defense so I do not expect to see a lot of points this weekend, although I did not expect to see Ohio State score 27 points last week either. First team to 20 wins this game. Terrelle Pryor is going to have to make some good plays for Ohio State to have a chance against this Iowa defense.
Michigan lost last week to Purdue and the road to a bowl game appears to be a treacherous one with this week's game against Wisconsin and the season finale against Ohio State. Does Michigan have a prayer at sniffing a bowl game?
Call me crazy but I smell an upset this week in Madison. Wisconsin has played decent football this year but they have shown they are beatable as well. No doubt, Michigan has been a letdown in the second half of the season having lost five straight “real” games (they picked up a blow-out win at home against Delaware State) but there is potential for Michigan to score an upset this week. The offensive weapons are there but the defense will have to find a way to slow down the Badgers offense, which has quietly put together a nice season.
Do they have a prayer? Absolutely, and I think it will be answered.
Penn State has now lost their two games against the top competition this season and both have come in the form of ugly losses at home. My question for you is what is more over-rated at this point: Penn State's offense or their home field "advantage"?
Both are over-rated, but I would say the home-field advantage has taken a bigger hit this year than the offense. Despite the tough losses at home the offense was going up against the best defenses in the conference against Iowa and Ohio State. Special teams really hurt the offense’s chances as well.
But the home-field advantage at Beaver Stadium has clearly reached the over-rated stage. The student section has been lacking all season for early kickoffs and you can only live off the emotions of the 2005 Ohio State game for so long. Right now the energy is running on fumes a bit.
What Penn State needs is a high-profile victory at home, perhaps against a legitimate out of conference opponent, to rejuvenate the home crowd a bit. Oregon State was nice last year, but Virginia Tech would be better. Alabama comes to town in 2011.
Five teams in the Big Ten are currently bowl eligible (Iowa, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Northwestern). The remaining six have a chance to become bowl eligible. Of the six still looking for six wins, who makes it to a bowl game?
Count Indiana out (spoiler alert on my official prediction). I already said that Michigan is my surprise pick this weekend. I like Michigan State and Minnesota to pick up their sixth wins this weekend as well, which would eliminate Purdue. With three wins I am also counting out Illinois, although they could play a huge spoiler role in the BCS picture against Cincinnati in a few weeks.
Taking Iowa-Ohio state out of the mix, which Big Ten team should be on the highest upset alert this weekend?
I have already said it – Wisconsin. Playing at home the Badgers should beat Michigan this week, but I have a sneaky feeling that the Wolverines are going to give Wisconsin some trouble. Michigan is 49-12-1 against Wisconsin all time and 19-5-1 at Camp Randall Stadium.
I smell upset.
Finally, give us some expanded thoughts on the game involving the team you cover.
My full game preview for Penn State-Indiana will be up by noon on Friday, but I will tease you by saying that I highly anticipate Penn State to come out firing on all cylinders on Saturday. After the humbling loss last week this team should be prepared to obliterate their opponent and make a proud statement to themselves that they are not done fighting. There is still a lot to play for and a couple of solid victories to end the season could help Penn State play their way into a decent bowl game, with an extreme outside chance at reaching a BCS game.
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For more Penn State coverage head to Nittany White Out.
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