[NU Sports] Hell freezes over in Michigan

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

> I usually read your posts and agree with most of
> your conclusions, but your swipe at the "Big Least"
> was really undercut by the magnificent showing of

Sorry - that was honestly an old habit slipping in
there - and was before the USF win. The Big East had a
big week with Cincy and USF's impressive showings,
true. However, their bottom half of the league is just
abysmal and brings the league overall down.

I'm really trying not to fault Louisville for the weak
schedule, though, as I know the Cardinals have pretty
much gone to everyone and offered series only to be
declined. I'd bet South Florida is off a lot of
schools' call lists after the Auburn game too.

The league is getting better, no doubt, and may even
be better than the league that swiped three of its top
teams in the ACC now, as the ACC also has a pretty
poor bottom half and their top half is struggling. But
I do still think that it's a little overhyped at the
top - and WVU and Louisville didn't do much to
disprove that this week.

A Big Ten-Big East challenge would be pretty
interesting right now, consider the possibilities ...

Wisconsin vs. West Virginia - ground games galore ...
and if both run the table, they could be playing in a
3 vs. 4 bowl as unbeatens left out of the title game
in favor of stronger leagues - or at least perceived
stronger leagues. Wisky struggled with UNLV's spread,
but I think WVU would struggle with UW's ground game
as well.

Penn State vs. Louisville - Fun game, but Paterno has
always seemed to be the one Big Ten coach who
understands how to stop these spread like offenses

Ohio State vs. Rutgers - Hard hitting, but OSU's
defense would take charge

Purdue vs. South Florida - This could be a fun and
high-scoring game.

Michigan State vs. Cincinnati - Hopefully for the Big
Ten, the old coach would still know a few tricks.

Iowa vs. Syracuse - Well, we know how this one turned
out. Make it NU-Cuse and we'll see in the future.

Michigan vs. Notre Dame - The Irish may be begging to
join the league after this year and we'll see who
wants their first win next week.

Indiana vs. UConn - Like when they played last year,
I'd still rather see it on a basketball court.

Illinois vs. Pitt - Can you find two more overhyped
coaches than Zook and Wanny?

So yeah, it's a disrespected league and my slight was
more old habit than the way things are now ... but I
still think that we stack up favorably. We'd better!:)

GO CATS!!!
-SjT

* * * * * * * * *
STEPHEN J. TRUOG
sjtruog at yahoo.com
GO CATS!!!


       
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