[NU Sports] How often is it ...

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

... that the Ohio State-Michigan game is the LEAST interesting game on the Big Ten's final weekend slate?

Well, not counting that Cal-Poly-Slo-A&M-Tech-Whatnot @ Wisconsin game.

Sure, you have the rivalry, but there's really no doubt on who will win and really not much in terms of meaning aside from OSU getting a share of the league crown. In the other games ...

* MSU @ PSU is obviously the biggie, with the winner getting at least a share of the title and PSU playing at home for Pasadena.

* IOWA @ MINNY is suddenly big again if the Gophers hold on to their shocking lead at the half in Madison. It could be for a January bowl bid ... plus a PIG!

* ILL-NOISE @ NU has a lot on both sides with the Cats playing or 9 wins and a good bowl and the Illini needing a win just to get back to the Motor City Bowl. It would be Sweet to send the Illini home for the season.

* INDIANA @ PURDUE is Tiller's farewell and a battle for the basement.

OK, so maybe that last one doesn't quite measure up, but it does show how far THE game has fallen from its pinnacle just two years ago, when it was #1 vs. #2 and no one was questioning whether the Big Ten champ deserved to be in the title game but whether the Big Ten runner-up should also be in the title game.

Eight wins is nice, but a Minnesota win today could still mess with our bowl position and get us passed over - take care of business and BEAT ILLINOIS next week!

GO CATS!!!
-SjT

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