[NU Sports] Big Ten wrap ...

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

Quick on the NU comments - pretty much agree with what's been said. This one's on the O, injuries determine how we are the rest of the way and I'd like to see us find better rhythm in play calling and red zone conversion (line on that AWESOME first drive vs. IU that was ruined by the FG).

As for the bowl picture after tonight ...

I think the top four spots are solid - all should play January 1 unless for some reason we don't get two BCS bids. I can't see the ACC, Big East or Pac 10 sending a second team and Notre Dame won't make the cut so the only possibility otherwise would be two busters (Utah and Boise State?).

PSU: BCS TITLE GAME
- They get a bye to prepare for a dangerous road game at Iowa and then sit at home the rest of the way with MSU visiting for senior day. This was a gritty win tonight and proved that they deserve the title shot if they run the table. As for the foe, I didn't think Texas could run the table, but they impress me more each week. And Bama has a trip to LSU and the SEC title game left, so they have a tough road (BTW, do they play defense in the SEC anymore?).

OSU: FIESTA/ROSE BOWL
- They helped their case tonight by showing they're a much better team with Beanie and Pryor than they were against SC, so if they win out and go 10-2, I still like their chances to get to Pasadena (where they haven't been since 1997) IF the Trojans move up to the title game. If SC stays home, then maybe back out to Arizona, their home away from home.

MSU: CITRUS BOWL
- Big win today, more mentally than anything - take care of Wisky at home and Florida's looking good for New Year's Day. Beat PSU and who knows, but more likely it's all up to trying to impress the Citrus folk that you deserve a bid over Minnesota.

MINNESOTA: OUTBACK BOWL
- They survived their first road trap today. If they can win in Madison and defend home turf, they could make a decent BCS bid at 11-1 (except they lost to OSU), but Florida is looking likely.

The weird thing is that it gets CRAZY after that. I project a 6-win mess, which could make our Sweet Sioux game HUGE ...

IOWA: 6-6 (W - Purdue, L - @ Ill, PSU, @ Min)
WIS: 6-6 (W - Cal Poly, @ Indiana, L - Minny, @ MSU)
ILL: 6-5 (W - Iowa, WMU, L - OSU) @ Northwestern
NU: 6-5 (L - @Min, OSU, @ Mich) vs. Illinois

Obviously we probably lose out on a 6-6 pileup, so we gotta grab another win at Michigan or Minny and take back Sweet Sioux to guarantee a good game at 8-4.

Bounce back CATS!!!
-SjT

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