[NU Sports] Big Ten afternoon games ...

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

Well, things certainly picked up a bit!

What a finish in Seattle ... I though UDub might keep it close with SC, but never thought they'd pull out the win! It was exactly the clutch QB playmaking ability that Ohio State COULD have had last week to go along with solid D against SC's one-dimensional offense. Congrats Huskies! Plus, it's just nice to see a swarm of purple rush the field with those cocky Trojan players, fans and band stunned while they watch.:)

As for the league games ...

* IOWA was impressive, darn impressive, in trouncing Arizona. They stuck with what they do best, didn't worry about the speed or get down after the INT. It should be a heck of a game with the Hawkeyes heading into Beaver Stadium for the White Out next week.

* INDIANA is also looking good heading into Big Ten play. But with Michigan and OSU to open the league slate, it could be a quick trip back to reality.

* MICHIGAN STATE just doesn't have the offensive firepower Michigan does - they needed to have more of a defensive game against the Irish. Once it turned into a scorefest, they were in trouble. Nice comeback after getting burned early, but still a predictable outcome and a "typical Sparty" moment at the end -- missing the wide open TD and following it up with the INT. 

I thought MSU was over their history of mental block season-killers, but after close heartbreak games with CMU and ND, they could be ready to spiral into a funk.

One more game left - we need our best effort to win in the Dome.

GO CATS!!!
-SjT

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