[NU Sports] Big Ten today ...

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

Overall, a good day for the league ... certainly a much better first two weeks than the Big East (who saw Pitt fall and WVU deserve to lose) and the ACC (who had a horrendous day as their two marquee teams get blown out and the two Techs lose as big favorites). We got 2 of the big 3 and most importantly, NU got the big W.

After two weeks, here's what we know ...

- The countdown to OHIO STATE vs. ALABAMA is officially on. Nice win by Boise State last week, but with Tech dropping a second one today, their big win has less luster. The Big Ten and SEC are looking head and shoulders above the rest of the leagues and it's now their title game to lose.

- IOWA and WISCONSIN remain solid top 10 teams, but the Badgers took a day off today. Iowa has a tough test next week at 'Zona, but those two appear ready to keep the heat on OSU all the way.

- PSU and NORTHWESTERN also look good with new quarterbacks ... and MICHIGAN has found RichRod's spread guy. The heat is on, and I had a feeling he'd deliver this year. Yeah, it's just Notre Dame, but Michigan's schedule is set up for a big start, and they should be 6-0 when Iowa visits the Big House. The second half is a lot tougher, but I think the bowl drought is over.

- PURDUE and MSU have not impressed so far, making those back-to-back home games with them crucial for NU's season in October. We must beat these guys and we can beat these guys. No slip ups! But I still think both are safe bowl bets.

- INDIANA? A week off already? :)

- MINNESOTA and ILLINOIS are in trouble, and clocks on their respective coaches have begun counting down.

Should be a fun league race. I think the big three at the top are pretty set (though I have some doubts on Wisconsin after this week) and the bottom three look pretty much set. As for that scramble in the middle, there will be at least two January 1 spots open, and if Persa stays healthy, I like our chances ... though I'd like them even more with a running game! :)

GO CATS!!!
-SjT

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STEPHEN J. TRUOG
sjtruog at yahoo.com
GO CATS!!! GEAUX SAINTS!!!
Super Bowl XLIV Champions!
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