Big 10 News (Merged)

[Bucklion]

What you meant to say was we should be grateful that we are not facing the Kirk Ferentz coached powerhouse 7-5 Iowa teams. We have been spared.

Well, Purdon't fell flat on their ass with their 11 concrete-footed, supposedly invincible returning defensive starters last year without playing OSU or UM, so no reason the believe Iowa won't do the same, just not quite to that extent.

Besides, not playing UM is not the gift it used to be...except for the refs

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ozone.net

8/12/06

Football
BCS Preview - Big Ten By Jeff Amey
For part four of our look around the BCS conferences, we're going to focus on the Big Ten. Gone are the days of power running offenses (though the perception is still there). Seven of the teams in the conference ran a good portion of their offense from spread formations last season, and there is little reason to think that number is going to go down this season.​

2006 should end up being the year of the quarterback in the Big 10. Seven of the top eight teams contending for the conference title are returning their quarterback from last year, including early Heisman hopefuls Troy Smith at Ohio State, Drew Tate at Iowa, and Drew Stanton at Michigan State.
Depending on how dominant Ohio State ends up being after all the pre-season hype, the conference race could be either a runaway or a log-jam at the top. With all of the experienced offense coming back to the conference, this will probably end up being a wide-open race. Let's take a look at where the media consensus has everyone finishing.

Media Consensus Big Ten Pre-season standings​

1) Ohio State
2) Michigan
3) Iowa
4) Penn State
5) Michigan State
6) Wisconsin
7) Purdue
8) Minnesota
9) Northwestern
10) Illinois
11) Indiana

Now for the predictions.​

1) Ohio State Buckeyes
Last Season: 10-2 (7-1) Tied 1st Big Ten
Returning Starters: 10 (7 off, 2 def, P)
Toughest Game: Sept. 9 at Texas
BCS Out of conference schedule: at Texas, vs. Cincinnati
It seems strange to pick a team to win a conference that returns only 10 starters from the season before. In general, teams that return as few players as the Buckeyes do tend to struggle, especially early in the season. The Buckeyes, however, return players to the offense that should make them explosive enough to cover for a relatively inexperienced defense. How well, and quickly, that defense develops will go a long way to determining whether or not the Buckeyes are able to live up to the lofty pre-season expectations. The schedule is not going to make things any easier, with tough road tests against Texas, Iowa, and Michigan State on the slate.
2) Michigan Wolverines
Last Season: 7-5 (5-3) Tied 3rd Big Ten
Returning Starters: 18 (8 off, 8 def, K,P)
Toughest Game: Nov. 18 at Ohio State
BCS Out of conference schedule: vs. Vanderbilt, at Notre Dame
The Wolverines should have a really good team this season, with most of the offense and defense returning from a team that lost five games by a total of 21 points. Returning are junior QB Chad Henne, HB Mike Hart, HB Kevin Grady, and receivers Steve Breaston and Mario Manningham to lead an offense that should have little trouble moving the ball on paper. The Wolverines must hold up better in big situations this season, however. Four of the five losses by Michigan last year came on late drives the defense was unable to stop. The Wolverine's main obstacle this season will be their schedule, as they have Notre Dame and Ohio State on the road, and miss only Illinois and Purdue on the conference slate. As inconsistant as the Wolverines have been over the past 10 seasons, this could be another five loss team or a National Championship contender.
3) Michigan State Spartans
Last Season: 5-6 (2-6) 9th Big Ten
Returning Starters: 14 (6 off, 6 def, K, P)
Toughest Game: Oct. 7 at Michigan
BCS Out of conference schedule: at Pittsburgh, vs. Notre Dame
Once again, the Spartans enter 2006 with what should be a good offense. Quarterback Drew Stanton is one of the best in the country, and should have another big year in a conference that will probably spend another season not being known for tough defense. In the recent past, not being known for a tough defense has also been a good way to describe the Spartans and that might not change this season. If it doesn't, finishing third in the conference is highly overrating them, so I'm guessing the will defense will be improved. Special teams has also been a weakness under Coach John L. Smith, but this team has nowhere to go but up after the disaster of last season. If the Spartans pull off another upset against Notre Dame, look for it to springboard Michigan State to a good season, barring another late-season collapse.
4) Iowa Hawkeyes
Last Season: 7-5 (5-3) Tied 3rd Big Ten
Returning Starters: 16 (7 off, 7 def, K, P)
Toughest Game: Oct. 21 at Michigan
BCS Out of conference schedule: at Syracuse, vs. Iowa State
The Hawkeyes will also be returning a great quarterback in Drew Tate, and could make a run at the conference title should Michigan and Ohio State not live up to their potential this season. The schedule is favorable, with a trip to Michigan as the only tough away game on the schedule. So why do I pick them below Michigan State? I feel they lose the same amount of conference games and they don't play each other, so why not have a little fun with it? The Hawkeyes will probably play on January 1st or later to end the season and could represent the conference as a second BCS team.
5) Purdue Boilermakers
Last Season: 5-6 (3-5) 8th Big Ten
Returning Starters: 11 (7 off, 4 def)
Toughest Game: Sept. 30 at Notre Dame
BCS Out of conference schedule: at Notre Dame
Last season, the Boilermakers entered the year with very high expectations based on a veteran team returning to a very favorable schedule that didn't include Ohio State or Michigan. The schedule is much the same, but the veteran team is not as veteran heading into 2006 as it was heading into 2005. Coach Joe Tiller shook up the coaching staff after last season's debacle, and it might end up being a good thing. The Boilermakers were beginning to look stale and a fresh approach might be what they need to take advantage of their schedule. There should be enough offense to get back into the bowl picture, but the defense and QB Curtis Painter's inconsistancy will probably hold them back from making a run at the conference title.
6) Penn State Nittany Lions
Last Season: 11-1 (7-1) Tied 1st Big Ten
Returning Starters: 11 (5 off, 4 def, K, P)
Toughest Game: Sept. 23 at Ohio State
BCS Out of conference schedule: at Notre Dame
Last season the Nittany Lions came out of nowhere to win the conference and represent the Big Ten as champion (by tie-breakers). Most of the players that made that run possible are gone now. Coming back are the exciting freshmen (now sophomores) recievers that infused some life into the Penn State passing game and a Butkus award winning linebacker coming off of a knee injury and little else of note. How far the Nittany Lions fall will depend on how well the new defense meshes together while the offense (with a new QB and four new offensive linemen) gels. A return to a minor bowl is most likely, but it's not inconcievable that Penn State finishes the season with a losing record.
7) Wisconsin Badgers
Last Season: 10-3 (5-3) Tied 3rd Big Ten
Returning Starters: 13 (3 off, 8 def, K, P)
Toughest Game: Sept. 23 at Michigan
BCS Out of conference schedule: none
Head Coach Bret Bielema inherited a pretty tough situation for his first season after Barry Alvarez' 16 year run as Wisconsin's coach. The Badgers scored the most points in school history for a season in 2005, but most of that offense is gone. One of the few holdovers is QB John Stocco, which will add a little stability in an otherwise very shaky situation. The Badgers do return a lot on defense, but this wasn't exactly a strength last season, so it remains to be seen how much that experience helps. A bowl game is probable due to a ridiculously easy out of conference schedule, but a run at the conference title is at least a year or two away.
8) Minnesota Golden Gophers
Last Season: 7-5 (4-4) 7th Big Ten
Returning Starters: 14 (7 off, 5 def, K, P)
Toughest Game: Oct. 28 at Ohio State
BCS Out of conference schedule: at California
Another season and the formula will change little from what it has been in Minnesota since Glen Mason took over as Head Coach. The difference will be that there will be no Center Greg Eslinger and Guard Mark Setterstrom (both four year starters), or a halfback that has had proven success in the system. That might mean that the Gophers have to rely a little more on the passing game than in the recent past, but don't expect Minnesota to stray too far. A bigger quesion is if the defense will show any kind of a pulse. The Gophers haven't produced a strong defense in any of Glen Mason's nine seasons. Seeings how the Gophers play a tougher schedule than normal this season (at California, at Ohio State, at Michigan State), this could be a step back for Minnesota this year.
9) Northwestern Wildcats
Last Season: 7-5 (5-3) Tied 3rd Big Ten
Returning Starters: 15 (7 off, 7 def, K)
Toughest Game: Oct. 28 at Michigan
BCS Out of conference schedule: none
Before the untimely death of Coach Randy Walker, I had the Wildcats finishing much higher in the conference. He had continued the relative success of predecessor Gary Barnett, and built a solid foundation for the Wildcats to improve on. Now it falls to new Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald to continue what Walker started, and he steps into a tough situation as far as team chemistry goes. This will go one of two ways, either the team will come together through the tragedy, or fall apart and cash it in when they hit some adversity. I'm going to guess they come together, but it won't be enough to overcome the graduation of QB Brett Basanez. The Wildcats have a decent chance at a minor bowl again, also due to a ridiculously easy out of conference schedule, but won't be a player in the conference race.
10) Illinois Fighting Illini
Last Season: 2-9 (0-8) 11th Big Ten
Returning Starters: 21 (10 off, 10 def, K)
Toughest Game: Nov. 4 vs. Ohio State
BCS Out of conference schedule: at Rutgers, vs. Syracuse
If nothing else, the Illini have a wealth of experience coming back from last season. That might not be the best of things for a team that gave up more than 30 points in all but one game last season, and scored more than 30 only twice. The average margin of loss in conference games was 32.1 points in those eight games. Coach Ron Zook has a massive rebuilding project with this team, but has put together a decent foundation of a couple of good recruiting classes and a young group of core players. Illinois fans should have to suffer through only one more really bad season before things finally start to get better.
11) Indiana Hoosiers
Last Season: 4-7 (1-7) 10th Big Ten
Returning Starters: 14 (7 off, 6 def, P)
Toughest Game: Oct. 21 at Ohio State
BCS Out of conference schedule: vs. Connecticut
The Hoosiers should be able repeat last year's four wins, but there is little chance of any more than that. Winning more than one conference game would be a major accomplishment. The Hoosiers do have a few weapons to rely on, mainly QB Blake Powers and WR James Hardy (though there have been question marks about Hardy being able to play in 2006). The Hoosiers will also take a few strides if they are able to improve on a defense that finished near the bottom of most NCAA categories last season. Indiana loses most of their front seven on defense, but return the entire secondary.

Conference Outlook​

The big question is: Are the Buckeyes as good as everyone thinks they are? If they are, then Ohio State should win the conference and possibly play for the National Championship if they're able to get past Texas on September 9th. If they aren't, the race is wide open.
Because of the quarterback experience coming back to the conference and the relative weakness of the conference's defenses, it's not hard to envision a scenario where there is a three or four way tie at the top, with the winner ending up with two losses.
Looking at the conference schedules as a whole, this is probably the weakest slate of out of conference games the Big Ten will play in recent memory. Other than the Ohio State-Texas matchup and four games with Notre Dame, there is little to be excited about in the first few weeks of the season. There are only 14 games with teams from BCS conferences (10 if you leave out Notre Dame) and 7 games scheduled against 1AA foes. With the advent of a 12 game schedule, there is no excuse for not schedule a few more compelling matchups every season.
Another question: Will the Heisman Trophy winner come from the Big Ten? Troy Smith and Ted Ginn are frontrunners, but Drew Tate, Drew Stanton, Chad Henne, and Mike Hart could all have a say in it by the end of the season. This could be the best group of offensive talent the Big Ten has ever amassed in its long history.
Next up...the Pac-10.

​

 

[osugrad21]

Link

5 predictions for the Big Ten season

<!-- end pagetitle --> <!-- begin bylinebox --> <!-- firstName = Ivan --> <!-- lastName = Maisel -->

By Ivan Maisel
ESPN.com
Archive
<!-- begin presby2 -->
<!-- end presby2 -->
<!-- end bylinebox -->
<!-- begin text11 div --><!-- begin leftcol --> <!-- template inline --> After peering into the crystal ball, here are my five predictions for the 2006 Big Ten season.
1. The best quarterback in the conference will be Drew Tate of Iowa. Troy Smith of Ohio State is the hot run-pass prototype, and Drew Stanton of Michigan State has the arm NFL scouts appreciate. But I like the career path Tate has carved. He won as a sophomore, then learned some hard lessons as a junior. With tailback Albert Young behind Tate, defenses will have to be honest. Advantage, Hawkeyes.
2. The Michigan defense will rebound. The Wolverines will rediscover pressure on the quarterback and shine under new coordinator Ron English. The best thing going for the Michigan D the past few seasons has been English's secondary.
3. Of the two 30-something head coaches, Pat Fitzgerald of Northwestern will have an easier first year than Bret Bielema of Wisconsin. True, Bielema has had 12 months to prepare to take over and Fitzgerald has had six weeks. But I think the death of Randy Walker has brought the Northwestern team and the entire university community behind Fitzgerald. There will be a lot less transition there than in Madison, where Bielema made some coaching changes and has a lot of rebuilding to do on the offense.
4. There is long-term optimism at Illinois after Ron Zook brought in the first recruiting class that truly belonged to him and his staff. If Zook plays a lot of those freshmen this season, however, the key word in that first sentence is long-term.
5. This is a critical year for Purdue. Joe Tiller shook up his staff, and he says there is great chemistry among the new coaches. If the Boilermakers don't respond, however, I wouldn't be surprised if Tiller took his fly rod and went home.
Ivan Maisel is a senior writer at ESPN.com. He can be reached at [email protected].

 

[Bucklion]

Link

5 predictions for the Big Ten season

<!-- end pagetitle --> <!-- begin bylinebox --> <!-- firstName = Ivan --> <!-- lastName = Maisel -->

By Ivan Maisel
ESPN.com
Archive
<!-- begin presby2 -->
<!-- end presby2 -->
<!-- end bylinebox -->
<!-- begin text11 div --><!-- begin leftcol --> <!-- template inline --> After peering into the crystal ball, here are my five predictions for the 2006 Big Ten season.
1. The best quarterback in the conference will be Drew Tate of Iowa. Troy Smith of Ohio State is the hot run-pass prototype, and Drew Stanton of Michigan State has the arm NFL scouts appreciate. But I like the career path Tate has carved. He won as a sophomore, then learned some hard lessons as a junior. With tailback Albert Young behind Tate, defenses will have to be honest. Advantage, Hawkeyes.
2. The Michigan defense will rebound. The Wolverines will rediscover pressure on the quarterback and shine under new coordinator Ron English. The best thing going for the Michigan D the past few seasons has been English's secondary.
3. Of the two 30-something head coaches, Pat Fitzgerald of Northwestern will have an easier first year than Bret Bielema of Wisconsin. True, Bielema has had 12 months to prepare to take over and Fitzgerald has had six weeks. But I think the death of Randy Walker has brought the Northwestern team and the entire university community behind Fitzgerald. There will be a lot less transition there than in Madison, where Bielema made some coaching changes and has a lot of rebuilding to do on the offense.
4. There is long-term optimism at Illinois after Ron Zook brought in the first recruiting class that truly belonged to him and his staff. If Zook plays a lot of those freshmen this season, however, the key word in that first sentence is long-term.
5. This is a critical year for Purdue. Joe Tiller shook up his staff, and he says there is great chemistry among the new coaches. If the Boilermakers don't respond, however, I wouldn't be surprised if Tiller took his fly rod and went home.
Ivan Maisel is a senior writer at ESPN.com. He can be reached at [email protected].

What's with everyone yanking the Iowa dick this year? I hvae no idea why, but it sems like the media thinks if they say Iowa will be good often enough, they will be. They'll be decent, but come on...Albert Young makes it advantage Hawkeyes? WTFE

I also remember when they were all saying Tiller was the greatest thing since blow-up dolls...guess that run is over now, huh? How long until the media decides to kick Ferentz to the curb and pick someone else?

 

[osugrad21]

Link

Previewing the Big Ten

Familiar characters figure to be in the race again in `06
Aug. 21, 2006

By Brian Hardy<o =""></o>

CSTV.com<o =""></o>
<o =""></o>
<script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.cstv.com/library/analysts/js/checkoptval.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.cstv.com/library/analysts/js/jump-menu.js" type="text/javascript"></script>

Ohio State

The stars on the Buckeyes' offense return this season, led by Heisman candidate quarterback Troy Smith, who really stepped up play the second half of last season en route to Ohio State's Fiesta Bowl victory over Notre Dame. Smith's dual-threat game baffled opposing defenses in '05. Not only was he the Big Ten passing efficiency leader, completing 62.9 percent of his throws for 2,282 yards and 16 touchdowns, but he also ran for 611 yards and 11 touchdowns, becoming the first quarterback in Buckeye history to pass for more than 2,000 yards and rush for over 500 yards.

The question for Ohio State is on defense, where just two starters return from last season. Six players from the defensive unit were drafted, with three going in the first-round: linebacker A.J. Hawk, Donte Whitner, and Bobby Carpenter. The two returning starters both line up at tackle for OSU in seniors Quinn Pitcock and David Patterson. Otherwise, Ohio State is looking at a whole new starting defensive unit, which faces the task of trying to replace a defense which ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten last season in sacks and gave up an average of just 73.4 rushing yards per game - the fewest in the nation.

If the defense can get it together, though, this team may just have a good enough offense to carry OSU to a second straight conference title and perhaps even a national crown.

The Buckeyes will get tested early, though. A Week Two matchup in Austin with the defending champion Longhorns looms and, despite Vince Young being out of the picture, the Longhorns return the bulk of their team from last season and are still expected to be contenders. Ohio State fell to UT in Columbus last season, so you know the Buckeyes will be geared up for this one. The question is, will their inexperienced defense be ready for such a big game so early on in the season? This game clearly has national title implications written all over it.

2006 Ohio State Schedule

Penn State

If not for a Chad Henne touchdown pass with one second remaining last year in Ann Arbor, we could very well be talking about a Penn State team that went undefeated last season. Nonetheless, the Nittany Lions posted one of the biggest turnarounds in all of college football last season, sporting an 11-1 record and a win in the Fiesta Bowl over Florida State just one season after finishing with a 4-7 mark.

Gone is starting quarterback and Big Ten Offensive MVP Michael Robinson and in comes junior Anthony Morelli. He'll have some big shoes to fill in trying to replace Robinson's 3,156 yards of offense and 28 touchdowns last season.

The good news for Morelli is he'll have a slew of talented sophomore receivers coming back to throw to. Deon Butler returns after leading the Lions with 37 catches for 691 yards and nine touchdowns in his freshman year. Jordan Norwood also comes back after recording 32 receptions for 422 yards. Other wideouts returning include Derrick Williams, Justin King, and Mark Rubin.

While the Nittany Lions will miss the rushing abilities of Robinson in 2006, they'll still have Tony Hunt in the backfield. The senior ran for over 1,000 yards last season, averaging a whopping 6.0 yards per carry.

Just like the Buckeyes, Penn State is dealing with significant losses on defense this season, as just four starters return on a squad that ranked No. 2 in the Big Ten last season. One of those returnees happens to star linebacker Paul Posluszny - the winner of the Butkus and Bednarik awards last season. Posluszny heads into the '06 season as the conference's leading returning tackler, recording 116 stops, three sacks, and 11 tackles for a loss in 2005. Last year was also the second straight season the senior posted 100-plus tackles.

The Nittany Lions face an early tough test in Week Two of the season, as PSU heads to South Bend for a meeting with the Irish. Then, in Week Four, the Lions pay a visit to Columbus to meet the Buckeyes, who will be looking to avenge last season's 17-10 loss in Happy Valley.

2006 Penn State Schedule

Iowa

If Ohio State or Penn State happens to slip up in 2006, don't be surprised if the Hawkeyes sneak up and grab the Big Ten title. Iowa's seven wins last season marked the first time since 2001 that the Hawkeyes failed to reach the 10-win mark, but Iowa still earned a trip to the Outback Bowl, maintaining its streak of being one of just four teams in the nation to have played in a January bowl game the last four years.

The chances of Iowa making it to a fifth straight January bowl appear to be very good, as an offense that averaged 30 points per game last season returns its leader: senior quarterback Drew Tate. The All-America candidate finished fourth in the conference in passing efficiency last season, completing over 62 percent of his passes while throwing for 2,828 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Behind Tate returns junior tailback Albert Young, another All-America candidate who finished fourth in the Big Ten last year with 1,334 rushing yards, while also scoring eight touchdowns and catching 24 passes for 244 yards. The junior also set a school record in 2005 by rushing for 100 yards or more in seven consecutive games.

While returning seven defensive starters from last season, the Hawkeyes will miss the services of the league's top two tacklers from a year ago as linebackers Chad Greenway and Abdul Hodge were first and third-round NFL draft picks, respectively.

The Hawkeyes have seven home games this season, and get Ohio State and Big 12 contender Iowa State at home. The only game on the road that should give the Hawkeyes trouble is their Oct. 21 meeting with the Wolverines - a team that they lost to in overtime last year. If the Hawkeyes can somehow pull out a win at home over Ohio State on Sept. 30, look out, Big Ten. This may be the Hawkeyes' year.

2006 Iowa Schedule

Michigan

Things didn't go as usual last season for the Wolverines. Their 7-5 record marked their lowest win total since 1984, and a berth in the Alamo Bowl broke their streak of eight straight January bowl games. Michigan failed to finish the year in the Top 25 for the first time in 21 years, after beginning the season ranked No. 4. Needless to say, last season left many fans in Ann Arbor wondering what went wrong and hoping that Michigan can return to form in 2006.

Junior Chad Henne returns behind center for the Wolverines after starting all 24 games the past two seasons for UM. The 6-2, 223-pound quarterback already ranks third in school history in completions and fourth in touchdown passes. Henne's 48 touchdown throws are more than any other Michigan quarterback has thrown in a two-year span. The question in 2006 will be whether Henne can go out and find ways to win games, something that is expected from a veteran quarterback.

Running back Mike Hart returns in the backfield, and after a 2005 season that saw him miss four games due to hamstring and ankle problems, the junior is ready to go this year. While his numbers slipped last year, due in large part to the injuries, Hart hopes to stay healthy and have a season more like his freshman year, when he rushed for 1,455 yards and nine touchdowns as opposed to his 662-yard total last season. Hart did show periods of brilliance last year as well, when he was healthy, rushing for 218, 109, and 108 yards in a string of three games against Michigan State, Minnesota, and Penn State.

The Wolverines will get a real test to see just where they stand and how improved they are from last year when they travel to South Bend for a meeting with Notre Dame during the third week of the season. The Irish scored a 17-10 victory over Michigan last year.

2006 Michigan Schedule

Michigan State

After two straight five-win seasons, the pressure is on Michigan State and head coach John L. Smith to put together a winning season in East Lansing. Smith enters his fourth season as coach of the Spartans, and after winning eight games in his first season, the past two seasons have been disappointments.

If the Spartans are going to turn it around in '06, their hopes appear to center around senior quarterback Drew Stanton and whether or not he can stay healthy. If he can, then Michigan State may just post a winning record this season. Stanton put up some big numbers last season, as he completed 67 percent of his passes for over 3,000 yards and 22 touchdowns. Stanton is also a threat outside of the pocket, as the senior rushed for 338 yards and four touchdowns last season.

Besides returning Stanton to the offense, MSU also brings back its two leading rushers from a year ago as well as a talented group of receivers. Sophomore tailback Javon Ringer averaged a conference best 6. 7 yards per carry last season, while junior Jehuu Caulcrick ran for 478 yards and and seven scores.

Stanton's protection up front will see some new faces, as three starters must be replaced from last year. Meanwhile, last year's leading tackler and team MVP, Eric Smith, will be missed in the secondary, but look for some others to fill the void, including SirDarean Adams, who was fourth on the team in tackles last year, as well as Demond Williams and Greg Cooper, who has moved to cornerback after playing safety last season.

Michigan State benefits from a schedule that features seven home games in 2006. The Spartans host Notre Dame in one of those, a rematch from last year's thrilling 44-41 MSU overtime victory.

2006 Michigan State Schedule

Wisconsin

For the first time in 17 years, there will be someone other than Barry Alvarez roaming the sidelines as the Badgers' head coach, and that man happens to be former Wisconsin defensive coordinator Bret Bielema, who comes into the job at the young age of 36. Bielema has some big shoes to fill, as Alvarez recorded 118 wins, three Big Ten titles, and three Rose Bowl victories during his 16-year tenure in Madison.

The Badgers come into 2006 facing some big losses on offense. Most notable is the loss of running back Brian Calhoun, who leaves Wisconsin after just one season in Madison where he recorded 1,636 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. That kind of offensive contribution will be difficult to replace, as will Brandon Williams' numbers as a receiver and return specialist. Williams led the team last year with 59 catches for 1,095 yards and averaged a league-best 18.6 yards per catch.

A big bright spot for the Badgers and Bielema is the return of quarterback John Stocco, although he may not be ready for the start of the season due to knee surgery on August 11. The senior set school season records in passing yards (2,920) and touchdowns (21) en route to leading UW to a 10-3 record, not to mention a victory over Auburn in the Capital One Bowl to send Alvarez out with a win.

Look for the defense to be a strong point for the Badgers as well: the unit returns eight starters from last season. Senior Mark Zalewski, a third-year starter, will anchor the linebacking unit for the Badgers. Zalewski led UW for tackles for a loss last season with 12.5. Meanwhile, senior Joe Stellmacher, the team's leading returning tackler from last year with 90, along with fellow senior Roderick Rogers should provide strong play at the safety positions.

The Badgers open up the season with Bowling Green for their season opener before hosting Division I-AA Western Illinois in Week Two. While the Badgers will be favored in both of these games, we've seen in the past that teams from the MAC - like the Falcons - cannot be overlooked.

2006 Wisconsin Schedule

Northwestern

After the tragic passing of Randy Walker this summer, Pat Fitzgerald, a two-time National Defensive Player of the Year for Northwestern and an assistant on the staff since 2001, assumes the coaching duties for the Wildcats. At the age of just 31, Fitzgerald is the youngest head coach in Division I-A football.

The Wildcats face a big question at the quarterback position, where they lost four-year starter Brett Basanez. In his time at Northwestern, Basanez broke 30 school records and set a Big Ten record for participating in 1,975 total offensive plays in his career - a credit to his durability. Basanez was the conference's Offensive Player of the Year last season, leading the league in passing yards with 3,622 and recording 21 touchdown passes while completing 63.2 percent of his passes. So it's safe to say that his presence will be missed.

Another player whom the Wildcats will miss sorely in '06 will be linebacker Tim McGarigle, who finished his career as NCAA's all-time leading tackler, recording 548 tackles in his Northwestern career as a four-year starter.

Meanwhile, the Wildcats look to be in great shape at tailback, as sophomore Tyrell Sutton returns after a tremendous freshman season in which he rushed for 1,474 yards and 16 touchdowns en route to being named Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Look for Sutton to get more touches this season with a new starting quarterback being in the mix.

The Wildcats may enter their Big Ten opener on Sept. 30 at Penn State with a 4-0 record, but the conference part of the schedule will be extremely challenging, as Northwestern plays road games at Penn State, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Iowa.

2006 Northwestern Schedule

Minnesota

The Golden Gophers recorded their fourth straight season with seven or more wins last year, finishing with a 7-5 mark and a loss to Virginia in the Music City Bowl.

Minnesota faces big questions at running back, where both Laurence Maroney - the conference's top rusher last season with 1,464 yards and 10 touchdowns - and Gary Russell, who ran for 1,130 yards and 18 touchdowns, are gone. While Maroney went on to be a first-round draft pick of the New England Patriots, Russell was declared academically ineligible during the offseason. Look for junior Amir Pinnix to try to pick up the duties at tailback. He ran for 206 yards on 32 carries last season against Michigan State when Maroney was down with an injury last season.

Senior quarterback Bryan Cupito returns for the Gophers. Cupito threw for 2,530 yards and 19 touchdowns last season, and will look to improve those numbers in '06, throwing to a talented group of returning receivers consisting of wideouts Ernie Wheelwright and Logan Payne and tight end Mark Spaeth, who was a first-team All Big Ten pick last season after recording 26 receptions.

If the Gophers want to have a better 2006 season, their defensive line, where three new starters will emerge, needs to get better. Minnesota finished ninth in the conference last year with just 15 sacks in 12 games.

The Gophers will get an early test, as they head out to California for a showdown with the Bears, who look to be a strong contender for the Pac-10 title, in Week Two.

2006 Minnesota Schedule

Indiana


The Hoosiers are still trying to break through in the Big Ten and capture a winning season. It didn't happen last year, as IU went 4-7 overall and just got one conference win - a 36-13 victory over Illinois.

Head coach Terry Hoeppner heads into his second season at IU and will look to improve a team that was last in the league in total offense last season, averaging just 350.8 yards per game in 2005.

Junior quarterback Blake Powers will have to play better this year if Indiana has any shot of improving. The junior was ninth in the league in passing efficiency last year and threw a conference-high 16 interceptions.

A good thing for the Hoosiers is five winnable contests to start the season. A good start will be vital to an Indiana team that's trying to build a winning program. Home attendance was way up last year, and if the Hoosiers start off strong, they can expect more and more interest in Indiana football as Hoeppner tries to build a foundation and a winning program at Indiana.

2006 Indiana Schedule

Purdue

The Boilermakers are coming off a disappointing 5-6 campaign, where Purdue dropped six straight games after a 2-0 start to finish with a losing record - head coach Joe Tiller's first in his nine-year tenure at the helm.

What happened to Purdue last season? Well, play was just not there on either side of the ball. The Boilermakers ranked last in the league in pass defense and red-zone defense, ranked last in passing efficiency, and were 10th in time of possession and penalty yards. The fact that 11 starters are gone from last year's team won't make things any easier.

Tops on the "To Do" list in West Lafayette will be finding someone to replace tailback Jerod Void - the team's top rusher last season. Look for sophomore Kory Sheets to step into the starting role, as he backed up Void last season. Anthony Heygood and Jaycen Taylor may also challenge for playing time at tailback.

Sophomore Curtis Painter returns at quarterback after stepping in midseason last year to replace Brandon Kirsch. With a season of experience under his belt, Painter will look to improve upon his completion percentage from last season of 52.4.

On the defense, the Boilermakers will miss strong safety Bernard Pollard, who was a second-round draft choice this past April. Pollard was the team's leading tackler with 92 stops and interceptions with three. Purdue does return its pair of linebackers in senior George Hall and junior Stanford Keglar.

Purdue's first three games are all at home and not against Top 25 teams - a good thing for a program that will be trying to get back on track this season.

2006 Purdue Schedule

Illinois

Ron Zook enters Year Two in Champaign, and it would be hard for his second year to be any worse than his first, as the Illini went just 2-9 last year and were winless in the Big Ten.

Senior quarterback Tim Brasic will lead the Illini offense once again in 2006, and he'll be looking to improve after ranking tenth in the league in passing efficiency last season. Meanwhile, seniors Pierre Thomas and E.B. Halsey will be in the backfield. The duo teamed up last season to rush for 1,013 yards rushing as well as 66 catches.

The offensive line returns everyone from last year, and just like most areas on the team, the O-line will have to improve: The Illini offense was last in the Big Ten in scoring in 2005, averaging just 17.0 points per game.

The defense brings back a lot of familiar faces as well, returning 10 starters from 2005. The defensive unit will be looking to improve as well after ranking last in the league in points allowed per game (39.5 ppg), while also ranking last in rushing defense.

The Illini have seven home games this year, including home contests with Purdue and Indiana - two games where Illinois has a shot at getting a conference victory.

2006 Illinois Schedule

 

[BB73]

sportsline

Big Ten preview: Carr need not worry about job security

By Dennis Dodd

Lloyd Carr is a man's man. A supermodel for the male ethic. A Big Ten icon, genetically linked to the conference's coaching greats.
That set jaw. That laser-beam look.

That set jaw. That laser-beam look.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=180 align=left><TBODY><TR><TD width=180>

</TD><TD width=15> </TD></TR><TR><TD width=180>The Wolverines have won five Big Ten titles with Lloyd Carr at the helm. (Getty Images) </TD><TD width=15> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Carr is also vulnerable.
Not so much vulnerable to being fired. We'll see about that. But vulnerable like a weepy Lifetime television show. People forget he landed the Michigan job only after surviving what amounted to an interim-coach tryout in 1995. Carr successfully bridged the distance between the scandalous Gary Moeller resignation and an uncertain future with an 8-2 start in '95.
It was during those uncertain times that Bo Schembechler slipped down to his old assistant's office.
Carr divulged what the legendary coach told him. "(Schembechler) said this to me: 'Look, there's going to be times when you doubt yourself. The reason I know that is that I have doubts about myself. When you have these doubts just get rid of them because you're prepared and you know what it takes. Go do it.'"
That left a strong impression on Carr. "Why that was such great advice is because here's one of the greatest coaches to ever coach the game and he's telling me he had doubts."
A Meredith Baxter Birney five-hanky moment if there ever was one.
It is equal parts ridiculous and curious that Carr's job status is a subject of discussion. Entering his 12th year, Carr is coming off his worst season. To be truthful, it's more than that. Last year's 7-5 season was the school's worst in 21 years. That combined with Carr's 1-4 record against Ohio State's Jim Tressel has some wolves howling at the head Wolverine's door.
<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="42%" align=left border=0><TBODY><TR class=bg0><TD align=middle>Big Ten </TD></TR><TR class=bg1><TD align=middle>Predicted Finish </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>1. Ohio State </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>2. Michigan </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>3. Iowa </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>4. Penn State </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>5. Wisconsin </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>6. Michigan State </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>7. Purdue </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>8. Minnesota </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>9. Northwestern </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>10. Indiana </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>11. Illinois </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD colSpan=2>Team to beat: </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD colSpan=2>Ohio State </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD colSpan=2>Sleeper team: </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD colSpan=2>Iowa </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD colSpan=2>Offensive MVP: </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD colSpan=2>Troy Smith, Ohio State </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD colSpan=2>Defensive MVP: </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD colSpan=2>Paul Posluszny, Penn State </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD colSpan=2>Coach of the year: </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD colSpan=2>Jim Tressel, Ohio State </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
In one sense, AD Bill Martin would be a fool to pull the plug on the nation's fifth-winningest active I-A coach. A national championship (1997), five Big Ten titles and a .750 winning percentage have to count for something.
Then again, this is Michigan and the school does have its pride.
"You understand you have to win if you want to stay," Carr said, repeating the line he tells young coaches. "That's fair."
Winning, though, has an entirely different definition in Ann Arbor. The program is the last of the great powerhouses. It has the nation's longest bowl streak (31). It remains the nation's winningest program with 849 victories in 127 years.
Literally, every major program below Michigan on that list has been a victim of parity in recent years. Nebraska, Alabama, Penn State, Texas, USC and Miami all have endured at least one losing season in the last 10 years. All of those except Penn State have changed coaches at least once.
What does Carr have to do to pimp slap the critics back into the woodwork? A national championship would be nice. That isn't going to happen this year. A conference title? Probably not this year either given Ohio State.
Ten victories? Maybe.
Carr doesn't know what it will take. Outwardly, he doesn't care. Like a lot of his peers, he goes into a bunker during the season, doesn't read the printed word for long stretches. His inspiration is the USC president, of all people. In 2001, "The Contrarian's Guide To Leadership" by Steve Sample was an Los Angeles Times best-seller.
"He stopped reading the newspapers," Carr said. "You're still going to know because people are going to tell you. His deal was rather than getting it from a writer, he was going to get interpretations from a friend. The friend is going to have his biases, too but at least he is going to know what they are. At the end of six months he was as well-versed on what was going on than had he read the paper."
While that's bad news for hacks like yours truly, it shows how focused Carr is.
Lately, though, the old Lloyd glare that used melt reporters' resolve seems to be missing. He talks in muted, measured tones. Maybe it's just a Wolvervine-in-winter type thing. Maybe it's a hint of humility.
"I'm reading an article the other day on the third baseman of the Yankees (Alex Rodriguez)," Carr said. "I didn't realize (the criticism). I don't care who you are, you're going to have times when you lose a game. Sometimes it's like a black cloud. You think, 'God, are we ever going to win another game.'"
It's clear the revival message has been spread throughout the team. Last year the Wolverines didn't finish. They lost late against Wisconsin. A vulnerable Notre Dame won in Ann Arbor. The late upchuck against Ohio State was horrid. Three losses by 14 total points.
<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="30%" align=right border=0><TBODY><TR class=bg0><TD align=middle colSpan=2>Conference Previews </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>ACC </TD><TD>MWC </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Big East </TD><TD>Pac-10 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Big Ten </TD><TD>SEC </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Big 12 </TD><TD>Sun Belt </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>C-USA </TD><TD>WAC </TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>MAC </TD><TD>Indep. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
The season ended almost comically in the Alamo Bowl, the first non-January postseason game for Michigan in nine years. If the amateurish Sun Belt officiating crew wasn't screwing up, Michigan was. The loss to Nebraska ended with Tyler Ecker being tackled, after multiple laterals on a kickoff, at the Huskers 13.
Judging by draft day, Carr and staff haven't finished lately on the recruiting trail either. No Wolverines were taken on the first day of the NFL Draft, only three total.
"We're very hungry," left tackle Jake Long said. "It's definitely not a season I would want to have again. It's not why we came to Michigan."
Carr cracked the usual coaches' whip after a down year. Both coordinators are gone. Offensive linemen were asked to mimic a national trend by getting smaller. The Wolverines might get better by being out of the training room. Tailback Michael Hart is back healthy after hamstring and ankle problems.
The problem is Carr, 61, is too young to retire, too valuable to be fired. He seems to know that. Wolves and Wolverines everywhere should too.
If Lloyd isn't good enough, who is?
"One of the great things about coaching at Michigan and playing at Michigan is the expectations and pressure," he said. "It's also one of the toughest."
Offensive MVP: Troy Smith, Ohio State Defensive MVP: Paul Posluszny, Penn State Sleeper team: Iowa Team to beat: Ohio State Coach of the Year: Jim Tressel, Ohio State
Predicted order of finish

1. Ohio State It will be interesting to see how Tressel opens up the offense with the most weapons he has had at Ohio State. After Smith, Ted Ginn Jr., Anthony Gonzalez and Antonio Pittman, watch for freshman tailback Chris Wells.
2. Michigan The Wolverines are playing with a grudge. Will anger carry them on the road at Notre Dame, Penn State and Ohio State?
3. Iowa Long ago Iowa made it the Big Three. With apologies to Michigan, this might be the league's second-best offense.
4. Penn State There is speed all over the field, just not the talent of last season. Anthony Morelli must win a game before he can win a big game.
5. Wisconsin Typical Whiskey. Brawny and run-based. If the Badgers are going to be a factor redshirt freshman P.J. Hill is going to have to replace Brian Calhoun right away.
6. Michigan State Enough offense to upset Notre Dame on Sept. 23. Shaky enough to lose at Indiana on Oct. 28.
7. Purdue Please, Joe Tiller, we beg you. Give us back basketball-on-grass and a spunky eight-win bowl team. It's probably not going to happen this year with a porous defense.
8. Minnesota Minny used to be a running back factory. Now Glen Mason is scrambling after Gary Russell failed to qualify academically.
9. Northwestern Pat Fitzgerald might have the toughest job in America -- rally the team after the death of its coach. Six victories would be considered a minor miracle.
10. Indiana The Hoosiers wore down, losing their final six last year. We still believe Terry Hoeppner could become the new Joe Tiller.
11. Illinois The talent is there for four or five victories. Too bad Chris Leak couldn't follow his former coach.
Offensive MVP

Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State, Sr. Once Smith trusted his arm on the field and kept his hands in his pockets off it, he started to become a star. A national championship this year and Smith might be perceived as the best Ohio State QB ever.
Defensive MVP

Paul Posluszny, LB, Penn State, Sr. Typical JoePa linebacker -- well spoken, polite and willing to rip your head off. His leadership makes the Lions a factor to defend the '05 title.

 

[BB73]

si.com

<TABLE style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000 1px solid" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=554 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=photo colSpan=3></TD></TR><TR><TD class=nav2 width="20%">Big Ten</TD><TD class=nav colSpan=2>How They'll Finish</TD></TR><TR><TD class=standings colSpan=3><!-- STANDINGS --><TABLE style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000 0px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000 0px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000 0px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000 0px solid" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=conference_header>TEAM</TD><TD class=conference_header>CONFERENCE W-L</TD><TD class=conference_header>OVERALL W-L</TD></TR><TR><TD class=table_cells>Ohio State</TD><TD class=table_cells2>8-0</TD><TD class=table_cells2>12-0</TD></TR><TR><TD class=table_cells>Michigan</TD><TD class=table_cells2>7-1</TD><TD class=table_cells2>10-2</TD></TR><TR><TD class=table_cells>Penn State</TD><TD class=table_cells2>6-2</TD><TD class=table_cells2>9-3</TD></TR><TR><TD class=table_cells>Iowa</TD><TD class=table_cells2>6-2</TD><TD class=table_cells2>10-2</TD></TR><TR><TD class=table_cells>Michigan State</TD><TD class=table_cells2>5-3</TD><TD class=table_cells2>8-4</TD></TR><TR><TD class=table_cells>Wisconsin</TD><TD class=table_cells2>4-4</TD><TD class=table_cells2>8-4</TD></TR><TR><TD class=table_cells>Purdue</TD><TD class=table_cells2>4-4</TD><TD class=table_cells2>8-5</TD></TR><TR><TD class=table_cells>Northwestern</TD><TD class=table_cells2>2-6</TD><TD class=table_cells2>4-8</TD></TR><TR><TD class=table_cells>Illinois</TD><TD class=table_cells2>1-7</TD><TD class=table_cells2>4-8</TD></TR><TR><TD class=table_cells>Minnesota</TD><TD class=table_cells2>1-7</TD><TD class=table_cells2>4-8</TD></TR><TR><TD class=table_cells>Indiana</TD><TD class=table_cells2>0-8</TD><TD class=table_cells2>3-9</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- STANDINGS --></TD></TR><!-- /TOPPER + PHOTO --><!-- CAN'T MISS GAMES --><TR><TD class=nav2 width="20%"></TD><TD class=nav colSpan=2></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<TABLE style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000 1px solid" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=554 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=nav2 width="20%">Big Ten</TD><TD class=nav colSpan=2>Can't Miss Games</TD></TR><TR><TD class=games3 vAlign=center colSpan=3>Ohio State at Iowa SEPTEMBER 20 </TD></TR><TR><TD class=table2 colSpan=3><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>

</TD><TD class=games4>The Hawkeyes should be 4-0 heading into their Big Ten home opener and will be in position to make a run at the conference title if they can pull off the upset. The game falls at the end of a tough month for the Buckeyes, who play at Texas on Sept. 9 and will be coming off an emotional rematch with Penn State. </TD><TD>

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=games3 vAlign=center colSpan=3>Michigan at Penn State October 14 </TD></TR><TR><TD class=table2 colSpan=3><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>

</TD><TD class=games4>The Nittany Lions have had this date circled on the calendar for months. The only blemish on Penn State's record last year came in Ann Arbor, a 27-25 last-play loss due in part to the referee's controversial decision to put two seconds back on the clock during the Wolverines' game-winning drive. </TD><TD>

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=games3 vAlign=center colSpan=3>Michigan at Ohio State NOVEMBER 18 </TD></TR><TR><TD class=table2 colSpan=3><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>

</TD><TD class=games4>The victor figures to take home the Big Ten title, and a berth in the BCS national championship game could be on the line as well. This much is certain: The Wolverines won't leave Columbus with a win if they can't stop Buckeyes quarterback Troy Smith, who has burned Michigan each of the last two years. </TD><TD>

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><!-- /CAN'T MISS GAMES --><!-- PLAYERS TO WATCH --><TR><TD class=nav2 width="20%">Big Ten</TD><TD class=nav colSpan=2>Players To Watch</TD></TR><TR><TD class=games3 vAlign=center colSpan=3>Mark Zalewski LB - Wisconsin </TD></TR><TR><TD class=table2 colSpan=3><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>

</TD><TD class=games4>The 6'2", 232-pound senior moved from outside to middle linebacker last fall and had a breakout season, leading the Badgers with 121Ú2 tackles for loss. This year he heads one of the most athletic linebacking units in the conference. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=games3 vAlign=center colSpan=3>Tyrell Sutton RB - Northwestern </TD></TR><TR><TD class=table2 colSpan=3><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=games4>The Big Ten freshman of the year in '05, he topped the Wildcats in rushing (1,474 yards) and scoring (108 points) and was fourth in catches (44). With the departure of QB Brett Basanez, the 5'9", 190-pound Sutton becomes the leader of the offense. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=games3 vAlign=center colSpan=3>Dorien Bryant WR - Purdue </TD></TR><TR><TD class=table2 colSpan=3><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=games4>He has been timed at 4.4 seconds in the 40, and he plays bigger than his 5'10", 175-pound frame. As a sophomore, Bryant led the Boilermakers with 80 catches for 960 yards and four TDs while topping the Big Ten in catches per game (7.3). </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=games3 vAlign=center colSpan=3>Kenny Iwebema DE - Iowa </TD></TR><TR><TD class=table2 colSpan=3><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=games4>One of the emerging stars on an inexperienced line last season, the 6'4", 270-pound Iwebema had a team-high seven sacks and was second with 10 tackles for loss. The junior is on the watch lists for the Hendricks and Lott awards. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=games3 vAlign=center colSpan=3>Matt Spaeth TE - Minnesota </TD></TR><TR><TD class=table2 colSpan=3><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=games4>One of the Big Ten's best, the 6'7", 265-pound senior ranked third on the Gophers last season with 26 catches for 333 yards and four touchdowns -- impressive statistics on a team that ran the ball nearly 66% of the time. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><!-- /LAYERS TO WATCH --><!-- EXTRA POINTS --><TR><TD class=nav2 width="20%">Big Ten</TD><TD class=nav colSpan=2>Extra Points</TD></TR><TR><TD class=table2 colSpan=3><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=games5><!-- photo --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=200 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=10>

</TD><TD class=cnnImgAdPad width=200>

AP


</TD></TR><TR><TD width=10>

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- /photo -->The basketball-on-grass attack at PURDUE had a Big Ten-low 10 touchdown passes last fall, but that should change under new quarterbacks coach Ed Zaunbrecher, who has tutored a raft of accomplished passers, including Florida's Chris Leak. Zaunbrecher, who coached most recently at Illinois, should help sophomore Curtis Painter master the deep throw.... INDIANA wideout JAMES HARDY (right), who quit basketball last winter to focus on football, should have a big year. The 6'7", 220-pounder caught 61 passes for 893 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2005 as a redshirt freshman but struggled with leg injuries that carried over from basketball season. He'll thrive in coach Terry Hoeppner's wide-open offense, which rolled up 659 passing yards in the spring game.... MICHIGAN STATE has struggled with consistency under fourth-year coach John L. Smith, and part of the reason has been a lack of balance between the offense and the defense. Last year the Spartans ranked fifth in the country in total offense but 87th in defense. The defense should get a boost this year with the addition of strong safety Nehemiah Warrick, a transfer from Hutchinson (Kans.) Junior College and a cousin of Seattle Seahawks wideout Peter Warrick. Nicknamed "Nemo," the 6'1" 204-pounder so delighted Smith in spring ball that he was promptly named a starter.... Look for ILLINOIS freshman quarterback Isiah Williams to push for playing time early on. The 6'2", 207-pound Williams has a superior arm to that of senior starter Tim Brasic and is a much better all-around athlete. -- Mark Beech </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[osugrad21]

DDN

First road trip's never easy

By Rusty Miller
Associated Press

Friday, September 15, 2006
Three of the most ominous words for a football coach at any level: "first road game."
The Big Ten found that out last week, with six teams wandering into other teams' stadiums and three leaving with lopsided defeats.
Michigan's Lloyd Carr hopes his team isn't next when it visits No. 2 Notre Dame on Saturday.
After the first 11-0 weekend in conference history seven days earlier, the Big Ten went 3-3 on the road last week.
No. 1 Ohio State's 24-7 victory over defending national champion and then-No. 2 Texas was the only real bright spot. Iowa, without starting quarterback Drew Tate, was fortunate to escape Syracuse (which has lost its last 11 games) with a 20-13 victory in double overtime. Indiana trailed 17-0 and needed a missed extra-point by Ball State to pull out a 24-23 win.
Elsewhere, Illinois was manhandled at Rutgers 33-0, Penn State was on the wrong side of a 41-17 beating at Notre Dame and Minnesota lost 42-17 at California.
The pressure is mounting at Michigan. Since winning a share of the national championship in 1997, the Wolverines have made it through September unbeaten once.
There are whispers that Carr's job may be in jeopardy if he doesn't beat Notre Dame (he's 3-4 against the Irish) or Ohio State (one win in last five meetings). After winning his first nine games against teams ranked in the Top 10, he's gone 6-6 in the last 12.
Carr doesn't dwell on what's at stake Saturday ? at least not publicly. He icily deflected questions about his record against Notre Dame during a news conference, but did address what it's like on that initial road trip.
"Hey, you're going to be nervous. If you're not nervous going into this game, then you don't have any blood in your body," he said. "But that's all part of it, and once the ball is kicked off, then that field is the same size as it is at home."
WR's Tran'sformation
Michigan State's Matt Trannon caught 14 passes for 151 yards against Eastern Michigan, breaking Plaxico Burress' school mark of 13 grabs against Florida in the 2000 Citrus Bowl.
Trannon, the Big Ten offensive player of the week, caught two TD passes and even threw for a 35-yard score.
The 6-foot-6, 235-pound senior, better known for his work with the Spartans basketball team, caught a fade for his final score that would be almost impossible for a small defensive back to stop. Trannon said it was just like rebounding a basketball.
MSU quarterback Drew Stanton had the best strategy for covering Trannon: "I'd hold him."
Purdue's 1-2 punch
Purdue is the only team with two players in the nation's top 10 in all-purpose yards.
WR Dorien Bryant has 228 receiving yards and is ninth in all-purpose yards with 168 per game. RB Kory Sheets has 188 rushing yards and is fifth nationally with 187 all-purpose yards a game.
"In our last game, we weren't sound the whole game, but we had big plays," quarterback Curtis Painter said. "And those two guys were keys to those big plays."
Bye-week Temple
After allowing 531 yards and 42 points in the rout at Cal, Minnesota should get a respite against Temple, which has scored 3 points in its first two games.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

BIG TEN ROUNDUP
Stanton helps Michigan State stay undefeated

Sunday, September 17, 2006


ASSOCIATED PRESS

</IMG> KEITH SRAKOCIC ASSOCIATED PRESS Michigan State running back Javon Ringer breaks away against Pittsburgh.



Michigan St . 38, Pittsburgh 23 ?
Drew Stanton threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score to lead Michigan State past host Pittsburgh yesterday.
Pittsburgh led 10-0 in the first quarter, but Michigan State (3-0) scored the next 38 points.
Stanton, who hit 16 of 25 passes for 198 yards, led drives of 75, 64, 83 and 99 yards in the second half. The final scoring drive featured a 71-yard run by Javon Ringer.
Stanton ran for 105 yards on 13 carries.

No . 25 Penn State 37, Young stown State 3 ?
Tony Hunt ran for 143 yards and a touchdown, A.J. Wallace scored on a 76-yard reverse and Penn State beat Youngstown State in State College, Pa.
Penn State (2-1) had 568 yards of offense and limited Youngstown State (2-1) to 184.

Southern Illinois 35, Indiana 28 ?
Nick Hill threw four touchdown passes and Arkee Whitlock scored on a 9-yard TD run with 5:50 left to lift Southern Illinois over host Indiana in Bloomington, Ind.
The Salukis (2-0), a Division I-AA playoff team the past three seasons, ended a 20-game losing streak against I-A foes.
Indiana (2-1) gave up 254 yards rushing and blew a 14-0 first-half lead. The Hoosiers played without coach Terry Hoeppner, who had brain surgery Wednesday, and also were missing top receiver James Hardy, was suspended Tuesday.

Purdue 38, Ball State 28 ?
Curtis Painter passed for 416 yards and three touchdowns ? two to Kory Sheets ? as host Purdue (3-0) beat Ball State (1-2) in West Lafayette, Ind.
Painter was 30 of 39 and ran for a touchdown.
Sheets had 122 total yards and three touchdowns. He scored twice in the second half on a 2-yard run in the third quarter and a 7-yard reception in the fourth.
Selwyn Lymon had eight catches for 90 yards and Dustin Keller had four catches for 148 yards, all in the first half, as Purdue rolled up 533 yards.

Wisconsin 14, San Diego State 0 ?
Freshman P.J. Hill ran for 184 yards and a touchdown ? a 53-yarder in the third quarter ? and Wisconsin?s defense did the rest in a victory in Madison, Wis.
Hill has 415 yards and five touchdowns in his first three games, but Wisconsin (3-0) showed few other wrinkles against San Diego State (0-2) before its Big Ten opener at Michigan next Saturday.

Minnesota 62, Temple 0 ?
Bryan Cupito threw four touchdown passes to Logan Payne and Minnesota (2-1) routed Temple (0-3) in Minneapolis.
Payne finished with six catches for 136 yards.

Northwestern 14, Eastern Michigan 6 ?
Corey Wootton?s interception in the fourth quarter stopped a scoring threat and Northwestern (2-1) beat Eastern Michigan (0-3) in Evanston, Ill.
The Eagles were at the Northwestern 32-yard when Tyler Jones overthrew Eric Deslauriers in the end zone with about six minutes left. Wootton then picked off a pass at the 27.

Syracuse 31, Illinois 21 ?
Syracuse receiver Taj Smith made his first career start a memorable one with two touchdowns and the Orange (1-2) ended an 11-game losing streak with a victory over Illinois (1-2) in Champaign, Ill. Smith scored Syracuse?s first touchdown on a 41-yard fumble return and scored on a 65-yard reception.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

IOWA 27 IOWA STATE 17
Tate gets Hawkeyes in gear
QB leads comeback with three TD passes

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Luke Meredith
ASSOCIATED PRESS

</IMG> CHARLIE NEIBERGALL ASSOCIATED PRESS Iowa quarterback Drew Tate looks to throw a pass while getting pressured by Iowa State?s Rashawn Parker.


IOWA CITY, Iowa ? Iowa could have folded to Iowa State yet again. Drew Tate wouldn?t let that happen.
The Hawkeyes senior quarterback threw for 274 yards and three touchdowns and No. 16 Iowa rallied from an 11-point deficit to beat Iowa State 27-17 yesterday.
The Cyclones (2-1) had taken six of the past eight from Iowa ? including a 23-3 beating last season ? and looked poised to make it seven of nine. But Tate, who sat out the previous week?s overtime win at Syracuse because of an abdominal strain, led the Hawkeyes (3-0) back by throwing two touchdown passes in the second half.
"The best thing from my vantage point was that it looked we grew in that second half and improved as a football team," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said.
Amid the hype surrounding the state?s marquee sporting event, Iowa?s players went through an emotionally trying week. Linebacker Mike Klinkenborg?s father passed away from an apparent heart attack and receiver Calvin Davis ? a locker room favorite ? suffered a torn Achilles? tendon in practice.
Klinkenborg made eight tackles.
"I know Mike?s father is looking down and smiling right now, very proud of Mike?s doings on the football field," Ferentz said. "To me, he?s a model Hawkeye."
Tate threw for 93 yards on consecutive scoring drives that put Iowa ahead 24-17 early in the fourth quarter. He found Tony Moeaki for a 19-yard touchdown with 3:32 left in the third quarter to tie the score, then hit Tom Busch with a 2-yard scoring strike that proved to be the winning score.
Both Moeaki and Busch, along with sophomore Andy Brodell, caught their first touchdown passes. Freshman Dominique Douglas led Iowa with six receptions for 88 yards in his first career start.
"I like the younger guys because they don?t know anything except what to do. They?ve got tunnel vision," Tate said.
Iowa?s defense finished off Iowa State once it had a lead to work with. The Hawkeyes kept the Cyclones from crossing the 50-yard line on their final four drives and bailed out Tate after he committed the game?s only turnover.
Tate threw an interception at the Iowa State 17-yard line with less than six minutes left. But the Hawkeyes held the Cyclones on downs, as Bret Meyer?s desperation dive for the first-down marker fell a half-yard short.
Kyle Schlicher kicked a 44-yard field goal with 42 seconds left. Meyer finished 15 of 31 for 152 yards and passed Seneca Wallace as Iowa State?s career leader in passing yards. He also ran for 74 yards and a touchdown.

 

[osugrad21]

Link

Big Ten has no room for comfort
Jason Lloyd, Morning Journal Columnist
09/19/2006

Email to a friendPost a CommentPrinter-friendly

BEFORE Saturday, Ohio State was starting to look like a runaway train rolling downhill in the Big Ten.


Iowa needed overtime to beat Syracuse, Michigan's Chad Henne couldn't complete a pass and Michigan State, well, at some point every year, the Spartans punch out and go home well before they run out of games to play.

Then a funny thing happened on the way to a conference championship. Drew Tate got healthy last week and the Hawkeyes beat Iowa State, the in-state rival that always gives them fits. Michigan State's defense fought back, for once, when Pitt held a 10-0 lead in the first quarter and had possession after recovering a surprise onside kick.

Now the Spartans are 2-0, as usual, and preparing to welcome a Notre Dame team that is more black than blue and full of lumps following what Michigan did to them.

Of all the teams Ohio State needs to worry about, Michigan State is quietly creeping to the top of that list. Quarterback Drew Stanton is looking like the best Big Ten quarterback not named Troy Smith, if not for a botched field goal attempt at the end of the half, the Spartans probably should have beaten Ohio State last year in Columbus, and now the players and coaches realize they're probably playing for coach John L. Smith's job.

Then there is Michigan, which looked no better than mediocre through the first two games. Now the Wolverines are going old school and winning with defense, a sound running game and a few big plays.

That was all Big Ten football used to be, before the spread offense, the scrambling quarterbacks and the zone blitzes became common in the Midwest and everywhere else.

So what does it all mean? Ohio State is obviously the favorite to win an outright Big Ten championship, something the Buckeyes haven't done since 1984, but it won't come without a fight. And the first fight will happen long before Nov. 18.

As Big Ten play opens this weekend, here is a look at the top three most dangerous games left for Ohio State, plus why they will and why they won't win all three.

Sept. 30 at Iowa

Why Ohio State will win: The Hawkeyes can't score enough to keep up. Drew Tate joins Stanton and Smith as the Holy Trinity of Big Ten quarterbacks, but someone has to catch what he's throwing. And thus far, Iowa's passing game hasn't been what it should be with a guy like Tate flinging it.

Why Ohio State will lose: They got past their phobia of night games with the win over Texas, but believe it or not, the scene at Kinnick Stadium might be even crazier. Texans certainly know how to have a good time, and the whole weekend surrounding Texas-Ohio State had the feel of a national championship, but the structure of Royal-Memorial stadium keeps the Longhorns from having a real home-field advantage. Even when the crowd is roaring, it's not deafening on the field.

That's not true of Kinnick, which joins Wisconsin's Camp Randall Stadium as two of the Big Ten's toughest venues for road teams. The fans are just a few feet from the benches and the crowds know how to use it to their advantage. Iowa has won 32 of its last 35 at home, including a school-record 22-game streak that ended last year. Bottom line: Iowa is difficult to beat at home, and doubly difficult to do it at night.

Oct. 14 at Michigan State

Why Ohio State will win: Because the Spartans almost always fold against adversity. It has been their trademark since Smith replaced Bobby Williams as head coach.

Need proof? After starting 4-0 last year, including a stunning overtime win in South Bend, the Spartans ended the season by losing six of their last seven. They have plenty of glitz and they can score with any team in the country, but as soon as they get pushed, they don't know how to shove back. Ohio State is a team that likes to push ... hard.

Why Ohio State will lose: Stanton and his receivers could cut apart the Buckeyes young secondary, which really hasn't been tested by a veteran quarterback yet. Tate will be the first, but Stanton might be the best test.

Matt Trannon, who also plays on Michigan State's football team, set a school record by catching 14 passes in a game earlier this year. The Spartans can, and will, score points in bunches. In order to beat them, you have to outscore them. Ohio State has clearly shown that ability, but doing it on the road, against a team that learned how to fight back in last week's win over Pitt, will be difficult.

Nov. 18 vs. Michigan

Why Ohio State will win: Because it's Michigan and Jim Tressel has the same kind of voodoo magic on Lloyd Carr that Carr held over John Cooper. And because Tressel has Troy Smith, who has proven he plays his best in big games. While it's still entirely too early to start projecting, the way Michigan played Notre Dame over the weekend, it's not too far of a stretch to imagine both teams entering The Game unbeaten and untied. That hasn't happened since 1973.

Why Ohio State will lose: Because Carr is 1-4 vs. Tressel, and you figure sooner or later he's due. Beyond karma, Michigan's defense is the best it has been in years, running back Mike Hart is healthy and the Wolverines have adopted a run blocking scheme this year that allows Hart to choose which hole to hit. This is an angry Michigan team full of players tired of hearing about last year's 7-5 season and tired of defending Carr's status in Ann Arbor. Nothing will silence all of that like a win in Columbus, regardless of what happens between now and then.

So who will win and who will lose these three?

How should I know? I picked Texas.

[email protected]

 

[osugrad21]

Link

Michigan-OSU back on top?

By Reid Hanley
Tribune staff reporter

September 19, 2006, 10:48 PM CDT

Is the Big Ten again the Big Two and Little How Many? If you look at the rankings, No. 1 Ohio State and No. 6 Michigan have separated from their conference brethren.

The Buckeyes and Wolverines were the preseason picks to lead the conference so their national rankings and 3-0 records aren't much of a surprise. As for the rest of the conference teams, their status remains to be seen as the Big Ten season opens Saturday. No. 14 Iowa (3-0) and No. 24 Penn State (2-1) have the rankings while Michigan State (3-0), Wisconsin (3-0) and Purdue (3-0) have the records.



In the last 10 years eight different teams either have won or shared the title. The 111th Big Ten season likely will have a few surprises.

"It's amazing," Minnesota coach Glen Mason said. "Before Michigan played Notre Dame last week everybody had Michigan buried, not very good, and Lloyd Carr fired. Now all of a sudden we have the Big Two and Little Nine. There is a lot of football to be played."

The first Saturday of play features two strong matchups with Wisconsin visiting Michigan and Penn State at Ohio State. Michigan State can validate its quick start against Notre Dame in East Lansing.

Here's a quick look around the conference:

Wisconsin (3-0) at Michigan (3-0), 11 a.m.

Coach Bret Bielema's first conference game will be in Michigan's Big House. The Badgers will see the top-rated Big Ten defense against the rush try to stop Badger freshman P.J. Hill who leads the conference in rushing with 415 yards on 70 carries.

"The best thing about P.J. is he's a football player," Bielema said. "He really enjoys the game, he enjoys the preparation. He enjoys the competition on Saturday and ultimately enjoys winning."

Wolverine senior linebacker Prescott Burgess was chosen Big Ten defensive player of the week after a five tackle, two interception performance.

"It was a great victory last week but it's over with," said Burgess, who ran one interception back for a touchdown. "We have to focus on Wisconsin."

Wolverine receiver Mario Manningham, who caught three touchdown passes against Notre Dame, is the conference's offensive player of the week.

Minnesota (2-1) at Purdue (3-0), 11 a.m.

Gopher senior wide receiver Logan Payne caught four touchdown passes against Temple. He caught six balls for 136 yards overall.

"Anything I see the guy do now, doesn't surprise me," Mason said. "He has a lot of confidence and is playing well."

Boilermaker coach Joe Tiller calls sophomore quarterback Curtis Painter "a work in progress." Painter completed 30 of 39 passes for 416 yards and three touchdowns against Ball State.

"He's starting to get a little bit better grasp of the offense and the timing of the game," Tiller said.

Illinois (1-2) at Iowa (3-0), 11 a.m.

The Illini quarterback controversy probably won't affect the way Iowa prepares for Illinois, the way coach Ron Zook looks at it.

"I'm sure Iowa knows it is going to see both [Tim Brasic and Isiah Williams] and that's probably not a big concern for them," Zook said.

Hawkeye linebacker Mike Klinkenborg was named the Walter Camp Football Foundation national defensive player of the week for his performance against Iowa State. The Rock Rapids, Iowa, junior, playing less than a week after the death of his father Myron, had eight tackles against the Cyclones.

Penn State (2-1) at Ohio State (3-0), 2:30 p.m.



Nittany Lion sophomore receiver Derrick Williams, who caught one pass for 18 yards, showed off his skills as a runner against Youngstown State. He ran nine times for 56 yards and a touchdown.

"Derrick is a kid who can do a lot of things," Penn State coach Joe Paterno said. "We've tried to get him in games to do as many things as we think he can handle."

The Buckeyes have appeared to have settled on a kicker. Freshman Aaron Pettrey kicked two field goals and put five of his seven kickoffs in the end zone and was picked as the Big Ten special teams player of the week.

Connecticut (1-1) at Indiana (2-1), 2:30 p.m.

Hoosier coach Terry Hoeppner is at home, recovering from brain surgery a week ago. According to interim coach Billy Lynch, Hoeppner has been in contact with his staff and is doing well.

"He's up and about and talking and we certainly visited with him the last couple of days, getting direction from him," Lynch said. "We're looking forward to having him back."

There is no timetable for his return.

Notre Dame (2-1) at Michigan State (3-0), 7 p.m.

The Michigan State defense ranks third in the Big Ten in defending the run but is 10th against the pass. The Spartans need to improve against Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn.

"First and foremost is the quarterback," Michigan State coach John L. Smith said. "He does a great job, knows where to go with it, he gets it there. He has a great arm and good receivers."

Northwestern (2-1) at Nevada, 7 p.m. Friday

The Wildcats have a quick turnaround after their 14-6 victory over Eastern Michigan.

"We're not going to go full pads this week," coach Pat Fitzgerald said. "We're going to go in helmets and shoulder pads only. Our goals is to play fast on Friday night."

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

BIG TEN FOOTBALL
Illinois freshman phenom could start soon at QB

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Bob Baptist
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

</IMG> Freshman quarterback Isiah "Juice" Williams runs the ball in the Illini?s opener.


When Ron Zook coached Florida in 2003, he made Chris Leak his starting quarterback in the fifth game of Leak?s freshman year. Zook might expedite the process with Isiah "Juice" Williams at Illinois.
Williams, a 6-foot-2, 220-pounder from Chicago, has put up some statistics befitting a freshman prodigy in the Fighting Illini?s first three games: a .433 completion percentage and an average of 20.5 yards per completion. But he has not been intercepted in 30 passes, and his efficiency rating of 139.81 would rank fifth in the Big Ten if he had enough attempts to qualify.
Williams is the quarterback of the future at Illinois. Zook would not reveal yesterday whether that future will begin Saturday in the Big Ten opener against Iowa.
Zook said he has to weigh whether Williams is ready for the promotion and how senior Tim Brasic would handle a demotion, because Zook expects to continue to play both.
"When we started Chris Leak as a freshman at Florida . . . he could handle the pressure and the situation. Some guys can?t," Zook said. "We want to make sure we?re doing the right thing with both our guys here."
Illinois has played more true freshmen (16) than any Division I-A team other than Temple (19). Zook said it?s "not a lot of fun."
"We had a kid get off the airplane the first road trip (to Rutgers) and ask me, ?Can I take a bus back?? " he said.
Everyone in the pool

Considering that the officials who botched the Oklahoma-Oregon game Saturday were from the Pacific 10 Conference ? home teams generally don?t use officials from their own conference for intersectional games ? Big Ten coaches were asked yesterday whether they would like to see a "national pool" of officials created to call such games.
"If they can do it, I think it would be one of the real positive things that we could do to make the game . . . much fairer," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said, "because I don?t think there?s any question that when you?re going on the road, I don?t care where it is or who you are, you run into some of those issues. It?s just human nature. People are affected by the crowds."
But Purdue coach Joe Tiller doubted it is feasible.
"I think it would be a very costly proposition," he said. "I?d be very surprised if we ever see anything like that."
First things first

Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald?s wife was scheduled to deliver their second child today, the coach said. The Wildcats play at Nevada on Friday night.
"I?ve got two game days ? one (today) and one Friday," he said. "It?s a coach?s dream."
Common cause

Michigan linebacker Prescott Burgess and Michigan State linebacker David Herron Jr., former teammates at Warren Harding High School, talked by phone Sunday about Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn. Herron will play against him Saturday; Burgess intercepted him twice last week and returned one for a touchdown.
"I just told him you need to keep Brady Quinn under pressure," Burgess said. "If you let him sit back there, good things will happen for them. Just keep pressure on him and keep playing for the whole 60 minutes. You can?t let up."
[email protected]

 

[osugrad21]

Link

Big Ten suspect in non-league play

varUsername = "[email protected]";document.write("with Register staff reporter Andrew Logue" September 21, 2006



Take away impressive wins by Michigan and Ohio State, and the Big Ten's nonconference record looks a little spotty.

The Wolverines toppled No. 2 Notre Dame 47-21 last Saturday, a week after the Buckeyes bounced then-No. 2 Texas 24-7.

Big Ten teams have combined for a 27-6 record (81.8 percent), but two of the losses were to NCAA Division I-AA programs.

Southern Illinois beat Indiana, 35-28, last weekend, while the Atlantic 10's New Hampshire stifled Northwestern 34-17 on Sept. 9. The Wildcats went scoreless over the final 37 minutes.

"We have some young guys who are experiencing college football for the first time," Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said this week. "We're just trying to find a way to win."

The Wildcats are the lowest scoring team in the Big Ten (17.3 points per game), and 97th nationally.

Illinois is the only Big Ten team with two defeats, falling 33-0 at Rutgers and losing 31-21 to Syracuse at home. The Orange had lost their previous 11 games.

Minnesota and Penn State didn't put up much of a challenge while losing to California and Notre Dame.

"We've got to learn to win a big game," Nittany Lions coach Joe Paterno said afterward. "That comes with experience."

 

[Muck]

So the Big10 has the best out of conference record but is questionable because two of the worst teams in the league had bad losses?