-
Follow us on Twitter @buckeyeplanet and @bp_recruiting, like us on Facebook! Enjoy a post or article, recommend it to others! BP is only as strong as its community, and we only promote by word of mouth, so share away!
- Thread starter osugrad21
- Start date
Link
How Big Ten teams fared Saturday
By The Associated Press
Ohio State started comfortably and appeared in control against Illinois. By the end, the top-ranked Buckeyes were getting their first real scare of the season.
"I don't know what (being the) overwhelming favorite does for us. It doesn't spot us any points, or get us any first downs," Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel said Saturday after his team built a 17-point halftime lead and hung on to beat the stubborn Illini 17-10.
"So what does it say that we got taken against the wall? Everybody can get taken against the wall," Tressel said.
In other Big Ten games Saturday: Michigan had its hands full scraping up a 34-26 win over visiting Ball State; Wisconsin defeated invading Penn State 13-3; Purdue won a 17-15 squeaker at Michigan State; Minnesota overwhelmed visiting Indiana 63-26; and Northwestern finally got in the Big Ten win column with a 21-7 upset at Iowa.
Going into the match at Champaign, the Buckeyes (10-0, 6-0, Big Ten) had won each of their first nine games by at least 17 points. But they let this one get close.
"A win is a win any which way you look at it," said Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith, who threw for only 108 yards. "Whether you score 50 points or 17 _ not the way you want to _ who cares? We won today and will continue to grow."
Rashard Mendenhall's 3-yard TD run with 1:40 to go brought Illinois within seven and after Ohio State's Brian Robiskie's recovered an onside kick the Buckeyes couldn't run out the clock.
A.J. Trapasso's 55-yard punt gave the Illini (2-8, 1-5) the ball at its own 2 with four seconds left and 98 yards to go. But there was no miracle. The Illini completed a short pass to Derrick McPhearson, who lateraled to E.B. Halsey, who lateraled it back to McPhearson, who was ruled out of bounds at the 19, even though he lateraled once more.
Illinois didn't play like a team that has lost five straight. The Illini clamped down on the Buckeyes' running game and did a stellar job of containing Smith. The Heisman Trophy contender completed 13 of 23 passes and rushed for 37 more on 11 carries. He was sacked three times.
Earlier, Michigan's tuneup against Ball State turned into quite a test.
Trailing by eight, Ball State threw an incomplete pass into the end zone with 2:46 left and couldn't connect on a heave from midfield on the final play, allowing the second-ranked Wolverines to escape with a 34-26 victory on Saturday.
Michigan (10-0) let its guard down _ maybe the Wolverines were looking ahead to the much-anticipated game Nov. 18 at No. 1 Ohio State? _ and allowed the Cardinals (3-7) to make a late charge in a game they were expected to lose by five touchdowns.
Mike Hart ran for 154 yards and a TD and teammate Brandon Minor rushed for 108 yards and another score to help the Wolverines avoid a shocking upset. Chad Henne was 17-of-24 for 155 yards with a TD and an interception that Ball State ran back for a TD in the first quarter.
Ball State's Nate Davis was 18-of-34 for 250 yards with a TD and an interception. Dante Love had six receptions for 107 yards and a score.
Meanwhile, at Madison, Joe Paterno literally couldn't stand to watch as No. 17 Wisconsin beat his Nittany Lions.
The 79-year-old Penn State coach was forced to leave the sideline for the second time this season after one of his players tumbled into his leg early in the third quarter.
And his players weren't able to stand up to the Badgers.
Wisconsin (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) scored the first touchdown given up by Penn State's defense in more than two games and kept the Nittany Lions' offense under control for most of the afternoon. Penn State (6-4, 4-3) squandered the few scoring chances it had _ including a drop of a potential game-tying interception that might have been returned for a touchdown.
Paterno stood with his hands on his knees for several minutes after freshman tight end Andrew Quarless rolled into him after catching a sideline pass. Paterno eventually was escorted to the bench.
Near the end of the third quarter, he was carted to the locker room.
Paterno might be hobbled for a while, authorities said Sunday. He fractured the top of his tibia, or shin bone, and damaged a knee ligament, according to team doctor Wayne Sebastianelli.
While the leg could heal with just rehabilitation, surgery _ which could potentially speed the healing process _ was also being considered, said Guido D'Elia, director of communications for football. Penn State's defense hadn't given up a touchdown in 10 straight quarters.
In Purdue's victory over Michigan State, Curtis Painter threw two touchdown passes and Casey Welch kicked an 18-yard field goal with 4:49 left.
Painter was 21-of-30 for 286 yards and connected for two TD passes to Dorien Bryant, who had seven receptions for 96 yards for Purdue (6-4, 3-3 Big Ten).
Drew Stanton was 16-of-29 for 161 yards, including a 21-yard TD pass to T.J. Williams with just over 14 minutes left to give the Spartans their first lead, 15-14. But Stanton was intercepted by Justin Scott with 6:29. The Boilermakers capped a five-play, 36-yard drive with Welch's field goal.
The loss was another blow to struggling Michigan State (4-6, 1-5), which announced Wednesday that head coach John L. Smith will not return next season.
At Minneapolis, Bryan Cupito passed for 378 yards and four scores as Minnesota overwhelmed Indiana, scoring more points than it had in a Big Ten contest in 90 years.
Clinging to slim postseason hopes, Minnesota (4-6, 1-5) finally won a conference game. The 63 points were the most scored by the Gophers since they put up 67 against Iowa in 1916.
Indiana (5-5, 3-3), chasing its first bowl invitation since 1993, must host second-ranked Michigan next week and finish on the road at rival Purdue.
And at Iowa City, C.J. Bacher threw for 218 yards and a touchdown, while Tyrell Sutton added 168 yards rushing and a score as Northwestern stunned Iowa to pick up its first Big Ten win and end a six-game losing streak.
Terrell Jordan added a 34-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter for Northwestern (3-7, 1-5 Big Ten), which hung on to a 14-0 halftime lead two weeks after the biggest collapse in Division 1-A history against Michigan State.
The Wildcats, ranked last in the Big Ten in virtually every offensive category entering play, wore down Iowa (6-4, 2-4) with balance. Northwestern ran for 225 yards, the majority of which came once it took the lead.
How Big Ten teams fared Saturday
By The Associated Press
Ohio State started comfortably and appeared in control against Illinois. By the end, the top-ranked Buckeyes were getting their first real scare of the season.
"I don't know what (being the) overwhelming favorite does for us. It doesn't spot us any points, or get us any first downs," Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel said Saturday after his team built a 17-point halftime lead and hung on to beat the stubborn Illini 17-10.
"So what does it say that we got taken against the wall? Everybody can get taken against the wall," Tressel said.
In other Big Ten games Saturday: Michigan had its hands full scraping up a 34-26 win over visiting Ball State; Wisconsin defeated invading Penn State 13-3; Purdue won a 17-15 squeaker at Michigan State; Minnesota overwhelmed visiting Indiana 63-26; and Northwestern finally got in the Big Ten win column with a 21-7 upset at Iowa.
Going into the match at Champaign, the Buckeyes (10-0, 6-0, Big Ten) had won each of their first nine games by at least 17 points. But they let this one get close.
"A win is a win any which way you look at it," said Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith, who threw for only 108 yards. "Whether you score 50 points or 17 _ not the way you want to _ who cares? We won today and will continue to grow."
Rashard Mendenhall's 3-yard TD run with 1:40 to go brought Illinois within seven and after Ohio State's Brian Robiskie's recovered an onside kick the Buckeyes couldn't run out the clock.
A.J. Trapasso's 55-yard punt gave the Illini (2-8, 1-5) the ball at its own 2 with four seconds left and 98 yards to go. But there was no miracle. The Illini completed a short pass to Derrick McPhearson, who lateraled to E.B. Halsey, who lateraled it back to McPhearson, who was ruled out of bounds at the 19, even though he lateraled once more.
Illinois didn't play like a team that has lost five straight. The Illini clamped down on the Buckeyes' running game and did a stellar job of containing Smith. The Heisman Trophy contender completed 13 of 23 passes and rushed for 37 more on 11 carries. He was sacked three times.
Earlier, Michigan's tuneup against Ball State turned into quite a test.
Trailing by eight, Ball State threw an incomplete pass into the end zone with 2:46 left and couldn't connect on a heave from midfield on the final play, allowing the second-ranked Wolverines to escape with a 34-26 victory on Saturday.
Michigan (10-0) let its guard down _ maybe the Wolverines were looking ahead to the much-anticipated game Nov. 18 at No. 1 Ohio State? _ and allowed the Cardinals (3-7) to make a late charge in a game they were expected to lose by five touchdowns.
Mike Hart ran for 154 yards and a TD and teammate Brandon Minor rushed for 108 yards and another score to help the Wolverines avoid a shocking upset. Chad Henne was 17-of-24 for 155 yards with a TD and an interception that Ball State ran back for a TD in the first quarter.
Ball State's Nate Davis was 18-of-34 for 250 yards with a TD and an interception. Dante Love had six receptions for 107 yards and a score.
Meanwhile, at Madison, Joe Paterno literally couldn't stand to watch as No. 17 Wisconsin beat his Nittany Lions.
The 79-year-old Penn State coach was forced to leave the sideline for the second time this season after one of his players tumbled into his leg early in the third quarter.
And his players weren't able to stand up to the Badgers.
Wisconsin (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) scored the first touchdown given up by Penn State's defense in more than two games and kept the Nittany Lions' offense under control for most of the afternoon. Penn State (6-4, 4-3) squandered the few scoring chances it had _ including a drop of a potential game-tying interception that might have been returned for a touchdown.
Paterno stood with his hands on his knees for several minutes after freshman tight end Andrew Quarless rolled into him after catching a sideline pass. Paterno eventually was escorted to the bench.
Near the end of the third quarter, he was carted to the locker room.
Paterno might be hobbled for a while, authorities said Sunday. He fractured the top of his tibia, or shin bone, and damaged a knee ligament, according to team doctor Wayne Sebastianelli.
While the leg could heal with just rehabilitation, surgery _ which could potentially speed the healing process _ was also being considered, said Guido D'Elia, director of communications for football. Penn State's defense hadn't given up a touchdown in 10 straight quarters.
In Purdue's victory over Michigan State, Curtis Painter threw two touchdown passes and Casey Welch kicked an 18-yard field goal with 4:49 left.
Painter was 21-of-30 for 286 yards and connected for two TD passes to Dorien Bryant, who had seven receptions for 96 yards for Purdue (6-4, 3-3 Big Ten).
Drew Stanton was 16-of-29 for 161 yards, including a 21-yard TD pass to T.J. Williams with just over 14 minutes left to give the Spartans their first lead, 15-14. But Stanton was intercepted by Justin Scott with 6:29. The Boilermakers capped a five-play, 36-yard drive with Welch's field goal.
The loss was another blow to struggling Michigan State (4-6, 1-5), which announced Wednesday that head coach John L. Smith will not return next season.
At Minneapolis, Bryan Cupito passed for 378 yards and four scores as Minnesota overwhelmed Indiana, scoring more points than it had in a Big Ten contest in 90 years.
Clinging to slim postseason hopes, Minnesota (4-6, 1-5) finally won a conference game. The 63 points were the most scored by the Gophers since they put up 67 against Iowa in 1916.
Indiana (5-5, 3-3), chasing its first bowl invitation since 1993, must host second-ranked Michigan next week and finish on the road at rival Purdue.
And at Iowa City, C.J. Bacher threw for 218 yards and a touchdown, while Tyrell Sutton added 168 yards rushing and a score as Northwestern stunned Iowa to pick up its first Big Ten win and end a six-game losing streak.
Terrell Jordan added a 34-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter for Northwestern (3-7, 1-5 Big Ten), which hung on to a 14-0 halftime lead two weeks after the biggest collapse in Division 1-A history against Michigan State.
The Wildcats, ranked last in the Big Ten in virtually every offensive category entering play, wore down Iowa (6-4, 2-4) with balance. Northwestern ran for 225 yards, the majority of which came once it took the lead.
Upvote
0
DDN
Big Ten needs late push to fill seven bowl slots
Conference hoping to meet its bowl-game commitments.
By Kyle Nagel
Staff Writer
Thursday, November 09, 2006
There isn't much excitement surrounding Saturday's matchup between the Michigan State and Minnesota football teams in East Lansing. But, it will be an important game in determining if the Big Ten Conference will be able to fulfill its bowl game commitments this season.
The two 4-6 teams would need wins in their final two games to reach bowl eligibility, but their Saturday meeting means that only one will have that chance. So, if the Big Ten sends a team to the national championship game (as most expect to be either No. 1 Ohio State or No. 2 Michigan), the Big Ten could have ? at most ? seven other eligible teams to fill its seven tie-ins.
With five teams already eligible, the Big Ten will be forced to hold its breath and hope Purdue, Indiana and the Michigan State-Minnesota winner will all win at least one more game to avoid the conference embarrassment of falling short of filling its bowl slots.
Scott Chipman, the Big Ten's assistant commissioner for communications, said the conference has been communicating with its seven bowl tie-ins about possibilities.
"We'll have to wait and see what happens," Chipman said.
By rule, a Division I-A team must have six wins to be bowl eligible, with some exceptions. One of those affects Purdue. The Boilermakers (6-4) play 13 games this season, including a road finale against Hawaii, so they would need seven wins to play in a bowl. They also play Illinois and Indiana.
Indiana (5-5) needs a win against either Michigan or Purdue to qualify. If Michigan State tops Minnesota, it would have to beat Penn State, while Minnesota would have to finish with a win against Iowa if it prevails in East Lansing on Saturday.
Don't worry, the situation is confusing even to some of the bowl games. Ken Hoffman, executive director of the Motor City Bowl, which will be played Dec. 26 at Detroit's Ford Field, said he has few answers about what possibilities he faces.
"I don't know why we haven't received any potential formats on how the season could play out," Hoffman said. "Either way, it's going to be close across the country."
A Big Ten failure to fill bowl slots could open the door for conferences like the Mid-American or Western Athletic to put more teams in the postseason.
"There are probably several commissioners calling the NCAA to find out what the options are," Hoffman said. "Frankly, that might be my next phone call."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or [email protected].
Too many tie-ins?
If Ohio State or Michigan play in the national championship game, the Big Ten would have seven other bowls to fill. At most, it could have exactly seven bowl-eligible teams, but that's not yet guaranteed:
Eligible teams
Ohio State (10-0)
Michigan (10-0)
Wisconsin (9-1)
Penn State (6-4)
Iowa (6-4)
Could be eligible
Purdue (6-4)
Indiana (5-5)
Michigan State (4-6)
Minnesota (4-6)
Not eligible
Northwestern (3-7)
Illinois (2-8)
Big Ten bowl affiliationsBowlOpponentDateMotor City BowlMACDec. 26Insight BowlBig 12Dec. 29Champs Sports BowlACCDec. 29Alamo BowlBig 12Dec. 30Outback BowlSECJan. 1Capital One BowlSECJan. 1Rose BowlBCSJan. 1
Big Ten needs late push to fill seven bowl slots
Conference hoping to meet its bowl-game commitments.
By Kyle Nagel
Staff Writer
Thursday, November 09, 2006
There isn't much excitement surrounding Saturday's matchup between the Michigan State and Minnesota football teams in East Lansing. But, it will be an important game in determining if the Big Ten Conference will be able to fulfill its bowl game commitments this season.
The two 4-6 teams would need wins in their final two games to reach bowl eligibility, but their Saturday meeting means that only one will have that chance. So, if the Big Ten sends a team to the national championship game (as most expect to be either No. 1 Ohio State or No. 2 Michigan), the Big Ten could have ? at most ? seven other eligible teams to fill its seven tie-ins.
With five teams already eligible, the Big Ten will be forced to hold its breath and hope Purdue, Indiana and the Michigan State-Minnesota winner will all win at least one more game to avoid the conference embarrassment of falling short of filling its bowl slots.
Scott Chipman, the Big Ten's assistant commissioner for communications, said the conference has been communicating with its seven bowl tie-ins about possibilities.
"We'll have to wait and see what happens," Chipman said.
By rule, a Division I-A team must have six wins to be bowl eligible, with some exceptions. One of those affects Purdue. The Boilermakers (6-4) play 13 games this season, including a road finale against Hawaii, so they would need seven wins to play in a bowl. They also play Illinois and Indiana.
Indiana (5-5) needs a win against either Michigan or Purdue to qualify. If Michigan State tops Minnesota, it would have to beat Penn State, while Minnesota would have to finish with a win against Iowa if it prevails in East Lansing on Saturday.
Don't worry, the situation is confusing even to some of the bowl games. Ken Hoffman, executive director of the Motor City Bowl, which will be played Dec. 26 at Detroit's Ford Field, said he has few answers about what possibilities he faces.
"I don't know why we haven't received any potential formats on how the season could play out," Hoffman said. "Either way, it's going to be close across the country."
A Big Ten failure to fill bowl slots could open the door for conferences like the Mid-American or Western Athletic to put more teams in the postseason.
"There are probably several commissioners calling the NCAA to find out what the options are," Hoffman said. "Frankly, that might be my next phone call."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or [email protected].
Too many tie-ins?
If Ohio State or Michigan play in the national championship game, the Big Ten would have seven other bowls to fill. At most, it could have exactly seven bowl-eligible teams, but that's not yet guaranteed:
Eligible teams
Ohio State (10-0)
Michigan (10-0)
Wisconsin (9-1)
Penn State (6-4)
Iowa (6-4)
Could be eligible
Purdue (6-4)
Indiana (5-5)
Michigan State (4-6)
Minnesota (4-6)
Not eligible
Northwestern (3-7)
Illinois (2-8)
Big Ten bowl affiliationsBowlOpponentDateMotor City BowlMACDec. 26Insight BowlBig 12Dec. 29Champs Sports BowlACCDec. 29Alamo BowlBig 12Dec. 30Outback BowlSECJan. 1Capital One BowlSECJan. 1Rose BowlBCSJan. 1
Upvote
0
OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
Link
Close losses make Illini dangerous
Comments (0)
CHAMPAIGN (AP) ? Purdue football is one win away from bowl eligibility, and as the Boilermakers head to Champaign to face a team tied for last place in the Big Ten, they easily could look past Illinois.
But coach Joe Tiller said he would rather think about winning this game than potentially playing one after the season.
?I don?t think about the bowl game possibility so much as I think about Illinois,? Tiller said in a news conference Tuesday. ?And I don?t say that just because that?s the standard coach answer. We need to play this week and play the best we can and see what happens from there.?
The Boilermakers (6-4 overall, 3-3 Big Ten) play a 13-game regular season schedule and need seven victories to qualify for a bowl game. Illinois (2-8, 1-5) is hoping lucky No. 7 does not come when the teams meet today in Champaign.
?We?ll take whatever edge we can take,? Illinois coach Ron Zook said. ?We have talked about that, but now it?s just let?s go out there, continue to improve, continue to be the type of football team we know we can be.?
The Illini have lost five games this season by seven points or less, most recently falling to No. 1-ranked Ohio State, 17-10, last week.
Tiller said the Illini played the Buckeyes a little too close for his comfort. He specifically noted the defense?s ability to shut down Ohio State?s offense.
Tiller said his biggest offensive concern will be whether quarterback Curtis Painter can stay consistent throughout four quarters. Painter completed 21-of-30 passes against Michigan State, but just 22-of-39 when Purdue played Penn State on Oct. 28 and 20-of-40 against Wisconsin on Oct. 21.
?Our biggest issue with Curtis this year has been when we haven?t moved the ball offensively,? Tiller said. ?It?s been either an accuracy issue or dropped balls. There?s been games where he?s been very good and games where he?s been very human-like.?
But while the offense has lacked consistency, Purdue?s defense has steadily improved. In the last four games the Boilermakers have allowed only 15.3 points and 355 yards per game, compared to 32.8 points and 439.3 yards in the first six contests.
Illinois? defense is also on the rise. Led by linebacker J Leman, who had 19 tackles against Ohio State, the Illini allow an average of less than 300 yards per game.
Leman leads the Big Ten and is ranked fourth nationally with 11.7 tackles per game. But more importantly, Zook said, Leman is a vocal leader on and off the field.
?My goal is to improve every play, not just every game or every year,? Leman said after practice Monday. ?I definitely feel like I have gotten better, not just physically but in the mental part of the game, too.?
Illinois? offense, however, is not as consistent as its defense. The Illini have started two quarterbacks this season, and both played against Ohio State, forcing Purdue to prepare for either senior Tim Brasic or true-freshman Juice Williams.
While Tiller says the offense only changes subtly between the two quarterbacks, the Boilermakers have studied both just in case.
?It?s not like you have two different offenses with two different quarterbacks,? Tiller said. ?Yes, it?s a little bit different, but with Williams you have to have more option awareness.?
Former Illinois quarterbacks coach Ed Zaunbrecher is in his first season as Purdue?s co-offensive coordinator, but Tiller said that doesn?t necessarily give his defense an advantage with Williams, who did not play under Zaunbrecher, playing more minutes than Brasic in the second half of the season.
He said he?s watched the Illini freshman slowly improve, inching closer to victory each game.
?What you?re hoping for, of course, when you?re playing them is that everything doesn?t come together on that Saturday because if it does, it?s going to be a long Saturday for you.?
Upvote
0
OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
Dispatch
BIG TEN ROUNDUP
Stand-in QB leads Wisconsin
Sunday, November 12, 2006
ASSOCIATED PRESS
</IMG> Purdue receiver Dorien Bryant dives into the end zone against Illinois.
No . 16 Wisconsin 24, Iowa 21 ?
Tyler Donovan stepped in for an injured John Stocco and threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns to lead Wisconsin over Iowa yesterday in a Big Ten game in Iowa City, Iowa.
Luke Swan had 113 yards receiving and a touchdown for Wisconsin (10-1, 7-1), which snapped a four-game losing streak against Iowa (6-5, 2-5) and reached 10 regular-season wins for just the second time.
Badgers coach Bret Bielema became the first Big Ten coach to win 10 games in his rookie season. Only Buffalo, which visits Camp Randall Stadium next week, stands in the way of the Badgers? first 11-win regular season.
Stocco sat out because of a shoulder injury suffered against Penn State last week.
Penn State 47, Temple 0 ?
Tony Hunt had a career day with 167 yards rushing and four touchdowns, Derrick Williams scored on a 75-yard punt return and Penn State (7-4) beat Temple (1-10) in State College, Pa., in its first game without coach Joe Paterno in nearly three decades.
Paterno, recovering from left leg surgery, was said to have watched the game on television from home.
Minnesota 31, Michigan State 18 ?
Bryan Cupito became Minnesota?s all-time leading passer and threw two second-half touchdowns to help the Golden Gophers (5-6, 2-5) pull away from the Spartans (4-7, 1-6) in East Lansing, Mich.
The Spartans led 9-0 lead midway through the first quarter. Then, they were dealt the latest in a long line of bad breaks this season.
Quarterback Drew Stanton was sacked late in the first quarter and left the game because of dizziness.
Minnesota went ahead for good with 8:53 left in the first half when Mario Reese sacked Brian Hoyer, whose fumble was returned 48 yards by Steve Davis to give the Gophers a 14-9 lead.
Cupito completed a 37-yard TD pass to Walnut Ridge graduate Ernie Wheelwright for a 24-12 lead midway through the third quarter. On the play, Cupito broke Cory Sauter?s schoolrecord 6,834 yards passing set from 1994-97.
Purdue 42, Illinois 31 ?
Boilermakers quarterback Curtis Painter ran for two touchdowns and threw for one in Champaign, Ill.
The Boilermakers (7-4, 6-3) trailed by nine points in the third quarter before defensive end Alex Magee led a defensive charge that turned around the game.
Magee, who recovered a fumble by Juice Williams in the end zone for a second-quarter TD, intercepted a pass in the third quarter and forced a fumble in the fourth quarter to set up touchdowns. Illinois (2-9, 1-6) turned the ball over four times in five plays during its second-half collapse, and Purdue scored touchdowns off three of the turnovers after trailing 23-14.
Upvote
0
Link
It's their conference call
Here's how 11 broadcasters see Big Ten's age-old questions
November 15, 2006
BY NEIL HAYES Staff Reporter
Ohio State and Michigan might be ranked Nos. 1 and 2 in the country while preparing for their much-hyped showdown Saturday in Columbus, but that doesn't mean the Buckeyes or Wolverines have the best game-day atmospheres in the Big Ten.
Surprisingly, the pageantry at the Big House and the Horseshoe don't rank among the top two in the following survey of Big Ten broadcasters.
No one knows the Big Ten better or has more educated insights. The 11 broadcasters who participated in the survey have more than 162 years of combined experience in the Big Ten and have called more than 1,900 conference games.
Who better to settle some of the longest-running debates in one of college football's top conferences?
You'll notice quotes aren't attributed. We wanted broadcasters to be candid when we asked them which coach they most would like to share a meal with or who should be MVP. Attributing their comments would have prevented that.
The Big Ten season wraps up on Saturday, but expect debates about the answers to the following questions to rage on:
NAME YOUR FAVORITE BIG TEN BAND.
Ohio State and Wisconsin tied for the top honor. This response seemed to sum up the debate best: ''Script Ohio is the most impressive thing any band does, but Wisconsin's band seems to have the most fun." Also receiving votes: Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa and Illinois.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE BIG TEN CITY?
Minneapolis ranked first for several reasons. The atmosphere on the Minnesota campus and an attractive downtown were enough for some broadcasters to rank it No. 1 in the league. Others in the survey cited a variety of great restaurants and accommodating commericial airline schedules. Also receiving votes: Madison finished a close second (''It's all about college football on game day''), State College third (''It seems like the entire town rallies around the Nittany Lions and it's a two-day tailgate party.") and Evanston ("Great restaurants with a wide variety of attractions.") fourth. Columbus (''Easy to get around and great eating establishments") also was mentioned.
WHAT'S YOUR LEAST FAVORITE BIG TEN CITY?
Don't expect this survey to be popular with the West Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. The home of Purdue finished first, er, last. Broadcasters love a good meal, and several said dining options are limited when they cover the Boilermakers. ''Why ask'' is how somebody else explained his choice. Ouch. ''It has no personality," another wrote. Also receiving votes: Columbus (''Grandmothers giving obscene gestures to the visitors' bus'') and Bloomington (''Football is just something to do while everyone waits for basketball to start'') tied for second place. Champaign and East Lansing received one vote each.
RANK THE BIG TEN'S TOP FIVE GAME-DAY ATMOSPHERES.
1. Penn State 2. Wisconsin 3. Ohio State 4. Iowa 5. Michigan
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BIG TEN FOOTBALL TRADITION?
Eight of the 11 respondents said nothing rivals the Ohio State band dotting the "i" on Script Ohio. ''Even a casual fan from Boise, Idaho, seems familiar with Script Ohio, which tells me it's a pretty cool tradition,'' one broadcaster said. ''You can feel Woody [Hayes] watching,'' another said. Added another: ''No one leaves at halftime, and when the 'i' is dotted, it becomes emotional for most of the 100,000-plus. Even if you're not a Buckeye, you can't help but admire and respect the tradition.'' Also receiving votes: There was one vote for the Rose Bowl s the greatest tradition even ''though they have bartered away part of it.'' Another broadcaster said the Big Ten's greatest tradition is the name Big Ten, especially after Penn State boosted membership to 11 schools. ''Everybody in the country knows what the conference is, where it's at and what teams are in it.''
WITH WHICH BIG TEN FOOTBALL COACH WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO DINE?
Make that a reservation for two in State College. The chance to share a meal with Joe Paterno was too much for our panel to resist. Five of the 11 picked Penn State's legendary coach. ''He's the last of a breed,'' one said. ''There will be no more lifetime coaches.'' Said another: "No one has been around longer. He must have a million stories.'' Also receiving votes: Iowa's Kirk Ferentz (two broadcasters used the term "down to earth" to describe him) and Purdue's Joe Tiller (''A story for every occasion''). One broadcaster didn't understand why everybody wouldn't want to break bread with his choice.
''How could you not want to dine with Terry Hoeppner of Indiana? He has faced as tough an opponent as anyone can. Hoeppner's battle against cancer after acquiring his dream job could only provide perspective to every one of his student-athletes and coaches. A lesson in courage and a lifelong lesson to everyone associated with his program. A dinner conversation with him would provide insight to much more than college football.''
Tough to argue with that.
WITH WHICH BIG TEN FOOTBALL COACH WOULD YOU LEAST LIKE TO BE STUCK IN AN ELEVATOR?
Michigan's Lloyd Carr (''I'm guessing he wouldn't try to hide his lack of interest in talking to a radio announcer from another school''), Ohio State's Jim Tressel (''I'd like to ask him why he sticks with that silly vest'') and Minnesota's Glen Mason (''I have a difficult time conversing with people I think are phony'') tied for this dubious honor with two votes apiece. Also receiving votes: Paterno (''He probably would blame the officials for the elevator getting stuck'') and Tiller (''He always looks grumpy'').
IF YOU COULD BE ALL-POWERFUL LORD OF THE BIG TEN, WHAT CHANGES WOULD YOU MAKE?
This is a wide-open question that produced a wide array of answers. New clock rules meant to speed up the game aren't popular with broadcasters, even though they mean less air time to fill during blowouts. Late starting times also were unpopular. So were early starting times. Several respondents said Big Ten teams deserve a bye, even if it means pushing season-ending games to the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Better-trained officials was another suggestion. Here was the most well-thought-out answer: ''Add a 12th school to give the conference balance schedule-wise. Split the teams into two divisions so teams can play the schools in their division every year and three from the other division to give schools eight games. In a four-year span, you will play everyone in the conference home and away. A conference title game for a BCS bid is possible with this setup, but only if the interest and dollars are there.
''A 12th school would also make it easier in basketball. Teams could play each team in their division home and away and play the schools in the other division once to end up with 16 games.''
FINALLY, PREDICT THE FINAL SCORE OF THE MICHIGAN-OHIO STATE GAME.
Eight of 11 broadcasters picked the Buckeyes. Add up all the scores, average them out and here's a consensus: Ohio State 23, Michigan 16.
WHO IS THE BIG TEN MVP?
Nine of the 11 surveyed chose Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith (left). One of the other two respondents made the most sense. He chose Smith and Michigan running back Mike Hart as co-MVPs, with the ultimate winner to be determined Saturday. The other vote went to Hart, whom the broadcaster believes is the biggest reason for the Wolverines' turnaround this season.
COACH OF THE YEAR?
Everybody seems to have forgotten about Wisconsin with Ohio State and Michigan dominating the conference this season. Not our voters. They chose Bret Bielema who has led the Badgers to a 10-1 overall record and a 7-1 conference mark in his first year succeeding Barry Alvarez. Also receiving votes: Carr, Tressel and Hoeppner.
RANK THE TOP FIVE RIVALRIES IN THE BIG TEN.
1. Ohio State-Michigan 2. Michigan-Michigan State 3. Indiana-Purdue 4. Wisconsin-Minnesota 5. Minnesota-Iowa
It's their conference call
Here's how 11 broadcasters see Big Ten's age-old questions
November 15, 2006
BY NEIL HAYES Staff Reporter
Ohio State and Michigan might be ranked Nos. 1 and 2 in the country while preparing for their much-hyped showdown Saturday in Columbus, but that doesn't mean the Buckeyes or Wolverines have the best game-day atmospheres in the Big Ten.
Surprisingly, the pageantry at the Big House and the Horseshoe don't rank among the top two in the following survey of Big Ten broadcasters.
No one knows the Big Ten better or has more educated insights. The 11 broadcasters who participated in the survey have more than 162 years of combined experience in the Big Ten and have called more than 1,900 conference games.
Who better to settle some of the longest-running debates in one of college football's top conferences?
You'll notice quotes aren't attributed. We wanted broadcasters to be candid when we asked them which coach they most would like to share a meal with or who should be MVP. Attributing their comments would have prevented that.
The Big Ten season wraps up on Saturday, but expect debates about the answers to the following questions to rage on:
NAME YOUR FAVORITE BIG TEN BAND.
Ohio State and Wisconsin tied for the top honor. This response seemed to sum up the debate best: ''Script Ohio is the most impressive thing any band does, but Wisconsin's band seems to have the most fun." Also receiving votes: Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa and Illinois.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE BIG TEN CITY?
Minneapolis ranked first for several reasons. The atmosphere on the Minnesota campus and an attractive downtown were enough for some broadcasters to rank it No. 1 in the league. Others in the survey cited a variety of great restaurants and accommodating commericial airline schedules. Also receiving votes: Madison finished a close second (''It's all about college football on game day''), State College third (''It seems like the entire town rallies around the Nittany Lions and it's a two-day tailgate party.") and Evanston ("Great restaurants with a wide variety of attractions.") fourth. Columbus (''Easy to get around and great eating establishments") also was mentioned.
WHAT'S YOUR LEAST FAVORITE BIG TEN CITY?
Don't expect this survey to be popular with the West Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. The home of Purdue finished first, er, last. Broadcasters love a good meal, and several said dining options are limited when they cover the Boilermakers. ''Why ask'' is how somebody else explained his choice. Ouch. ''It has no personality," another wrote. Also receiving votes: Columbus (''Grandmothers giving obscene gestures to the visitors' bus'') and Bloomington (''Football is just something to do while everyone waits for basketball to start'') tied for second place. Champaign and East Lansing received one vote each.
RANK THE BIG TEN'S TOP FIVE GAME-DAY ATMOSPHERES.
1. Penn State 2. Wisconsin 3. Ohio State 4. Iowa 5. Michigan
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BIG TEN FOOTBALL TRADITION?
Eight of the 11 respondents said nothing rivals the Ohio State band dotting the "i" on Script Ohio. ''Even a casual fan from Boise, Idaho, seems familiar with Script Ohio, which tells me it's a pretty cool tradition,'' one broadcaster said. ''You can feel Woody [Hayes] watching,'' another said. Added another: ''No one leaves at halftime, and when the 'i' is dotted, it becomes emotional for most of the 100,000-plus. Even if you're not a Buckeye, you can't help but admire and respect the tradition.'' Also receiving votes: There was one vote for the Rose Bowl s the greatest tradition even ''though they have bartered away part of it.'' Another broadcaster said the Big Ten's greatest tradition is the name Big Ten, especially after Penn State boosted membership to 11 schools. ''Everybody in the country knows what the conference is, where it's at and what teams are in it.''
WITH WHICH BIG TEN FOOTBALL COACH WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO DINE?
Make that a reservation for two in State College. The chance to share a meal with Joe Paterno was too much for our panel to resist. Five of the 11 picked Penn State's legendary coach. ''He's the last of a breed,'' one said. ''There will be no more lifetime coaches.'' Said another: "No one has been around longer. He must have a million stories.'' Also receiving votes: Iowa's Kirk Ferentz (two broadcasters used the term "down to earth" to describe him) and Purdue's Joe Tiller (''A story for every occasion''). One broadcaster didn't understand why everybody wouldn't want to break bread with his choice.
''How could you not want to dine with Terry Hoeppner of Indiana? He has faced as tough an opponent as anyone can. Hoeppner's battle against cancer after acquiring his dream job could only provide perspective to every one of his student-athletes and coaches. A lesson in courage and a lifelong lesson to everyone associated with his program. A dinner conversation with him would provide insight to much more than college football.''
Tough to argue with that.
WITH WHICH BIG TEN FOOTBALL COACH WOULD YOU LEAST LIKE TO BE STUCK IN AN ELEVATOR?
Michigan's Lloyd Carr (''I'm guessing he wouldn't try to hide his lack of interest in talking to a radio announcer from another school''), Ohio State's Jim Tressel (''I'd like to ask him why he sticks with that silly vest'') and Minnesota's Glen Mason (''I have a difficult time conversing with people I think are phony'') tied for this dubious honor with two votes apiece. Also receiving votes: Paterno (''He probably would blame the officials for the elevator getting stuck'') and Tiller (''He always looks grumpy'').
IF YOU COULD BE ALL-POWERFUL LORD OF THE BIG TEN, WHAT CHANGES WOULD YOU MAKE?
This is a wide-open question that produced a wide array of answers. New clock rules meant to speed up the game aren't popular with broadcasters, even though they mean less air time to fill during blowouts. Late starting times also were unpopular. So were early starting times. Several respondents said Big Ten teams deserve a bye, even if it means pushing season-ending games to the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Better-trained officials was another suggestion. Here was the most well-thought-out answer: ''Add a 12th school to give the conference balance schedule-wise. Split the teams into two divisions so teams can play the schools in their division every year and three from the other division to give schools eight games. In a four-year span, you will play everyone in the conference home and away. A conference title game for a BCS bid is possible with this setup, but only if the interest and dollars are there.
''A 12th school would also make it easier in basketball. Teams could play each team in their division home and away and play the schools in the other division once to end up with 16 games.''
FINALLY, PREDICT THE FINAL SCORE OF THE MICHIGAN-OHIO STATE GAME.
Eight of 11 broadcasters picked the Buckeyes. Add up all the scores, average them out and here's a consensus: Ohio State 23, Michigan 16.
WHO IS THE BIG TEN MVP?
Nine of the 11 surveyed chose Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith (left). One of the other two respondents made the most sense. He chose Smith and Michigan running back Mike Hart as co-MVPs, with the ultimate winner to be determined Saturday. The other vote went to Hart, whom the broadcaster believes is the biggest reason for the Wolverines' turnaround this season.
COACH OF THE YEAR?
Everybody seems to have forgotten about Wisconsin with Ohio State and Michigan dominating the conference this season. Not our voters. They chose Bret Bielema who has led the Badgers to a 10-1 overall record and a 7-1 conference mark in his first year succeeding Barry Alvarez. Also receiving votes: Carr, Tressel and Hoeppner.
RANK THE TOP FIVE RIVALRIES IN THE BIG TEN.
1. Ohio State-Michigan 2. Michigan-Michigan State 3. Indiana-Purdue 4. Wisconsin-Minnesota 5. Minnesota-Iowa
Upvote
0
OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
Dispatch
BIG TEN ROUNDUP
Floyd of Rosedale goes to Gophers
Sunday, November 19, 2006
ASSOCIATED PRESS
</IMG> Quarterback Tyler Donovan passed for 308 yards as Wisconsin defeated Buffalo 35-3.
Minnesota 34, Iowa 24 ?
Amir Pinnix carried 23 times for 119 yards and two touchdowns, and Minnesota forced five turnovers by fading Iowa yesterday in Minneapolis to take back the Floyd of Rosedale trophy.
Pinnix gave the Gophers (6-6, 3-5) a 1,000-yard rusher for the eighth straight year. They won their third straight game and ended a five-game losing streak to the Hawkeyes (6-6, 2-6), who lost their final five conference games after being ranked 15 th in October.
Drew Tate completed 26 of 36 passes for 354 yards and two scores for Iowa but lost a fumble and threw three interceptions. The last one led to a brief benching in the third quarter.
Iowa drove to the Gophers 25 with roughly four minutes remaining, but Albert Young ? who rushed for 133 yards on 25 carries with one score ? tripped on fourth-and-2 and was stopped well short of a first down to end any shot of a Hawkeyes comeback.
Jay Thomas added 79 yards on 15 carries for the Gophers, who are in competition with the Hawkeyes for the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio. The team not invited to that game probably will be picked for the Insight Bowl in Tempe, Ariz.
Bryan Cupito completed 18 of 30 passes for 267 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the final home game for him and 10 other seniors.
Watching his players celebrate with a traveling trophy none of them had ever touched before made coach Glen Mason smile and come close to crying.
The season looked lost after an awful October, a month that included a one-point overtime defeat to Penn State when the Gophers missed an extra point attempt, lopsided losses to Wisconsin and Ohio State, and an embarrassing one-point victory over Division I-AA North Dakota State.
"I don?t know if gratified is the right word, but I don?t know when I?ve felt more emotional," said Mason, who raised his record against Iowa to 4-6.
Northwestern 27, Illinois 16 ?
Tyrell Sutton ran for 110 yards and Northwestern (4-8, 2-6) defeated Illinois (2-10, 1-6) to avoid finishing last in the Big Ten.
Sutton finished with 1,000 yards after rushing for 1,474 as a freshman last season. He carried 34 times and scored on a 2-yard run early in the third quarter that extended the lead to 24-16.
C.J. Bacher completed 22 of 30 passes for 269 yards and a touchdown.
Illinois? Rashard Mendenhall broke an 86-yard touchdown run in the second quarter ? the fourth-longest rush in school history ? and finished with 113 yards on five carries.
Freshman Juice Williams was just 4-of-18 passing for 65 yards for Illinois, which fell to 4-19 in two years under coach Ron Zook.
No . 12 Wisconsin 35, Buffalo 3
? Wisconsin (11-1) got a surprisingly good game from Buffalo (2-9, 1-7) for nearly a half before pulling away with two touchdowns just before halftime in a nonconference victory in Madison, Wis.
The Badgers secured the first 11-win regular season in school history and appear headed to a second straight berth in the Capital One Bowl.
The Bulls continued a tough season under first-year coach Turner Gill, but they didn?t go away easily.
Tyler Donovan had 308 yards passing in place of John Stocco, who suffered a shoulder injury in the Badgers? win over Penn State on Nov. 4.
Purdue 28, Indiana 19 ?
Curtis Painter passed for 260 yards and a touchdown and overcame four interceptions to lead Purdue (8-4, 5-3) over Indiana (5-7, 3-5) in the Old Oaken Bucket game in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue?s victory eliminated Indiana from bowl contention.
Greg Orton caught six passes for 112 yards and Dorien Bryant caught five passes for 74 yards and ran for a score for Purdue. Kellen Lewis passed for 290 yards and a touchdown and ran for 103 yards and a score for Indiana, which gained 505 yards. James Hardy caught nine passes for 151 yards and a touchdown.
Upvote
0
CleveBucks
Serenity now
Is Ferentz still considered a coaching genious, or has that talk subsided for a few months?
Upvote
0
OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
Dispatch
COLLEGE FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK
Big Ten lands five teams in bowls
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
ASSOCIATED PRESS
</IMG>
Five Big Ten teams accepted postseason bids yesterday, led by No. 10 Wisconsin?s return to the Capital One Bowl in Orlando Fla., to take on a Southeastern Conference team on Jan. 1
Top-ranked Ohio State already is headed to the Bowl Championship Series title game, on Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz., and No. 2 Michigan still awaits its BCS matchup.
Penn State, Iowa, Minnesota and Purdue joined Wisconsin (11-1) in learning their postseason destinations.
? Penn State is in the Outback Bowl, making back-to-back bowl appearances for the first time since the 1998 and ?99 seasons. The Nittany Lions (8-4) and an SEC team will play Jan. 1 in Tampa, Fla.
? Purdue (8-4) is going to the Champs Sports Bowl, making a return to the postseason after missing last year for the only time in Joe Tiller?s 10 seasons as coach. The Boilermakers will take on an opponent from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
? Minnesota?s appearance in the Insight Bowl will be its fifth consecutive bowl game and seventh in the past eight seasons. The Gophers (6-6) will meet a Big 12 team on Dec. 29 in Tempe, Ariz.
? Iowa (6-6) is headed for the Dec. 30 Alamo Bowl in San Antonio for a matchup against a Big 12 school. In 2001, Iowa?s win against Texas Tech drew the second-largest crowd in Alamo Bowl history.
BYU, Navy and No. 25 Hawaii are the only other schools who have accepted bowl bids.
Navy is going to the Meineke Bowl on Dec. 30 in Charlotte, N.C. BYU has accepted a spot in the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 21. The Warriors are playing in the Hawaii Bowl on Dec. 24.
Big crowd attends ceremony
A crowd of about 20,000 showed up in Michigan Stadium for a ceremony to honor the life of former Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler.
Speeches by dignitaries, friends and family provided the largest and most public chance to honor the coaching legend, who died Friday at age 77.
Pooch punts
Michigan?s Leon Hall, Florida?s Reggie Nelson and Texas? Aaron Ross were selected as finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the top defensive back. ... Mike Hart of Michigan, Darren McFadden of Arkansas and Steve Slaton of West Virginia were named finalists for the Doak Walker Award, which honors the nation?s top running back. ... West Virginia center Dan Mozes, Wisconsin offensive tackle Joe Thomas and Texas offensive lineman Justin Blalock are the finalists for the Outland Trophy, given to the best interior lineman. ... Brandon Spincer, 24, a recent fouryear starter for Tulane, was among four people gunned down in separate shootings Monday night in New Orleans.
Upvote
0