bkochmc
Assistant Coach
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[/FONT][FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif]Big Ten Midseason Report[/FONT] <table id="table2" align="right" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="5" width="300"> <tbody><tr> <td> Team Mid-Season MVPs & Predictions
Illinois – QB Tim Brasic
predicted wins: none
predicted losses: Penn State, Wisconsin, at Ohio State, at Purdue, Northwestern
predicted record: 3-8
Indiana – WR James Hardy
predicted wins: none
predicted losses: Ohio State, at Michigan State, Minnesota, at Michigan, Purdue
predicted record: 4-7
Iowa - LB Chad Greenway
predicted wins: Michigan, Minnesota
predicted losses: at Northwestern, at Wisconsin
predicted record: 7-4
Michigan – RB Mike Hart
predicted wins: at Northwestern, Indiana
predicted losses: at Iowa, Ohio State
predicted record: 6-5
Michigan State – QB Drew Stanton
predicted wins: Northwestern, Indiana, at Purdue, at Minnesota, Penn State
predicted losses: none
predicted record: 9-2
Minnesota - RB Laurence Maroney
predicted wins: at Indiana
predicted losses: Ohio State, Michigan State, at Iowa
predicted record: 5-6
Northwestern – RB Tyrell Sutton
predicted wins: Iowa, at Illinois
predicted losses: at Michigan State, Michigan, at Ohio State
predicted record: 6-5
Ohio State - LB A.J. Hawk
predicted wins: at Indiana, at Minnesota, Illinois, Northwestern, at Michigan
predicted losses: none
predicted record: 9-2
Penn State - LB Paul Posluszny
predicted wins: at Illinois, Purdue, Wisconsin
predicted losses: at Michigan State
predicted record: 9-2
Purdue – WR Dorian Bryant
predicted wins: Illinois, at Indiana
predicted losses: at Wisconsin, at Penn State, Michigan State
predicted record: 4-7
Wisconsin - RB Brian Calhoun
predicted wins: Purdue, at Illinois, Iowa, Hawaii
predicted losses: at Penn State
predicted record: 10-2
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Offensive Player of the Midseason
Laurence Maroney, RB Minnesota
Defensive Player of the Midseason
A.J. Hawk, LB Ohio State
Ten best Big Ten players in the first half of the season
1. A.J. Hawk, LB Ohio State
2. Laurence Maroney, RB Minnesota
3. Tyrell Sutton, RB Northwestern
4. Paul Posluszny, LB Penn State
5. Brian Calhoun, RB Wisconsin
6. Drew Stanton, QB Michigan State
7. Brett Basanez, QB Northwestern
8. James Hardy, WR Indiana
9. Tim McGarigle, LB Northwestern
10. Chad Greenway, LB Iowa
Biggest Surprise – Penn State’s offense
Everyone knew the defense would be among the best in the nation, but Michael Robinson has come through as a clutch, effective quarterback providing enough of a spark to put the Nittany Lions in a position to win the Big Ten title.
Biggest Disappointment – Purdue
With no Ohio State or Michigan on the schedule, and just about everyone coming back on both sides of the ball, Purdue was supposed to be this year’s hot team. The offense hasn’t been able to get rolling on a consistent basis, while the defense has been among the worst in America.
The Big Ten Champion will be ... Ohio State
Penn State still has to lose again and Ohio State can’t slip. Each team has major landmines to deal with, so don’t forget about Wisconsin, who doesn’t play Michigan State and has the easiest Big Ten schedule of the top contenders the rest of the way.
Best Game of the First Half
Texas 25 … Ohio State 22, Sept. 10
t lived up to the billing. Vince Young found Limas Sweed for a 24-yard touchdown pass with just over 2:37 to play to go up by one, and Ohio State gave it back on its ensuing possession on a Justin Zwick fumble. Texas turned the ball over on downs on the Ohio State one after Henry Melton just barely missed a touchdown just missing the pylon, but OSU QB Troy Smith was sacked for a safety to end all Buckeye hopes. Texas turned it over three times in its own end, but Ohio State could only manage three field goals out of them. Josh Huston connected on four field goals for the Buckeyes, but his missed 50-yarder gave the Longhorns new life late leading to the decisive touchdown drive.
Second Best Game – Wisconsin 38 ... Minnesota 34 … Oct. 15
Third Best Game – Michigan 27 … Penn State 25, Oct. 15
Worst Game of the First Half
Wisconsin 65 ... Temple 0 … Sept. 10
Wisconsin held Temple to 45 yards of total offense, while the Badger offense got four touchdown passes to John Stocco with three going to TE Owen Daniels in the first half. A 29-yard Tyler Donovan touchdown pass to Marcus Randle El with :14 to play in the first half made it 51-0. Temple lost 11 yards trying to run the ball and only gained five first downs with QB Mike McGann completing four of 20 passes
Coach of the Midseason – Randy Walker, Northwestern
His defense stinks and he’s relying on a freshman running back to carry the offense, but Randy Walker has his team in a great position to go to a bowl game. Walker has his team actually believing it can not only get to a bowl game, but can win the Big Ten title.
Player who'll step up in the second half – Michigan RB Mike Hart
Left out of the glory with Laurence Maroney, Brian Calhoun and Tyrell Sutton getting all of the attention, but Hart, now that he’s healthy, will be among the league’s best over the back stretch.
Best performance so far – It’s a tie. Northwestern RB Tyrell Sutton ran 29 times for 244 yards and three touchdowns and caught two passes for nine yards and a score in the 51-48 win over Wisconsin. Wildcat LB Tim McGarigle made 25 tackles against the Badgers.
Top Freshman – Northwestern RB Tyrell Sutton
He’s fifth in the nation in rushing and has shown he’s college football’s next big thing with two, 200-yard rushing days and 13 touchdowns so far. He can catch as well as be a workhorse tailback.
Coach who needs to have a big second half – Lloyd Carr, Michigan
The last-second win over Penn State helped, but the rest of the season isn’t breeze and has the potential for a few more losses. Many Wolverine fans are already ticked at Carr’s non-conference road issues, and losing home games isn’t helping the cause.
Player who needs to have a big second half – Bryan Cupito, QB Minnesota
Minnesota has a bear of a finishing kick, and it needed Cupito to not only come back from a shoulder injury, but come back more effective than he was before the injury to prevent a rough ending.
Best remaining conference game – Penn State at Michigan State, Nov. 19
The home team has won this Big Ten closer every year since 1996, and in most of the games, the home team has annihilated the other team. Penn State will likely need this win for the Big Ten title, but the Spartans are good enough to get to win the conference and get to the BCS if they get some big breaks.
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[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif]Taking off my scarlet and grey glasses, CFN continues to have some of the best analysis in the media... the only thing I disagree with is Drew Stanton is the best offensive player so far this year. Maroney was shut down by Penn State and no one has yet been able to slow Stanton down that much, even though our defense did a great job holding him to only one touchdown pass.
Putting my scarlet and grey glasses back on, Ted Ginn needs a big second half for nothing else but to restore his confidence and get the monkey off his back. I think he made a step in the right direction against Michigan St. and will continue to produce against Indiana. It would be nice to see a punt return touchdown this week... but it would be nice to see that every week.
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[/FONT][FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif]Big Ten Midseason Report[/FONT] <table id="table2" align="right" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="5" width="300"> <tbody><tr> <td> Team Mid-Season MVPs & Predictions
Illinois – QB Tim Brasic
predicted wins: none
predicted losses: Penn State, Wisconsin, at Ohio State, at Purdue, Northwestern
predicted record: 3-8
Indiana – WR James Hardy
predicted wins: none
predicted losses: Ohio State, at Michigan State, Minnesota, at Michigan, Purdue
predicted record: 4-7
Iowa - LB Chad Greenway
predicted wins: Michigan, Minnesota
predicted losses: at Northwestern, at Wisconsin
predicted record: 7-4
Michigan – RB Mike Hart
predicted wins: at Northwestern, Indiana
predicted losses: at Iowa, Ohio State
predicted record: 6-5
Michigan State – QB Drew Stanton
predicted wins: Northwestern, Indiana, at Purdue, at Minnesota, Penn State
predicted losses: none
predicted record: 9-2
Minnesota - RB Laurence Maroney
predicted wins: at Indiana
predicted losses: Ohio State, Michigan State, at Iowa
predicted record: 5-6
Northwestern – RB Tyrell Sutton
predicted wins: Iowa, at Illinois
predicted losses: at Michigan State, Michigan, at Ohio State
predicted record: 6-5
Ohio State - LB A.J. Hawk
predicted wins: at Indiana, at Minnesota, Illinois, Northwestern, at Michigan
predicted losses: none
predicted record: 9-2
Penn State - LB Paul Posluszny
predicted wins: at Illinois, Purdue, Wisconsin
predicted losses: at Michigan State
predicted record: 9-2
Purdue – WR Dorian Bryant
predicted wins: Illinois, at Indiana
predicted losses: at Wisconsin, at Penn State, Michigan State
predicted record: 4-7
Wisconsin - RB Brian Calhoun
predicted wins: Purdue, at Illinois, Iowa, Hawaii
predicted losses: at Penn State
predicted record: 10-2
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Offensive Player of the Midseason
Laurence Maroney, RB Minnesota
Defensive Player of the Midseason
A.J. Hawk, LB Ohio State
Ten best Big Ten players in the first half of the season
1. A.J. Hawk, LB Ohio State
2. Laurence Maroney, RB Minnesota
3. Tyrell Sutton, RB Northwestern
4. Paul Posluszny, LB Penn State
5. Brian Calhoun, RB Wisconsin
6. Drew Stanton, QB Michigan State
7. Brett Basanez, QB Northwestern
8. James Hardy, WR Indiana
9. Tim McGarigle, LB Northwestern
10. Chad Greenway, LB Iowa
Biggest Surprise – Penn State’s offense
Everyone knew the defense would be among the best in the nation, but Michael Robinson has come through as a clutch, effective quarterback providing enough of a spark to put the Nittany Lions in a position to win the Big Ten title.
Biggest Disappointment – Purdue
With no Ohio State or Michigan on the schedule, and just about everyone coming back on both sides of the ball, Purdue was supposed to be this year’s hot team. The offense hasn’t been able to get rolling on a consistent basis, while the defense has been among the worst in America.
The Big Ten Champion will be ... Ohio State
Penn State still has to lose again and Ohio State can’t slip. Each team has major landmines to deal with, so don’t forget about Wisconsin, who doesn’t play Michigan State and has the easiest Big Ten schedule of the top contenders the rest of the way.
Best Game of the First Half
Texas 25 … Ohio State 22, Sept. 10
t lived up to the billing. Vince Young found Limas Sweed for a 24-yard touchdown pass with just over 2:37 to play to go up by one, and Ohio State gave it back on its ensuing possession on a Justin Zwick fumble. Texas turned the ball over on downs on the Ohio State one after Henry Melton just barely missed a touchdown just missing the pylon, but OSU QB Troy Smith was sacked for a safety to end all Buckeye hopes. Texas turned it over three times in its own end, but Ohio State could only manage three field goals out of them. Josh Huston connected on four field goals for the Buckeyes, but his missed 50-yarder gave the Longhorns new life late leading to the decisive touchdown drive.
Second Best Game – Wisconsin 38 ... Minnesota 34 … Oct. 15
Third Best Game – Michigan 27 … Penn State 25, Oct. 15
Worst Game of the First Half
Wisconsin 65 ... Temple 0 … Sept. 10
Wisconsin held Temple to 45 yards of total offense, while the Badger offense got four touchdown passes to John Stocco with three going to TE Owen Daniels in the first half. A 29-yard Tyler Donovan touchdown pass to Marcus Randle El with :14 to play in the first half made it 51-0. Temple lost 11 yards trying to run the ball and only gained five first downs with QB Mike McGann completing four of 20 passes
Coach of the Midseason – Randy Walker, Northwestern
His defense stinks and he’s relying on a freshman running back to carry the offense, but Randy Walker has his team in a great position to go to a bowl game. Walker has his team actually believing it can not only get to a bowl game, but can win the Big Ten title.
Player who'll step up in the second half – Michigan RB Mike Hart
Left out of the glory with Laurence Maroney, Brian Calhoun and Tyrell Sutton getting all of the attention, but Hart, now that he’s healthy, will be among the league’s best over the back stretch.
Best performance so far – It’s a tie. Northwestern RB Tyrell Sutton ran 29 times for 244 yards and three touchdowns and caught two passes for nine yards and a score in the 51-48 win over Wisconsin. Wildcat LB Tim McGarigle made 25 tackles against the Badgers.
Top Freshman – Northwestern RB Tyrell Sutton
He’s fifth in the nation in rushing and has shown he’s college football’s next big thing with two, 200-yard rushing days and 13 touchdowns so far. He can catch as well as be a workhorse tailback.
Coach who needs to have a big second half – Lloyd Carr, Michigan
The last-second win over Penn State helped, but the rest of the season isn’t breeze and has the potential for a few more losses. Many Wolverine fans are already ticked at Carr’s non-conference road issues, and losing home games isn’t helping the cause.
Player who needs to have a big second half – Bryan Cupito, QB Minnesota
Minnesota has a bear of a finishing kick, and it needed Cupito to not only come back from a shoulder injury, but come back more effective than he was before the injury to prevent a rough ending.
Best remaining conference game – Penn State at Michigan State, Nov. 19
The home team has won this Big Ten closer every year since 1996, and in most of the games, the home team has annihilated the other team. Penn State will likely need this win for the Big Ten title, but the Spartans are good enough to get to win the conference and get to the BCS if they get some big breaks.
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[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif]Taking off my scarlet and grey glasses, CFN continues to have some of the best analysis in the media... the only thing I disagree with is Drew Stanton is the best offensive player so far this year. Maroney was shut down by Penn State and no one has yet been able to slow Stanton down that much, even though our defense did a great job holding him to only one touchdown pass.
Putting my scarlet and grey glasses back on, Ted Ginn needs a big second half for nothing else but to restore his confidence and get the monkey off his back. I think he made a step in the right direction against Michigan St. and will continue to produce against Indiana. It would be nice to see a punt return touchdown this week... but it would be nice to see that every week.
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