Post by Cliff's Notes on Nov 18, 2011 10:51:15 GMT -5
Granted, the UM-OSU game is a bigger deal, but this Nebraska game will be similar to the OSU game, because there's a big question about Michigan that needs to be determined.
A lot has been made about Michigan not being able to keep up with the traditional physical teams in The Big Ten since Rich Rod took over (that would be MSU, OSU, Iowa, Penn State, and Wisconsin). Nebraska certainly fits into that grouping as a physical program.
Michigan has already lost to both MSU and Iowa this year.
However, both games were on the road, and the Big Ten has been brutal to visitors this year.
So which takes precedence? Is it the streak of home teams winning? Or is it the streak of Michigan losing to physical programs? If Michigan holds serve at home against two physical, but relatively speaking evenly matched programs, they finish 10-2. And the talk is that Michigan would have a decent shot at a BCS bowl. Which is pretty shocking, and not what we expected 11 months ago when Brady Hoke was named coach.
However, two losses to physical programs puts Michigan at 8-4. Which on the surface is nice, but would really feel hollow, since after the now ritual come-from-behind beating of Notre Dame, the marquee wins for this program are road wins at Northwestern and Illinois. Not that big of a deal.
As for MSU, I found it curious that Dantonio went out of his way to say he won't root for Michigan. A UM win combined with the MSU layup this week hosting Indiana, clinches a spot for MSU in the Inaugural Big Ten Championship. I'm all for a coach not wanting to back door into a championship, and not worrying about what you can't control, but he really went out of his way here. Which is certainly curious that he wants to continue to poke a fan base and program like that.
While MSU does have a test at Northwestern next week, they should be favored. The Northwestern home field usually isn't as big of an advantage as at other Big Ten stadiums, but with it being Thanksgiving break, there may be a larger number of students not attending the game. Still, to be so bitter that you would root for a situation that would harm your team? I don't get that.
Also interesting will be Penn State at Ohio State. Circumstances being what they are with Paterno and Sandusky, combined with this being a road game for Penn State, and the last home game for Buckeye Seniors, and the fact that this game probably doesn't matter for Penn State's chances to get to the Championship game, I really wouldn't be surprised to see Ohio State blow out Penn State.
Finally, Wisconsin and Iowa go into Illinois and Purdue. The road teams should be favored, but there certainly is potential for stumbling.
A lot has been made about Michigan not being able to keep up with the traditional physical teams in The Big Ten since Rich Rod took over (that would be MSU, OSU, Iowa, Penn State, and Wisconsin). Nebraska certainly fits into that grouping as a physical program.
Michigan has already lost to both MSU and Iowa this year.
However, both games were on the road, and the Big Ten has been brutal to visitors this year.
So which takes precedence? Is it the streak of home teams winning? Or is it the streak of Michigan losing to physical programs? If Michigan holds serve at home against two physical, but relatively speaking evenly matched programs, they finish 10-2. And the talk is that Michigan would have a decent shot at a BCS bowl. Which is pretty shocking, and not what we expected 11 months ago when Brady Hoke was named coach.
However, two losses to physical programs puts Michigan at 8-4. Which on the surface is nice, but would really feel hollow, since after the now ritual come-from-behind beating of Notre Dame, the marquee wins for this program are road wins at Northwestern and Illinois. Not that big of a deal.
As for MSU, I found it curious that Dantonio went out of his way to say he won't root for Michigan. A UM win combined with the MSU layup this week hosting Indiana, clinches a spot for MSU in the Inaugural Big Ten Championship. I'm all for a coach not wanting to back door into a championship, and not worrying about what you can't control, but he really went out of his way here. Which is certainly curious that he wants to continue to poke a fan base and program like that.
While MSU does have a test at Northwestern next week, they should be favored. The Northwestern home field usually isn't as big of an advantage as at other Big Ten stadiums, but with it being Thanksgiving break, there may be a larger number of students not attending the game. Still, to be so bitter that you would root for a situation that would harm your team? I don't get that.
Also interesting will be Penn State at Ohio State. Circumstances being what they are with Paterno and Sandusky, combined with this being a road game for Penn State, and the last home game for Buckeye Seniors, and the fact that this game probably doesn't matter for Penn State's chances to get to the Championship game, I really wouldn't be surprised to see Ohio State blow out Penn State.
Finally, Wisconsin and Iowa go into Illinois and Purdue. The road teams should be favored, but there certainly is potential for stumbling.