CBS Preseason Top-25 (Big 10 #2,6,9)

[BuckeyeNation27]

I don't have any problem with the rankings (except iowa being 2 obviously. they might be good but theyre no 2)....but i have one beef. how is iowa the Co-Big Ten Champions? They had the same record as scUM but they lost to scUM. meaning scUM was better. shouldnt that give them the out right B10 Title?

[TheMile]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeFROMscUM

There's no way we don't get the #2 spot (I would argue we deserve the #1 spot until USC plays someone) if we emerge undefeated next december.

No kidding. OSU has strength of schedule and name recognition on its side. Should OSU go undefeated, there's no doubt you should be #2, and probably #1. The only thing that could possibly hold OSU back, is, unfortunately, the media's and coaches' view of the Clarett and Smith incidents. That would be absurd, but isn't outside the realm of possibility.

Originally Posted by BuckeyeFROMscUM

Iowa poses the biggest threat for sure.

For sure? In my opinion, you're underestimating home field advantage with respect to Michigan and Iowa. Kinnick, the Horseshoe, and Michigan Stadium are all huge advantages for their respective teams. I'll be surprised if you guys lose to Iowa and if Iowa loses to us. I expect the closest game of the three Big Ten matchups will be OSU at Michigan.

Originally Posted by BuckeyeNation27

I don't have any problem with the rankings (except iowa being 2 obviously. they might be good but theyre no 2)....but i have one beef. how is iowa the Co-Big Ten Champions? They had the same record as scUM but they lost to scUM. meaning scUM was better. shouldnt that give them the out right B10 Title?

That's just the Big 10's rule. If you've got the best record in the Big 10, you're its champion. Period. Tiebreakers like head-to-head matchups apply to who gets the automatic BCS game, however.

[jwinslow]

Can someone give The Mile a medal for continuing to show up with thoughtful posts disagreeing with the very homeristic, anti-scUM posts like mine above? Huge props to The Mile for enduring our jabs and usually coming out looking better for it (tho sadly mistaken at times in her choice for who will win ).

I think you are very right, The Mile. Iowa away from home and Michigan at home will be a different story. I am merely more worried about Iowa because they thrashed us hardcore (tho there are millions of differences between last year's game and this years), whereas UM does not scare me. However the thought of having another potential Mike hart caliber back in Grady could mean that each would take 10 carries, which would make them a lot fresher in teh 2nd half against our tired legs. Plus obviously any time The Game is at home its a huge plus (as long as Jonathan Wells isn't around).

In the end no tOSU fan would ever overlook the scUM game. The combination of Tressel and Hermann however has us buck fans a little overconfident. Here's to hoping that the buckeye team will not make the same mistake (I do not think JT will allow that).

[Dryden]

Ferentz added another top 10 recruiting class

WTF?

I went back through Hodge, Lemming, Rivals, and Insiders to 1993, and Iowa has been ranked only once, anywhere, by any outlet! In 2003, Lemming gave the Hawkeyes a 25th place nod. That's it for their recruiting over the last 12 years, until this year!

Dodd is an idiot.

[TheMile]

Thanks for the kind words. BTW, I'm an engineer and alumnus of Michigan. If you've ever seen the North Campus there, you'd know I'd have to be a guy, either Asian or Caucasian, not a "her".

Originally Posted by BuckeyeFROMscUM

I am merely more worried about Iowa because they thrashed us hardcore (tho there are millions of differences between last year's game and this years), whereas UM does not scare me.

Fair enough; I can understand that perspective. My perspective is that OSU played Iowa before your team hit its stride, so the blowout was an aberration. I've got to tell myself that to justify 37-21, you know.

Originally Posted by BuckeyeFROMscUM

The combination of Tressel and Hermann however has us buck fans a little overconfident.

Can't argue with that.

[jwinslow]

Lol, I didn't even realize I referred to you as a her, TheMile. Whoops, I guess that had something to do with one of the only civil UM posters on ESPiN's bored being a woman. My apologies.

I think Iowa was before we hit our stride, too. Zwick clearly was hurt, had 1 receiver to pass to (that was double covered), no OL, no run game, DL not yet dominant, etc. I think their lack of DL will play a huge role in next year's game, plus it being in the Shoe. We're gonna gain a lot of respect for our stadium if we can knock of those two teams at home in sept.

However it's a little scary to think that Drew Tate got better as the year progressed. Perhaps it was more of him having a team around him, but the kid can flat out play. That play where he threw the pass despite having his helmet ripped off by UM defender trumps pretty much all other tough-guy plays I saw last year.