Big Ten Schedule

Carmen Ohio · #1 (**permalink**) 09-25-2005, 06:33 PM

After watching this week's play it appears the teams with the best chance of running the table are Ohio State and Wisconsin. But because we don't play each other and Wisconsin doesn't play Michigan State the possibility of a split championship is very real. Especially when you consider how bad the players will want to do it for Alvarez. With one of the best defenses in the country and all the play makers we have on offense, I can't imagine anybody left on our schedule beating us. On the other hand as long as Wisconsin has a strong running game and just enough defense they'll be in the picture. If this scenario holds true, the most significant games in the Big Ten this year will be Wisconsin @ Minnesota and Purdue @ Wisconsin. All this assumes we win our remaining games and hang a loss on MSU, PSU and Minnesota. Having said all that, I have a gut feeling that at the end of the season we're going to be alone atop the Big Ten, ahead of a pack of 3 loss teams languishing toward the bottom of the polls.

The Undefeated and Their Toughest Remaining Games

Michigan State - Michigan, @Ohio State, @Purdue, @Minnesota
Minnesota - @Penn State, @Michigan, Wisconsin, OSU, MSU, @Iowa
Wisconsin - @Minnesota, Purdue, @Northwestern, @Penn State
Penn State - Everybody

BTW - Don't be shocked if Michigan beats Michigan State. If the Wisconsin game didn't wake them up, Lloyd's got one foot in the grave.

After watching Penn State and Northwestern, I'm not nearly as concerned with the game at Happy Valley. There is no way Michael Robinson can handle our defense. In this one, we can only beat ourselves.

crazybuckfan40 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-25-2005, 06:44 PM

Quote:

After watching Penn State and Northwestern, I'm not nearly as concerned with the game at Happy Valley. There is no way Michael Robinson can handle our defense. In this one, we can only beat ourselves.

I don't think we are worried about PSU as much as we are worried about going on the road, after a bye week, and at nite.

I also wouldnt be suprised if scUM beats MSU just b/c.

I think at the end of the year it is going to come down to the game in Minny. I think they will be able to run on the other teams in the big ten and all the other teams will struggle in a couple games.

BuckeyePride · #3 (**permalink**) 09-25-2005, 08:38 PM

Still though... it would be much more fun to see michigan state beat the crap out of scUM. Then we get msu undefeated and we can really put an ass whoppin on them.

SanAntonioBuck · #4 (**permalink**) 09-25-2005, 08:54 PM

It would be great to see scUM start out the Big Ten season 0-2!!! What a nice preseason top 5 team. I can't see them beating scum lite...

Yertle · #5 (**permalink**) 09-25-2005, 08:55 PM

The Bucks suffered through a tough stretch a few years ago...I wouldn't mind seeing Michigan go through the same crap for a few years. I hope the Spartans beat them senseless.

However, I hope a Michigan decline isn't permanent (i'm sure it wouldn't be). Nothing in sports is better than the OSU/Michigan game, and it's because both teams are always so good.

BuckTwenty · #6 (**permalink**) 09-25-2005, 09:10 PM

You forgot Indiana! They're still undefeated

::sarcasm::

tedginn05 · #7 (**permalink**) 09-25-2005, 09:13 PM

i said this in another thread but here it goes

against these teams in the big ten that gave up 30-40 points yesterday i just can't imagine what our O will do to them, i look towards the indiana game for us to have 650-700+ yards of total offense

Sdgobucks · #8 (**permalink**) 09-25-2005, 10:29 PM

I have a fear that scUM will lose three or four games before the big game at the end of the year.
I have a fear that we will underestimate a four or five loss scUM team that is playing for their coaches job, at home, in the biggest rivalry in sports.
I have a fear that we wont remember how much better than scUM our teams were back in the 90's, but we still got our ass handed to us because we underestimated them, and the rivalry.
I know Jim Tressel isn't John Cooper, but it will be much more difficult for JT to prepare the team for its biggest game of the year if their opponent looks inferior.
If you don't think scUM can beat us, watch The Game from last year, and remember that they are dealing with many of the same things we dealt with last year. By the end of the year a lot of those inexperienced players become experienced, and underestimated.
The biggest toughest game of the year still awaits us, just like it does every year, regardless of schedules.

Sdgobucks · #9 (**permalink**) 09-25-2005, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedginn05

i said this in another thread but here it goes

against these teams in the big ten that gave up 30-40 points yesterday i just can't imagine what our O will do to them, i look towards the indiana game for us to have 650-700+ yards of total offense

We put up big numbers in one game, and you all of a sudden think that means that will happen in every game? I have seen offensive explosions under JT, the problem is we haven't yet seen consistency. Lets see if we can duplicate it on the road at night. If we put up those numbers at PSU, then I will be singing the offenses praises as well.