After week one, the B1G doesn't look to be in too much of a different position than what they were in after week one a year ago. You may recall, after that week, almost ALL the national punditry was ready to bury the conference, convinced they would end the season with a strength relatively equal to the MAC. Yet, as I recall, some team named Ohio State won the national championship, and several other teams did well in their bowl games.
So where are we now? Team-by-team, its worth a look:
WEST:
EAST
All in all, I see one Top 5 team (MSU), one team at 10-15 (tOSU), two teams near the bottom of the Top 25 in Northwestern and Michigan, and five teams - Wisconsin, Maryland, Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska who will probably be bowl-bound - a couple of whom may get on a streak of good play to get them seasons that end up being quite good. But that leaves five seriously bad teams - not a good result for the B1G.
What about you?
So where are we now? Team-by-team, its worth a look:
WEST:
- Illinois - looked good yesterday but the only looking up the Illini will do by season's end is at the other team's records in the B1G West;
- Iowa - you have to be impressed by yesterday. But for better or worse, that was a typical FCS team, with small-like lines. The only question is why Iowa hasn't handled such teams with ease in years past. As for our outlook, our first team looks quite competitive - our back-ups do not - we need some serious health this season. Check back at the bye week, but you have to be encouraged;
- Minnesota - this is not last year's team. Jerry Kill will probably now have his Gophers in a bowl every year, but they came SO close last season. I look for them to be a beast in Minneapolis, but a kitten on the road;
- Nebraska - there are those who believe that their start is the best thing that could have happened to their new coach. Still, Nebraska fans don't take well to losses in Lincoln, even though the Cornhuskers won one like that last season - look for a very average team this year;
- Northwestern - who would believe that Iowa-Northwestern in Evanston may be a key game this Fall? You had to know Pat Fitzgerald would be back - and just that fast, I like them (and a healthy Hawkeye team) as much as anyone in this division;
- Purdue - some year, they will be competitive again. Some year. That said, losing at Marshall isn't the worst thing a team can do;
- Wisconsin - like Minnesota, this is not last year's team. But even though the Badgers have vastly exceeded expectations the last few years, I don't see it this year. IF Iowa is healthy, this is a team they can beat.
EAST
- Indiana - their head coach is still convinced they'll put together a quality defense - maybe in two or three succeeding head coaches. But giving up 47 to Southern Illinois does not a competitive B1G team make;
- Maryland - may finish as high as second if they were in the West - a trip out there is not and will not be fun. But the best they can do in the East is challenge Michigan for third;
- Michigan - not to gloat, but I picked Utah over Michigan - and thought it was an easy pick. And yes, minus the INT's, that sure was the Jake Rudock I remember. But they'll be competitive because Jim Harbaugh says so. And that's all we need, right??
- Michigan State - whether they can get over that early-season hump and finally beat Oregon remains to be seen. But this team looks SCARY good to me - my pick to win the West, with a comfortable win over tOSU;
- Ohio State - is it just me, or do others see a team heading for a minimum of two upset losses. They might have a lot of hype, but are missing key players in key places. Michigan-Ohio State may be greatly anticipated, but in my book, it will be meaningless this season;
- Penn State - how bad are they going to be, especially after losing to Temple? Their fans are just going to have to get used to the idea that Penn State football may max out at mediocrity for a few years now - if they can reach a plateau that high this season remains to be seen;
- Rutgers - what happens to a team when almost your whole starting secondary is kicked off the team hours before game one? Considering that I didn't have high hopes for them to begin with, this team might be scary bad this year.
All in all, I see one Top 5 team (MSU), one team at 10-15 (tOSU), two teams near the bottom of the Top 25 in Northwestern and Michigan, and five teams - Wisconsin, Maryland, Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska who will probably be bowl-bound - a couple of whom may get on a streak of good play to get them seasons that end up being quite good. But that leaves five seriously bad teams - not a good result for the B1G.
What about you?
