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Teams fight for trip to Rose
Bowl as season nears end
Well the race for the Rose
Bowl is down to the final two weeks. Purdue, Ohio State and Northwestern
are vying for the trip to Pasadena, Calif., while Michigan has an outside
chance.
Sorry, but we don't have
room or time for a big game this week (hell, there wasn't even space
for this story in the paper). However, No. 4 Nebraska plays No. 16 Kansas
State, and Nebraska has our vote. No recalls. Here's a look at our less
concise thoughts on this week's Big Ten games.
No. 13 Ohio State (7-2,
4-2) at Illinois (5-4, 2-4)
The Buckeyes are coming off
a second half, 27-13 win over Michigan State. Illinois, meanwhile, edged
Indiana 42-35 as quarterback Kurt Kittner dove into the end zone for
the go-ahead score with 25 seconds to play.
Paul’s Pick: This
one won't even be close. Ohio State is still perhaps the toughest team
in the conference, just not the team with the best record. Illinois
has the conference's worst rushing defense; the Figthing Illini allow
224 yards per game. Ohio State is the best team in the league against
the run; the Buckeyes permit just 85 yards per game. Although they aren't
the best offensive team in the league, the Buckeyes will run and pass
their way to a 45-27 win.
Anne’s Analysis:
Last season Illinois was the talk of the Big Ten when they beat
both Michigan and Ohio State on the road. This season, they got screwed
out of a win at home against Michigan on bad fumble calls. Antwaan Randle
El’s fumble a week ago helped the Illini win. Ohio State looked
like it was half-asleep for the first half of the game against the Spartans.
This is a game with bowl implications — the Buckeyes are fighting
for a top bowl while the Illini are fighting to make a bowl. Buckeyes
win, 24-14.
Wisconsin (6-4, 3-4) at
Indiana (3-6, 2-4)
The Hoosiers have lost their
last two games by a combined 10 points, most recently losing 42-35 to
Illinois last week. Wisconsin, after a string of three close games,
finally got a blowout win last week, beating Minnesota 41-20.
Paul’s Pick: Indiana
can't play defense. They're ranked 114 out of 114 Division I-A teams
in defending the pass and 111 overall. The Badgers' Chris Chambers averages
six catches and 91 yards per game. He'll increase those averages Saturday
as Wisconsin wins, 63-60.
Anne’s Analysis:
Wisconsin has to win either this game or at Hawaii on Nov. 25 to
become bowl-eligible. The Hoosiers won’t be going to a bowl this
season. After starting 0-3 in the conference, the Badgers have won three
of their last four — the lone loss coming to Purdue. They have
the momentum, but can they stop Randle-El? If not, the Badgers better
score more than 34 points — the Hoosiers’ scoring average.
They did it last week, they’ll do it again. Wisconsin wins, 41-34.
No. 12 Northwestern (7-2,
5-1) at Iowa (2-8, 2-4)
Both teams are coming off
huge last second wins. Northwestern beat Michigan 54-51 as the teams
combined for close to 1,200 yards of offense and 64 first downs. Iowa
won for just the second time all season, edging Penn State 26-23 in
overtime.
Paul’s Pick: You'd
think that Northwestern used up all its offensive firepower in last
week's win, perhaps the most exciting of the season. However, Iowa will
likely experience a letdown. And the only way the Hawkeyes would win
would be if they defended Northwestern well and win the kicking game.
They may win the kicking game behind Big Ten special teams player-of-the
week Nate Kaeding, but they won't stop the Wildcat offense. Northwestern
wins, 33-10.
Anne’s Analysis:
Iowa should have a little momentum after its second win of the season.
Northwestern is probably physically and emotionally drained after last
week’s thriller. But Northwestern does have the top scoring offense
and top total offenses in the conference. Whereas Iowa is 109th in the
nation in total defense. Damien Anderson runs for the 206 yards that
Iowa gives up per game while Zak Kustok passes for 200 as well. Northwestern
wins, 38-17.
Penn State (4-6, 3-3)
at No. 20 Michigan (6-3, 4-2)
The losers of the aforementioned
tight games meet, both trying to get back to winning.
Paul’s Pick:
Penn State's season is over. Michigan's Rose Bowl hopes are dim. A good
way to fight the blues is to win a big game in front of your home fans.
Michigan has the opportunity to do so. Anthony Thomas needs 337 yards
and three touchdowns to become Michigan's all-time leader in both categories.
If only he could hold onto the ball. Michigan wins, 45-20.
Anne’s Analysis:
The Nittany Lions are fighting to finish .500 right now; a bowl game
is out of the picture as is Joe Paterno breaking Bear Bryant’s
record. However, if the Lions win out, Joe Pa can tie the record. The
last time Michigan lost a big lead (the Purdue game) and ended up losing,
they beat Indiana 58-0. Look for the Wolverines to continue to fight
(for the Outback Bowl). Michigan wins, 42-17.
Paul Trembacki is a junior
in the School of Liberal Arts; Anne McLaren is a senior in the Schools
of Engineering. They can be e-mailed at sports@purdueexponent.org.
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Boilers
prepare for ‘nutty’ game on Saturday
No.
4 Boilers to begin WNIT tournament action
Volleyball
team anticipates home matchups
Coach
remains optimistic despite low expectations
Team
prepares for Regionals, anticipates return of runners
Teams
fight for trip to Rose Bowl as season nears end
The
candidates
Pure
funk
Take
notice
New
faces make up Boiler roster
Team
prepares for start of season
Coach
inherits promising IU team
New
coaches to head Big Ten
Three
Big Ten coaches set goals to improve programs
'Top
recruiting class' helps Boilers in games, practices
Boilers
hope for help from transfer players
SPORTS DESK PHONE:
(765) 743-1111
ext. 251
Sports editor: Paul
Trembacki
Assistant sports
editors: Anne McLaren,
Keith Thomas
To
send a letter to the editor, please email opinions@purdueexponent.org
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