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| Whatevs! |
12. Minnesota -- Oh, poor Minny. Your program is reeling, your coach is providing scary moments and even FCS schools are a serious challenge. It's very hard to hate Minnesota, as our scientific polling found over the summer that they have the least obnoxious fans in the Big Ten. While we like Purdue having a potential win on the schedule every year, we certainly don't have any special love for seeing Minny struggle. Let's hope they rise up and embarrass OMHR this year.
11. Indiana -- I commented to B-dowd last week that this was the first year since we started the site that we've given IU any respect with regard to football. We felt like Coach Wilson has them heading in the right direction, and while we didn't think they'd necessarily be good this year, we felt like you'd be able to see the improvements on the horizon. Maybe his next recruiting class will help them turn the corner, just like Coach Crean's. But for now, they look as bad as ever.
10. Purdue -- And yes, you're pretty bad if you're currently ranked behind Purdue football. If anyone disagrees with this location for the Boilers, tell me why they should be higher or lower.
9. Northwestern -- Hard to believe a competent Northwestern team that may well go bowling is only fourth from the bottom. But they lost to Army and blew a huge lead over in-state rival Illinois. There were even commenters at Lake the Posts apparently calling for Fitz' job. Not sure that's legit, but they're pissed. On the plus side, Dick Weiss probably still thinks they're undefeated.
8. Ohio State -- Eighth place for now, Bucknuts. And to think I actually thought they'd still be good this year. I guess without bags of cash to talented players, it's hard to motivate guys.
7. Penn State -- PSU is not good. Let's just say that. But they're 4-1 because that's what they do -- they beat the teams they should. What a novel concept. I've heard a few people say this is a possible win for Purdue. Maybe if it were in Ross-Ade I would agree, but Snappy Valley is a very tough place to play. If Marve is starting, I think I'd feel like he could make some things happen. But who knows where things will be at that point?
6. Iowa -- Middle of the pack, sort of forgettable. Just like their state.
5. Nebraska -- Hey, welcome to a big boy conference, Nebraska! We would have loved to see you slap Wisconsin around just because, well, somebody needs to slap them around soon. But you did kind of what a lot of us expected after seeing how suspect your vaunted blackshirt defense is. I'd love to put you higher, but you haven't earned it.
4. Michigan State -- Aside from simply not rising to the moment against ND after years of owning the Irish in South Bend, the Spartans have been good, including an ugly win over OSU this past Saturday. Either the Bucks are really far worse than I thought or MSU is actually as good as I always seem to think they will be. Regardless, they've earned the 4-spot for now.
3. Michigan -- Yeah, they were 5-0 last year, too. But for now they've earned this.
2. Illinois -- Sure, they've looked shaky from time to time and needed a big comeback to stay unbeated on Saturday, but again, they're getting it done and that's what counts in the BS power rankings. Sure, it feels like the wheels are going to come off at any minute, but really, isn't that always how it is for the Zooker?
1. Wisconsin -- There is nobody else close right now. I don't want to hear more crap about how they haven't played anybody. Not many teams in the conference have "played anybody" and Wisconsin is doing what very good teams are supposed to do. They're bludgeoning everyone in their path, including previously single-digit-ranked Nebraska. I seriously worry they're going to put 75 on our Boilermakers.
Agree with these? Disagree? We'd love to hear it.
12 comments:
Never thought I'd see Illinois in the 2-slot, but it's hard to argue at this point. I'm sure by the end of the season, sanity will have been restored.
And yes, "B1G" may be even more stupid than "Legends" and "Leaders".
I think firing Fitzgerald would be stupid of Northwestern. Good coaches will have down years, if indeed this is one - with Indiana, Rice, and Minnesota on the schedule, plus Penn State at home and the voodoo magic that they have against Iowa, they should still make a bowl - and who would they find to replace him anyway? Some programs are simply going to be second-tier programs with an occasional shot at the top: having first-tier expectations usually means a fall all the way down to the bottom. Indiana's still trying to find a coach with Mallory's consistency.
OSU is still giving bags of cash to players ... the problem is that they're doing it while the NCAA is investigating them for giving bags of cash to players. Like, literally. "What, this? Oh, I, like, found it, and I was going to give it back to you, yeah." Apparently, though, they forgot to pay a decent QB to come to Columbus. That's kind of a problem ... although it sure is funny from here.
Michigan's defense looks significantly better than last year, mostly because a) their coordinator has experience with good defenses and b) does something more useful on the sidelines than waving stuffed animals around for motivation. They're probably overrated, but then it's hard to properly rate a team that hasn't lost yet. (Ask Utah, TCU, Boise State ...)
Agreed that Wisconsin is far and away #1. They're basically the same Wisconsin team of years past except with a good QB. Bad for us on November 5, good for the BCS money they'll be splitting with the rest of the conference.
Why Purdue should be ranked higher (A Memo from the desk of Danny Hope):
The product on the field may not be looking great, but there's a lot of factors influencing that. Namely, we've had to change our practice situation to avoid the rash of injuries we had last year, and even still we've lost a key guy for our football team.
The team has also just gotten some bad luck, some balls that didn't bounce our way. I think if you go back and look at the tape like we get to as coaches you can see a lot of improvement week to week, a lot of guys really hustling, really working hard.
I think this team has a great work ethic, easily equal to that of Michigan or Wisconsin, and that work ethic will show up on the field.
I'm really excited for the improvements we've been seeing, we've still got one of the best kickers and a great punter so you can't discount the work those guys are putting in. So, we're just going to block out any unwarranted criticism coming our way and prepare for a real tough homecoming game against a great Minnesota squad.
-HC Danny Hope
Do you really think the Boilers can beat IU home or away? No really, do you really believe they can? I sure as hell don't. I also see a W over Minnesota, but the only thing that tips me that way is home field advantage. I would say a home and home with the Gophers this year would result in a split. I think Purdue should be tied for 11.
Boiler_Ditsor...
Apparently, you didn't watch the horrendous PSU-IU game this past weekend. IU is absolutely horrible and I would argue that they may be as bad as Minny- no defense, no offense. Purdue should win that game no matter where it is played. Purdue is also bad- but not that bad!
Only change I would make is Nebraska and Michigan State. Michigan State's offense looks rough when facing even mediocre opponents (Notre Dame, Ohio State). Nebraska's rushing offense is decent and it fought Wisconsin well for a quarter and a half. Wisconsin should win the Big Ten handily. I also feel Michigan will get a scare this weekend at Northwester. Possible upset there. Even though Northwestern is ranked 9th here, they are a lot more talented than that.
Purdue got beat by Rice. 'nuff said.
Highest ranked team on this list that Toledo could beat? Discuss...
Nothing about Marve telling the truth on Twitter? This team is imploding right on schedule.
"Will Mr. Sumlin please pick up the white courtesy phone...Mr. Sumlin please pick up the white courtesy phone."
For the love of all that is good and holy, when does basketball season start?!?!?!
Er..um, I mean...yea, I love Purdue football...yea...
Cary -- I struggled with that one (writing about it). We plan to discuss it on the podcast tonight.
I think losing to Minnesota this Saturday... as bad as the Gophers are, and the fact that it's at Purdue... that would guarantee Hope will be fired. I hope they win, but a loss would, sadly, be the best thing for our program. The truth hurts.
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