bcl412

I think this is going to be one of the stronger Big Tens we've had in awhile. That may be more because the Big Ten hasn't been that good lately but I think the league has some depth it hasn't had in awhile.

Great win for Iowa(well at least for this Iowa team's standards) tonight. They beat Northern Iowa by 19. Now they aren't as good as they have been in recent years but this win is good for multiple reasons. They've had our number for quite some time. They have had a better program than us recently with more NCAA appearances than we've had (I think, it may be the same amount but I think since 2001 they have had one more) and we were without one of our better players who was suspended, so to come out and beat them by almost 20 is a great thing. I'm very happy that Iowa is 8-2 and I hope they can beat Iowa State Friday night.

Alabama has barely beaten teams worst than Utah (Tulane, Kentucky). I wouldn't be shocked if Utah kept it close or won. I think Penn State and USC will be closer than expected too. USC's D is good but I don't think they'll move the ball all over the field against Penn State. Plus Penn State's offense isn't that bad either. I still think USC wins but it will be close IMO. I think Texas is going to destroy OSU. And I don't really know anything about Cincinatti or VT except both conferences aren't that good. I'll probably cheer for Cincinatti though I think OU rips Florida although that's just a gut feeling. The long layoff might destroy their momentum and rhythm. On an aside, I think Iowa has the best chance for the the Big Ten to pull out a win. In fact I think they win by two TD's.

...and the fact that MSU and Northwestern both beat Iowa? iowa travels very well and is red hot. i think they would beat northwestern by two td's if they played right now. they'd possibly beat osu. They still shouldn't leapfrog teams they lost to, especially when they finished with a worse overall record. That said, Northwestern probably played themselves into a blowout. It might've been a nicer ending to the senior's time at the school if they drew a lower bowl. Overall record is a pretty meaningless tool for a situation like this. Iowa went 3-1 in non-conference because they lost a close game AT Pitt. Northwestern's toughest road game was at Duke. It would stink to be a Northwestern fan and get jumped by a team you beat head to head. However I think Iowa is definitely a better team and they will bring thousands more fans. It was clear this would happen. Iowa's probably better, but they didn't prove it on the field against those teams. I agree that NW should be in a better bowl than Iowa (Although it could be argued that playing Mizzou rather than S. Carolina=better bowl). However, bowls aren't made to award accomplishments, they are made to make money. Now they do award accomplishments by default because the better teams are going to bring more money, but bowls are going to pick whoever they think is going to draw the most people and money. If there weren't conference tie ins you would see an even more messed up system. I bet there would be times when teams with losing records getting picked over 1-2 loss teams.

Didn't even know the Hawks were playing and I come home to see them winning 7-1. Can't complain about that.

I thought this was the worst USC team since 2001. They are still really good though.

Florida might put up 100 on Utah.

Its going to be Texas and Oklahoma. If that were to happen I don't think I'd have an issue with it.

OU is good. Really good. OU vs Florida is going to be an awesome game.

The Big Ten looks like they might be fairly good this year. It's too bad because I think this Iowa team could have had a chance at being middle of the pack or higher a couple of years ago.

I think they'd finish, at best, middle of the pack. I can't see them beating Penn St., Ohio St., Michigan St. or Iowa. Which would probably leave them being 5th at best. well since they're down 11 to a 7-5 Buffalo team, I think you may be overstating it a bit. I was trying to give them the benefit of the doubt but considering this loss and the fact that they only beat a terrible Indiana team. They probably would have finished even lower if they played in the big ten.

I think they'd finish, at best, middle of the pack. I can't see them beating Penn St., Ohio St., Michigan St. or Iowa. Which would probably leave them being 5th at best.

Ain't nobody understand cricket.

I agree on MSU. When they were ranked 5 or whatever it was to start the year I was shocked. Any team a year removed from losing to a team as bad as Iowa (especially Iowa, they were terrible) and Penn State were last year shouldn't be in the top ten the next year. On top of that they've struggled against some teams they shouldn't be struggling against, IPFW and Witchita State, and got smoked by Maryland on a neutral floor, a team in which the much inferior Wolverines only lost to by five on their court. So, yeah, Michigan State is overrated and they have been since 2005. I think they are still ranking high in the rankings to start the year because of Izzo and being really good in the late 90's early 2000's.

That Iowa game left a bitter taste in my mouth. They could have been 7-1 after a tough 3 game stretch where they traveled from Iowa to Vegas to Boston (Chestnut Hill). I'm kind of upset about Lickliter's coaching for the first time all year. I don't understand why Tucker wasn't in on the last possesion, I understand he had struggled all game but, geeze, when you're down 2 it would be nice to have a guy who can shoot instead of a 20% free throw shooter. I also don't get why they didn't call time out with a young team in that situation. I wish Jake Kelly would stop trying to dribble the ball for 10 seconds and I am pretty sure that Brommer was shooting a three on the play where he was fouled (he wouldn't have made 2 of 3 most likely, but still). Granted it wasn't a normal looking shot but he's up in the air with a trowing motion towards the hope with no time on the clock, what else was he going to do? Pass it! Ah screw it, why am I ranting about Iowa basketball on a Cubs message board.

It is a Duke game. I think Duke pays him as a part of their broadcasting staff. I wonder if he's taken down his shrine to J.J. Redick yet? Ugh, I hope he cleans it first.

I just started watching, is it good defense or awful offense? I imagine it's the second option considering both teams aren't that good.

It is a Duke game. I think Duke pays him as a part of their broadcasting staff.

Big 10 once again has some poor matchups (like always because the ACC is better.) Besides Wisconsin's in think Minnesota and Illinois win for the Big Ten.

I know I'm the first person to ever say this but I don't see how playoffs+bowls would make any less money. All the playoff games would make money. They could play the games on campus and have the NCAA make revenue from each game. The revenue they would make from all the games would have to be close to what they make for the BCS games.

I've always thought they should just do the same things as the FCS. I know the whole tradition crap, but you could keep the bowls. The NIT still exists in CBB.

Iowa should struggle on the road against an athletic team. I'm hoping they play like they did vs K-State and not against West Virginia.

This is why they should have gone for it on 4th down from the one. I'd rather them have to go 70 yards to score then give them a chance to return the kick.

They really shouldn't be this bad.

ugh :banghead: