The craziness of B1G play is in full swing now. The conference is so good from top to bottom that there has been some key losses already. Through all of these “upsets” MSU has built up a 1 game lead on Illinois and Michigan St, and a 2 game lead on both of the conference favorites.
Michigan St started 0-2 on the year, and looked like a young team that will be talented but likely to lose a fair share of conference games. But then their schedule shaped up very favorably, and they have gotten into a rhythm. Since then they have won 15 straight games and are the lone remaining undefeated team in conference play. They have dominated most of their conference opponents so far, including home against Indiana and punching Iowa in the face (winning by 44 points). If they can beat Michigan on the road next week they can open a “comfortable” B1G lead only a few weeks into the season. Yes, they haven’t played Ohio St or a road game against one of the top teams, but it must be nice being 5-0 right now.
Illinois has surprised people already by knocking off Ohio St at home behind Paul’s 43 points. I don’t believe they are on the same talent level as Michigan St, U-M, OSU, or IU, but if they can pull off some more upsets of the 4 teams in front of them they can hang around the conference lead for most of the season.
IU was, and probably still is, America’s team. How many times have you heard that IU is back to its glory days. I think it is a little too early for those statements, since they have passed their win total from last year. Yes they are very good this year, and look to be one of the B1G’s top teams, but I think it takes longer than a half of a season to claim a program is back from almost a decade of disappointment. Last night they lost their first game at home against Minnesota. This gives them 2 conference losses already with OSU coming up next.
OSU lost at IU which wasn’t a bad loss, but then they got beat at Illinois by one player. They couldn’t find any way to shut him down. This has resulted in a surprising 2 losses already. The loser of Sunday’s game will likely fall 3 games back on MSU after just 6 games in, yikes.
Wisconsin lost its 2nd game at home to an unranked conference team since Bo Ryan has been their coach. They looked terrible in their loss to Iowa, then came back and lost on a controversial play against MSU at home, then looked terrible again against Michigan to start 1-3. Then last night they went to one of the toughest places to play in the nation (Mackey Arena – Purdue) and punched them in the mouth. I think Wisconsin is down this year, but it is nice that Michigan doesn’t have to play them twice this season. I think they will have at least 1 more big win this season that impacts the conference outlook.
Purdue started 2-0 with wins at Iowa and home against Illinois, but then got beat by lowly Penn St by 20! They did find a way to beat Minnesota, but then lost to Wisconsin last night. Purdue should make the tournament, but I don’t see them as being a real threat for B1G champions.
A lot is still going to happen in the tight conference race, but it has been very exciting already for the nation’s best conference.
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