B1G Week 11 Recap

With only 2 weeks left of the B1G season, both division races look to be wrapped up.  Wisconsin has clinched its trip to Indianapolis, and Nebraska has 2 cupcakes remaining to force the rematch.  Just think back after week 2 of the season, when Wisconsin lost to Oregon State and Nebraska got shelled by UCLA.  Now these two teams will be playing again for a trip to the Rose Bowl.  Yes, both squads have improved as the season has gone on, but both are nowhere close to elite.  And the frustrating part for Michigan fans is that on a neutral field, I think the Wolverines soundly beat both teams. Anyways, enough whining, this last week of B1G play saw Purdue keep its small bowl hopes alive with an improbable win against Iowa.  Indiana did not put up any fight against Wisconsin, and Minnesota became bowl eligible. 

The Good:

Wisconsin’s rushing attack is starting to take off again.  The Badgers rushed for over 540 yards against Indiana. I know the Hoosier defense is bad, but that is still a lot of yards.  The way the two championship game teams are playing, I would give a large advantage to Wisconsin at this point in the season. 

Minnesota becomes bowl eligible in Jerry Kill’s second season with the Gophers.  This is a big accomplishment.  Minnesota is definitely improving as a program, and a bowl game will mean a lot these players and the coaching staff. 

The Bad:

Iowa losing to Purdue.  The Boilermakers had all but given up on this season, but somehow the Hawkeyes found a way to lose the game. I had it pegged as a battle of which team wants to lose less, and the Hawkeyes outdid themselves.  Does this put Coach Ferentz on the hot seat now?

The Ugly:

I don’t want to complain about the refs too much, but the call that they missed in Lincoln on Saturday afternoon is just unacceptable.  I know I am a little biased with the outcome of that game, but a mistake like that cannot happen with instant replay.  I am not sure what they were looking at that let them keep the touchdown as a fumble.  This wasn’t a division II game here, these guys get paid a lot of money to ref national games.  Especially when this game had a big stake in which team would go to the Rose Bowl.  There have been some weird things that have happened in Lincoln this season, and lucky for the rest of us we might get to watch them in Pasadena for the 2^nd time this year against Notre Dame.  I just got a little sick.

Week 11 Power Rankings:

1.       Ohio State (no change)

2.       Nebraska (no change)

3.       Michigan (up 1)

4.       Penn State (down 1)

5.       Wisconsin (up 1)

6.       Northwestern (down 1)

7.       Michigan State (no change)

8.       Minnesota (up 1)

9.       Indiana (down 1)

10.   Purdue (up 1)

11.   Iowa (down 1)

12.   Illinois (no change)