In the (somewhat) bigger picture: WTF happened to the B10?

[stormingnorm]

Coming into the season, I don’t think it was hyperbole to consider that the B10 may very well have had 5 legit “Top 10” caliber teams..... UW, MSU, OSU, PSU, UMich

UMich is the only one that has come anywhere close to what was expected (and I’m really not sure if they are all that - - - - What high quality opponent have they beaten?)

UW and MSU have been unqualified disasters.

MSU has a fairly rough run with injuries - but even at that, their O looks to be not much better than RU.

UW? Who can figure out that group? Dynamite TB.... a five man OL, all of whom looked like potential all-Conference candidates.... explosive WRs, and a veteran QB.... and they largely shit the bed (even before Hornibrook got hurt)

PSU? Despite a defense which dealt with the massive changeover in D personnel - and became one of the stronger units around.....
All that experienced, veteran returning talent on O, and they look as potent as Minnesota out there.

OSU? More or less the mirror image of PSU - but OSU has gotten a little luckier to avoid what probably shoulda’ been a 3/4/5 loss season.
A defense of 4 and 5 star talent - that leaks like a sieve week in and week out...... and a running game - with what shoulda’ been one of the best TB duos in the country -that devolved into a poor man’s Illinois.
And a staff full of “esteemed” veteran coaches..... that looks positively clueless on Saturdays.


I really felt the B10 was deserving of all the high expectations coming into this year.
But - undoubtably - has shit the bed so badly this year that even at 8-0 in conference, it’s hard to find one game that UMich has played that is a worthy stamp of approval for them being a “Final Four” caliber team.

Bizzare year......
A year that dawned with the prospect of, perhaps, lifting the B10 to the top of the CFB landscape....
But instead has cemented the “SEC plus Clemson” love fest to continue into the foreseeable future.

 

[ras5051]

It’s idiotic how the big ten is split. Look at Wisconsin’s schuedule:
Western KY
New Mexico
BYU
Iowa
Nebraska
Michigan
Illinois
Northwestern
Rutgers
PSU
Purdue
Minnesota

We are very average this year... but we’d have a pretty good shot at getting through that schedule with one loss.

 

[PeetzPoolBoy]

Coming into the season, I don’t think it was hyperbole to consider that the B10 may very well have had 5 legit “Top 10” caliber teams..... UW, MSU, OSU, PSU, UMich

UMich is the only one that has come anywhere close to what was expected (and I’m really not sure if they are all that - - - - What high quality opponent have they beaten?)

UW and MSU have been unqualified disasters.

MSU has a fairly rough run with injuries - but even at that, their O looks to be not much better than RU.

UW? Who can figure out that group? Dynamite TB.... a five man OL, all of whom looked like potential all-Conference candidates.... explosive WRs, and a veteran QB.... and they largely shit the bed (even before Hornibrook got hurt)

PSU? Despite a defense which dealt with the massive changeover in D personnel - and became one of the stronger units around.....
All that experienced, veteran returning talent on O, and they look as potent as Minnesota out there.

OSU? More or less the mirror image of PSU - but OSU has gotten a little luckier to avoid what probably shoulda’ been a 3/4/5 loss season.
A defense of 4 and 5 star talent - that leaks like a sieve week in and week out...... and a running game - with what shoulda’ been one of the best TB duos in the country -that devolved into a poor man’s Illinois.
And a staff full of “esteemed” veteran coaches..... that looks positively clueless on Saturdays.


I really felt the B10 was deserving of all the high expectations coming into this year.
But - undoubtably - has shit the bed so badly this year that even at 8-0 in conference, it’s hard to find one game that UMich has played that is a worthy stamp of approval for them being a “Final Four” caliber team.

Bizzare year......
A year that dawned with the prospect of, perhaps, lifting the B10 to the top of the CFB landscape....
But instead has cemented the “SEC plus Clemson” love fest to continue into the foreseeable future.

Welcome to “Socialistic B1G Football” where most every team, other than UM or OSU, eventually ends up either 9-3 or 8-4 and they’re told to be happy with the crumbs of playing in this esteemed conference.

 

[fastlax16]

The board narrative states that MSU is a very good team in order to minimize that loss. Please do not deviate as many will be offended.

 

[Victor E. Bell]

Location Location Location.

 

[rudedude]

Welcome to “Socialistic B1G Football” where most every team, other than UM or OSU, eventually ends up either 9-3 or 8-4 and they’re told to be happy with the crumbs of playing in this esteemed conference.

Says the guy on the “free” message board. Welcome to the socialist McAndrew board

 

[Raffycorn]

The board narrative states that MSU is a very good team in order to minimize that loss. Please do not deviate as many will be offended.

I think Michigan State is about as good as they were last year. Their record this season is just more reflective of their actual on-field play than last year’s record. The 2017 and 2018 MSU losses are, by far, the most mystifying of the Franklin era, and remind me of how Penn State used to consistently find different ways to lose to far inferior Iowa teams in the 2000s.

 

[massimoManca II]

It’s idiotic how the big ten is split. Look at Wisconsin’s schuedule:
Western KY
New Mexico
BYU
Iowa
Nebraska
Michigan
Illinois
Northwestern
Rutgers
PSU
Purdue
Minnesota

We are very average this year... but we’d have a pretty good shot at getting through that schedule with one loss.

With that schedule we’d have beaten ourselves only once this year*

 

[Storm at Sea]

Quality of coaching was exposed in B10 this year. I detest all things UM, but Jimmie is the best coach in conference. UM doesn't have a great O, but their well coached D is getting it done. Urbz and JF are being exposed this year. Many close games this year due to smarter young coaches out-scheming some of the mediocre coaches at bigger programs.

 

[Connorpozlee]

Meyer is being exposed as a one-loss coach (thus far- I expect them to lose Saturday)? That is why he is the best coach in the conference and #2 in the country.

 

[LionDeNittany]

I think Michigan State is about as good as they were last year. Their record this season is just more reflective of their actual on-field play than last year’s record. The 2017 and 2018 MSU losses are, by far, the most mystifying of the Franklin era, and remind me of how Penn State used to consistently find different ways to lose to far inferior Iowa teams in the 2000s.

It isn't surprising we lost. Every game since OSU, Trace has been awful. Since our O runs through the QB, that is why we lose.

Last year, well that was a very odd game.

LdN

 

[PennStateTurf2002]

Meyer is being exposed as a one-loss coach (thus far- I expect them to lose Saturday)? That is why he is the best coach in the conference and #2 in the country.

Meyer isn’t exposed, he is one of the greats. He has lost his mojo though. Look at Ohio state when he was suspended, they were a machine, fluid, in sync. They looked unbeatable and a for sure playoff contender. The defenses had their issues and the loss of a Bosa was huge in the big picture. However after he returned, something hasn’t been right. I don’t know what but they have been playing a lot of sloppy, uninspired football. Reminds you of how Florida looked at the end of his tenure. Maybe it is health, maybe when he returned he threw a wrench in what was working with his input, who knows but they haven’t been the same. Maybe his players see someone struggling with his emotions and it is rubbing off. These players feed off the vibe the coaches put out. He demeanor on the sideline is erratic, painful.

Maybe there is a reason he never stays anywhere very long.

 

[83wuzme]

It looks to me like the door has been left wide open for Nebraska. They have to be the most improved team in the conference this year. If the BIG West is not realigned, everything appears to be setting up for Frost to make a statement with his team in the next couple years.

 

[ShoreLion85]

Coming into the season, I don’t think it was hyperbole to consider that the B10 may very well have had 5 legit “Top 10” caliber teams..... UW, MSU, OSU, PSU, UMich

UMich is the only one that has come anywhere close to what was expected (and I’m really not sure if they are all that - - - - What high quality opponent have they beaten?)

UW and MSU have been unqualified disasters.

MSU has a fairly rough run with injuries - but even at that, their O looks to be not much better than RU.

UW? Who can figure out that group? Dynamite TB.... a five man OL, all of whom looked like potential all-Conference candidates.... explosive WRs, and a veteran QB.... and they largely shit the bed (even before Hornibrook got hurt)

PSU? Despite a defense which dealt with the massive changeover in D personnel - and became one of the stronger units around.....
All that experienced, veteran returning talent on O, and they look as potent as Minnesota out there.

OSU? More or less the mirror image of PSU - but OSU has gotten a little luckier to avoid what probably shoulda’ been a 3/4/5 loss season.
A defense of 4 and 5 star talent - that leaks like a sieve week in and week out...... and a running game - with what shoulda’ been one of the best TB duos in the country -that devolved into a poor man’s Illinois.
And a staff full of “esteemed” veteran coaches..... that looks positively clueless on Saturdays.


I really felt the B10 was deserving of all the high expectations coming into this year.
But - undoubtably - has shit the bed so badly this year that even at 8-0 in conference, it’s hard to find one game that UMich has played that is a worthy stamp of approval for them being a “Final Four” caliber team.

Bizzare year......
A year that dawned with the prospect of, perhaps, lifting the B10 to the top of the CFB landscape....
But instead has cemented the “SEC plus Clemson” love fest to continue into the foreseeable future.

I hope this hog-wallow of greed and favoritism of a conference crashes and burns - as long as PENN STATE is king of the ashes.

 

[TheWizardofCamelot]

It looks to me like the door has been left wide open for Nebraska. They have to be the most improved team in the conference this year. If the BIG West is not realigned, everything appears to be setting up for Frost to make a statement with his team in the next couple years.

I thought the same thing, each game they get better. That FR QB they have will win a heisman before he leaves too IMO. Man, I wish we were in the West - what a joke.

 

[Storm at Sea]

This PSU team possibly going to Fiesta bowl says it all.

 

[Big 0]

Meyer isn’t exposed, he is one of the greats. He has lost his mojo though. Look at Ohio state when he was suspended, they were a machine, fluid, in sync. They looked unbeatable and a for sure playoff contender. The defenses had their issues and the loss of a Bosa was huge in the big picture. However after he returned, something hasn’t been right. I don’t know what but they have been playing a lot of sloppy, uninspired football. Reminds you of how Florida looked at the end of his tenure. Maybe it is health, maybe when he returned he threw a wrench in what was working with his input, who knows but they haven’t been the same. Maybe his players see someone struggling with his emotions and it is rubbing off. These players feed off the vibe the coaches put out. He demeanor on the sideline is erratic, painful.

Maybe there is a reason he never stays anywhere very long.

The OSU assistant coach who took over for Meyer did an outstanding job. If Meyer leaves, the job is probably his. If Meyer stays, some program is going to poach him for a head coaching position.

 

[Connorpozlee]

I thought the same thing, each game they get better. That FR QB they have will win a heisman before he leaves too IMO. Man, I wish we were in the West - what a joke.

I disagree with this line of thinking completely. I like to win, but I want to win against the best. I don’t want to be in a conference- or a division within a conference- which makes it easy to win. I love that we are in a division that hands youvthree losses for being a little off. Get better and beat the best.

 

[Grass]

Meyer isn’t exposed, he is one of the greats. He has lost his mojo though. Look at Ohio state when he was suspended, they were a machine, fluid, in sync. They looked unbeatable and a for sure playoff contender. The defenses had their issues and the loss of a Bosa was huge in the big picture. However after he returned, something hasn’t been right. I don’t know what but they have been playing a lot of sloppy, uninspired football. Reminds you of how Florida looked at the end of his tenure. Maybe it is health, maybe when he returned he threw a wrench in what was working with his input, who knows but they haven’t been the same. Maybe his players see someone struggling with his emotions and it is rubbing off. These players feed off the vibe the coaches put out. He demeanor on the sideline is erratic, painful.

Maybe there is a reason he never stays anywhere very long.

Tell me you are joking. They beat Rutgers, Oregon State and TCU when he was out and they looked lousy against a very mediocre TCU. Those teams are a combined 8-25 and I think a few of those wins are against FCS teams.

 

[ImaWright]

I think it's all relative. The B1G appears to have crapped the bed, but if we win our bowl game, it is still very possible it ends up with 3 top 10 teams.

The SEC on paper looks better because of Bama and playing 1 fewer conference matchup. So 50% of the SEC will end with 1 more win over a cupcake (see this past week) than every other team in every other conference. Plus the SEC does a very good job of keeping their top tier from tough crossover games.

The ACC championship will include Pitt. There is nothing more that needs to be said.

The PAC10 is looking bad. The Big 12 also sucks.

The B1G despite its flaws is the 2nd toughest conference this year and the SEC is only ahead by Alabama and each team getting a +1/2 win due to playing the Citadel and worse in the 2nd to last week of the season instead of a conference foe.

As much as we struggled this season at 3 losses (2 to top 10 teams), we would be in the championship games of 3 other conferences if we played in those conferences.

 

[sss]

Wisocnis lost their "explosive receivers" the week before the season started. Cephus, their best WR by far and their only deep threat, was suspended for the year (and eventually kicked off the team. Davis, probably their 2nd best WR, was suspended for the 1st two game. Plus they lost their best TE very early in the year, after losing Fumigali last year to graduation. I think these things had a big effect on Hornibrook. very similar to what we saw with Trace this year, and he doesn't have the playmaking/running ability that Trace does. One dimensional offense make it tough to win consistently.

 

[lein]

5 legit top 10 teams? Said who, people like Herbstreit?

 

[fastlax16]

I think Michigan State is about as good as they were last year. Their record this season is just more reflective of their actual on-field play than last year’s record. The 2017 and 2018 MSU losses are, by far, the most mystifying of the Franklin era, and remind me of how Penn State used to consistently find different ways to lose to far inferior Iowa teams in the 2000s.

Last years is definitely mystifying. This years was at the time but not so much as the season has progressed in my opinion. This just isn’t a very good penn state team, capable of losing to almost anyone except the absolute dregs of college football.

 

[Raffycorn]

Last years is definitely mystifying. This years was at the time but not so much as the season has progressed in my opinion. This just isn’t a very good penn state team, capable of losing to almost anyone except the absolute dregs of college football.

This year’s Penn State team is still about two scores better than Michigan State - or they should be. Last year’s Penn State team was better than this year’s, but that game should have ended up like 2016’s. I don’t think Michigan State’s 2016, 2017, and 2018 teams are really all that different from each other.

 

[phillybillyreprise]

It’s idiotic how the big ten is split. Look at Wisconsin’s schuedule:
Western KY
New Mexico
BYU
Iowa
Nebraska
Michigan
Illinois
Northwestern
Rutgers
PSU
Purdue
Minnesota

We are very average this year... but we’d have a pretty good shot at getting through that schedule with one loss.

To whom? PSU ?

 

[ivan brunetti]

Welcome to “Socialistic B1G Football” where most every team, other than UM or OSU, eventually ends up either 9-3 or 8-4 and they’re told to be happy with the crumbs of playing in this esteemed conference.

"Socialistic"? WTF"?

Is the SEC "socialistic" aside from Bama & Georgia?

 

[TheWizardofCamelot]

I disagree with this line of thinking completely. I like to win, but I want to win against the best. I don’t want to be in a conference- or a division within a conference- which makes it easy to win. I love that we are in a division that hands youvthree losses for being a little off. Get better and beat the best.

Cool, hardo. It would be great if that were the case but our coach is 3-12 vs. those schools. Do you see it getting better? Stack the wins against mediocre teams then get exposed against teams with better coaching.

 

[Connorpozlee]

Cool, hardo. It would be great if that were the case but our coach is 3-12 vs. those schools. Do you see it getting better? Stack the wins against mediocre teams then get exposed against teams with better coaching.

Hardo? That’s a fun one. Never heard it before.
Our coach is 3-12 against those three teams so we shouldn’t play them? Maybe we can drop down to DII and dominate?

 

[Nitt1300]

Well, Hairball has saved his career, but you have to think Meyer will be done soon, if not immediately. There is the feel of a changing of the guard, and that's probably a good thing.

 

[pawildcat]

I thought the same thing, each game they get better. That FR QB they have will win a heisman before he leaves too IMO. Man, I wish we were in the West - what a joke.

The history and resources of OSU, Michigan and PSU give the East an advantage at the top, but the West will be very competitive next year, especially if Brohm goes against established wisdom and stays at Purdue. Frost is going to start getting it done at Nebraska, and Purdue has another good recruiting class coming in. Wisky, Iowa and NU will continue sto stay competitive. Northwestern will replace Thorson at QB with a five-star transfer from Clemson, has uncovered a good frosh RB in Bowser and has key players from one of the league's defenses returning. Even Fleck at Minny has some help coming in next season, although he has a long way to go. The only hopeless team in the West right now is Illinois. Most of the B1G was nothing to write home about this season. Michigan is the only team that looks remotely playoff-caliber.