B1G Notes: Midseason football report card, standout stats and more
With a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender in quarterback Russell Wilson (16), Wisconsin is hands-down the top team in the Big Ten to this point.
AP Photo
Who's a lock for Indianapolis? Which team is winning that wasn't supposed to? What fan base is already armed with torch and pitchfork? And who is just patiently waiting out the clock for 2012?
Those answers, and more, in our 2011 Big Ten Midseason Report Card:
The "most likely to hang 70 on someone" division
No. 4 Wisconsin (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten)
The Badgers have played just one Big Ten game this season, but they've shown few (if any) weaknesses. Russell Wilson is a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender, Montee Ball averages a touchdown every seventh carry and the Wisconsin defense allows teams to get off the bus, but that's about it.
Hands down the top team in the league to this point, easily the favorite to take the title.
The "we're undefeated, but are we for real?" division
No. 11 Michigan (6-0, 2-0) and No. 16 Illinois (6-0, 2-0)
Michigan coach Brady Hoke has already outdone predecessor Rich Rodriguez in terms of national ranking and best start, but still refuses to admit his team is any good. Illinois has narrowly escaped losses to Western Michigan and Northwestern recently, but hey, narrowly escaping counts in the win column.
Neither team has been overly tested, but both are in control of their destiny. Can't argue there.
The "if you count us out, we'll ruin your season" division
No. 14 Nebraska (5-1, 1-1) and No. 23 Michigan State (4-1, 1-0)
Despite botching an opportunity at Notre Dame earlier this season, Michigan State is still very much in control of its Big Ten destiny, and a win over rival Michigan on Saturday puts the Spartans in the driver's seat in the Legends Division. Nebraska got dumptrucked by Wisconsin, but they won't be alone by season's end.
The Cornhuskers got off life support just in time last week to grab a thrilling comeback win over Ohio State. They're flawed, but still a force.
The "we're here, and you are contractually obligated to play us" division
Penn State (5-1, 2-0), Iowa (3-2, 0-1) and Northwestern (2-3, 0-2)
Let me start by saying, yes, Penn State still has a shot at doing some damage in this conference. However, the Nittany Lions barely beat Temple, escaped against Indiana and helped set football back three decades in an ugly win over Iowa. I'm not convinced yet.
As for the Hawkeyes and Wildcats, well, they've got enough juice in the tank to give someone a scare (and probably even score an upset), but they appear too overmatched to be a serious threat.
The "yes, believe it or not, we're still Big Ten teams" division
Purdue (3-2, 1-0), Indiana (1-5, 0-2) and Minnesota (1-5, 0-2)
I'll consider moving Purdue up into the "contractually obligated" group if they go on the road and beat Penn State this weekend, but that's a mighty long shot. The Boilermakers have lost to Rice, barely beat Middle Tennessee and got smoked by Notre Dame. Beating Minnesota by a bunch doesn't solve anything.
As for the Hoosiers and Gophers? Indiana can't get out of its own way, but has been competitive (sort of) lately against Penn State and Illinois. Minnesota? The Gophers probably deserve their own category of awful, but honestly, they're too bad to get "their own" anything.
The "it's a train wreck, but I can't look away" division
Ohio State (3-3, 0-2)
Just when you thought the Buckeyes might patch a hole or two in their sinking 2011 season, Nebraska's 24-point comeback happened.
Cue the tuba.
Running back Daniel Herron returns this week, but wide receiver DeVier Posey is out five more games, the Buckeyes get unbeaten Illinois this week and president Gordon Gee has joined AD Gene Smith in the "head in sand" club.
Illinois senior wide receiver A.J. Jenkins, above, is leading the nation with 815 receiving yards on 46 catches.
AP Photo
Johnny Karras and Ray Eliot aren't walking through that door, Illinois fans, but that doesn't mean things aren't looking up for the orange and blue.
For the first time since 1951 (when Karras ran through defenders and Eliot paced the sidelines), the Illini are 6-0.
Receiver A.J. Jenkins is catching everything, Ron Zook's defense is allowing less than 300 yards per game and sports writers everywhere continue the unenviable task of spelling Nathan Scheelhaase each time the dual-threat quarterback makes a big play.
Before you dub it a fluke or not, consider this: Illinois has a very real shot at reaching 8-0, at least. The Illini host reeling Ohio State this week before traveling to lowly Purdue. From there, things get more difficult, with a road date at Penn State before home games against Michigan and Wisconsin.
Rock bottom: Minnesota (1-5)
The Golden Gophers brought a spoon to a pillow fight last week against Purdue, and got completely featherdusted, 45-17.
Minnesota quarterback MarQueis Gray returned to action in the first quarter, but was immediately welcomed with a pick-six. Freshman running back Donnell Kirkwood fumbled twice, and then was seen on television practicing the cliched 'hold-the-ball-everywhere-you-go' routine.
No word if anyone on his own sideline tried to slap it out.
Things are bad for Jerry Kill and Company. Really, really bad. In fact, one has to wonder what in the world was happening earlier this season when USC beat this team by just two points.
Oh, by the way, get comfortable down there, Gophers. Your next four games are home against Nebraska, home against Iowa, at Michigan State and home against Wisconsin.
Last week's heavy lifter: Denard Robinson, Michigan junior QB
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Robinson racked up 442 yards and had a hand in three touchdowns. He wasn't given the Big Ten Player of the Week honors, but no one did more for his team last week individually than Robinson.
Through six games, he's the Big Ten's leading rusher (720 yards) and has 18 combined touchdowns (10 pass, eight rush).
Standout stats:
The 12-game receiving yards pace currently held by Illinois senior receiver A.J. Jenkins, the country's leading receiver. Jenkins has hauled in 46 passes for 815 yards and seven touchdowns through six games.
Sacks allowed by Michigan through six games this season.
Number of third down conversions each by Wisconsin and Michigan this season (according to official NCAA stats). The Badgers are second in the country with a 62.1 third-down conversion rate, while Michigan is third at 58.1 percent.
Passing yards per game by Ohio State. The Buckeyes are No. 111 nationally there.
Quotable:
"We're playing well enough to win at times, but at other times, we're playing as bad as the Bad News Bears." — Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald on his team's up and down play through five games this season.
Off the cuff:
AnnArbor.com colleague Kyle Meinke noticed an interesting tidbit from the press box at Northwestern's Ryan Field last week, one with a Seinfeld twist.
A scrolling sign in the south end zone welcomed various companies and individuals attending the Michigan-Northwestern game.
One of the companies listed? Vandelay Industries.
It was unclear if the company was real, or just a nod to the fictional latex corporation the ever-pitiful George Costanza once lied about being a part of.
In any event, here's hoping we see a "Kramer-ica Industries" sign in East Lansing this weekend.
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
Comments
kris
Sat, Oct 15, 2011 : 5:41 a.m.
Also I would like to add something. Think about this, last year Michigan's defense gave up 161 points(26.8 ppg) through the first 6 games of the season. This year they have given up 75 points(12.5 ppg) through the first 6 games of the season, against I would say better competition than last years. Right now we are in a great spot to make the B10 Championship Game, last year we wouldn't have even made the MAC Championship game. Anyways the point I'm trying to make is that I think for the first time since '07(really more '06) Michigan is a team that has to be respected on both sides of the ball. Also, when was the last time we saw a Michigan team play with the heart that they have this season? I don't care how talented a team is, if you don't have heart you aren't going to win very many games. Which means we would be looking at a 4-2 record instead of 6-0 because without that heart we wouldn't have beaten Notre Dame or Northwestern. *********** Predictions *********** We will beat MSU tomorrow 38-28. GO BLUE!
MRunner73
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 2:53 p.m.
Six games down and six to play so all we really see at this point are some trends. For example, IL, they may turn out to be a fruad before it is over. They have a Rich Rod type defense by how many points they have given up. The Michigan team keeps rolling but this rivarly game will make make a big statement. A win will look really great and a loss will be tough to take. Last year's loss to Sparty was ugly because of the costly turnovers committed by Michigan and Denard. The MSU defense really put the brakes on Denard last year. That was game six one year ago and now game seven, this year. Michigan has already played and beaten some good football teams and seemingly have a better foundation compared to one year ago. It is great to see the in-state Michigan-MSU rivalry back now that both programs are very respectable. This is good for our state as well as the B1G. The B1G is really not "down" this year. This has nothing to do with the Buckeyes. It is good too see other teams in the mix and as far as the Buckeyes are concerned...KEEP LOSING!
Tru2Blu76
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 4:56 a.m.
IF Michigan can win this Saturday, then they'll be in control of their destiny. After seeing them come back against Notre Dame, I now believe in miracles. Maize and Blue miracles, at least. Regardless, this team cannot quit like the Rodriguez-led teams did. Team unity is stronger now and I think they could still go at least 9-3 this year. Even with a loss to MSU, I cannot believe that Hoke's team will quit on us or themselves. Noontime Saturday is getting close and I'm now wondering if I can stand to watch this game. Maybe I'd better get a tranquilizer from my doctor to carry me through. ;-)
heartbreakM
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 1:56 p.m.
Come on now: You criticize Michigan's schedule saying they haven't really beaten anybody yet, but you give Wisconsin a pass? As much as I think Michigan's preB10 season is a joke (except for ND), Wisconsin's doesn't even qualify that high. How in the world do we think Wisconsin is the end-all be-all in the conference? Because they were good last year? Because they steamroll incredibly weak competition? Because they beat Nebraska at home (who by the way has also played hardly anybody worth a darn except Wisconsin)? I think if we look at the Big Ten overall and compare it to the SEC, and even top teams in the ACC and B12, I think we would see a big drop off in our entire conference. I hope Michigan proves to be all-world and goes undefeated, but with our schedule, I'm not sure it will mean a whole lot come bowl season. ********************** And typo alert: Brandon Herron is not a RUNNING BACK but a LINEBACKER.
Nick Baumgardner
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 2:11 p.m.
Great points, heartbreak. Let me first say this: Michigan (and Illinois, for that matter) sits at 6-0. No one can argue with that, and no one can take that away. Period. With Wisconsin, I was really looking at the overall level of dominance the Badgers have shown so far. Outside of a portion of the first half against Nebraska, its been men against boys (regardless of the competition). And the great part about all of this? I could be dead wrong, and it could be proven this week for all we know. And hey, if I am, you have my word I'll eat crow right here (in words, not literally, I think I'm allergic). Also, thanks for the alert, should read "Daniel" as in "Boom." Got my wires crossed there.