Third ranked Penn State faces Ohio State this evening in a Big Ten battle royale--in what may be that conference's final moment of relevance. Should the Nittany Lions lose there would be no national spotlight on the league--except for how bad Michigan is this fall.
I'm not saying Big Ten football is necessarily bad--perhaps its that the league doesn't have a phenomenal broadcast partner like the SEC on CBS. Let's be honest, Verne Lundquist would make the Sun Belt relevant. The conference also suffers from the "three yards and a cloud of dust" image that has permeated over the years--and although it's no longer a dump and chase league, the perception is still one of boring football. Also, the Big Ten has been so dominated by Ohio State (and Michigan plus Penn State) over the years when one of the "other schools" like Northwestern or Minnesota contend it becomes a "who cares" situation.
Alma Mater Update---yes, Syracuse is not good this fall (their lone win coming against Northeastern)...but as the Orange enjoy a bye week I can at least bask in the movie The Express...Ernie Davis' biopic actually was watchable, there were no talking mules and no "let's lip-sync to songs of the era to show the team is getting along" scene. Definitely a must-see...plus, there's a scene where coach Ben Schwartzwalder (played by Dennis Quaid) talks about "unruly West Virginia fans"... I knew the couch-burning thing wasn't just a Generation X phenomenon.
MARYLAND meets a North Carolina State team that's winless in the ACC...while that would be welcomed by just about every team, remember that the Terrapins have lost to a pair of teams most expected them to beat (Middle Tennessee and Virginia). Is there any chance coach Ralph Friedgen campaigned for the Wolfpack to receive some votes in this weeks rankings (Terps are 3-0 against teams in the Top 25)? Terps pound the Pack, 37-15.
VIRGINIA TECH at Florida State--the Seminoles have rested under the radar after a 12-3 loss to Wake Forest; close wins over Miami and NC State not exactly making the Tallahassee faithful secure. The Hokie offense stumbled in last week's loss to Boston College-- can Tyrod Taylor take another step towards being a complete quarterback? Last week despite strugging (12-27, 90 yards) he wasn't lifted for Sean Glennon... Hokies humbled at Doak Campbell Stadium 18-12.
VIRGINIA at Georgia Tech--can the Cavaliers continue their ridiculous run? Yes, they've won three straight-but all of those victories have come at Scott Stadium...the Cavs have yet to win on the road this fall and it will be a tough test at the Yellowjackets--especially with coach Paul Johnson's option offense starting to hum (Jonathan Dwyer averages more than six yards a carry). Cavaliers come up short, 20-15.
Navy smacks around SMU, Howard slips to North Carolina A&T, Georgetown falls to Richmond, James Madison tops Villanova.
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