Thanks to last week’s win over Indiana, Wisconsin will represent the Leaders Division in this year’s Big Ten championship game. But it’s a spot Wisconsin has not earned, at least not in the eyes of fans of the conference.
Ohio State is the best team in the division, and conference, and asterisk or not, no one will accept the Badgers for backing into the title game, regardless of how well they hold up on December 1. It will always be viewed as a space Ohio State lent to Wisconsin while the good folks in Columbus accepted their lumps from the violations committed by the former staff.
Wisconsin probably cannot catch Ohio State in the standings, but they can still “earn” their way to Indianapolis by beating the Buckeyes this weekend. Such an outcome would restore Wisconsin to its place among the elite in the Big Ten, and would eliminate the need for a postseason asterisk.
As Wisconsin running back Montee Ball put it to a reporter this week: “We don’t want people to say we made it there by default if we lose.”
The game is filled with plenty of side stories. Ohio State is hoping to avenge the loss it suffered the last time it visited Madison, which ruined their perfect season and prevented them from competing for a national title (they were ranked No. 1 at the time). The Badgers are hoping to avenge the Buckeyes’ shocking victory last year, made possible by a 40-yard touchdown toss in the final half-minute.
And, of course, Ball will attempt to make history at home by tying (and possibly eclipsing) Travis Prentice’s all-time touchdown mark (78). Ball is one score shy of tying the mark, but Ohio State’s defense will make him earn it; the Buckeyes expect to welcome back senior linebacker Etienne Sabino for this contest.
But the main storyline is legitimacy. Ohio has it; Wisconsin wants it back.
— Big Ten Notes —
• Miller and Ball were among 15 players named to the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award watch list this week. Former Buckeyes quarterback Troy Smith was the last Big Ten player to win the award.
• Speaking on WXYT-FM (97.1) this week, Michigan coach Brady Hoke discussed the possibly of inserting injured quarterback Denard Robinson in for one play on Senior Day. “That would be something I would think about,” Hoke said. “But to be honest with you, the seniors and the guys and the people who are truly Michigan fans, I think they understand the significance he’s had.”
• Purdue leads the Big Ten in one category no teams wants to – kickoff return yardage. The Boilermakers have 1,016 yards – 241 more than any other Big Ten team. That’s because Purdue has fielded 10 more kicks than any other team.
— This week’s schedule —
Saturday, Nov. 17
Northwestern at Michigan State, 11 a.m.
Iowa at Michigan, 11 a.m.
Indiana at Penn State, 11 a.m.
Minnesota at Nebraska, 2:30 p.m.
Ohio State at Wisconsin, 2:30 p.m.
Purdue at Illinois, 2:30 p.m.
**all times CT
–– Spotlight —
QB Devin Gardner, Michigan
If Denard Robinson cannot play, Gardner will be the man making Michigan’s offense go against Iowa. Sounds easy enough; the Hawkeyes give up 380.3 yards per game, tied for eighth in the conference. Only Iowa has won three in a row against the Wolverines, including last year when they denied Michigan’s offense four times near the goal line in the closing minutes. Gardner has completed 28 of 47 passes the past two weeks in relief of Robinson.
— He Said It (quote of the week) —
Penn State coach Bill O’Brien commenting after his team surrendered 26 second half points in a 32-23 loss to Nebraska: “Losing is a terrible feeling. It’s miserable. Absolutely miserable. It’s like a part of you dies, to be honest with you.”
— Big Ten Mailbag —
Karl from Michigan: Which team will improve the most next year?
The best will get better. I actually think Urban Meyer is just beginning his work in Columbus, and the more he fills the roster with “his guys” the more Ohio State will compete on a national level. Having Braxton Miller back (a Big Ten offensive player of the year candidate) will offer stability to the offense, and the defense is loaded with young prospects ready to emerge … nothing but good news for a program that has had its share of heartache in recent years.
Tweet your questions to Mike Beacom @mikebeacom, or email him at [email protected]. Each week one question will be selected for this column. Be sure to include your first name and city/state.
Mike Beacom is the Big Ten football editor for Lindy’s. Follow him on Twitter @mikebeacom