Top 10 Plays in Big Ten Football This Season

These are what I think are the top 10 plays in Big Ten football so far this season.  I probably forgot some that you may think are worthy....so let me know what else you think should be included.  

10. Purdue vs. Central Michigan University.  

CMU had the lead at 25-24 with a minute to go.  But Kory Sheets made a 46-yard run to score with a minute left in the game.  Purdue wins 32-25.  

9.  Purdue vs. Ohio State

Malcolm Jenkins blocks Purdue's punt--Etienne Sabino recovers and returns it 20 yards for a touchdown.

8.  Wisconsin vs. Penn State

Derrick Williams' 63-yard punt return that put Penn State up 17-0.  It was Williams fifth career TD off a punt or kickoff return.

7.  Michigan State vs. Ohio State

Malcolm Jenkins sacks Kirk Cousins, forcing a fumble--defensive end Thaddeus Gibson recovers the football and returns it 69 yards for a TD.  

6.  Minnesota vs. Illinois

Juice Williams fumbles after a sack by Willie VanDeSteeg.  Minnesota recovers and scores on a 9-yard return in the fourth quarter--just a few minutes later the Gophers add an interception to seal the deal against Illinois.

5.  Iowa vs. Wisconsin

Shonn Greene's 35-yard break through run, making it 13-0.  

4.  Michigan vs. Michigan State

Javon Ringer's 64-yard run in the 2nd quarter giving them a 14-7 lead. 

3.  Michigan vs. Wisconsin

Michigan came back from a 19-0 deficit in the 2nd half.  John Thompson intercepted a fourth-quarter pass, ran it for 25 yards, scored a TD to make it 20-19 giving Michigan the lead, and eventually the game.

2.  Iowa State vs. Iowa

Andy Brodell's 81-yard punt return for a touchdown.  It was his first punt return for a score in his career, also marking it as the 10th-longest in school history.  

1.  Penn State vs. Ohio State

Terrelle Pryor fumbles the ball--after a few seconds of chasing it Penn State finally recovers it on Ohio State's 38-yard line.  Four minutes later (late in the 4th), the Nittany Lions score giving them the lead and the game.  

JoePa Tribute

This tribute was played right before the Penn State/Ohio State game on Saturday.  Watch it--I teared up.  

JoePa will you be my boyfriend..or at least my grandpa?

The Ohio State/Penn State kick off is happening as I type.  I am so excited!  I want to blog quickly and put in my predictions.  

I may have too much confidence in Penn State, but I really don't find it possible for Ohio State to beat them tonight.  Don't get me wrong, Ohio State is gonna bring it-- I just think Penn State is a better team overall.  

Terrelle Pryor told the coach if he doesn't have a good first three snaps, he wants Tressel to bench him?  Huh???  But he is good under pressure and definitely doesn't look like a freshman QB.  I'll give him that.  

But Daryll Clark is averaging 152.7 ypg....that's a pretty damn good average.  

But let's think about this factually:

Penn State is 8-0 and ranked 3rd in BCS standings.  They have won all eight games by 14 points or more.  Plus Adam Rittenberg's blog says they are ranked among the top 25 nationally in rushing offense, total offense, scoring offense, rushing defense, total defense, scoring defense......breath....pass defense, turnover margin, and kickoff returns. Woah mouthful.  

Ohio State is 7-1 and 9th in BCS standings.  Beanie Wells is back and almost completely healthy.  And history is on Ohio State's side: this is the first time Penn State has been favored in their annual matchup since 1999 and overall, Penn State has won just nine of 29 meetings between the two. 

The match up between the two RB's, Wells and Evan Royster will be interesting.  Royster averages 7.7 ypc and 111.6 ypg.  

This is going to be an interesting and intense game.  Grab a beer and enjoy.  My bet's on Penn State.

Just doing some BCS thinking.....

So I was just reading the BCS article on ESPN by Pat Forde--highly entertaining--please read. 

Anyway, you all know Penn State is ranked 3rd, but for some reason I got enjoyment out of reading that paragraph.  So weird, but I got a feeling like I'd been a long time Penn State fan.  Does this make me a traitor?

Obviously in three weeks I'll be cheering for Iowa like crazy.  That game would be incredibly amazing--unheard of for Iowa.  But for some reason I'm just loving Penn State this season.  Now this isn't a fair weather fan thing, but I've been keeping up with them all season and I have been wanting them to win pretty badly.  Ohio State is finally not the top team in the Big Ten and that's getting people throughout the country actually noticing our conference.  If (and when) Penn State wins on Saturday, the Big Ten will be turning heads.  

I do have to admit, I have a crush on JoePa.  I have a feeling this is a bit abnormal--but I'll defend myself by saying I'm NOT a traitor.  It would actually make me feel a lot better to hear some of the same feelings from you all--because I know some of you have a similar feeling.  

"And for all of you constantly criticizing the Big Ten for past BCS performances, understand this: if you wanted to play against Ohio State, you should have made it to the BCS game in the last two years.  We are not Ohio State.   We are...Penn State."

OK, come on, kind of chilling right? In my defense, since Iowa won't be making it to a BCS game we can cheer for a Big Ten team that does right? K, then that's my excuse.  

The Aftermath.....

What a weekend.  Sorry I'm getting to you so late--I guess I was still recovering.  

OK.  I O W A K I C K E D W I S C O N S I N ' S B U T T.  NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

Wait, wait--if you happened to miss it, or just can't get enough of it...

So why do people from Wisconsin still think it's OK to say Iowa sucks? 

 Their response: Well, Wisconsin is horrible this year. 

This doesn't add up.  I've had about eight people say just about this same thing to me since the game on Saturday.  Even if Iowa isn't the greatest team in the Big Ten, we've proved we're pretty damn good when we don't make stupid mistakes.  We're starting to get into flow of things and everything is starting to click for us.  With four games left, we still have a lot we could prove to everyone.  

But man am I getting sick of all these Badger fans that think everyone should praise the ground they walk on.  It shouldn't happen. It's not going to happen.  

So what did we learn on Saturday?  

-Wisconsin is a bad team this year--no question about it.

-They were overrated (again). 

-They may not (and probably won't) make it to a bowl game.  

-Bret Bielema isn't popular with me here in Iowa...and he isn't too popular in Madtown either....

-The Heartland is back in the hands of the rightful owners.  

So I'm just going to enjoy this moment...and this year.  Because now I have 362 days to rub this victory into every Wisconsin Badgers' face. 

LESS THAN 24 HOURS TILL GAME-TIME

Here is my second half of the "top 10" part of my Alright this is my Wisconsin/Iowa themed week:

TOP TEN REASONS TO BE AN IOWA HAWKEYE FOOTBALL FAN:

10.  Kirk Ferentz is one good looking stud.  Seriously, for an older man--he is definitely considered a DILF.  

9.  We finally got rid of Jake Christensen.  All he did was frustrate me--now how could our offense take off with a QB like that? Now that is out of the way we can count on Ricky Stanzi to become our stable QB.  This second half could be a good one now that we are getting into the groove of things and the team is comfortable with him as the main man.

8. Our defense.is.bomb.  SERIOUSLY.  Do I need to name them all? Mitch King, Matt Kroul, A.J. Edds, Pat Angerer, Adrian Clayborn--they are THE bomb.  

7.  I'm singling him out: Mitch King.  What a stud.  And his hair is just fantastic.  

6.  The return of Shonn Greene--he already has 936 yards and he will just embarrass P.J. Hill tomorrow.  

5.  Think of all our good role models that have come from Iowa football: Nick Kaeding, Aaron Kampman, Tim Dwight, Jared DeVries, the list goes on.  

4.  We have great fans.  We don't have a pro team so everyone is 100% completely dedicated to IOWA FOOTBALL.  

3.  Bret Bielema isn't our coach.

2.  We took the W from Barry Alvarez's last home game.  BOMB.  

.numberone.  Our Tailgating.  We have one of the best tailgating in the country, in my opinion.  Nothing compares to Melrose and we have dedicated fans that are awake and drinking at 5 a.m.  In Madison, they roll out of bed around 9:30 and start drinking by 10.  Then the students don't even go to the game until half time--how lame is that??  I will be awake at 5 tomorrow getting THE PARTY started. 

I don't know why anyone would ever choose to be a Badger fan over the hawkeyes.  Ever.

THE MOST AWAITED GAME OF THE YEAR!!!

This game is my Christmas, my birthday, my Fourth of July...the best sporting event of the year!!! I countdown to this game every year; the day after the game is over, I'm ready for the following years' game.  

IT'S THE WISCONSIN/IOWA GAME. 

If you see me Saturday morning, afternoon, or night, I will be proudly sporting my dad's 1972 #36 football jersey.  And I will probably be surrounded by a sea of red, which is quite unfortunate.  

In this post, I'm going to be brutally honest and I'm not going to hold back on my true feelings.  

TOP TEN REASONS TO HATE THE WISCONSIN BADGER FOOTBALL TEAM: 

10.  Bret Bielema is disgusting.  The rumors about him hooking up with Erin Andrews are revolting because she has too much class for him.

9.  Barry Alvarez is one of the  most cocky people I have ever met.  He seems nice on the exterior, but inside all he does is crave money and power.  Since he became the AD at Madison, he was put in charge of University Ridge, the golf course outside of Madison for the UW.  When he came in, he fired all the employees that had worked there for over 15 years.  He wanted to make things his way, bring in his employees and his friends.  Whenever he plays golf there, he has no courtesy for people behind him or the pace of his play.  He disgusts me more than Bielema.  

8. P.J. Hill is all talk.  He thinks he is awesome and this season, he really doesn't have much to show for it.  He was expected to be this big man on campus, improving every season.  But after he bruised his leg last year, his injuries have (maybe) kept him down?  His Freshman year he ran 1569 yards, declined to 1212 his sophomore year, and this year he is only projected to run 1140 yards--that's almost 400 less than Shonn Greene...HA.  Olin Buchanan but him on his Heisman ballot in the beginning of the season--what a joke.  We made a bet a few months ago and he still owes me $20 if they lose--I think I got under his skin.  

7.  I know I already mentioned Bielema, but what a traitor.  He played for Iowa and then coached at Iowa from 1999-2001.  Traitor.  PLUS--he has a Tiger Hawk tattoo! (Alvarez also coached at Iowa--what is it with these Wisconsin coaches loving Iowa??)

6.  They have our damn Heartland Trophy!!

5.  Wisconsin fans think the Badgers are so much better than the Hawks because they have one the last two meetings--but they seem to forget about the previous four--IN WHICH IOWA WON.  

4.  I just thought I would throw this one in there to rub something in: We kicked Wisconsin butt three years ago (20-10), taking the victory for Barry Alvarez's last home game of his career.  PRECIOUS. 

3.  Wisconsin leads our all-time series, 41-40-2.  What a fluke. 

2.  I hate that Wisconsin home games are so fun.  Not going to lie, that stadium is my favorite college football stadium.  And I hate that they have the "Jump Around" tradition after the third quarter.  We only have I-O-W-A.  I think that makes me a little hostile. 

.numberone.  It's wisconsin football.  This is the team I was raised to hate.  This is the game I was raised to anticipate.  This is the game I bet on all year, and this is the game that makes me MOST emotional.  

I will be a wreck on Saturday--win or lose.  I don't know if you want to see me.  

If I were to transfer...and I'm sorry to say it...

My question this week: If you were forced to transfer to another Big Ten school based on the merits of its athletic department, which school would it be and why?

This is a tough one but sadly, I would say Wisconsin.

Wisconsin because they have very stable athletic teams every year.  No matter what sport, it is always known that there will be competition.  The athletic program has teams in football, basketball, ice hockey, volleyball, soccer, cross country, tennis, swimming, wrestling, track and field, rowing, golf, and softball.  

Let's start with football:

Their football program is very successful and they have experienced and knowledgeable coaches.  Bret Bielema, as much as I dislike him, is a good coach.  He gets along with his players 

and his youth helps him see eye to eye with them.  Their athletic department is backed up by long-time Barry Alvarez who has done more for the program that almost any one else.  The Badgers have been to 19 bowl games with their record at 10-9.  They have won 11 conference titles and have had 2 Heisman Trophy winners.  They have numerous players who are drafted into the NFL and there are currently over 30 players in the NFL that have graduated from UW-Madison.  I hate their football program, but I have to admit it's a good one.  

Basketball:

The men's team has won one NCAA tournament, they have been to the final four twice, they have made an NCAA tournament appearance 14 times.  They have made it to the tournament every year since 1999.  They have been conference champions twice ('04 and '08) and they have been conference regular season champions 17 times.  They have an impressive coaching history with current coach Bo Ryan who is 173-60 since 2001.  The program has struggled in the past but since the Dick Bennett era, the program has really stepped it up and has a positive reputation.  There are currently three UW graduated in the NBA (Michael Finley, Devin Harris and Alando Tucker).  

Hockey: 

In 2006 both the men's and women's hockey teams won the NCAA Division I National Championships.  This was the first time a D-1 school has won both the men's and women's titles in the same year.  This was the men's 6th National Championship, previously winning in '73, '77,'81,'83, and '90.  This was the first title for the women and the first time the NCAA Women's National Championship trophy left the state of Minnesota. Mark Johnson is the head coach for the women's team and he was a member of the '80 Gold Medal Olympic Hockey team that defeated the Soviets in the semi's.  

Other sports have seen much success with National Championships in the past as well:

Boxing: 8

Men's Basketball: 1

Men's Cross Country: 5

Women's Cross Country: 2

Men's Hockey: 6

Women's Hockey: 2

Men's Indoor Track and Field: 1

Men's Soccer: 1

So if you were to transfer to a school based on their athletic program, which would it be?

We're Comin' Back

I apologize for not having my weekly predictions this week, I have been so busy this week but I will have an even better one next week to make up for it.  

But for now, let's have a recap of our wonderful victory yesterday and an overview of the Big Ten.  

I have my faith back--for now.  We played great yesterday!!  The game showed everyone that we are not the 3-3 team that we have been looking like lately.  I think everyone is getting confidence with our powerhouse running backs Jewel Hampton and Shonn Greene.  Hampton ran 22 times for 114 yards and had three touchdowns.  Greene ran 23 times for 115 yards.  With that combination...not going to lie, we're sick.  This was Greene's 7th straight 100-yard game this season.  

And to make things even better, Ricky Stanzi had an impressive show as well.  He threw two touchdowns, finished 12-of-20 or 184 yards.  Stanzi has been struggling with turnovers but he turned it around yesterday and dominated on the field.  

But still, we wouldn't be anything without our defense.  Yesterday's game showed how good of a team we really can be if we play smart and hold on to the ball.  We showed how we should have been playing the last 3 weeks.   I am getting more excited and more confident about next week!  Yesterday's victory was a must-need to go into Wisconsin with momentum.  

Things are getting more and more clear in the Big Ten as time goes on as well.  

1.  Penn State really is all that.  The polls for week 7 were released today and they are ranked 3rd in the nation--very deserved.  All week people have been talking about how overrated Penn Sta

te is, questioning their 6th place ranking, their quarterback and their defense.  But I think after their 48-7 victory over the Badgers, man are they sick.  And they're pulling off victories with their head coach in the press box.  They continue to impress me week after week. 

2.  Michigan State looks like they're up there in the race for the Big Ten.  After yesterday's win over Northwestern, it brings their record to 6-1.  They handed Northwestern their first loss of the season, winning 37-20.  They basically played a mistake-free game and QB Brian Hoyer went 14-for-20 in passing with 169 yards, 2 touchdowns and no interceptions.  Javon Ringer rushed for 124 yards and had 2 touchdowns.  Today they were ranked 23rd in the country and they play Ohio State next weekend, so they could potentially be right behind Penn State if they win.  

3.  Meh--Ohio State again wasn't too impressive.  Purdue is NOT THAT GOOD and they only beat them 16-3.  Their defense was looking solid but QB Terrelle Pryor has some improving to do for Michigan State next weekend.  He didn't make mistakes, but he didn't make big plays either.  He was sacked three times and didn't throw the ball when he should have.  Beanie Wells struggled with only 94 yards on 22 carries.  They have some major stepping up to do.  

4.  Now Michigan--what a joke.  After their pathetic loss to Toledo, their 2-4 and could be looking at their first losing season since 1967.  They had an opportunity to tie it up with four seconds left but K.C. Lopata missed a 26-yard field goal, letting Toledo win 13-10.  They're going down hill with games still against Penn State and Michigan State in the next couple weeks.  The QB's threw 3 picks, one resulting in a 100-yard return.  They were looking solid in their victory over Wisconsin, but that looks like that game is just out the window now...

5.  Is Minnesota going to be a shocker this season? Maybe.  They were 1-11 last year and have completely turned their horrible season around.  After their 27-20 victory over Illinois, they became Bowl eligible.  Illinois had 3 turnovers and QB Juice Williams was sacked 5 times, one resulting in  a fumble recovered by the Gophers giving them a TD.  Williams was 26-of-41 passing for 462 yards and 2 TD's.  If Minnesota keeps playing solid defense they could be up there with Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan State.  

I Have Been Very Bad...

I just wanted to apologize ahead of time, and trust me, I am ashamed...but last night I wore a Jonathan Casillas jersey all over Madison.  But it wasn't my fault! 

I went home for the weekend and I went downtown for the game and so my excuse is that I had to wear something in spirits of the game.  If I owned a Penn State shirt, you can bet I would have been wearing that.  Plus my friends forced me.

But the good news is Wisconsin lost (48-7)!  It is so enjoyable watching the Badgers lose on TV, but it is even better to watch them lose IN Madison so you can rub it in to vulnerable people.  And I love watching Bret Bielema mad-- it's a great site.  I was walking down the streets giving high fives, saying "Go Hawkeyes" and people didn't even make an attempt to talk smack to me (for the most part).  

Things are just going downhill for the Badgers. They went from being ranked 13th in the preseason poll to 11th, 10th, 8th, 9th, 18th, to out of the polls completely.  Does anyone enjoy this as much as me?  They now have the same record as Iowa, which is great going into next week!  The stands were pretty much cleared out halfway through the fourth quarter, fans are just giving up hope.  Their loss to Penn State was their worst since 1989 and are now 0-3 this season in Big Ten play.  

And it's looking like their starting to have some QB trouble, right when our little dilemma finally looks over and we're beginning to be confident with Stanzi.  Allan Evridge had an interception and a fumble and was taken out in the 3rd quarter.  But then when backup Dustin Sherer came in, he threw an interception near the end zone.  He had the same number of turnovers as Evridge, but he completed seven more passes.  Evridge only completed 2 of 10 passes, so it may be looking like Sherer is starting against Iowa.  

I am just loving this time of year...the time when Wisconsin is in a rut and looks pathetic.  I will be having an Iowa/Wisconsin theme in my blog all week next week so GET EXCITED!!!!!

I'm trying to decide what fan I should convert to...

I'm sorry to be a complete downer on Iowa Football, but I just don't know what to do anymore. Honestly, the only good thing about the game was that I was on the field.  

I know I'm not the only one that feels this way, and I've just been continuously disappointed.  I'm starting to figure out what team I should root for the rest of the season...but don't worry I won't give up hope until after the Wisconsin/Iowa game--and if we lose that one, oh man....

Yesterday's game was just so hard to watch.  The game played in the first half was just one of the worst displays of football I have seen in awhile--on both sides.  Honestly, Michigan State is NOT THAT GOOD.  

How did we fumble the ball on what, the 5 yard line on our first drive? I was psyched after Brodell's first run that got us at good field position.  I thought without a doubt we would take the lead in the first few minutes.  But honestly, why do I kid myself?

We have so much potential on this years team--look at how our D-line shut down Heisman candidate Javon Ringer. He had his lowest rushing game of the season, just 91 yards.  Now come on! That says a lot about our defense.  We only allowed them one TD, the rest of the points came from field goals.  Now we just need to offense to step it up a notch and play a full game.  I mean Stanzi, you threw an interception RIGHT TO the Michigan State defender??

But I started getting hope in the fourth quarter.  We made a great drive and TD pass to Brodell...after that moment I really though we had the game.  To be honest, I agreed with the call to go for the 4th down but WHY would we hand off the ball to Shonn Greene?? We should have tried the sneak that we successfully accomplished earlier in the game.  

Which brings me to another point--Shonn Greene rushing for 157 yards! It would have been a record for him if you would take out that last play where the Spartans stopped him on the fourth down.  He is one factor on the offense that gives me a little bit of hope.  Just a little.  He is on a roll right now just 2 TD and less that 400 yards below his career stats--and we're only half way through the season!!  I'm liking that.

Sorry for the vent sesh.  I'm just hoping we can pick up some momentum against Indiana so we come into Wisconsin with high spirits.  I will be an emotional wreck that entire week...

On a somewhat brighter note:

Please take a look at this video about the Pitt game--hilarious.  There are some offensive parts (oops) just to warn you.  

Cabalka's Weekly Predictions

Alright, I have to make this brief--I'm leaving for Michigan State in a half hour!!!! :)

Iowa vs. Michigan St: 

We're going to have a hard time stopping Javon Ringer--he's unreal.  But I think our d-line will do a pretty good job stopping him, but not enough to win it.  I'm giving this one to Michigan State unfortunately...

Ohio St. vs. Wisconsin:

Beanie Wells is back in full force, we've got a great running back match up here: Beanie vs. P.J. Hills.  But I'm giving this game to Ohio State, I think they will come back and regain power in the Big Ten. I do think it will be a close one with the game being AT Wisco...

Michigan vs. Illinois:

This is a tough one.  It's AT Michigan but Illinois is pretty solid with QB Juice Williams.   But Michigan has a lot of momentum after their big victory over the Badgers.  I really have no idea about this but I'll say Illinois.

Penn State vs. Purdue:

Penn State, hands down.  I think it will be a blow out, JoePa and his Nittany Lions are in a well deserved 6th place ranking...and I don't think they'll blow that like the Badgers did. 

Indiana vs. Minnesota:

I say Minnesota.  Game is AT Minn, so they have a chance to beat down on already struggling Indiana.  Indiana is just in a slump right now and I don't think they'll win against Minnesota on the road.  

I'll be back blogging on Sunday--I'll tell you all about how Javon Ringer beats us up...I'll have a good view covering the game on the field! :)