Big Ten Midseason Breakdown

So, I feel like we have settled in to a nice groove here at Goal Posters. One post every 4 months seems a sustainable pace. Anyway, I've decided to throw down some content here as we have hit the half way point of the FBS College Football season. First up is a power ranking for the Big Ten teams, with some info on how things are going and we'll wrap it up with my all-Big Ten team at the halfway mark.

1. Ohio State (2-0, 6-0): The Buckeyes are ranked number one nationally and have spent all year as a legitimate National Championship candidate. Mostly, they have looked the part. They physically dominated the then 12th ranked Miami Hurricanes, and smashed a few patsies. That includes a video game like 73-20 demolition of Eastern Michigan. There are some concerns though, many stemming from last week's ugly win over Illinois. This team appears to be dominant defensively, and Terrelle Pryor has matured in the passing game, but outside of his scrambles, there is little to no run game in Columbus. That could cause problems for this week's trip to 18th ranked Wisconsin, and a Nov. 20th showdown with Iowa in Iowa City.

2. Michigan State (2-0, 6-0): Sparty is having himself a year. MSU is 6-0 for the first time since Nick Saban was the coach, and they hammered then 18th ranked arch-rival Michigan, beating them for the third consecutive year. State has done it on the ground with a three man rotation at tailback, and on defense thanks to a much improved secondary. A home victory over Wisconsin remains impressive. The pass defense still has some concerns, and the schedule has some tough games left (like at Iowa for instance), but this team doesn't have to play OSU, and are really starting to here Big Ten championship buzz. And, not to jinx anything, the phrase "BCS bowl" has been uttered more than once around East Lansing.

MSU back Edwin Baker scores at the Big House

3. Iowa (1-0, 4-1): The Hawkeyes are kind of the forgotten bunch around the Big Ten. A preseason top ten national ranking disappeared with a loss at Arizona, and since then they have been overshadowed by the success of the two teams above them. 15th ranked Iowa is going to have a lot to say about how the Big Ten race plays out however, as MSU, OSU, and Wisconsin all have to come to Kinnick Stadium. Coming off a sound beating of Penn State, and then a bye last week, Iowa heads to Ann Arbor, in a game they should control. Their elite defense, led by NFL prospect d-lineman Adrian Clayborn, gives them a chance to win any game.

4. Wisconsin (1-1, 5-1): Wisconsin opened the season with high expectations and flew through a fairly week non-conference schedule, that featured a 70-3 takedown of Austin Peay. And no that is not a typo. But, the 18th ranked Badgers were dealt a severe setback in their Big Ten opener with a road loss at MSU. That makes this weekends showdown a virtual must win against Ohio State if they want to remain in the title race. A powerful running game led by last season's Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in John Clay, along with a strong home field advantage at Camp Randall Stadium gives them a puncher's chance. Later games at Iowa and Michigan also loom large.

5. Michigan (1-1, 5-1): For the second straight year the Wolverines came out of the gate fast, featuring a young quarterback and a high-octane offense. Both years, their hopes at an undefeated season ended at the hands of their in-state rival the Spartans. Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez hopes the similarities end there as the Wolverines suffered through an epic collapse. In order to turn it around (and keep his job), RichRod will rely heavily on the electric Heisman Trophy candidate, quarterback Denard Robinson. The nation's current leader in rushing yards was shut down by MSU, and will have to play better as U of M hosts the Iowa Hawkeyes this week. Another loss and the comparisons to last year will begin to be hard to refute.

6. Illinois (1-1, 3-2): Led by a strong rushing attack, the Fighting Illini have exceeded expectations so far this year, as they attempt to save head coach Ron Zook's job. Both of their losses have come against currently undefeated teams (Missouri and Ohio State), and were hard fought. But last week, was when the country took notice as Illinois beat up on Penn State in Happy Valley 30-13. The Fighting Illini stay on the road this week as they will attempt to spoil MSU's homecoming by playing smash mouth football. Its hard to see them competing for the Big Ten title, but an above .500 finish and a decent bowl game would be a very nice turnaround for this squad.

Illinois QB Nathan Scheelhaase dives for a TD

7. Northwestern (1-1, 5-1): A bad home loss to a tremendously beat up Purdue squad last week, officially brought an end to the Wildcats' undefeated season, but winning ugly and lucky had been a regular proposition for this supposedly talented squad, so a loss seemed inevitable. Three of Northwestern's five wins are by a total of eight points. And the competition hasn't been all that stiff. A bye week and then a visit from Michigan State offer the chance to turn things around in a big way, but later games against Iowa and Wisconsin loom. Any chance of a turnaround needs to be quick, and permanent in a tough Big Ten. This team has no easy game left and could very easily miss a bowl.

8. Purdue (1-0, 3-2): Modest preseason expectations were quickly tampered when a huge number of injuries hit the Boilermakers on both sides of the ball. Season ending injuries have taken out their top runner Ralph Bolden, receiver Keith Smith, and quarterback Robert Marve. Backup QBRob Henry led an inspired effort last week however, as Purdue upset a previously undefeated Northwestern team 20-17. The Purdue defense, led by senior defensive end Ryan Kerrigan, has been stout as well. This week the Boilers host Minnesota and have a good shot at remaining undefeated in the Big Ten, at least for another week. After that they head to Columbus and Ohio State, and a miracle win seems impossible. What does seem possible, is for this plucky, resilient team to pick up three more wins from the back half of their schedule and head off to a bowl game. An impressive season considering.

9. Indiana (0-2, 3-2): The Hoosiers are struggling from injuries, but never really expected to compete in the Big Ten anyway. While two of their toughest games are behind them, I don't see more than three wins left at best on the schedule, and one of those games is not against Big Ten competition. Ben Chappell is an outstanding quarterback and leads a strong offense, but a porous defense makes any bowl game seem unlikely.

10. Penn State (0-2, 3-3): Very strange to see Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions all the way down here. Especially since they entered the season ranked 19th nationally. An anemic offense led by a first year started in Rob Bolden, combined with a slew of defensive injuries have sapped PSU's strength. Running back Evan Royster was supposed to carry the offense, but has never gotten going. In their three losses they are averaging a pathetic 6.3 points per game. Against all FBS foes it is only at 13 ppg. Beatdowns at the hands of Alabama, Iowa, and especially Illinois have been embarrassing. A bye this week gives them a chance to regroup and heal, and next week they have cellar dweller Minnesota, but then things get harder. If the season continues down hill, the calls for JoePa to step down will grow.

Penn State head coach Joe Paterno leads his team

11. Minnesota (0-2, 1-5): The Golden Gophers have been flat out awful, in what simply has to be head coach Tim Brewster's last season. A close win over mighty Middle Tennessee State has been the lone highlight, and a loss to FCS foe South Dakota helps to put in perspective just how bad this team has been. Senior quarterback Adam Weber and a mediocre offense have failed to offset an atrocious defense. Chemistry problems abound, and mostly it appears the team has quit on Brewster, who didn't help his case by looking like an idiot during a shellacking against Wisconsin last week. The absolute best case scenario is a 3-9 finish, and I fully expect Brewster to be gone well before that.

All-Big Ten Team

Coach: Mark Dantonio/Don Treadwell - Michigan State - These two have combined for some great coaching calls, and have provided the kind of guidance and continuity that this program needed.

Offense

QB: Terrelle Pryor - Ohio State - After Denard Robinson's stumble there is not much choice here.

RB: Edwin Baker - Michigan State - Just beats out Clay thanks to some big runs and pass protection.

FB: Nick Bendzuck - Michigan State - Huge reason for MSU's rushing success so far.

WR: Jeremy Ebert - Northwestern - Statistically far and away the best.

WR: Dane Sanzenbacher - Ohio State - Leads the league with 7 receiving touchdowns.

TE: Lance Kendricks - Wisconsin - No doubt here. He is one of the best in the country. 

OL: Michigan - This unit has opened all kinds of gaps for the nation's leading rusher.

Defense

DE: Ryan Kerrigan - Purdue - Big Ten sack leader and Purdue's emotional leader.

DE: Adrian Clayborn - Iowa - Faces a double team every play and has still been productive.

DT: Mike Daniels - Iowa - Shores up the middle for a very strong run defense.

DT: Cameron Heyward - Ohio State - Very tough inside despite being keyed on every week.

OLB: Ross Homan - Ohio State - Very strong outside linebacker has really helped OSU's D

OLB: Quentin Davie - Northwestern - Playmaker for solid N'western D.

MLB: Greg Jones - Michigan State - Outstanding player. Causes disruption every week.

CB: Chimdi Chekwa - Ohio State - Shutdown corner. Takes away best WR every week.

CB: Shaun Prater - Iowa - Acts as the shutdown corner for the Hawkeyes elite secondary.

S: Tyler Sash - Iowa - Instant NFL prospect. Very hard hitting safety. Strong in run support.

S: Marcus Hyde - Michigan State - Has made several touchdown saving plays. Very sure tackler.