Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, November 10, 2015

The power of football (and the big, big, BIG money associated with it) never was more apparent than at Missouri, where the threat of a boycott of this week?s game swiftly brought down the school?s president. On Saturday, the team threw its support behind campus protesters who didn?t like how the president was handling complaints about racism and other student-welfare issues. A few days later, he was gone.

***

Look here: Sounds like Tracy Claeys could have the ?interim? removed from his title at Minnesota. That would be great ? and the smart thing to do.

I think the school needs to hire a member of Jerry Kill?s family. Why break up the continuity and momentum from what Kill has done? It would make no sense to go outside to fill this post. Claeys knows the formula for success-and he can keep this strong staff together, too.

***

Looks like Iowa A.D. Gary Barta is getting the last laugh when it comes to those who wondered why he kept backing Kirk Ferentz coming off a disappointing 2014.

?It?s just I knew in my heart — and still know in my heart — that Kirk?s a great leader,? Barta said. ?This is a solid program on a solid foundation.?

And it?s in the midst of a 9-0 season that has Hawkeye Nation on its ear. Not bad for a program many tabbed to finish fourth in the Big Ten West this season.

***

Please tell me you aren?t shocked by news that J.T. Barrett will be Ohio State?s quarterback this week after serving a one-game suspension.

The Buckeyes are at Illinois on Saturday. Then comes a monster 1-2 punch to end the season: Michigan State ? at Michigan. This offense needs more rhythm. And Barrett brings it more so than Cardale Jones. As Kevin Noon of BuckeyeGrove.com points out, Barrett gives the Buckeyes a much different run look at quarterback and that will take away some of the pressure that teams can put on Ezekiel Elliott in terms of trying to stall Ohio State's rushing attack.

***

You probably have not noticed the great season by Penn State DT Austin Johnson amid the monster numbers of line mate Carl Nassib.

Bob Flounders of Pennlive.com notes that Johnson has 64 tackles this year. Impressive for a 6-4, 323-pound nose tackle when you consider the job of most nose men involves occupying space and blockers. And here Johnson sits with all those tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and a 71-yard fumble return for a touchdown in 10 games. He?s a first-round pick. Bank on it.

***

Does Kyle Flood think his job security is tied to making a bowl? Keith Sargeant of NJ.com takes a look.

"I don't think of it," Flood said Monday during his weekly news conference. "I would tell you, and this after 22 years of coaching, if you're looking for job security, being a college football coach is probably not the profession you should be looking for. This is a high-performance industry. I think everybody gets into it with open eyes.
"And I don't feel that way. I feel fully supported by the administration here at Rutgers."

At 3-6 overall, Rutgers has no margin for error as it plays host to Nebraska (4-6) in a game that will most likely eliminate the loser from bowl contention. Meanwhile, Flood is under fire following three straight non-competitive defeats and amid a string of off-field controversies since the beginning of the season.

***

Michigan was pleased when it saw Michigan State lose at Nebraska because it opened the door for the Wolverines to win the East.

Michigan State's loss in Lincoln still doesn't give Michigan control over its destiny. But, if the Spartans lose one more game — to either Maryland, unbeaten Ohio State or Penn State — and Michigan wins the rest of the games on its schedule (including at Indiana, at Penn State and at home vs. Ohio State), then the Wolverines will win the Big Ten East Division and play in the league title game Dec. 5 in Indianapolis. And that would be an impressive feat for first-year coach Jim Harbaugh.

***

Like Michigan, Wisconsin is clinging to division title hopes. And, like Michigan, Wisconsin needs help.

The Badgers have won five consecutive games but need help to win the West Division title. Iowa (9-0, 5-0) has to lose two of its final three games - at home against Minnesota and Purdue and at Nebraska - because the Hawkeyes own the head-to-head tiebreaker over UW. And UW must win its final two games, Nov. 21 at home against Northwestern and Nov. 28 at Minnesota.

***

Nebraska had a sigh of relief after toppling unbeaten Michigan State. But the Huskers still have work to do ? especially on defense.

The great Sam McKewon of Omaha.com notes that the reality is the margin of error for Nebraska is thin as a thimble because the defense can?t get enough stops and make enough plays. The pass defense has been especially troublesome.

***

It says here that Eron Harris is ready to step into the spotlight for Tom Izzo. Good, because the Spartans need the West Virginia transfer to emerge.

The Indianapolis native spent his first two college seasons at West Virginia, averaging more than 17 points per game as a sophomore. Then he transferred to Michigan State, looking for a fresh start. Now, he's fought through a difficult year off that included watching his teammates play a Final Four in his hometown and being suspended after a drunk driving arrest that had family members worried he could start heading down the wrong path.

***

And if you want to leave a comment on this post, use the box below. All comments need to be approved by a moderator.