Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, December 3, 2013
The Big Ten came out with its all-league teams. And, as you would suspect, some of the choices raised eyebrows. So, let's start daily links there. I love Wisconsin?s Chris Borland, who was picked as the league?s top linebacker. But Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier had better numbers. Production should mean something, right?
And how couldn?t Buckeye OT Jack Mewhort be first-team all-league by the coaches? And I was a bit surprised to see Michigan?s Taylor Lewan named the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year. Mewhort deserved that honor.
And Devin Funchess was named Tight End of the Year, only he really wasn?t a tight end for much of the season. No Beau Allen on the teams? The Wisconsin nose man deserved better.
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A good article from the New York Times on the Big Ten?s looming bigger footprint with Rutgers and Maryland poised to join. Yes, the moves have had their critics in the short-term, but the Big Ten will look good in the long run.
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The great Mike Huguenin of NFL.com takes a look at the draft stock of Michigan?s Taylor Lewan. As you would suspect, his stock rating differs, depending on who you talk to. I don?t care what any Ann Arbor spin doctors say: Lewan didn?t have a good 2013 season. There may have been as many three Big Ten offensive tackles who were better this season.
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It would have been easy for Kirk Ferentz to lose his cool during this turnaround season. But, he didn?t.
Remember when a SI.com writer called Ferentz one of the five worst coaches in the nation in the preseason? Funny, huh?
?Everyone is entitled to their opinion,? Ferentz said. ?That?s the great thing about our country. I don?t think he went to jail for saying that. That?s just part of coaching. Fortunately, I don?t think I believed it. Bottom 10, maybe, but I wouldn?t say five. But that?s just talk and noise. And no one on our team was too worried about it.?
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Good news for Ohio State: Dontre Wilson and Marcus Hall won?t be suspended for their part in a fight during the Michigan game. This really surprises me.
More non-action surprise: The Big Ten didn?t suspend Ohio State offensive lineman Marcus Hall for his obscene gesture in the Michigan game. Instead, Hall was just given a public reprimand.
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Sam McKewon of Omaha.com has a nice piece on Bo Pelini that illustrates the passion his players emote for him. Check out this quote from Kenny Bell.
?I would play for Bo Pelini against Satan himself and a team of demons at the gates of the underworld,? Bell said.
McKewon says Bell's line is canonical for the Book of Bo. I've heard various other analogies to describe the coach's leadership - bunker, alley fight - but Pelini as a crusader in Hades best fits what he means to his players, assistants and most ardent defenders. They'll laugh about that line for years, at the sheer hyperbole of it, take a pull of a beer, pause and then say, ?you know, it's true.?
One area McKewon points out that must improve is turnovers. Check this out: Nebraska is minus-32 in turnover margin in six years under Pelini. No coach with this rate of success in recent years has been so stung by an aspect of the game that - coaches agree - most affects the outcome.
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What?s next for Minnesota? Winning a bowl game.
The Gophers are 0-5 in bowl games since they defeated Alabama 20-16 in the 2004 Music City Bowl, so they?ll also have a chance to end that streak. Last year, Kill took a 6-6 team to the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Houston, and the Gophers blew a late lead in a 34-31 loss to heavily favored Texas Tech.
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Steve Greenberg of the Chicago Sun-Times has some nice insight into Illinois offensive coordinator Bill Cubit and future of the Illini attack.
It?s a bit exciting, what with quarterbacks Wes Lunt and Aaron Bailey in tow. And, from the sound of Cubit in this piece, Lunt may be a better fit for what he wants to do. Now, if the o-line can develop and a top wideout emerges. ?
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Bill O?Brien has shaken up his staff, as linebackers coach Ron Vanderlinden and quarterback coach Charlie Fisher are gone. I?m a bit shocked by these moves.
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TWEETS THAT MATTER
Surprised that WR Quincy Enunwa didn't at least get honorable-mention All-Big Ten honors with 10 TD catches & the season he had. #Huskers
— Sean Callahan (@Sean_Callahan) December 3, 2013
My take: I am, too.
Athletic dept says Bo will pay the 10K to big ten out of his own pocket #Huskers
— Eric Olson (@ericolson64) December 3, 2013
My take: Pelini can afford it.
Carlos Hyde beats out Abdullah for the Big Ten's running back of the year. #Huskers
— Brian Christopherson (@Husker247BC) December 2, 2013
My take: As I said recently, Hyde is the Big Ten?s top back.
Spoke w/a bowl rep today who said Michigan's performance Saturday helped its bowl profile. "That game Saturday certainly sent a message."
— Rachel Lenzi ?????? (@rachelmlenzi) December 3, 2013
My take: I guess, but bowls primarily are just about selling tickets, inviting top name brands, fan base size. Playing well? Yes, it matters, but not as much as some people think.
Jack Mewhort's awesome, should've been unanimous. Ask Frank Clark — he dominated Scherff, struggled vs. Mewhort.
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) December 2, 2013
My take: Mewhort should have been Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year.
All-Big Ten wide receiver was a coin flip. Of Robinson-Abbrederis-Gallon, one of those guys was going to be the first-team odd man out.
— Rachel Lenzi ?????? (@rachelmlenzi) December 2, 2013
My take: Tough, tough choice.
Hackenberg doesn't get an All-Big Ten nod for either first or second team. Played well, other guys played better.
— Ben Jones (@Ben_Jones88) December 2, 2013
My take: His day will come.
Media really whiffed on Scherff. He'll be a first-team selection next May … if he leaves.
— Scott Dochterman (@ScottDochterman) December 2, 2013
My take: He and Jack Mewhort should have been consensus first-team picks.
https://twitter.com/TomMulhernWSJ/status/407708089232535552
My take: I was wondering the same thing as I watched Monday Night Football.
#Gophers defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys not a finalist for the Broyles Award given to the nation's top assistant coach. Don't agree.
— Marcus R. Fuller (@Marcus_R_Fuller) December 2, 2013
My take: A colossal oversight.
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About Tom Dienhart | BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart is a veteran sports journalist who covers Big Ten football and men's basketball for BTN.com and BTN TV. Find him on Twitter and Facebook, read all of his work at btn.com/tomdienhart, and subscribe to his posts via RSS. Also, send questions to his weekly mailbag using the form below and read all of his previous answers in his reader mailbag section. |
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