Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, February 18, 2014
Despite their missteps on Sunday, Michigan and Michigan State remain atop the Big Ten. But keep an eye on third-place Iowa, which begins a big week tonight with a trip to Indiana. Iowa is just a game behind the front-running Wolverines and Spartans. To have any shot to stake a claim of the crown, the Hawkeyes must win this game vs. the slumbering Hoosiers. That would set up a big visit to Iowa City by Wisconsin over the weekend. This is gonna be a fun ending to the regular-season.
Are you totally psyched for the Michigan State at Michigan game this weekend? If not, it?s understandable. Some of the bloom came off the game after each got unceremoniously dumped at home on Sunday.
Still, it?s a big game. Honest.
Speaking of Michigan State ? what?s the outlook for point man Keith Appling and his cranky wrist? It?s apparently uncertain. He isn?t going to miss the rest of the season, is he? No way. Watch this video and learn. The writers in the video are even holding a basketball, so you know it?s good.
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| Big Ten Standings (through 2/17) | ||
| Conference | Overall | |
| W-L | W-L | |
| Michigan State | 10-3 | 21-5 |
| Michigan | 10-3 | 18-7 |
| Iowa | 8-4 | 19-6 |
| Wisconsin | 8-5 | 21-5 |
| Ohio State | 7-6 | 20-6 |
| Nebraska | 6-6 | 14-10 |
| Minnesota | 6-7 | 17-9 |
| Purdue | 5-7 | 15-10 |
| Northwestern | 5-8 | 12-14 |
| Indiana | 4-8 | 14-11 |
| Penn State | 4-9 | 13-13 |
| Illinois | 3-10 | 14-12 |
| View Full Standings | ||
If you are a fan of rivalries like I am, you?ll be happy to read this piece on the Iowa-Iowa State series. It looks like it won?t be in peril. The only threat is conference format changes.
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Audrey Snyder of Pennlive.com has a detailed look at how Penn State ended up with depth issues at offensive line, linebacker and safety.
It?s incredible to realize that Penn State had just two offensive tackles on scholarship prior to this most recent signing day. James Franklin inked four in his first class.
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No doubt about it: Ohio State true freshman linebacker Raekwon McMillan looks the part. But could he start in 2014? He already is on campus. And the Buckeyes most definitely need help at linebacker.
This wasn?t a good year for Big Ten schools to recruit football players in the state of Ohio. In fact, according to a recent report, Kentucky out recruited the Big Ten in the Buckeye State. And that?s not good.
Eleven of the 28 players signed by Kentucky in its Class of 2014 were from Ohio. That?s as many as Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Penn State, Purdue and Northwestern combined to sign from Ohio.
This can?t happen, people.
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This is kinda weird but not unprecedented: Michigan is endowing its football coaching position. So, soon, Brady Hoke will be the J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach. Yep, that?s what $10 million will get you. (I?m shaking my head as I type this.)
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Penn State finally named a new president. And, he?s from Florida State, former home of another college coaching icon in Bobby Bowden.
Interestingly enough, Penn State?s new prez Eric Barron might serve as another link between Joe Paterno and Bowden. You see, Barron arrived as the president at Florida State in 2010, right after Bowden was replaced by Jimbo Fisher in a bit of an awkward transition. Barron gave Bowden a proper send-off but will need time to determine JoePa?s legacy.
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It?s only February. But, hey, it?s always a good time for a mock NFL draft. Here?s the latest from NFL.com. Expect about 5,483 more of these between now and the draft in May. You?re welcome.
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TWEETS THAT MATTER
I know there's a lot of talk in recent years about poorer free throw shooting. I think missed layups is a bigger, more perplexing epidemic.
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) February 18, 2014
My take: But everyone can jump, dribble and dunk!
Tim Miles says on his weekly radio show he'll stick with David Rivers in the starting lineup; likes his length on defense, rebounding.
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) February 18, 2014
My take: Good call.
Beilein on LeVert: Last five games, he's been amazing, leading us in scoring by a lot
— Mark Snyder (@Mark__Snyder) February 18, 2014
My take: Caris has been huge, especially with Glenn Robinson III and Nik Stauskas not always on top of their game.
Michigan living on the edges in Big Ten play. First in shooting offense making 48.8%. Last in shooting defense, allowing 44.9%.
— Mark Snyder (@Mark__Snyder) February 17, 2014
My take: Makes for exciting games.
Penn State has had two more presidents than head football coaches. 18/16. That's my profession insight on this.
— Ben Jones (@Ben_Jones88) February 17, 2014
My take: Kind of amazing.
Rutgers' marching band just played with U2 on the Tonight Show, so maybe the Big Ten knew something after all.
— Mike Hlas (@Hlas) February 18, 2014
My take: You see.
Give Tom Crean credit, seriously. On his radio show, he acknowledged the Penn State loss "devastated us," and that there was hangover at PU.
— Jeff Washburn (@JeffWashburnJC) February 18, 2014
My take: Love the honesty.
Fran McCaffery on my show "Who's playing better than Nebraska's Terran Petteway?"
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) February 17, 2014
My take: Uh, no one.
Iowa's McCaffery: "Every other league has bad teams. We don?t have bad teams."
— Nathan Baird (@nwbaird) February 17, 2014
My take: Has he seen Illinois?
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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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