Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, October 12, 2015

Finally, it?s here: Michigan State at Michigan. And, no doubt, the Wolverines are playing better than any team in the Big Ten. But the Spartans-who have won 32 of their last 35 games–are just where they want to be: being overlooked despite being 6-0.

MSU has won six of the last seven games in the series, a run of MSU dominance that this series hasn?t seen in years. When was the last time a Wolverine-Spartan game meant so much or was as highly anticipated?

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Unbelievably, Michigan is just a win over Michigan State from being a national contender, says Nick Baumgardner of Mlive.com.

Baumgardner notes that Jim Harbaugh was inheriting a roster he didn't recruit, one that finished 2014 with a 5-7 record. New coaching staff, new system. This wasn't going to be an overnight deal, most thought. But in five short weeks, Michigan's grown from a team that internally insisted enough was enough into one that's a victory away from the edge of national contention. Amazing. I didn?t see this coming. And neither did you. Admit it.

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Nice win by Penn State over Indiana, as the Nittany Lions introduced a ?no huddle? defense to combat IU?s quick-pace offense. Of course, it helped that the Hoosiers were without their quarterback and running back.

"We're the first team to be a no-huddle defense," safety Marcus Allen said. "That's all I've got to say."

After a cushy five-week run of home games vs. less-than-marquee foes, PSU travels to Ohio State. This will be interesting.

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Ohio State may have found a workable solution to how to handle its quarterbacks in the win over Maryland.

The plan: Cardale Jones is the man until OSU hits the 25-yard line; then, J.T. Barrett comes in. I likey. Cleveland.com notes that Jones started the first five games, was yanked for ineffective play in weeks two and three. That was a two-quarterback system based on mistakes. This was a two-quarterback system built on roles and skills and abilities. Jones and his arm in the middle of the field, Barrett and his legs at scoring time. BINGO!

"It's very specific," offensive coordinator Ed Warinner said. "It's much different."

Warinner forgot something: It?s much better, too.

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Meanwhile, pollsters remain unimpressed by Ohio State.

Ohio State earned 74 of 124 first-place votes between the Associated Press poll and coaches poll this week, a drop of 14 from a week ago. A unanimous No. 1 in the preseason, Ohio State had 121 total first-place votes after week two; after week three it was 103; after week four 106; after week five 88 and now it is down to 74. Interesting, but it doesn?t really matter.

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Good stuff from the great Tom Shatel of Omaha.com after Nebraska suffered yet another tough loss.

Shatel thinks Nebraska may struggle to get the four wins needed in the last six games for bowl eligibility. And, he?s correct. This Husker team has no identity and still makes too many mistakes. No bowl practices in December would be a bad development for a program that needs development. Oh, and who is the running back?

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Great win for Minnesota on Saturday at Purdue. Don?t forget about the Gophers in the West race.

Chip Scoggins of the Minneapolis Star Tribune says Jerry Kill challenged his offense this past week. Basically told them that they were about to become one-dimensional, if that?s what it takes for them to feel good again-and win. ?I don?t care if we throw it one time,? Kill said. That formula probably won?t work against competent defenses that know how to tackle. But for one game, it worked. And this offense needed that.

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Iowa rolls on to 6-0. Now, the No. 17 Hawkeyes travel to No. 20 Northwestern. Rick Brown of HawkCentral.com says the last time Iowa was part of a game with two ranked teams was on Nov. 20, 2010: No. 8 Ohio State beat No. 21 Iowa at Kinnick Stadium 20-17.

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Interesting read here from IndyStar.com on a former Purdue walk-on QB who has become ? a priest.

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And, Sunday marked the end of the Randy Edsall era at Maryland. I liked the guy and think he is a good coach.

He lost too often by too large of a margin, which played a big role in his demise. But Edsall did a lot of good from an academic standpoint and left the program on solid ground.

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