Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, October 23, 2015

The season is headed toward the homestretch, as the Big Ten race comes into greater focus. One thing is clear: Iowa is setting the pace in the Big Ten West. But could an unbeaten, Big Ten champion Iowa squad get squeezed out of the four-team playoff? I address that and other items in my Hard Takes.

1. Could a 13-0 Iowa team be left out of the playoff? It?s an idea that has been posed to me on some radio talk shows. This, of course, assumes the Hawkeyes win out and take the Big Ten title. Would Iowa?s often-criticized resume be more impressive than an unbeaten LSU from the SEC? An unbeaten Utah? An unbeaten Baylor or TCU? An unbeaten Clemson or Florida State? All of those teams are currently ranked No. 9 or higher in the AP poll; Iowa is No. 12 with its last chance for an impressive win coming in the Big Ten title game. Even a one-loss Alabama team (if it wins the SEC) may be picked over a 13-0 Iowa team. Don't get too angry just yet, but it is something to think about, as the first College Football Playoff poll will be released Nov. 3.

2. There has been talk about Iowa possibly finishing 12-0 in the regular season. It could happen, as the Hawkeyes are threatening to run away with the West Division. But where would you slot Iowa in the East? I think the Hawkeyes may be the fourth-best team if they were in the East, behind Ohio State, Michigan State and Michigan. It?s a fun debate.

3. The Ohio State quarterback situation continues to be a real-life soap opera. It?s really rather amazing and fascinating that a program that?s No. 1 in the nation, riding a 20-game winning streak and defending a national championship can have this much drama and angst at the most vital position on the field. But, here we are. I hope this latest twist is the last, as the staff has tabbed J.T. Barrett the starter in place of Cardale Jones. Barrett should have been the guy from the start, as his running ability is what makes the attack go more consistently. This offense needs to let Barrett get in a groove as the season hits the home stretch with tough games looming vs. Michigan State, at Michigan and likely in the Big Ten title game and maybe even the playoff, too. It?s time to stop fiddling with the quarterbacks in Columbus.

[ MORE: Week 8 scoreboard | Week 8 previews | Polls: Who wins Week 8 games? | Power Rankings | Bowl Projections | Player Rankings | Mailbag | Barrett named Ohio State starter | Watch Mark Dantonio dance | Watch OSU student do jump pass vs. Barrett | Hear your coach's teleconference | Big Ten standings | Big Ten stats ]


4. Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa has been lauded as the potential No. 1 overall pick in the NFL-whenever he comes out.
Entering this season, he was the choice by most to be the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. But, halfway through the season, I don?t even think he is first-team all-conference. If I were picking two defensive ends for the All-Big Ten squad, I would go with Penn State?s Carl Nassib and Michigan State?s Shilique Calhoun. Had Iowa?s Drew Ott not gotten hurt, he would have made it instead of Calhoun.

5. The fall of Northwestern has been so swift. The Wildcats opened 5-0, outscoring foes 127-35, and winning games by an average score of 25-7. Among the teams NU whipped: Current AP No. 10 Stanford and current No. 23 Duke. The last two games, Northwestern has allowed 78 points and scored only 10, losing games by an average of 39-5. The Wildcats are last in the Big Ten in scoring (19.6 ppg); last in total offense (331.6 ypg); last in passing offense (141.1 ypg). See a trend here? Not long ago, Northwestern led the Big Ten in rushing; now it is sixth (190.4 ypg) and is last in rushing TDs with seven. This Saturday?s game at Nebraska is huge.

6. Who has been the best quarterback in the Big Ten this season? Think about it. It?s a tough question. How about Indiana?s Nate Sudfeld? He is No. 1 in passing yards (290.2 ypg). He also is No. 1 in efficiency, completing 63 percent of his attempts with 11 TDs and three interceptions. Want more? Sudfeld also is No. 1 in total offense (295.7 ypg).

7. Much has been made of C.J. Beathard?s impact at Iowa. They are the Big Ten surprise team that is 7-0 and threatening to run away with the West. But are some of his stats this fall that much better than what Jake Rudock had at Iowa in 2014 during a 7-6 Hawkeye season? Check it out.

  • 2014 Rudock 61.7 completion percentage; 16 TDs-5 INT; 18 sacks; 133.5 rating
  • 2015 Beathard 61.0 completion percentage; 9 TDs-2 INT; 11 sacks; 137.2 rating

While the numbers are similar, Beathard?s verve to go downfield has opened up the offense from a running perspective. The Hawkeyes are No. 2 in the Big Ten in rushing (214.4 ypg). Last year, Iowa was No. 7 in rushing (163.1 ypg).

8. Looking for a team that can be a spoiler down the stretch? Keep an eye on Nebraska. The Huskers are better than their 3-4 record. Michigan State comes to Lincoln on Nov. 7. And Iowa also comes to Lincoln, visiting Nov. 27. It wouldn?t be a shock to see Nebraska hang a loss on one or both of those teams.

9. The timing of Purdue?s announced plans for a long overdue $60 million football complex was good. This is a program that needs a lift of any sort as it is mired in a 1-5 spin that has seen it lose its last 12 games vs. FBS programs. Darrell Hazell can show recruits this investment as tangible proof of the school?s commitment. You can win at Purdue. It?s a challenge, but a possibility. Hazell must turn this investment into luring more talent to West Lafayette. Wins are needed to sell hope and optimism, which have been in short supply on campus for several years. Hazell needs to turn this investment into results, and soon.

10. If Wisconsin somehow wins the West, it will be a big tribute to Paul Chryst playing to the team?s strengths. This Badger squad just can?t run it like past ones. In fact, the program may not produce a 1,000-yard rusher for the first time since Anthony Davis led the squad with 973 yards in 2004. The only other time since 1993 UW didn?t have a 1,000-yard rusher was in 2003, when Dwayne Smith led the squad with 857 yards. This fall, Dare Ogunbowale is on pace for 826 yards in a 12-game season. Add a bowl, and that number projects to 894. Meanwhile, Joel Stave is averaging 33.7 attempts, putting him on pace for 438 passes in 13 games, which would be a school single-season standard. Stave set the current standard with 336 in 2013.

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