Hard Takes: Get prepped for Saturday with 10 quick opinions

It has been an interesting week with the release of the first College Football Playoff poll creating ripples across the landscape. I take a look at that and other items in my Hard Takes.

Remember: Seven games on Saturday (full scoreboard here). On BTN, it's Illinois at Purdue at noon ET, then Wisconsin at Maryland and  Rutgers at Michigan, both at 3:30 p.m. ET. use the BTN TV GameFinder to get your TV information.

1. So, the first College Football Playoff poll was revealed. I hope you didn?t get too revved up over what you saw. It means little, especially when you realize Ohio State was No. 16 in the first CFP poll last year-and went on to win it all. Who was ranked 16th in this year?s first poll? Florida State. Write that down ? just for the fun of it. It probably means nothing. But, just in case.

2. Speaking of the poll and not getting too revved up ? how on god?s green earth was Baylor No. 6 ahead of No. 7 Michigan State and No. 9 Iowa? The Bears have played a weaker schedule than both and have no quality wins. Oh, well. It?s early. (See item No. 1.) The Spartans will have ample chance to impress with a tough upcoming schedule that includes Ohio State and Penn State-and maybe the Big Ten title game. The Hawkeyes don?t have as much juice left in their schedule. Baylor?s schedule strength also will skyrocket with games remaining vs. ranked foes Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and TCU before finishing with Texas.

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3. Iowa?s push for an unbeaten season marches on. The Hawkeyes will likely be favored in their final four games (at Indiana, Minnesota, Purdue, at Nebraska) and there is a legit chance they can finish the regular season undefeated. The records of their final four opponents are a combined 13-20. If I am Iowa, the game that scares me the most is this Saturday?s trip to Indiana.

4. Former Minnesota coach Jerry Kill told a radio station earlier this week he is ?very hopeful and positive that here in the next couple weeks (Tracy Claeys) be hired as the head coach permanently ? .? I hope Kill is correct. The Minnesota brass-led by an interim A.D.–should continue the program Kill has installed by allowing right-hand man Claeys to assume command. Why mess with a successful formula? The program needs the continuity and continued success in its most visible sport.

5. My old friend Matt Hayes of Sporting News has it right when he talks about the need for a commissioner of college football. There are too many divergent agendas, too many voices that want be heard, too many varying rules. It?s a case of everyone looking out for what?s best for themselves-often at the detriment of what is good for the collective group. The sport would be so much better if everyone worked together and had centralized governance headed by a commissioner who has some decision-making power.

6. I can?t say it was a shock to see the report this week that Purdue will retain Darrell Hazell for 2016. It?s just not the school?s M.O. to get rid of a coach after just three years. And even if it wanted to, it would have cost a notoriously frugal university over $6 million to buy out Hazell-not to mention sending a horrible message to future prospective coaches.

7. The level of angst is high among fans at Nebraska. It?s understandable. The program had six losses before November for the first time ever. And it teeters on perhaps being eliminated from bowl consideration-though the possibility looms for Nebraska to go to a bowl with a 5-7 mark. But should it? If the opportunity does present itself, I think the Huskers should go to take advantage of the extra practice time. My advice: work on pass defense, and develop the offensive line.

8. Yes, J.T. Barrett is suspended for this week?s game vs. Minnesota. No, it won?t matter one iota. The Buckeyes will roll over Minnesota. But it is disappointing that a captain like Barrett, a guy who is so well respected, would let himself get suspended. This offense needs Barrett, who brings a vibe to the attack that Cardale Jones doesn?t. Barrett is a leader and venerated member of the locker room whose words carried a lot of heft–even when he wasn?t starting earlier this season. Still, I doubt this transgression will diminish how he is viewed by his peers.

9. Last week at Minnesota, the Michigan defense struggled more than we?ve seen this season. The unit allowed season-highs in total yards (461), rush yards (144) and time of possession (31:05). It was surprising considering that Minnesota was ranked 13th in the conference in scoring (21.1 PPG) and eighth in total offense (364.8 ypg). Over the last two weeks, Michigan has been outgained 847-526 in total yards. Is there any cause for concern going forward? And I wonder if Jabrill Peppers will get worn down playing so many snaps.

10. Penn State is 7-2. God bless the Nittany Lions. But a closer look at that record shows it isn't the strongest 7-2 mark. Penn State has beaten just one team with a winning record (San Diego State, 6-3). The aggregate record of the teams the Nittany Lions have beaten: 22-27. Still, wins of any sort against any foes are exactly what James Franklins? squad needs in his second season on the job, as this is still a young and developing roster whose best days are ahead of it. It?s all about learning how to win. And that?s what this program is doing. Still, season-ending games at Northwestern, vs. Michigan and at Michigan State will be telling. Can PSU go 2-1 to finish with nine wins?