Big Ten links: 'The Game,' Paul Bunyan's Axe & so much more

The great Nick Baumgardner has five things to watch in ?The Game.? One of them: How much will star Michigan safety Jabrill Peppers play on both sides of the ball? The answer: A lot. Why leave anything in the tank?

***

This is interesting: Jim Harbaugh hasn?t been emphasizing recruiting in Ohio.

Cleveland.com says Michigan has taken the Notre Dame approach: Grab some guys from the Midwest, then expand nationally by using the school's brand. There's a ton of talent in California, Texas and Florida, and Harbaugh certainly has the Urban Meyer-like rock star personality to expand Michigan's scope.

***

Interesting take from the great Doug Lesmerises of Cleveland.com, who says because of Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State is playing to fix its image and not just beat Michigan on Saturday in Ann Arbor.

After a nearly year-long ride on praise for the way the Buckeyes came together during their championship season, Elliott's comments opened the door on questions about dissension. How do you close that door?

Beat Michigan.

"If we find a way to win this game, I imagine we won't be talking about this much longer," Urban Meyer said this week. "It's sealed, as far as our team and the team room is concerned in the locker room."

Ahhh. Winning cures all, right?

***

Wisconsin and Minnesota will battle for the Axe this week. And, it has been a one-sided affair of late, with the Badgers winning the last 11 meetings. Maybe the presence of Jerry Kill at the game will motivate the Gophers to turn the tide.

***

Wisconsin DE Chikwe Obasih spiced things up by saying: ?It?s our Axe.? The Badgers? Axe? Really? Interesting. On the overall rivalry, Obasih added, ?There?s going to disdain and dislike for each other? It?s going to be fun.?

***

The officiating in the Northwestern-Wisconsin game drew a lot of ire and attention, as the Badgers had three touchdowns overturned. But, the Big Ten stands by the officiating. Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst still believes Joel Stave's game-tying touchdown pass to Jazz Peavy in the final minute should have been upheld by the replay official. So do I. Have a look yourself. This is incredible.

https://twitter.com/BTNLive/status/668934395990937601

***

The world always has room for another trophy. So, how about one from the Big Ten to honor the conference?s top return man? Sure! It?s called the Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year named after former standouts Johnny Rodgers of Nebraska and Tim Dwight of Iowa.

***

Michigan State?s Connor Cook missed last week?s big win at Ohio State with a shoulder injury. Looks like he?ll be a game-time decision this Saturday at home vs. Penn State.

"We'll see how it all shakes out. It's sort of hard to say (on Tuesday), not practiced (yet), don't know," Mark Dantonio said. "It's hard to assess those things until you get to game day."
Dantonio didn't rule out the possibility of using Cook along with backups Tyler O'Connor and Damion Terry. O'Connor and Terry have played in the past two games, after Cook went down with a sprained shoulder in the first half of the Spartans' 24-7 win over Maryland on Nov. 14. The duo has done just fine, thank you.

***

Indiana bounced back to top St. John?s in Maui after suffering a tough loss vs. Wake Forest in Hawaii. That old bugaboo (defense) reared its head. Unless the Hoosiers become better on the defensive end, it won?t matter how much offensive talent they have.

***

And if you want to leave a comment on this post, use the box below. All comments need to be approved by a moderator.