We are now two weeks into the season and we’re getting a much better feel for the landscape of the Big Ten. There have been some mild surprises already in the young season, and there’s sure to be more. Here’s a look at five things we learned after week two in the heartland:
5. Don’t count Wisconsin out in the B1G West
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Yeah, I know, the schedule is a killer and there’s no way the Badgers will make it through unscathed. That may be true, but they still control their own destiny and can play with anyone. Sure, they might lose a game or two along the way, but it’s not like any team in the West is a juggernaut.
Iowa looks to be very good, and Nebraska will be a player, but the rest of the division is a far cry from the same level. The three in the West and the three in the East are going to beat up on each other, yet Wisconsin still has the best win to date meaning it’s right in the mix.
4. Ohio State’s defense is really good
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Like, really good. Don’t for one moment sneeze at the likes of Bowling Green and Tulsa either. Both of those offenses were top ten fifteen units from last year and returned a lot of pieces that contributed last year. BGSU averaged 546 yards a game in 2015, while Tulsa put up 507 yards per contest.
By contrast, the OSU defense allowed 244 yards to the Falcons and just 185 yards to the Golden Hurricane. That’s getting it done. And that’s before we even talk about the three touchdowns the Buckeye defense has scored. That’s right, Ohio State’s defense is outscoring its opposition’s offense so far this year 21-6.
3. Iowa looks to be hitting its stride
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For whatever reason, the Hawkeyes always seem to be a slow burn under Kirk Ferentz. It looked that way in week one when the Iowa defense gave up 424 yards of total offense to Miami of Ohio, but still managed to prevail 45-21 thanks to RedHawks catching the turnover bug.
But Saturday was different.
Okay, it’s not like the Iowa State Cyclones won’t be little more than a speed-bump for almost every team it plays this year, but this game seems to always be close despite the talent level on both sidelines. Not this time. Iowa had it going on the offensive side with CJ Beathard through the air and LeShun Daniels on the ground, while the defense yielded just three points. Perhaps a cameo in Indy is indeed in order for 2016.
2. What gives with Northwestern?
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The most exciting team in the B1G Ten is at it again. We thought we had a pretty good idea that the Wildcat defense would be great again, and that a bowl game would be in the offing, but now that’s the farthest thing from a lock.
Northwestern’s defense hasn’t really been the issue, though it has given up some very key yards at winning time. Where the Wildcats are falling down is on the offensive side. They are averaging just 298 yards and 14 points per ball game. That’s simply not going to get it done in today’s world of high-octane offenses no matter how good the defense is.
1. Michigan is a legitimate threat to dethrone the B1G kings
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Ohio State’s defense has been great, but so has Michigan’s. The Wolverines are tied for ninth in scoring defense and have controlled games on that side of the ball with toughness and tenacity.
Perhaps more important, new quarterback Wilton Speight appears to be just what the doctor ordered for head coach Jim Harbaugh. He stands tall in the pocket, has been great in decision making thus far, and has the arm and accuracy to add a threat in the air on top of what the Wolverines like to do on the ground.
There’s a good bet he wears khakis too.
Michigan has to go Michigan State, to Iowa and of course to Columbus for the season finale, but this team is playing well in all phases of the game right now.
Defense travels right?
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Phil Harrison is a frequent contributor to The Student Section. He is also a featured contributor to collegefootballews.com, and talking10.com. You can follow him on twitter @PhilHarrisonCFB or email him at pharrison28@gmail.com. If that doesn’t work, you can find him in the doghouse at home.
