Chicago Sports Then and Now

Ohio State had a lot to celebrate in their 24-7 win over Penn State.

The Buckeyes upended the Penn State Nittany Lions in Beaver Stadium and in the end, left Penn State fans very unhappy.  Most expected the Lions to roar and silence the pesky and persistent noise emanating from the Buckeye camp.  Only Terrelle Pryor seemed to enjoy his homecoming to native Pennsylvania – no one else was happy to welcome him back home as he threw two touchdown passes and ran for another against the home town team.  Ohio State won 24-7 last Saturday.  All they have to do to cement their spot at the top is beat the Hawkeyes at home this weekend – everyone expects the Buckeyes to do that with little difficulty.

#2 Wisconsin (#20) [defeated Indiana 31-28 in Bloomington]
Wisconsin built a hefty lead in the first half, running the ball seemingly at will against the Hoosiers.  Badger John Clay scrambled 134 yards and managed to score a touchdown on the ground. Montee Ball also scored two TDs.  Indiana tightened up their defense and added some scoring but were unable to overtake the Badgers as time ran out. After winning their last two, the Badgers look to be in good shape going into the post season.  Next week they host the free-falling Michigan Wolverines in Madison.

#3 Purdue [defeated Michigan 38-36 in Ann Arbor]

It has been an inconsistent season for Purdue, but they do have wins over both Michigan and Ohio State.

The Purdue Boilermakers football team mirrors Big 10 unpredictability. Just when you believe you have everything figured out – along comes Purdue who have defeated both Ohio State and Michigan in the same year, during the same football season and remain unranked with an overall losing record.  Last week they were shut out by Wisconsin. You just never know what prompts them to win – maybe they have a Don Quixote complex.  Next week they play Michigan State at home.  Who knows who will win!  Purdue seems to suffer from a multiple personality disorder.

#4 Iowa Hawkeyes (#10) [lost to Northwestern 17-10 in Iowa City]
As much as the Iowa faithful pretend this loss does not matter, it hurt big time because Iowa doesn’t get chances like this one very often.  Unfortunately for the Hawkeyes and their fans, they lost their quarterback Ricky Stanzi early in the second quarter.  Iowa never scored again after shooting out to an early 10-0 lead.  The sack and the subsequent fumble in the end zone cost the Hawkeyes a touchdown and their quarterback all in one fell swoop.

The magical season folded as the backup quarterback just could not make that needed connection.  Northwestern went on to win the game. Iowa needs to retool quickly and head into Ohio State for a showdown with the Buckeyes and you can bet everybody will expect the Hawkeyes to lose this one and by doing so re-establish order in the Big 10 with Ohio State reigning supreme once again.

#5 Northwestern [defeated Iowa 17-10 in Iowa City]
The Northwestern Wildcats fell behind quickly 10-0 against the Iowa Hawkeyes but early in the second quarter the Cats sacked quarterback Ricky Stanzi in the Iowa end zone.  When he fumbled the ball, the Wildcats fell on it and scored coming back to 10-7.  After Stanzi left the game injured with a high ankle sprain, the Hawkeyes offense was done for the day.  The Wildcats added another 7 on another Iowa miscue and led 14-10, finally adding a field goal to end the day at 17-10. The Cats became bowl eligible and play a red-hot Illinois team next weekend.

#6 Penn State (#18) [lost to #11 Ohio State  24-7 in Happy Valley]
It was a very long afternoon for Penn State whose offense was paralyzed by the Ohio State defense.  Special teams also cost them as Ohio State enjoyed some healthy punt returns.  Penn State found it could not contain Terrelle Pryor who scored twice through the air and once on the ground running it in himself for a TD.  The Buckeyes scored the last 17 points of the game.  Penn State was rocked by this defeat but needs to regain its equilibrium quickly to play Indiana next weekend.

#7 Michigan State [defeated Western Michigan 49-14 in East Lansing]

Michigan State plays at Purdue in a battle of inconsistent teams.

Against weak competition, the Spartans scored with an impressive offensive display against Western Michigan. These “treading water” contests are games that hold your place in line while padding your stats for the year.  This one came along in time to add to the Spartan win column and keep alive post-season play hopes.  The Michigan State team had suffered two previous defeats before annihilating the Broncos on Saturday.  Now the Spartans must play at Purdue next week and then host Penn State as their final game of the season.  The next two weeks could prove mighty interesting for the Spartans who may wish to fire up their offense again – real soon and real hot.

#8 Illinois [defeated Minnesota 35-32 in Minneapolis]
Illini Terry Hawthorne intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown.  The Illinois defense was mighty on the day as Clay Nurse had four of Illinois’ eight sacks.  Minnesota’s offensive line seemed to be missing in action as the Illini held on to enjoy a 35-32 victory over Minnesota on Saturday.  Who can believe in this team’s resurgence?  Obviously the football players do as do their coaches. What a turnaround!  Next week they host the Northwestern Wildcats who may be riding sky high after their upset of Iowa this past weekend. Illinois is on a roll.  It’s about time.

#9 Minnesota [lost to Illinois 35-32 in Minneapolis]
Minnesota’s quarterback Adam Weber played an abysmal first half.  It was one of those nightmares from which you cannot awaken as Weber completed only 5 of 17 passes for 74 yards.  Add to that a fumble and an interception returned for a score and you have a first half you need to erase from your memory. Weber finished the day 14 of 31 for 221 yards.  Minnesota fought its way back valiantly at the end but could not muster enough minutes or enough score to overcome the Illini lead.  Minnesota next hosts South Dakota State – hey, folks, this team is no patsy!

#10 Indiana [Lost to #20 Wisconsin 31-28 in Bloomington]
It is always the same game plan Wisconsin brings with them whenever they play the Indiana Hoosiers.  They run at them.  They pound them down.  They badger and harass them.  The Hoosiers remained powerless for the most part to stop the Badger running attack.  So it went on Saturday.   The Badgers built a substantial first half lead and then sat back.  The Indiana Hoosiers made a valiant effort to catch up, but in the end could not.  Next week the Hoosiers must travel to Happy Valley where a bunch of very unhappy Nittany Lions will be waiting for them.  The Hoosiers hopes of attaining a post season bowl grown slim. They must win their last two games to become eligible.  Time, as they say, is of the essence.

#11 Michigan [Lost to Purdue 38-36 in Ann Arbor]
“The party’s over…it’s time to call it day.”  That must have been the rustic refrain hummed by the Michigan Wolverines in the dull roar of the showers after the stunning defeat at home by the Purdue Boilermakers.  Rich Rodriquez and his team have got to feel the weight of the world on their shoulders as mighty Blue fails again.  Purdue played inspired football and finally, Michigan just could not turn it around.  Life does not get easier for the Wolverines as they must travel to Madison to play the Badgers next Saturday and then finish the season hosting the Ohio State Buckeyes.  They have to win one of these two.

JA Allen is a regular contributor to Sports Then and Now.