Chicago Sports Then and Now

It wasn't easy, but Ohio State maintained their hold on the Big Ten with a win over Iowa.

#1 Ohio State (#10) defeated Iowa (#13) in Columbus
The Buckeyes [9-2, 6-1] hung on in overtime to defeat a depleted Hawkeye team 27-24.  With Iowa’s starting QB Ricky Stanzi on the bench unable to compete because of an ankle injury, the pundits expected the Buckeyes to steamroll the Hawkeyes in the Horseshoe.   But Iowa made a game of it and lost the contest in the last gasps of overtime.  Ohio state booted through a field goal to win the game and book a place on the train to Pasadena. They just need to get by Michigan this week. Everyone is betting that they will.
#2 Iowa (#13) lost to Ohio State (#10) in Columbus
The Iowa Hawkeyes [9-2, 5-2] lost a heart-breaker in overtime in Columbus 27-24 to accede the top spot to the Buckeyes.  James Vandenberg filled in admirably for the injured QB Ricky Stanzi. Although Iowa clawed their way back into contention, they could not score in the overtime period.   Ohio State has claimed at least a tie for first place and no doubt a trip to Pasadena.  Next week the Hawkeyes play at home against the Minnesota Gophers for the privilege of retaining Floyd of Rosedale.

#3 Penn State (#14) defeated Indiana at State College

#4 Wisconsin (#20) defeated Michigan in Madison

Wisconsin routed Michigan to stay in the top 20.

It just doesn’t seem normal for teams in the Big 10 to dominate Michigan as they have this year.  Wisconsin’s seniors loved the day, finally defeating the Wolverines 45-24 in front of their hometown fans.  The Badgers [8-2, 5-2] are enjoying a better than expected season – their two losses coming in the middle to Iowa and Ohio State. This week Wisconsin journeys to Northwestern to face the ever-improving Wildcats.  The Badgers will have their hands full.

#5 Northwestern defeated Illinois in Champaign
After knocking off the Iowa Hawkeyes the previous week 17-10, the Wildcats followed that up by defeating a surging Illinois squad on the road in Champaign 21-16.  The Wildcats [7-4, 4-3] have managed to hold their leads of late and build on the promise they exhibited at the start of the season.  Next week the Wildcats hosts Wisconsin.  A win against the rated Badgers would go a long way to ensuring the Cats a great bowl match up.

#6 Michigan State defeated Purdue in West Lafayette
This was a knock down, drag out affair from start to finish.  Michigan State [6-5, 4-3] overcame a fourth quarter deficit to steal this away from Purdue and become bowl eligible in the process.  It was a shame Purdue had to lose, but they had their chances to tuck this one away and they let it get away from them.  Purdue was eliminated from bowl contention.  Michigan State gets ready to host Penn State, relieved that bowl eligibility is not riding on the outcome of this game against the Nittany Lions.  Nonetheless, a win against Penn State would go a long way toward securing a great postseason bowl game.

#7 Minnesota defeated South Dakota State at Minneapolis

Minnesota was able to hang on against South Dakota State.

Minnesota [6-5, 3-4] had a battle on their hands against the SDSU Jackrabbits, FBS nationally-ranked at #12.  The Gophers managed to hang on for a win 16-13 by kicking a field goal with a little over 2 minutes left on the clock.  In the process the Minnesota squad became bowl eligible.  Next week the Gophers travel to Iowa to play the Hawkeyes for Floyd of Rosedale in their annual battle for the bronze pig.  Then it will be a wait and see proposition as the bowl wrangling season begins in earnest.

#8 Purdue lost to Michigan State in West Lafayette
Purdue [4-7, 3-4] has played good ball all season but the Boilers can never seem to end with the win in hand.  No one can really find fault with the effort put forth by the team under the leadership of first year coach Danny Hope.  Here is a team that beat Ohio State and Michigan in the same year and ended up without a winning record and without being bowl eligible.  Their consolation prize is next weekend playing for the “Old Oaken Bucket” against Indiana.

#9 Indiana lost to Penn State at State College
Indiana [4-7, 1-6] made it mighty interesting for the blue, blue Penn State squad still smarting over the whipping they endured the previous week by Ohio State.  The Lions seemed to find no vim or vigor when facing the Hoosiers.  The Penn State team kept handing the football over to Indiana as if they were too tired to carry it. Finally, the Nittany Lions woke up and got down to business as once again Indiana could not hang onto a lead.  The Lions won 31-20.  Next week Indiana hosts Purdue for the honor of owning the Old Oaken Bucket.  It will be interesting to see which of these two teams runs away with it.

#10 Illinois lost to Northwestern in Champaign
The Illini [3-7, 2-6] hoped to end their losing ways by extending their winning streak at home.  They entered the game against Northwestern with everything to win.  In the end, they could not catch the Wildcats and lost 21-16.  This loss ends Illinois’ hope of post season play.  Their next game is against the Cincinnati Bearcats on the road.  Life does not get any easier for Ron Zook and his Illini squad.

#11 Michigan lost to Wisconsin in Madison
Michigan [5-6, 1-6] lost in Madison to the Badgers 45-24.  The only way the Wolverines can get to a bowl is to defeat Ohio State at home in Ann Arbor next weekend.  That would be a huge upset and highly unlikely.  Still, unless the Michigan teams wins on Saturday they will be bowl-less for two years in a row and that will not sit well with the Michigan alumni.  It has been a very difficult couple of years for Rich Rodriguez.  Unless he wins on Saturday, do not expect Rodriguez to return for another season.  I hear Oklahoma may have an opening…no, I guess not…