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.
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The Bears have taken a slight dip in the rankings after just falling short against Atlanta.

Here are the week seven Bears power rankings from various sites around the web:

ESPN:

#10 (Last week: 12)

Analysis, “Red zone problems killed them in a loss to Atlanta.”

CBS:

#11 (Last week: 9)

Analysis, “The biggest issue is their lack of a running game. What has happened? Matt Forte has been a fantasy football disaster, if that type of thing matters to you.”

Yahoo Sports:

#15 (Last week: 13)

Analysis, “Have any of the people who are all excited about the acquisition of Gaines Adams spent much time watching him play over the past two-plus seasons?”

Pro Football Weekly:

#11 (Last week: 13)

Analysis,“Nice timing with the false-start penalty, Orlando Pace.”

Fox Sports:

#14 (Last week: 13)

Analysis, “Despite his 0-2 record in Sunday night games so far, Jay Cutler’s Bears have faced the early-season schedule admirably with a couple solid wins over the Steelers and Seahawks.”

Jake Perper covers the Chicago Bears for Sports Then and Now. You can also check out his popular blog Bears Backer.

Following their win over Michigan, the undefeated Iowa Hawkeyes remain number one in the Big Ten power rankings.

#1 Iowa
What more can you say – Iowa defeated Penn State on the road in Happy Valley and they beat Michigan at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  They are 6-0 on the season and 2-0 in the Big 10.  They have done more than Ohio State and deserve to be ranked ahead of them regardless of personal feelings about the viability of the vaunted Buckeyes.  It doesn’t get any simpler than this.

#2 Ohio State
It was Christmas in October and the good little Buckeyes were the recipients of many gifts on Saturday afternoon.  They came in the form of two interceptions and one kickoff return of 96 yards each for a touchdown or more simply put – 21 points as the Buckeyes defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 31-13 at the horseshoe.  Fah-Lah-Lah-Lah-Lah!

The Badgers owned the turf, out gaining the Buckeyes 368 yards to 184 yards, 22 first downs to 8 for Ohio State.  The Badgers dominated on time of possession 42:47 to 17:13.  They did everything better – except put points on the board.  The Buckeyes came out on top there – and that gave them the game.  Sometimes you just have to be lucky – not better.
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Iowa won at Penn State to move to the top of the power rankings.

#1 Iowa – [Iowa 21 – Penn State 10]. After being patient, the Iowa Hawkeyes finally announced their arrival at the top.  During the opening weekend of Big 10 play the Hawkeyes traveled to Happy Valley where number 5 ranked Penn State waited to exact revenge for last year’s upset in Iowa City.  In the rain without sure footing or sure hands, the Hawkeyes finally pounced during the fourth quarter with a stifling defense.  Big D caused four turnovers that sealed the victory.  Iowa is now 4-0 and 1-0 in Big Ten play.  They have won 8 in a row dating back to their victory on November 8, 2008 over the then perfect Nittany Lions. Iowa fields one the best defenses in the country.  Just ask Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark.
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