Friday, November 05, 2004
Meanwhile, back in the Big 10
Can we get back to sports now?
My prediction that Iowa would win the Big 10 is still mathematically possible, although unlikely as it would require the Hawkeyes to win their remaining games agains Purdue, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, while Michigan loses to Northwestern and Ohio State. They remain 3rd in the standings behind UM and Wisconsin as of today.
That this remains even a possibility is astonishing considering the Hawkeyes have had an incredible run of injuries in their offensive backfield. The first four tailbacks on the depth chart have sustained season ending ACL tears, leaving them with a rushing attack ranked 108 out of 117 division I schools. Yet they have fought their way to a 6-2 record, losing only to Michigan and Arizona State on the road. They soundly defeated Ohio State at home for the first time since 1983, and defeated Penn State for the fifth straight time, becoming the only team to have such a run against Joe Paterno. They have done it through a stingy defense and the development of sophomore QB Drew Tate, who leads the conference in most QB-related statistical categories.
Tomorrow Iowa hosts Purdue, which reached a #5 ranking a month back before losing heartbreaking games to Wisconsin, Michigan, and Northwestern by a cumulative total of 8 points. Purdue's short passing game always gives the Hawkeyes fits, but I'll go out on a limb and predict a 20-13 Hawkeye victory, setting them up for the big Minnesota game, where the winner will take home Floyd of Rosedale, a bronze pig.
As for Michigan, they've had some close calls but I don't expect them to lose again this year, primarily because USC will be playing for the national championship and therefore will not be dissecting them in the Rose Bowl.
My prediction that Iowa would win the Big 10 is still mathematically possible, although unlikely as it would require the Hawkeyes to win their remaining games agains Purdue, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, while Michigan loses to Northwestern and Ohio State. They remain 3rd in the standings behind UM and Wisconsin as of today.
That this remains even a possibility is astonishing considering the Hawkeyes have had an incredible run of injuries in their offensive backfield. The first four tailbacks on the depth chart have sustained season ending ACL tears, leaving them with a rushing attack ranked 108 out of 117 division I schools. Yet they have fought their way to a 6-2 record, losing only to Michigan and Arizona State on the road. They soundly defeated Ohio State at home for the first time since 1983, and defeated Penn State for the fifth straight time, becoming the only team to have such a run against Joe Paterno. They have done it through a stingy defense and the development of sophomore QB Drew Tate, who leads the conference in most QB-related statistical categories.
Tomorrow Iowa hosts Purdue, which reached a #5 ranking a month back before losing heartbreaking games to Wisconsin, Michigan, and Northwestern by a cumulative total of 8 points. Purdue's short passing game always gives the Hawkeyes fits, but I'll go out on a limb and predict a 20-13 Hawkeye victory, setting them up for the big Minnesota game, where the winner will take home Floyd of Rosedale, a bronze pig.
As for Michigan, they've had some close calls but I don't expect them to lose again this year, primarily because USC will be playing for the national championship and therefore will not be dissecting them in the Rose Bowl.
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