Big 10 Week 1 Review

So, after that thrilling ACC showdown that went down the final minutes in Tallahassee last night, we can now begin to reflect on an outstanding opening weekend in college football. Whodathunkit, but actually putting compelling match ups against winning programs from opposing conferences actually spikes interest amongst fans and the media. I'm sure this also means teams like Oklahoma, Oregon and Georgia will never do it again. Let's reflect on what we learned this week in the Midwest.

1. Ohio State Has Problems: Ohio State had a great weekend in some respects. Terrelle Pryor showed that he is a developing into a true passing quarterback, and Brian Rolle's 2 point conversion interception and return showed that the linebacker core is going to reload and not rebuild. On the other hand, while I'm not one of those people that is screaming that this means Ohio State was exposed by only beating a quality Navy team 31-27, some problems did emerge. Most importantly, Ohio State is weak in the trenches. Ohio State was outrushed 186-153, despite being distinctly larger and stronger than the Midshipmen linemen. If Ohio State is going to beat a USC team next Saturday that ran all over San Jose State, they are going to need their offensive and defensive line make a huge jump in a short amount of time.

2. Illinois got Zook-er Punched: Illinois was supposed to show that their 2007 Rose Bowl bid was not a fluke this year. Tons of returning talent and a favorable schedule. SI's Stewart Mandel said on a St. Louis radio show the Illini were his dark horse pick to win the Big 10 this year. Then Illinois went out and laid an egg in the form of a 37-9 whoopin by a Missouri team starting a freshmen quarterback. Surprised? You wouldn't be if you read my Illinois preview. Or, you know, if you ever looked at his coaching career with Florida. This season looks like a classic underachieving Zook-led team.

3. Penn State Looks Awesome: I know it was a game, at home, against a terrible Akron team. That's fine. Point is, they were supposed to be an offensively talented team with a suspect defense. Then they outgained Akron 344 to 8 in the first half while the starters were in. Read that again. 344-8! If that doesn't scare everyone in the Midwest-- and the Pac 10 Rose Bowl Bid-- then you aren't paying attention.

4. Iowa, WTF?: First, the Big 10 only gets three teams ranked to start the year. Then, Iowa needs not one, but two, 2!, blocked field goals to beat frickin' Northern Iowa? Just go ahead an shoot yourselves now, Hawkeye fans.

5. Minnesota Is In For a Long Year: I can make a lot of jokes about how they almost lost to a team that was using a washed-up point guard as their starting quarterback. I won't. Point is, Minnesota is fitting a lot of square pegs in round holes this season. They recruited a bunch of players for the spread-- small, fast receivers and RBs-- that they are now trying to fit into a pro style scheme. Result? An inefficient offense that kept trying to throw deep with receivers that were smaller than their opposing DBs. Their passing game seemed as natural as Paulus' jump shot from 3. Couldn't resist.

6. MICHIGAN!: I don't think Big 10 Commissioner was more excited about a game than the Michigan blowout of Eastern Michigan. Yes, it was an average MAC team, but Michigan showed an offensive explosiveness and defensive tenacity not see in Ann Arbor since Michigan's 11-2 2006 season. The Big 10 is more exciting and more prestigious when Michigan, Penn State and Ohio State are all at the top of their game. Tate Forcier, Denard Robinson, Brandon Graham and Junior Hemingway all show that Michigan is closer to prominence. Rose Bowl? Unlikely. But bowl-- a win next week versus Notre Dame and it will be a definitive yes.