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          Big Ten Blog

          B1G conference call: Best of Week 2

          • Josh Moyer, ESPN Staff WriterSep 2, 2014, 03:30 PM ET
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            • Covers Penn State and Big Ten.
            • Joined ESPN in 2012.
            • Graduate of Penn State University and Columbia University.
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          Week 2 of the Big Ten coaches' teleconference is in the books. And, as usual, we were on the calls to keep you up to speed.

          Here's a look at some of the highlights:


          My take: Mark Dantonio is right, but perception is a fickle thing. Before Braxton Miller's injury, Ohio State was still favored to win the Big Ten title. And, even now, the Spartans are the underdog this weekend by double digits. Michigan State keeps having to prove itself over and over again. So when's enough? I have to think if MSU upsets the Ducks that'll be it. You're up against the No. 3 team and a Heisman candidate in Marcus Mariota, so a win over a team like that should definitely vault MSU up the polls. If this doesn't do the trick this season, no other regular-season game will.
          My take: The Illini aren't bound for a bowl, but I'm still surprised by the line. And I don't think I'm going out on a limb by saying, when Illinois initially scheduled this game, it didn't expect this line either. Western Kentucky tallied up more than 700 yards of offense against Bowling Green, so the Illinois game could end up being a shootout. Tim Beckman's crew really needs to improve its running game from last week; 3.5 yards a carry won't cut it vs. the Hilltoppers. My take: James Franklin also previously said a team needs to play up to its strengths -- and that's definitely the passing game. The Nittany Lions boast two very good tailbacks in Bill Belton and Zach Zwinak, but even the best backs in the B1G couldn't gain yards with an offensive line like Penn State's. The line did a decent enough job at pass protection, and this line could jell in the future. But for now? Hackenberg's right arm will dictate the success of this offense. Balance is a great thing to shoot for, but I don't know if we'll be seeing it against better opponents than Akron early in the season.