Your attention span is short on the Friday before a huge football weekend, so let’s get in and get out quickly with a final take on the three Big Ten games most likely to impact the league title race.
In East Lansing, Ohio State’s defense is likely the unit most overlooked in the marquee matchup of the Big Ten regular season. Most of the talk in advance of Saturday focuses on the offenses led by Connor Cook and J.T. Barrett. And no one can really look past the Pat Narduzzi-directed Michigan State group. But what about the Buckeyes on defense? It might hold the key to victory for Ohio State, and it’s a revamped bunch under first-year co-coordinator Chris Ash. Cornerback Doran Grant says that the Buckeyes’ defensive showing last year against MSU in a 34-24 loss won’t factor on Saturday. But it should. Ohio State ought to draw energy from it. The best defense is often fueled by emotion. OSU can use recent history to its advantage. Just don't ask Brady Hoke who's got the edge.
Speaking of defense, the group at Wisconsin is better than the sum of its parts. Safety Michael Caputo and linebacker Derek Landisch figure to contend for Big Ten postseason honors, though neither looks like a top candidate for Big Ten defensive player of the year. How, then, to explain the Badgers’ ranking as the No. 1 defense nationally in points and yards allowed? It’s about a selfless approach, epitomized best perhaps by safety Peniel Jean. The Badgers haven’t played a great schedule, but they dismantled decent foes in Maryland and Rutgers the past two weeks. We’ll see this week at Purdue if the Badgers open their critical three-game final stretch with more momentum -- thanks to that defense -- than any other contender in the West.
You want answers? You’ll get answers about Iowa. The Hawkeyes looked downright dangerous last week against Northwestern. And really, it’s been a three-game surge for Iowa on offense, interrupted by an off week and hidden somewhat behind an ugly defensive showing at Maryland on Oct. 18. But last week, wow, it all came together, even the big plays in the passing game. The Hawkeyes have had this in them all season, with receivers Tevaun Smith, Kevonte Martin-Manley and Damond Powell all capable of stretching a defense. But Minnesota leads the Big Ten and ranks fifth nationally in allowing 5.6 yards per pass attempt. If Jake Rudock can throw over the top of the Golden Gophers in the cold, Iowa will roll.
Around the rest of the league:
East Division
Hoke met this week with interim AD Jim Hackett, who has earned his reputation as a powerful leader.
Is MSU offensive tackle Jack Conklin just the guy to stop Joey Bosa?
Thursday marked the 145th anniversary of the first college football game between Rutgers and Princeton. There’s talk that they might get back together in 2019 for the 150th anniversary.
Sophomore cornerback Will Likely has enjoyed a breakout season.
James Franklin is not concerned that his players are pressing in order to qualify for a bowl game.
Indiana is winless in the Big Ten and playing with its No. 3 quarterback, but running back Tevin Coleman has earned the full attention of Penn State’s defense.
West Division
Safety Landon Feichter, who leads Purdue in tackles and had two interceptions last week against Nebraska, is a playmaker. So why not give him a shot to return punts against Wisconsin?
Injuries continue to mount for Northwestern.
Illinois appears set to get Wes Lunt back at quarterback.
Minnesota is about to open a brutal four-game stretch. Good thing the Gophers had a bye week.
Nebraska is helping lead the way for teams using GPS technology to monitor football health and safety issues.