Around the B1G with K8, 9.4.14

By @ClvlndK8



Welcome to Around the B1G with K8! It was a good weekend for the Big Ten... 12-2 ain't too shabby!  No conference games yet but they'll be here soon.

Wisconsin had an opportunity to earn big points on the national stage and instead, fizzled in the second half to LSU. Oh well, there's always #7 Michigan State vs #3 Oregon this weekend to see if the conference can move up in the estimation of a college football system that thinks we've gone soft.

Ohio State, while getting the win and covering the spread, made quite a few fans (and most of my twitter timeline) crazy with shaky first half play vs Navy. Everyone - including ME - knew they were going to run the ball with that triple option they run so well, but our defense seemed to have no answer for it until late in the game. While many fans are freaking out (they're panicking, I can hear them) I think it's too soon for that. Relax and let Urb do his thing, Buckeye Nation!

Maryland is dealing with some behavioral issues, violations of the school's student code of conduct. WR Levern Jacobs #8 and Safety A.J. Hendy #19 have been suspended for the entire season. Jacob's (junior) is the result of a second-degree assault charge that came down last week over an altercation back on July 19th. Hendy (senior) was involved in the same incident but, as of today, no charges have been filed against him. While Jacobs was their #3 receiver and Hendy the backup safety behind Anthony Nixon, they were still expected to have impacts on the Terrapins season.

Penn State faces a surprisingly good opponent this weekend in the Akron Zips. Now, since I have a daughter going to Akron, I'll be rooting for them. The Nittany Lions squeezed by UCF 26-24 last week and the Zips took care of Howard 41-0. Yeah, not exactly a juggernaut of talent at Howard but still, the Zips have some offensive weapons to watch out for. Quietly creeping up the polls (29th) and trying to overcome the NCAA sanctions that crippled this team, they need to make the most of their schedule and beating Akron would certainly keep them on track to prove they are back. Oh yeah, and QB Christian Hackenberg is a serious Heisman contender. I'll keep telling you that every week until you start to listen!

When the big news in Nebraska is a competition at the long snapper position, it's been a slow week. Seriously. Senior Paul Kelly expected to continue his role when along comes freshman Josh Faulkenberry from Colorado and, dude, he won the job. Cleanly snapping for 2 field goals, 7 extra points and 2 punts in their huge win over Florida Atlantic last week (55-7!), Josh is making a case to keep the job. And to make it even more strange... you can get a Josh t-shirt. I kid you not. I guess they do know how to have fun in Cornhusker Land!

Michigan travels to Notre Dame this week, should be a good game. And that's all I have to say about that.


Respectfully Submitted,

Cleveland Kate