Does Latest Ohio State Debacle Cost Them A Playoff Spot?

It seems Ohio State every year travels on the road where they decide not to show up and play good college football and it leaves you scratching your head. This time it was in Purdue as the Buckeyes got pushed around all night long as Purdue dominated them 49-20. It was as bad as the score shows as the Boilermakers were not scared by the No.2 Buckeyes and there high powered offense. This loss really hurts there playoff chances, but it does not eliminate them totally.

Many college football fans think or feel the Buckeyes have no chance, but that's not reality in the college football landscape. Teams can lose a game there suppose to win and still make it. For Ohio State this year could be a tricky one for them. They can make it but will need some help because it could be real close. Here is what must happen for the Buckeyes to have a shot at the playoffs.

The first thing the Buckeyes must do is win out so they can get to the Big Ten Championship game. Purdue also must win out as well so they can avenge their one loss by playing them in the Championship game. A Norte Dame and UCF loss would help alot as well. Ohio State still has a shot and the one thing we have noticed about the committee they will give the Buckeyes a good look even with one loss.

Michigan Wolverines Have A Tough Road To College Football Playoffs

Jim Harbaugh was brought to Michigan to win the Big Ten and a National Championship, but neither has happen just yet. The Wolverines have been very competitive, but no championships just yet. This season's schedule could make that dream even more elusive this season. Michigan lost alot of players on defense and that could spell doom for the Wolverines. Let's look at the schedule for Michigan.

They open up with Florida at AT&T Stadium that will not be an easy game. The third game of the season will be Air Force which is never easy or dealing with their offense. Add in at Penn State and back to back games at Wisconsin and home to Ohio State makes this a tough schedule. Unless the defense comes around quickly, getting to the College Football Playoffs could be tough for the Wolverines.

Saturday Sep. 2		Florida Gators  AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
Saturday Sep. 9		Cincinnati Bearcats  Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
Saturday Sep. 16		Air Force Falcons  Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
Saturday Sep. 23		at Purdue Boilermakers  Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN
Saturday Sep. 30		OFF
Saturday Oct. 7		Michigan State Spartans  Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
Saturday Oct. 14		at Indiana Hoosiers  Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN
Saturday Oct. 21		at Penn State Nittany Lions  Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA
Saturday Oct. 28		Rutgers Scarlet Knights (HC) Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
Saturday Nov. 4		Minnesota Golden Gophers  Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
Saturday Nov. 11		at Maryland Terrapins  Maryland Stadium, College Park, MD
Saturday Nov. 18		at Wisconsin Badgers  Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, WI
Saturday Nov. 25		Ohio State Buckeyes  Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
Saturday Dec. 2		Big Ten Championship Game Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN

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Could Penn State Get Screwed By The College Football Playoff System?

Just a few weeks back nobody was talking about Penn State Football program, but now that has taken a 360 degree turn. The Nittany Lions upset the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything has changed for this program. Penn State has slowly moved up the rankings and could find themselves in the Big Ten Championship game, but will that be enough for the College Football Playoff Committee.

This could get very confusing and upsetting for Penn State fans before its all over. In the scenario that Ohio State wins there last two games just like Penn State must do the Nittany Lions win the tiebreaker. By beating the Buckeyes they would go to the Big Ten Championship game. Seems pretty simple doesn't it, but this is College Football and it is not that simple. We are talking about politics and that could put the Nittany Lions on the outside looking in. Let's look closer at this and how Penn State might be left out.

The College Football Playoff committee has said it values winning your conference championship, but even if Penn State does there record won't be as good as the Buckeyes. Ohio State will have wins over Wisconsin, Michigan, and Oklahoma on their resume. This means even though Penn State beat the Buckeyes they could find themselves not in the playoff format. Is this fair? Of course not, but we are talking about college football and sometimes the committee see's something everyone else does not.

Can Nebraska Finally Get Over The Hump In The Big Ten?

I will admit I thought when Nebraska moved to the Big Ten it suited the kind of football they played, but so far it has been a bit of a rocky road. Nebraska at times have looked good, but for the most part they have looked downright horrible. Some games I will admit I was embarrassed the way they played especially against Wisconsin one year. Over the last few years there have been games that Nebraska fans have come away shaking there heads. Yes, Nebraska fans are passionate and many times they do cross the line on social media calling out coaches and players. Sometimes I wish it would not happen, but it does. Passionate fans is something Nebraska football is all about. Now back to the question can Mike Riley and the Nebraska Cornhuskers get over the hump this year?

Tommy Armstrong will be the key this season once again. I am hoping over the spring and summer he has worked on his decision making skills. Many times he made mistakes that cost Nebraska games because he was trying to do to much. With that said Armstrong also has the heart of a lion as well. He will give you all he has on every play. You really cannot ask any more of a player. I am critical of Tommy Armstrong at times, but I will take him any day of the week. He just needs to make better decisions with the ball this coming season.

I like the offense has they should be able to score points with the talent returning and what is coming in to the program. What worries me the most is the defense. We need a defense that can get stops when needed and that was not the case last season. Hopefully the defense will get better and the Blackshirts will be back. Can they get over the hump? The answer is yes if they get good play and some breaks go there way. This season the Big Ten will be tough, but with the right leadership on the team they will be very competitive this coming season.

Maryland To Join Big Ten In 2014 As Money Talks

Maryland will be heading to the Big Ten in 2014 as the lure of television contracts and big money was too much to turn down. Right now, Maryland is looking for cash as they are strapped and can use the extra revenue that they could get from joining the Big Ten. Maryland recently had to cancel several sports, so the money will help them out a lot. Maryland is giving up the tradition of the ACC for cash and they understand that and so should their fans.

What does the Big Ten get from this partnership? It would seem that the Big Ten does not benefit, but that is far from the truth. They are expanding their base and Maryland can help them reach that and they know it. The revenue they can earn from adding Maryland could be substantial if everything works out for the Big Ten. If the Big Ten did not think they could not make money off of Maryland they would not have been included in the Big Ten simple but true. Even though the Big Ten is a school conference it still is about the money.

The Big Ten wants to be one of the elite conferences and wants a big television contract and the only way to do that is add more teams and bigger markets for their product to reach. Maryland is just one of those steps to get that done. Look for the Big Ten to add at least one other team before it is all said and done.

Is Nebraska Ready For The Big Ten?

All the contracts have been sign and now Nebraska must get ready for Big Ten play shortly. Are the Cornhuskers and their fans over confident entering the Big Ten? Many people wonder if Nebraska can adjust to playing in different venues and a different style of college football. The truth is the Big Ten style actually fits into the mode that Nebraska has played for many years. Line up and see who buckles first.

Running the ball has always been something Nebraska has done well and they will continue to do it in the Big Ten nothing will change there. The one thing that Nebraska will have to get use to is the pride factor that each Big Ten team has and will show them week after week. Big Ten teams know Nebraska is good, and they want to prove they can play with them on a consistent basis. Being over confident is something Nebraska must not let happen if they want to win a Big Ten title. Nothing has changed for the Cornhuskers they still must perform at a high level if they want to reach their goals. Big Ten or Big 12 you must perform on the field week after week.

Bo Pelini will have the Cornhuskers ready for the Big Ten, but you cannot go in over confident or counting on wins. You have to treat each game as important not looking past any opponent. The Big Ten has many good teams that would love to say they beat Nebraska in their first season in the Big Ten. Over confidence is something Nebraska must stay away in their first season in the Big Ten.

Nebraska Joined Big Ten For The Wrong Reasons

Now being a Nebraska Cornhuskers fan when I heard they were moving to the Big Ten I gasped, and just shook my head. My fellow Big Ten friends told me how fortunate I should feel that Nebraska is coming to the best conference in the country. I did point out the Big Ten’s record in championship games is not exactly something to write home about.

When I heard all the reasons that Tom Osborne gave for leaving for the Big Ten it still did not put me at ease. The bottom line is Nebraska is leaving for the Big Ten for all the wrong reasons. The move is mostly for academics and money. It’s not about sports as the Big Ten has never really in recent years been a dominate conference in football or basketball. When the Big Ten tossed cash Nebraska’s way they jumped at the chance.

Yes, Nebraska will do fine in football and other sports in the Big Ten, but really what do they gain from it. A larger recruiting base, but the same teams will be the ones Nebraska will still have to beat to win a National Championship. The Oklahoma’s, Texas, and you pick the SEC team will still be in their way. Switching conferences will not change that. Nebraska switched for all the wrong reasons, but in the end we all know money was one of the biggest factors in it.

Nebraska Cornhuskers Loaded And Ready For Big Ten

Big Ten play will begin in a little while and Nebraska cannot wait to tackle their tough schedule.When I heard that Nebraska Cornhuskers were heading into the Big Ten many different things went through my thought process. I was thinking are they crazy, but after thinking through everything Tom Osborne made a great move that will benefit the school and the football program. In the Big 12 Nebraska was not talked about like they had been in the past. This gives them a chance to be the big dog on campus once again. Many people do not think it will happen, but here is why it will and fairly quickly.

One of the biggest advantages the Cornhuskers will have is now a chance to recruit from a wider base of players than ever before. Nebraska has always been able to recruit, but joining the Big Ten will help them even more. Not that they really needed any help to begin with.

The Big 12 plays a pro style fast pace game and to be honest Nebraska does not have those kinds of athletes. They rather play smash mouth football and the Big 12 was getting away from that and they knew this, so they made a move at the right time. The Big Ten on the other hand does have some pro style offenses, but for the most part they are run first pass second just like Nebraska likes it. They probably know how to play that style of football better than anyone.

Going into the Big Ten is a natural progression as they will be able to do what they love best and that is to run, run, and run some more. They do not have to worry about too many teams scoring tons of points as the Big Ten offenses are not as complex, as you see in the Big 12. This was a perfect chance for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Tom Osborne knew it. Will it be a cake walk for the Huskers? By no means, but they are on a more level playing field, and they get to run the type of offense Husker fans have seen for years. It will be a learning curve for the first year, but after that watch out!