Big Ten Report, Part II
ASA.COM
Minnesota
Week That Was: While Mark Dantonio might have gotten off to a strong start in East Lansing, Minnesota head coach Tim Brewster’s start was a big more inauspicious. The Gophers trailed 21-0 at half to Bowling Green, came all the way back to take a 24-21 lead, but fell in overtime when the Falcons converted a two-point conversion to end the game. Minnesota’s newly-installed Spread Coast offense had its ups with the running game producing 248 yards and its downs with the passing game never getting on track. The Gopher secondary provided very little resistance on defense, surrendering 412 passing yards.
Week That Will Be: Minnesota isn’t done with the MAC yet as it will host Miami (OH) next week in its second consecutive game against the conference. The Gophers have won six consecutive games SU against MAC foes and are 5-1 ATS in those contests. This game marks the first time Minnesota will be less than double-digit favorites against a MAC program. The Gophers are just 17-22-2 ATS since 1980 as single-digit home favorites but are 11-6 ATS in their last 17 contests under that scenario. Additionally, they are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games as a home favorite and are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 non-conference tilts.
Northwestern
Week That Was: The Wildcats offense started to pick up steam toward the end of the 2006 season and carried that momentum over into their season opener this year. Northwestern blanked Northeastern 27-0 behind a well-balanced offensive attack that controlled the clock throughout. Quarterback C.J. Bacher, who finished the 2006 campaign with five consecutive 200-yard outings, picked up right where he left off, completing 23-of-29 passes for 243 yards. Tyrell Sutton handled the running duties, carrying 24 times for 108 yards.
Week That Will Be: The Wildcats will play Nevada this week in a rematch from last year’s meeting. Northwestern fell 31-21 on the road as 7-point dogs in that one but will host Nevada as 10-point favorites in this one. Nevada got absolutely demolished in its season opener, getting outgained 625-185 in losing 52-10 to Nebraska. Northwestern obviously isn’t in the same league as the Huskers but it could potentially put up some big numbers. Northwestern has lost three straight contests to WAC foes but is 2-0 ATS since 1980 as double-digit favorites against the conference.
Ohio State
Week That Was: Ohio State appears to have thoroughly dominated in its 38-6 win over Youngstown State but there were definitely holes, most notably the running game. The Buckeyes averaged just 3.6 yards on 41 carries against an awful Youngstown State defense. Quarterback Todd Boeckman had a solid debut as the starter but he’ll need more help from the running attack as the season progresses if the Ohio State offense wants to compete in the Big Ten.
Week That Will Be: The Buckeyes will host MAC opponent Akron this weekend as 28.5-point favorites. Ohio State has never lost to a MAC program, going 12-0 since 1992, including wins over Northern Illinois and Bowling Green last year. But the Buckeyes are just 4-6 ATS in the last 10 games against the MAC, splitting last year’s contests. Ohio State will need an improved running game if it is to cover this four-touchdown spread.
Penn State
Week That Was: At first glance Penn State’s 59-0 pasting of Florida International looks like the impressive win in the conference. But then one has to take into account that FIU is one of the worst teams in college football. Then it’s not so impressive. Anthony Morelli set numerous career highs in Joe Paterno’s return to the sideline and the defense pitched a shutout. The running game struggled at times, though, gaining just 35 yards on 16 carries in the first half. It got on track in the second half but is still cause for concern.
Week That Will Be: The Lions will get their chance at revenge when they host Notre Dame this weekend. Penn State fell behind 27-0 in losing 41-17 to the Irish in last year’s meeting and will be anxious to turn the tables. This game once had expectations to be a quality game but Notre Dame’s stinker in its season opener has pushed the spread to 17.5 in favor of the Lions. Penn State is 8-5 SU and 7-5-1 ATS against the Irish since 1981. Within the series, the Lions are 4-2 ATS at home and 5-0 ATS off a double-digit win. Additionally, Penn State is 4-1 ATS in its last five non-conference games and 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games as a double-digit favorite.
Purdue
Week That Was: The Purdue offense was the definition of well-balanced, totaling 244 rushing yards and 244 passing yards in downing Toledo 52-24. The Boilermakers passing game put up solid numbers overall with 244 yards and four touchdowns but it could have been better. Quarterback Curtis Painter completed less than 50 percent of his passes and his wideouts dropped numerous passes.
Week That Will Be: The Boilermakers will return to West Lafayette for their home opener this weekend against Eastern Illinois. Their defense struggled at times against Toledo but this game will give them a chance to work out the kinks.
Wisconsin
Week That Was: Tyler Donovan put all Badger fans at ease when he proved to be more than capable of taking over for the departed John Stocco. Donovan looked great in just his third career start, throwing for 284 yards and three scores in Wisconsin’s 42-24 win over Washington State. The Cougars were expected by some to make some considerable noise in the Pac-10 this year but the Badgers made the Big Ten proud. It was one of the rare Wisconsin wins in which the passing game carried the offense. The Badgers tallied 182 yards on the ground but averaged just four yards per carry.
Week That Will Be: Wisconsin takes to the road this weekend when it plays UNLV as 25-point road favorites. The Badgers are 5-2 SU but just 2-3 ATS against UNLV since 1985. Within those records, Wisconsin is just 1-3 ATS as a double-digit favorite. Wisconsin has its share of trends going in its favor as well, though. The Badgers are 9-0-1 ATS in their last 10 September games, 7-0-1 ATS in their last eight road contests and 10-1 ATS in their last 11 non-conference games.