InSpin

Nittany Lions -2 vs. Buckeyes

Ohio State has arrived. The team has struggled through many of their contests this year and seemed listless in most of them. This all changed last week when the Buckeyes traveled north to meet the Michigan State Spartans. The Spartans were in a three way tie with Ohio State and Penn State and any hopes they had at being in a two-way tie for or sole possession of first place was sunk about midway through the first quarter. Ohio State (7-1, 4-0) played their most complete game of the year and dominated in every aspect of the game as they stomped Michigan State 45-7 in East Lansing.

Over in Happy Valley at roughly the same time, a similar story was developing. Not that Penn State (8-0, 4-0) was playing their first complete game of the year; they have had many of those, but that they took their frustrations out on an opponent. This time it was the Michigan Wolverines who they had not beaten since 1996. Michigan stormed out to a 17-7 lead and it seemed the Wolverines were going to once again come in as an inferior opponent and destroy another Penn State season. Coach Joe Paterno stated before the game that Michigan was not in their heads, but it appeared early on that they were firmly in the Nittany Lions heads. Penn State turned on the burners in the second half and did not allow Michigan to score as they lit up the score board for 39 straight points on way to a 46-17 rout.

This game is a matchup of the top Big Ten teams and the number three and nine teams in the nation will go along way in clearing up the Big Ten picture as well as the national title picture. While Penn State put a stop to one streak by finally beating Michigan, they must buck a couple of other trends to keep their undefeated season going. The Nittany Lions have not won a road game against a top ten team in ten tries. In addition, Penn State must win in Columbus for the first time since 1978.

For the Lions to win, Daryll Clark, an Ohio native, must be his best. He has been most of the season as he is the conference's second-highest rated passer and has tossed and ran for 19 touchdowns. Clark has done a stellar job, but it is a possibility he could be riding the pine if it were not for Ohio State's signal caller.  Chances are if Pennsylvania's own Terrelle Pryor had chosen Penn State over Ohio State, he would be the starting quarterback in Happy Value, much like he is in Columbus.

Pryor had his best game of his young career last Saturday in East Lansing. Coach Jim Tressel had Pryor on a short leash because of his recent struggles, but he appeared to solidify the starting position with 116 yards through the air, 72 yards on the ground and a touchdown pass.

InSpin.com

Buckeyes - 1 vs. Badgers

Coming into the season, most people thought that Ohio State and Wisconsin would be the class of the Big Ten and this game on Saturday would decide who received roses on January 1st, or to an even better BSC game. Things have not gone as planned for the Buckeyes and Badgers as they prepare for their tilt in Madison.

While each team has only one loss, neither has been very impressive in their wins this season. Ohio State (4-1, 1-0) had struggled with inferior opponents before and after their much-hyped tussle with USC and we all know how that game turned out. The scores of Ohio State's wins tell a different story, as most of the final results were blowouts, but anyone who watched the games knows it was a struggle for the Buckeyes. This is highlighted by the fact that Ohio State has failed to cover the spread in any of the games they have been favored in this season. Of course the folks in Columbus would say this is because Chris "Beanie" Wells has been injured and Terrelle Pryor has been getting on the job training. The reality is that the Buckeyes have been listless with or without Pryor and Wells. The Badgers are the best team Ohio State has played East of the Mississippi, so perhaps the Buckeyes may yet find that vigor.

What a difference a half makes. The Wisconsin Badgers (3-1, 0-1) were well in control in Michigan Stadium last Saturday. Leading 19-0, it seemed Wisconsin would win in Ann Arbor for the first time since 1994 and have some momentum going into their showdown against the Buckeyes. Alas, this was not the case. Buoyed by unusual boos echoing through their stadium, the Wolverines took advantage of a Badger team in cruise control to score 21 straight points as they hung on to win 27-25. As bad as the fourth quarter was for Wisconsin, they were an illegal procedure call away from sending the game into overtime.

Watch for Wells to dial it up a notch against his first quality opponent of the season, while Wisconsin tries to rev up their offense against a questionable Buckeye defense.

With Penn State looking like the class of the conference, this is a must win for these two teams to stay in the Big Ten race.

InSpin.com