Foaming At The Mouth
Turn out the lights, the party's over
Ive been way too lazy to do periodic updates on football. It was just easier to wait until the end of the year and do a wrap-up on how things went. For the handful of people who might be interested, here's Northsider's Big Ten Football Postseason Review!
Penn State
What I thought before the season: Has great potential with so much returning experience...(but) inexperienced QB
What actually happened::The experience paid off, and the QB Daryll Clark rose to the occasion. They weren't the strongest Big Ten champ; they didn't have the "name" players or units that could strike fear into opponents' hearts. But neither did Alabama and they're looking at a national title slot.
Final assessment: Joe Paterno somehow managed to put himself front and center as an icon of enduring success. He's like the AARP poster boy.
Ohio State
What I thought before the season: If they win (against USC in week 2) they face few challenges in the conference slate and seem likely to be the B10's representative to the nation
What actually happened: Indeed, they faced few challenges in the rest of their schedule. But they lost that game to USC by an embarrassing margin and then the big in-conference game to Penn State.
Final assessment: Anytime Ohio State doesn't compete for the national title, they'll consider it a failed season. They still have trouble against spread offenses and it won't get any easier without Laurinaitus or Malcolm Jenkins next year
Michigan State
What I thought before the season: The Spartans will need to determine their identity. Are they going to rely on RB Jevon Ringer even though they have little experience on the line to block for him?
What actually happened: They figured it out all right. Jevon Ringer had a fine season and QB Brian Hoyer didn't mess things up
Final assessment: Like Penn State, they weren't spectacular but they won their ball games. They're looking at a New Year's Day bowl bid for their efforts.
Northwestern
What I thought before the season: New defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz...is considered a fantastic acquisition for a program sorely in need of an upgrade on defense
What actually happened: Not only did Hankwitz pay immediate dividends on defense, but a surprising degree of depth showed up when several star players went out with injuries. The 'Cats finished a remarkable 9-3.
Final assessment: Pat Fitzgerald has moved to the head of the class as one of the NCAA's most impressive young coaches after earning a good bowl bid just three seasons after Randy Walker's untimely death.
Iowa
What I thought before the season: Iowa's reputation for a lack of discipline just got worse....There was the possibility (head coach Kirk Ferentz) would be fired even before the season started....Iowa's offense is one dimension short of being considered 'one-dimensional', and opponents will probably be able to pass all day.
What actually happened: RB Shonn Greene came out of nowhere to become the top rushing threat in the Big Ten. The early season stumbles shook off and the Hawkeyes finished in the top half of the conference.
Final assessment: Still skating on thin ice, Iowa is lucky to have salvaged a respectable finish to the season. The Penn State win was nice for the team's reputation. It's hard to see consistent success for this program until they lose the reputation for a lack of discipline
Minnesota
What I thought before the season: Probably won't be much better, but should be somewhat better. For the time being, with the defense in shambles, conference wins will be few. But should win some of the low-hanging fruit in non-conference play
What actually happened: Minnesota did FAR better than expected. They were even ranked in the top 25 after beginning the season 7-1. They slipped in the late going, but are not the conference doormat they were last year.
Final assessment: Head coach Adam Weber has recruited well and has good coordinators to support him. This turnaround was no fluke.
Wisconsin
What I thought before the season: A few beefy recruits could pay early dividends on the defensive line...Wisconsin has the front seven to make a mess of opposing teams, especially if the defense steps up...opening game vs. Akron gives fans a chance to learn about QB Allan Evridge, the Badgers' 4th new QB in 4 years
What actually happened: I hedged my preseason comments with a lot of ifs and maybes. The talent that Wisconsin had on paper didn't show up on the field. They reverted back to what cost them last season: injuries and underperformance
Final assessment: Head coach Bret Bielema isn't in jeopardy of losing his job. But the Badgers recruit well and really ought to be able to to play power football, winning the line of scrimmage and grinding out victories. Wisconsin fans must be very frustrated.
Illinois
What I thought before the season: Last year (2007) was a good year for proving Ron Zook can coach, not just recruit....Illinois stands as he most serious contender to OSU for the conference crown. And they'll probably get a top-tier bowl even if they don't
What actually happened: I was wrong, wrong, wrong. The Illini looked sluggish and unmotivated much of the season. They didn't lose that many star players (though Mendenhall and J Leman were significant) from the previous year but somehow they fell to pieces. The Illini went from the Rose Bowl to bowl ineligible in one season
Final assessment: QB Juice Williams still has acres of talent for his upcoming senior season and the team has recruited very well. Yet they still seem likely to sink to the lower-middle of the Big Ten going forward
Purdue
What I thought before the season: (Coach) Tiller and (QB) Painter can team up to go out with a bang. And they'll have some other weapons to work with...the Boilermakers could find themselves in the mix for the top echelon of the conference
What actually happened: Well they could have been near the top of the conference, but they weren't. Things could have turned out so much different if they'd held on for the win against Oregon in week 2.
Final assessment: One of those aching 'woulda, coulda, shoulda' years for Purdue. They knew they were facing a transition (Head coach Joe Tiller announced his retirement before the season). Don't be surprised if this program lands on its feet in the next two years.
Michigan
What I thought before the season: In the offseason Michigan football found itself in the middle of college football's biggest, messiest divorce...now UM has a new coach, a new offensive scheme, and needs a new QB, RB, and two new WRs...The first game vs. Utah is already tabbed as a possible upset
What actually happened: All the chickens came home to roost. The preseason top-25 ranking was based solely on the Michigan Wolverines brand-name rather than the many personnel losses and the obvious coaching turmoil.
Final assessment: By any measure, 2008 was the worst season in Michigan football history. Next season will probably be somewhat better, but concerns will dog this team for awhile
Indiana
What I thought before the season: This season shouldn't be too bad. They have the easiest schedule in all of Division 1-A, and they return their star QB Kellen Lewis, who can bedevil teams with either the run or the pass. Bowl eligibility is not unreasonable.
What actually happened: Kellen Lewis and the few other names on the team never got traction.
Final assessment: Second-year head coach Bill Lynch got a vote of confidence from the Indiana athletic director last week. If he can recruit some names and has time to develop them, then maybe Indiana has a future.
Turn out the lights, the party's over
Ive been way too lazy to do periodic updates on football. It was just easier to wait until the end of the year and do a wrap-up on how things went. For the handful of people who might be interested, here's Northsider's Big Ten Football Postseason Review!
Penn State
What I thought before the season: Has great potential with so much returning experience...(but) inexperienced QB
What actually happened::The experience paid off, and the QB Daryll Clark rose to the occasion. They weren't the strongest Big Ten champ; they didn't have the "name" players or units that could strike fear into opponents' hearts. But neither did Alabama and they're looking at a national title slot.
Final assessment: Joe Paterno somehow managed to put himself front and center as an icon of enduring success. He's like the AARP poster boy.
Ohio State
What I thought before the season: If they win (against USC in week 2) they face few challenges in the conference slate and seem likely to be the B10's representative to the nation
What actually happened: Indeed, they faced few challenges in the rest of their schedule. But they lost that game to USC by an embarrassing margin and then the big in-conference game to Penn State.
Final assessment: Anytime Ohio State doesn't compete for the national title, they'll consider it a failed season. They still have trouble against spread offenses and it won't get any easier without Laurinaitus or Malcolm Jenkins next year
Michigan State
What I thought before the season: The Spartans will need to determine their identity. Are they going to rely on RB Jevon Ringer even though they have little experience on the line to block for him?
What actually happened: They figured it out all right. Jevon Ringer had a fine season and QB Brian Hoyer didn't mess things up
Final assessment: Like Penn State, they weren't spectacular but they won their ball games. They're looking at a New Year's Day bowl bid for their efforts.
Northwestern
What I thought before the season: New defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz...is considered a fantastic acquisition for a program sorely in need of an upgrade on defense
What actually happened: Not only did Hankwitz pay immediate dividends on defense, but a surprising degree of depth showed up when several star players went out with injuries. The 'Cats finished a remarkable 9-3.
Final assessment: Pat Fitzgerald has moved to the head of the class as one of the NCAA's most impressive young coaches after earning a good bowl bid just three seasons after Randy Walker's untimely death.
Iowa
What I thought before the season: Iowa's reputation for a lack of discipline just got worse....There was the possibility (head coach Kirk Ferentz) would be fired even before the season started....Iowa's offense is one dimension short of being considered 'one-dimensional', and opponents will probably be able to pass all day.
What actually happened: RB Shonn Greene came out of nowhere to become the top rushing threat in the Big Ten. The early season stumbles shook off and the Hawkeyes finished in the top half of the conference.
Final assessment: Still skating on thin ice, Iowa is lucky to have salvaged a respectable finish to the season. The Penn State win was nice for the team's reputation. It's hard to see consistent success for this program until they lose the reputation for a lack of discipline
Minnesota
What I thought before the season: Probably won't be much better, but should be somewhat better. For the time being, with the defense in shambles, conference wins will be few. But should win some of the low-hanging fruit in non-conference play
What actually happened: Minnesota did FAR better than expected. They were even ranked in the top 25 after beginning the season 7-1. They slipped in the late going, but are not the conference doormat they were last year.
Final assessment: Head coach Adam Weber has recruited well and has good coordinators to support him. This turnaround was no fluke.
Wisconsin
What I thought before the season: A few beefy recruits could pay early dividends on the defensive line...Wisconsin has the front seven to make a mess of opposing teams, especially if the defense steps up...opening game vs. Akron gives fans a chance to learn about QB Allan Evridge, the Badgers' 4th new QB in 4 years
What actually happened: I hedged my preseason comments with a lot of ifs and maybes. The talent that Wisconsin had on paper didn't show up on the field. They reverted back to what cost them last season: injuries and underperformance
Final assessment: Head coach Bret Bielema isn't in jeopardy of losing his job. But the Badgers recruit well and really ought to be able to to play power football, winning the line of scrimmage and grinding out victories. Wisconsin fans must be very frustrated.
Illinois
What I thought before the season: Last year (2007) was a good year for proving Ron Zook can coach, not just recruit....Illinois stands as he most serious contender to OSU for the conference crown. And they'll probably get a top-tier bowl even if they don't
What actually happened: I was wrong, wrong, wrong. The Illini looked sluggish and unmotivated much of the season. They didn't lose that many star players (though Mendenhall and J Leman were significant) from the previous year but somehow they fell to pieces. The Illini went from the Rose Bowl to bowl ineligible in one season
Final assessment: QB Juice Williams still has acres of talent for his upcoming senior season and the team has recruited very well. Yet they still seem likely to sink to the lower-middle of the Big Ten going forward
Purdue
What I thought before the season: (Coach) Tiller and (QB) Painter can team up to go out with a bang. And they'll have some other weapons to work with...the Boilermakers could find themselves in the mix for the top echelon of the conference
What actually happened: Well they could have been near the top of the conference, but they weren't. Things could have turned out so much different if they'd held on for the win against Oregon in week 2.
Final assessment: One of those aching 'woulda, coulda, shoulda' years for Purdue. They knew they were facing a transition (Head coach Joe Tiller announced his retirement before the season). Don't be surprised if this program lands on its feet in the next two years.
Michigan
What I thought before the season: In the offseason Michigan football found itself in the middle of college football's biggest, messiest divorce...now UM has a new coach, a new offensive scheme, and needs a new QB, RB, and two new WRs...The first game vs. Utah is already tabbed as a possible upset
What actually happened: All the chickens came home to roost. The preseason top-25 ranking was based solely on the Michigan Wolverines brand-name rather than the many personnel losses and the obvious coaching turmoil.
Final assessment: By any measure, 2008 was the worst season in Michigan football history. Next season will probably be somewhat better, but concerns will dog this team for awhile
Indiana
What I thought before the season: This season shouldn't be too bad. They have the easiest schedule in all of Division 1-A, and they return their star QB Kellen Lewis, who can bedevil teams with either the run or the pass. Bowl eligibility is not unreasonable.
What actually happened: Kellen Lewis and the few other names on the team never got traction.
Final assessment: Second-year head coach Bill Lynch got a vote of confidence from the Indiana athletic director last week. If he can recruit some names and has time to develop them, then maybe Indiana has a future.
VIEW 8 of 8 COMMENTS
tallboy66:
I only play in the winter a few days a week, well everyday and the multi player is not for me I can barely keep myself alive I'd for sure kill my comrades.
tntkatie:
well thanks. 