Thursday, October 14, 1999
Buckeyes still can have say in Big Ten race
But OSU's impact likely as spoiler
BY SCOTT MacGREGOR
The Cincinnati Enquirer
If you thought you had Big Ten football figured out three weeks ago, you were probably wrong. Don't even try to figure it out now.
After a topsy-turvy start to the conference schedule — highlighted by No.5 Michigan State's upset of then-No.4 Michigan last Saturday — handicapping the league champion isn't as easy as it once seemed.
Is it Penn State's year or Michigan State's? Wasn't it supposed to be Michigan's too? And did you ever think Ohio State would be playing the role of spoiler just two weeks into the conference schedule?
Penn State (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten) is ranked second in the nation, has a tough, play-making defense, a balanced, two-quarterback offense and, by all accounts, the best shot to win the league title. But who knows how good these Nittany Lions really are? They almost lost to Pitt at home, just a week after waxing then-national championship contender Arizona.
“My only concern in that we play well enough to win football games,” Penn State coach Joe Paterno said. “When you win enough football games, you're going to get recognition.”
“This might be as good a team as Joe's had over there,” said Ohio State coach John Cooper, whose team plays at State College, Pa., this week.
Michigan State (6-0, 3-0) has moved to the fore of league attention after its high-powered offense beat Michigan 34-31 Saturday. Quarterback Bill Burke threw for a school-record 400 yards. The Spartans' defense is giving up just 37 yards a game on the ground.
“I think we've just come to a point where we've expected to win close games and we've expected to compete with the best teams in the country,” Burke said. “We're going to move up one step at a time ... When you look too far ahead, you kind of press upon it, so we're just going to guard against that.”
But there are still tests ahead, with four of the Spartans' next five games against ranked teams. Can they beat Penn State in East Lansing on the season's final day (Nov.20), the biggest game remaining on the league schedule?
What roles will Michigan (5-1, 2-1) and Ohio State (4-2, 1-1) play? The Wolverines could have been in the national championship picture. Now they'll need both Penn State and Michigan State to lose at least once to even tie for the Big Ten title. Michigan's running game, thought to be a strength early, has stalled, picking up just six net yards against MSU.
“We're emotionally a very tired football team,” Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. “Looking at the film (of last week), I didn't see the kind of intensity we needed.”
No.18 Ohio State is still mathe matically in the picture, but no one outside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center can see a less-talented-than-usual Buckeyes squad winning at Penn State (this Saturday), at Michigan State (Nov.6) and at Michigan (Nov.20). Instead, OSU's role seems to be that of the league's spoiler.
And don't forget rejuvenated No.17 Wisconsin, which plays host to Michigan State Oct.23, and No.20 Purdue, which gets a visit from Penn State the same day. They're not championship caliber, but each has enough weapons (Wisconsin has running back Ron Dayne, Purdue quarterback Drew Brees) to pull an upset.
“In the Big Ten, no one is out of the race yet,” Carr said.
Sports Stories
Smith thinks long ball will beat Pittsburgh
Blackmon real-life 'Waterboy'
Sellout expected in time for TV
Steelers search for answers
What's the spread? UC's offense
Hamilton, Lee to do Xavier TV
