BleedGopher
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Brian Bennett on easiest paths in BT West: "pretty clearly wisconsin and Iowa"
per Bennett's Q&A:
Brian Bennett: As far as the easiest paths, that's pretty clearly Wisconsin and Iowa. Neither team has to play Ohio State, Michigan State or Michigan from the East Division, so that alone gives them a leg up over Minnesota (which goes to Ohio State and hosts the Wolverines) and Nebraska (which must play the Spartans). Wisconsin has to travel to Nebraska and Minnesota, but the Badgers have flexed their muscles against those teams in the recent past. Iowa has to go to Camp Randall and hasn't shown quite enough consistency of late for us to fully trust the Hawkeyes. Which one has the fewest problems? Hoo boy, that's a good one. Based on early-season results alone, Illinois looks like the most complete team in the West, believe it or not. But the Illini haven't played any stiff competition (this week's game at North Carolina will be an interesting gauge). Northwestern could be pretty well-rounded if its offense develops under redshirt freshman quarterback Clayton Thorson. Yet there's a reason so much parity exists in the West Division: every team has major warts right now.
http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post...t-paths-throught-the-west-mitch-leidner-angst
Go Gophers!!
per Bennett's Q&A:
Brian Bennett: As far as the easiest paths, that's pretty clearly Wisconsin and Iowa. Neither team has to play Ohio State, Michigan State or Michigan from the East Division, so that alone gives them a leg up over Minnesota (which goes to Ohio State and hosts the Wolverines) and Nebraska (which must play the Spartans). Wisconsin has to travel to Nebraska and Minnesota, but the Badgers have flexed their muscles against those teams in the recent past. Iowa has to go to Camp Randall and hasn't shown quite enough consistency of late for us to fully trust the Hawkeyes. Which one has the fewest problems? Hoo boy, that's a good one. Based on early-season results alone, Illinois looks like the most complete team in the West, believe it or not. But the Illini haven't played any stiff competition (this week's game at North Carolina will be an interesting gauge). Northwestern could be pretty well-rounded if its offense develops under redshirt freshman quarterback Clayton Thorson. Yet there's a reason so much parity exists in the West Division: every team has major warts right now.
http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post...t-paths-throught-the-west-mitch-leidner-angst
Go Gophers!!