MNVCGUY
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The non-conf season is basically over (a few teams still have a non-conf game to play) so seemed like a good time to take stock of where the teams in the West stand heading into conference play. For what it is worth here is my take:
1. Minnesota - Has yet to play a good team but has completely dominated the 3 bad teams it has played to this point which is what good teams do. Bell injury is a bit of a buzz kill but there is some depth at WR. Most importantly it appears that Mo, Potts, and Williams are all back at 100% following their season ending injuries last year which give the Gophers an extremely formidable backfield for teams to contend with. Combined with an OC who understands how to attack defenses and a defense that looks very strong, the Gophers are the easy pick for the top team in the West right now.
2. Wisconsin - I struggled a little bit with Wisconsin or Purdue in the 2 spot but will give the nod to the Badgers. Defense does not appear to be as dominant as last year and the home loss to Washington State was a shocker. Mertz is playing a little better but Allen does not seem as explosive as last year. Badgers look solid but not spectacular.
3. Purdue - Tough team to get a handle on. They clearly have some talent but can't seem to get out of their own way. And most importantly, they can't run the football. Hard fought loss at home against what looks like a very good Penn State team and then they melted down with penalties to give Syracuse the yardage it needed to get the game winning score last week. Their schedule is favorable but feels like a team that will find a way to beat itself.
4. Illinois - Going to give them the slight nod over Iowa for the #4 spot. They have some weapons on offense but they just don't feel like a contender at this point. Bielema does seem to have them moving in the right direction. Will be an interesting team to watch as conference play kicks into high gear.
5. Iowa - Defense looks very strong, Special Teams (especially the punter) look amazing, Offense.....yeah, not so much. Scary putting them this low but with the schedule they have and how their already weak offense from last year appears to have actually gotten worse, I just don't think the Hawkeyes are going to be in the mix for the West this year.
6. Northwestern - They have won one game and that is over the team that comes next. Will be shocked if they are in the mix for the West this year even though it is an even year and that usually means they contend lately. Just looks like a bad team....but not as bad as.....
7. Nebraska - Head coach has been fired, DC has been fired, and my guess is the wheels will come totally off in Nebraska following the Oklahoma loss. They still have some playmakers but this team is a complete train wreck right now and is the easy pick for #7 in the West.
Agree/Disagree.....scared to feel confident? What read to others have on the West as we get ready to get fully into conference play?
1. Minnesota - Has yet to play a good team but has completely dominated the 3 bad teams it has played to this point which is what good teams do. Bell injury is a bit of a buzz kill but there is some depth at WR. Most importantly it appears that Mo, Potts, and Williams are all back at 100% following their season ending injuries last year which give the Gophers an extremely formidable backfield for teams to contend with. Combined with an OC who understands how to attack defenses and a defense that looks very strong, the Gophers are the easy pick for the top team in the West right now.
2. Wisconsin - I struggled a little bit with Wisconsin or Purdue in the 2 spot but will give the nod to the Badgers. Defense does not appear to be as dominant as last year and the home loss to Washington State was a shocker. Mertz is playing a little better but Allen does not seem as explosive as last year. Badgers look solid but not spectacular.
3. Purdue - Tough team to get a handle on. They clearly have some talent but can't seem to get out of their own way. And most importantly, they can't run the football. Hard fought loss at home against what looks like a very good Penn State team and then they melted down with penalties to give Syracuse the yardage it needed to get the game winning score last week. Their schedule is favorable but feels like a team that will find a way to beat itself.
4. Illinois - Going to give them the slight nod over Iowa for the #4 spot. They have some weapons on offense but they just don't feel like a contender at this point. Bielema does seem to have them moving in the right direction. Will be an interesting team to watch as conference play kicks into high gear.
5. Iowa - Defense looks very strong, Special Teams (especially the punter) look amazing, Offense.....yeah, not so much. Scary putting them this low but with the schedule they have and how their already weak offense from last year appears to have actually gotten worse, I just don't think the Hawkeyes are going to be in the mix for the West this year.
6. Northwestern - They have won one game and that is over the team that comes next. Will be shocked if they are in the mix for the West this year even though it is an even year and that usually means they contend lately. Just looks like a bad team....but not as bad as.....
7. Nebraska - Head coach has been fired, DC has been fired, and my guess is the wheels will come totally off in Nebraska following the Oklahoma loss. They still have some playmakers but this team is a complete train wreck right now and is the easy pick for #7 in the West.
Agree/Disagree.....scared to feel confident? What read to others have on the West as we get ready to get fully into conference play?
