Perhaps the BEST B1G Forum anywhere, here at College Football Fan Site, CFB51!!!

nice match going on in Lincoln tonight

#6 Illinois vs #9 Nebraska

Huskers take the first set 29-27

Shiny new setter not workin' out? 

Nebraska's playing to my expectations.   They are about the only ones in the league who have competed with Minnesota thus far, win some and lose some with the teams at the top.  If they start dropping matches to the bottom tier, I'd be concerned.  I know it isn't breaking news, but the teams with the experienced setters are at the top.   

The Gophers are curb stomping their way to the B1G crown (it appears).  Remaining seven matches of note, they host Purdue and do travel to Penn State, otherwise, they have taken out everybody else, dropping only 3 sets in conference this year.   The offense is a machine, so many weapons, and a great setter.   Rutgers about to enter a season ending gauntlet against top foes, with at NW and hosting MSU in the middle to provide some chance at a first conference win in a few seasons.

Michigan is in a funk (lots of sick players apparently).  They lost at IU this week, which is quietly moving to the NCAA bubble.   Must see TV,  PSU at Nebraska Friday night.

Pitt watch:  they did lose their first match of the season against Duke, so unlikely to host a regional at this point.  BYU and Stanford continue as 1 and 2 respectively.

Standings	Conf.	Overall
Minnesota	13-0	19-2
Illinois	9-3	20-3
Penn State	9-3	18-4
Purdue	9-4	20-4
Wisconsin	9-4	16-5
Nebraska	7-5	16-6
Michigan	7-6	18-6
Indiana	6-7	15-9
Maryland	5-7	14-10
Iowa	4-8	12-11
Northwestern	3-9	13-11
Ohio State	3-9	12-12
Michigan State	3-10	15-11
Rutgers	0-12	6-19

Not many matches last 3 hours in rally scoring, but Nebraska and Penn State manage to do it more than a few times, it seems.   It wasn't necessarily crisp volleyball, but it was a fantastic match to watch.   They are responsible for some of the greatest volleyball matches every played in NCAA (2008 final the GOAT).   Nebraska's D is such a strength,  what they could do with a better offense right now.  They tallied 20 blocks and 104 digs, which I'm fairly certain is a school record, and probably one of the highest dig totals in NCAA history.  Foceke (an OH!) had 29 digs.  Offensively,  geez,  they gagged set one losing 4 set points, and were really careless in sets they won on set point.   Really having a hard time finishing.  Glad to see Lexi Sun bounce back from a terrible 1st/2nd sets. 

side note:  Stanford escaped in 5 at Colorado, and BYU held off San Diego.

The whole top 3 got scares this weekend.  MSU has been a thorn for Minnesota lately.   IU nearly knocked off Purdue, that would've been huge for IU's tourney chances.

Man, injuries have wiped out Ohio State.  That's interesting they bring in a local club player.  Of course I know nothing about her.  I take it she's a student and moonlights in Club?    Michigan winning at UW today in 4 sets.   I think Illinois is the only other B1G candidate for a top 4 seed at this moment.