Now is the time of year when one wonders how much credit to give a team for one outlying win, and how much to punish a team for one inexplicable loss?
Contenders:
1) Ohio State--just keep doing what they do. Network has to love the matchup this week.
2) Indiana--Purdue is unlikely to derail them.
3) Oregon--the win they needed.
Top 25-ish: these teams feel pretty interchangeable:
4) USC--not docking much for losing to a better team on the road. Quality wins against Michigan, Iowa, and Northwestern
5) Michigan--did what they were supposed to do against Maryland. Quality wins against Northwestern and Washington?
6) Iowa--shouldn't have needed that comeback to beat MSU. But looking at the games they've played, I'm still tempted to put them higher than Michigan and USC. Beat Penn State, smoked Wisconsin and Minnesota, and was oh so close against both Indiana and Oregon.
Not Ready for Prime Time:
7) Penn State--yikes; that's the team people saw coming in August. Still trying to figure out the loss to UCLA. Maybe Northwestern is decent? Had a chance to beat Oregon, Indiana, and Iowa.
8) Washington--dispatched with a UCLA team returning to the mean. But how much credit do they get for beating Illinois?
9) Northwestern--surprised they couldn't slow down Minnesota's offense, but a win's a win. Beat Penn State, took Michigan to the bell, but lost to Tulane and Nebraska.
Really Not Very Good:
10) Illinois--that was embarrassing. But how low can I drop them for one bad game? Conversely, how much credit do they get for beating USC?
11) Minnesota--let that one get away. Have had the benefit of a soft schedule; their best win was their beat down over...
12) Nebraska--on the basis of the H2H with Minnesota. Best games were losses to Michigan and USC.
13) Wisconsin--weirdly, better two wins than any of the teams outside of the top five (Washington and Illinois), but that loss to Maryland is inexcusable, Iowa wrecked them, and Michigan was never worried in Ann Arbor. The defense is competent, the offense is terrible.
14) UCLA--how much credit for that home win over Penn State? Because otherwise they suck.
15) Rutgers--didn't look terrible in the first half against OSU. Best game was competitive-ish against Iowa? But beat:
16) Maryland--that big win in Madison was a long time ago.
Pur-Don't:
17) Michigan State--showed life, but couldn't close the deal. If their results against Minnesota and Iowa are a guide, have a legit shot at getting a win this week, leaving Purdue alone in this category (or welcoming Maryland back where it belongs?).
18) Purdue--enjoy the extra week to prepare for Indiana! If only for one good bounce against either Minnesota or Rutgers...
