The open thread is back after taking a week off just like Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Illinois did (as did Iowa )

We have the Schmolik Alma Mater game between Illinois (my undergrad) and Penn State (my grad). If there's any reason I want the Big Ten to succeed, how many people can say they have degrees from two Big Ten universities?

This week looks to be a classic trap week for the "Big Three". Iowa can tell you not to look ahead. Of course, Purdue has a reputation for beating top ranked opponents. Useless stat from ESPN: .
Of course, none of the Big Three play Purdue this week.

Next week is the big matchup with Penn State and Ohio State as well as the Battle of Michigan as they go to East Lansing to play Michigan State. Also, Iowa plays at Wisconsin. If Wisconsin beats Purdue, their game vs. Iowa would be big as they would deal Iowa their 2nd conference loss and have a tiebreak over both them and Purdue. But the Purdue game this week is big in the Big Ten West race.

In non conference play, Oregon travels to UCLA. A loss and the Pac-12's Playoff hopes are all but dead. If Oregon wins, they could be heading for a 12-1 season and give the Playoff Committee a chance to use the head to head against Ohio State. Big Ten fans would like to see any of Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, or Cincinnati lose as well but Oregon is the most likely this week.

Oklahoma will more than likely win, but they should drop 5 spots in the polls simply for trailing Kansas.

Some of these offenses are ridiculous in these early games.

6 Overtimes! 2 FG's per team! 4 OT's with each 2 pt conversions, 0 for 8!

At this rate, Ole Miss is starting to look like attractive!

Wow!

ABC regrets they took Penn State-Ohio State. FOX now has an undefeated Michigan-Michigan State game (which everyone knew was going to happen). This is why you use six day holds. Of course who would have thought Illinois would've beat Penn State?

Brett McMurphy summarized Illinois/Penn State best:

https://twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/statu...3080898561

At least James Franklin wasn't talking about going from good to elite after Iowa's loss! He has an uncanny ability to lose back-to-back games in a season, even with bye weeks in between.

2017 - 10/28 Loss to Ohio State, 11/4 loss to Michigan State. Final record 11-2.
2018 - 9/29 Loss to Ohio State, 10/6 bye, 10/13 loss to Michigan State. Two more losses (one was the bowl game). Final record 9-4.
2019 - 11/9 Loss to Minnesota, 11/16 win over Indiana, 11/23 loss to Ohio State. Final record 11-2.
2020 - COVID-19, though the first game was a loss and spiraled into an 0-5 start.
2021 - Loss to Iowa, bye, loss to Illinois.

I don't think it helps to have him not deny leaving for job openings such as Southern Cal. Every other year he gets a brand new, top of the market deal. I'm ready for him to make the playoffs. Has 2016 really been that long ago? Also wish he coached as well as he talks.