Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
Heading to Mad-town this weekend. Can't wait.
Ben from Franklin, Tenn., writes: Adam, love the blog. Read it (several times) each day. Maybe it's because I'm starting to drink the kool-aid, but this Iowa team, I think can be really special. Before the season, I thought they would lose 3 games (Penn State, Michigan State, Ohio State). After the close win over UNI, I thought it could be a long season. it's never pretty, but they just win. They got down early against both Penn State and Michigan. The UM win was particularly satisfying, as they traditionally spank Iowa. If this Hawkeye team wins out, which is looking more realistic, even winning ugly, can you keep them out of the national title game? They have a brutal road schedule, and played 2 out of conference games against BCS schools.
Adam Rittenberg: First off, Ben, it's nice to hear from a Tennessee resident who doesn't hate my guts. Vol fans struggle to handle humor, as I've learned this week. ... Anyway, yes, Iowa's ability to find different ways to win is certainly a quality that special teams possess. It's great to see a team show the resiliency Iowa has this season, whether it's bouncing back from Ricky Stanzi's interceptions or rallying from a 10-0 hole at Penn State. The road schedule still concerns me, but it also works in Iowa's favor. If the Hawkeyes win out, I really think they'll make the title game.
Paul from Johnstown, Pa., writes: Adam, I know there is a lot of football to be played yet, but what do you think have been the biggest disappointments in the B10 at the midpoint of the season? As a PSU fan, my biggest disappointment has been PSU's linebacker health...I really think college football is missing out on something special since PSU cannot put Mauti, Lee and Bowman on the field together. What other things did you look forward to in the preseason, but have not seen those things blossom?
Adam Rittenberg: Good topic, Paul. I looked forward to Illinois actually showing up to play, Terrelle Pryor making obvious strides as a passer, Northwestern's offensive and defensive line play, Penn State's run game, Michigan State's secondary and improved performances from quarterbacks around the Big Ten. All of those things have been disappointing to varied degrees.
Mike from Columbus, Ohio, writes: Why didnt the big ten want to add one more bowl game with the pac-10? the big ten plays pac 10 teams in non conference games more then they do any other conference. and if you look at Wisconsin's future schedules they have a home and home series with four pac 10 teams. so why not bring back the sun bowl to the big ten or a different bowl game?
Adam Rittenberg: Loved the Sun Bowl, Mike. I think I was one of the few who did, but it was the best bowl staff I've ever dealt with (Fiesta Bowl a close second). You're right, it would have been nice to see a second Big Ten vs. Pac-10 matchup, though I'm not sure if the Pac-10 had as many open bowl slots as the Big Ten this year. It was very important for the Big Ten to maintain a postseason presence in Texas, and the new lineup does so with games in both Houston and Dallas. I would love to see the Big Ten play in the Holiday Bowl, but that's not happening. Still, it's nice to see teams like Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Ohio State playing nonconference games against Pac-10 teams in the future.
Kevin from Chicago writes: Brent Musburger called Donovan Warren the best corner in the big ten and possibly the country. You can see he is a different player this year because he played hurt all of last year. his play this year has been great despite no safety help. he is making plays on the run and pass. If he enters the draft were do you see him going in the draft? since he has the pro size at 6'0 195 and runs 4.41 is what he ran before his surgery this spring i know that cause i was there this spring when he ran that time.
Adam Rittenberg: Warren has definitely improved his draft stock this season. Mel Kiper has Warren as the No. 2 junior cornerback prospect in the 2010 draft, and Warren might be able to overtake Florida's Joe Haden at some point. Was I the only one surprised that Iowa kept throwing the ball in Warren's direction despite a converted safety (Troy Woolfolk) starting at the other corner spot for Michigan? That's got to be a scouting error. Anyway, Warren is certainly leading the way for a Wolverines secondary that isn't very good overall. He's on pace for first-team All-Big Ten honors.
Kyle from Louisville, Ky., writes: Adam, I reread your best case/worst case scenario on Illinois, where in the worst case scenario you had them starting off 1-4, then sweeping the Indiana schools, and finishing the season 2-2 to finish 5-7. Are you starting to think maybe that was a little too optimistic for the Fighting Illini?
Adam Rittenberg: Definitely, Kyle. Illinois certainly doesn't look capable of a 5-7 finish, but there's still a long way to go. The Illini have shown that they struggle at the first sign of adversity. Maybe they can surge when something finally goes their way. But the first-half offensive struggles are really shocking, given Illinois' talent on that side of the ball. Perhaps if Illinois scores first at Indiana on Saturday, things will start to turn around. Maybe that's wishful thinking because I picked the Illini.
Mike from Richmond, Va., writes: I don't see NW scoring 20 points at Spartan Stadium given what they put up last week. NW defense doesn't have enough to hold MSU under 30.Iowa will get a big win on Saturday. The Big 10 needs them to keep rolling.
Adam Rittenberg: You might be right, Mike, but history says otherwise. Northwestern has played very well at Spartan Stadium this decade, averaging 38.8 points in its last four trips to East Lansing. The Wildcats also used last week's game against Miami (Ohio) as a chance to spark their dormant rushing attack, which still showed no life. I'd expect Northwestern to shelve the run on Saturday and attack a Michigan State secondary that has been vulnerable this year. Michigan State should win this game, but a lot of factors favor Northwestern if you look at past seasons.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Adam Rittenberg
Rittenberg joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four years at the Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald, where he covered sports at Notre Dame, Northwestern, DePaul and several other colleges. He lives in Chicago.
BIG TEN SCOREBOARD
Saturday, 11/21
Final 10 Ohio State 21 Michigan 10 Final Minnesota 0 13 Iowa 12 Final 16 Wisconsin 31 Northwestern 33 Final Purdue 38 Indiana 21 Final 14 Penn State 42 Michigan State 14
