Nebraska Picked to Win "Our" Division, Ohio State or Wisconsin That "Other" Division
by Jon Johnston on May 3, 2011 11:15 AM CDT
in 2011 Nebraska Huskers Football
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PrintSorry, I still can't bring myself to type the ultra-crappy names of the Big Ten divisions. I have to do that when I'm writing a formal publication, as I'm currrently spending a lot of time working on "Cornhusker Kickoff 2011" for Maple Street Press.
The analysts at Big Ten Network did a short segment predicting the winners of each of the newly formed (but horrendously named) Big Ten Divisions. Their predictions are after the jump while the link to the BTN segment is here (because I apparently can't embed it) while the segment is below.
If you really think I ought to just give up and start using the new division names, by all means tell me. I'm not against listening to advice. Unless it comes from my spouse or my kids. Then it just goes in one ear and out the other. Really it does. I know that because that's what they tell me.
Our Division predictions as of today:
DiNardo: 1) Nebraska, 2) Michigan State, 3) Michigan
Griffith: 1) Nebraska, 2) Iowa, 3) Michigan State
"Other" Division predictions as of today:
DiNardo: 1) Wisconsin, 2) Ohio State, 3) Penn State
Griffith: 1) Ohio State, 2) Wisconsin, 3) Penn State
I've been ripping through opponent previews for my annual yearbook, and I've developed a pretty decent feel for the teams across the Big Ten (although, seriously, who has a handle on Michigan or Minnesota?). No one ever has a feel for Michigan State, though, and 2011 should be their down year if only because last year was up.
In our division - it's easy to pick Nebraska as the winner because we appear to have the most complete team, despite all the question marks on offense and by questions I mean - does Tim Beck really know what he's doing? - because the last guy didn't and since we're not guaranteed success, things may not work out as well as we'd like.
That's probably okay, because only Iowa and Michigan are close to having complete teams in our division, although - Northwestern isn't completely out of the question if Dan Persa fully recovers.
In that other division - I think it'll come down to whether or not Ohio State can figure out which end of the ball points in the proper direction once the season begins. Between suspensions and a coach who's living in a fantasy world where he can commit no real wrongdoing - who the hell knows what's going to happen with the Buckeyes.
And honestly - who cares? I mean, not about the Buckeyes, but about their football team. The only thing other fans will care about is who's suspended and whether or not there were more revelations about what Jim Tressel did or didn't know this week.
Wisconsin - they've got a great offensive line and two great running backs in James White and Montee Ball. If their quarterback can get anything going in the play-action passing game, they have to be in the conversation.
That's where it's at right now.
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Eh. I kind of like "Ours" and "Other".
That way, I can remember which division we’re in.
by Trey Hillman's Chin on May 3, 2011 11:55 AM CDT reply actions
One I saw that I liked
“Where is Wisconsin?” (Ours)
“Why is Wisconsin here?” (Theirs)
by Albino Tornado on May 3, 2011 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions
The annual Wisconsin "If"
If their quarterback can get anything going in the play-action passing game
Seems like this is Wiscy’s question every year and the answer is pretty accurate in predicting where they end up.
"I shoot, I score. He shoots, I score." - Dan Gable
My two favorite Division names are still:
“Where the hell is Wisconsin?”
and
“Why the hell is Wisconsin over here?”
In the deed, the glory.
Corn Nation!
by Aaron Musfeldt on May 3, 2011 12:51 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Resistance is Futile
Sure, the names are trite,corny, platitudinous (just wanted to use that word), but look at it this way: no one else is going to touch those names.
We have them all to ourselves, while everyone else is sharing “East – West”, “North – South”, blah blah blah.
“Legends and Leaders” will forever be unique thanks to the stink they have generated.
by UltimaRatioRegum on May 3, 2011 2:01 PM CDT reply actions
I'm working with East/West for now...
it’s the closest fit for now. Not 100% accurate, but you get the idea.
I've just been using
The names that everyone thought they should be: Great Lakes & Great Plains.
Hopefully, the league office gets it head out of its butt sometime soon…. Legends & Leaders…. Jeez.
I Really Like That Suggestion
Just wish it fit better geographically.
Michigan and Michigan State definitely aren’t “plains” universities, and Northwestern is without a doubt in the great lakes category, too.
Conversely, Penn, Indiana – not really anywhere near great lakes.
There just isn’t a geographic description that fits, darn it.
by UltimaRatioRegum on May 4, 2011 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Hype = Even More Pressure
Now we have the Big Ten Network, of all sources, hyping this Nebraska team. Don’t get me wrong, I think they could be very good, but I don’t like the added pressure. NU is already the new kid on the block with a big red target on their back, then throw in the toughest conference schedule in the league. And now we’re the Big Ten Network’s pick to win the Division? I have doubts about how a team that has been so unable to produce leadership will be capable of overcoming so much pressure during their first season in the B1G.
My dark horse pick...
…goes to PSU. They were a QB away from a good year last year, don’t be surprised if they change QBs again. Over the next couple of years in what might be JoPas last hoorah, look for PSU to capitalize on some top recruiting classes before dropping off again.
Wisconsin and tOSU both lost a lot to graduation, but I give tOSU the nod with a better bench to compete with PSU for the division title.
Not drinking the green Kool-AId… Sparty may have been more a product of 1 upset over Wisconsin and a favorable schedule absent tOSU than the real deal.
Not buying into Iowa – they have had problems sustaining success with the inexplicably poor recruiting of Ferentz (though it is improving fast).
Not buying into tSUN making a 1 year turnaround, but wouldn’t be surprised to see them at the top soon.
The division title looks to be Nebraska’s to lose, but with a tough schedule (I expect 1 perhaps 2 losses to tOSU, Wisc, or PSU)… there is not a lot of room for an upset within their division.
Not buying into Iowa – they have had problems sustaining success with the inexplicably poor recruiting of Ferentz (though it is improving fast).
I agree with Iowa having trouble sustaining success but it doesnt have anything to do with poor recruiting. Ferentz always brings in fairly good classes that address needs; never really being great or poor. He’s really made inroads into a couple east coast and Florida schools, along with recruiting Ohio well. While he will never have as “good” of a class as he did in 2005, he normally averages in the mid-20’s for recruiting.
"I shoot, I score. He shoots, I score." - Dan Gable
by ClaybornSmash on May 5, 2011 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Penn State needed a heck of a lot more than just a QB to turn things around last year.
Their defense was decidedly mediocre by national standards. It was a gigantic disappointment by Penn State standards.
Editor at BT Powerhouse, a Big Ten Basketball blog.
Author at Acme Packing Company, a Green Bay Packers blog
Donna Noble has left the library. Donna Noble has been saved.
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Jun 1, 2011 2:11 AM CDT up reply actions
Resistance is NOT futile
Ours and Theirs, Ours and Other, whatever. Just don’t use…THOSE names. They can’t make us use them. Let us lead the way away from those legendary bad names.
Heh heh
“Ours and Theirs” (or “Others”) are excellent, but only work from a partisan viewpoint. We need something that can really replace L&L not just on fan blogs, but in announcers mouths. Unfortunately, there are no easy geographic titles that fit at all.
by UltimaRatioRegum on May 4, 2011 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions
I like our new conference name...
Even though I don’t play on it…my Xbox Live tag is HuskerLegends…It has a nice ring to it.
Stay Strong
Keep the faith, my brother. We shall overcome these absurd division names. Don’t give into the man. Do not go gentle into that good night; Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Just say Bo and Woody
We’ll call the Championship the Osborne Trophy, and give Joe Paterno the Joe Paterno trophy every year.
Upcoming Dear Diary post on MGoBlog is gonna try to come up with some names we can all agree on. But honestly, Bo’s the one with Michigan in it, Woody’s the one with Ohio State in it, and everyone can just add the division names to reasons to hate the both of us — at least nobody will forget, and, uh, they are kind of iconic for the conference seeing as for about 50 years it was one of them or their direct disciples winning the conf virtually ever year.
www.mgoblog.com
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