While the Badgers' hopes for Pasadena are as dead as Oasis, the Big Ten battle for a berth in the Bowl of Roses rages on with Ohio State, Michigan and Purdue set to pounce on one another over the next two weeks. With the Wolverines, Buckeyes and Boilermakers each possessing one conference loss, two games to play and at least one opportunity to play against another of the Big Three, the Cardinal breaks down each team's chances.
Ohio State
The defending national champions have, by far, the toughest road to Pasadena, but they probably would have it no other way. If they are able to beat a hungry Purdue team that just whipped a good Iowa team 27-14 at home this Saturday, they must then head to Ann Arbor to face a Michigan team that in all likelihood will have enjoyed a bye of sorts the previous week against Northwestern. Although going 2-0 will be a tall order, the Buckeyes head into their perfect storm playing their best football of the year. Last week, senior quarterback Craig Krenzel performed phenomenally, throwing for more than 200 yards and three touchdowns and also flashing his ability to run the ball as Ohio State easily dispatched a solid Michigan State team that, a week earlier, had given Michigan at tough game. For Ohio State to have a chance to return to the Rose Bowl, it is essential that it does not overlook Purdue in anticipation of the \big one"" against Michigan. For starters, it is debatable whether Michigan is even better than Purdue (the Boilermakers' loss to the Wolverines notwithstanding), and secondly, Purdue will punish any team that takes it lightly. (Right, Wisconsin?)
Purdue
The Purdue Boilermakers, for their part, finish off the season with two road games, but fortunately for Head Coach Joe Tiller and company, the second is against in-state patsy Indiana, which just barely won the Big Ten toilet bowl against Illinois in a 17-14 thriller. As a result, it goes without saying that Purdue will not be overlooking Ohio State when they enter the Horseshoe, which is bad news for the Buckeyes as Purdue possesses possibly the most balanced team in the conference. On offense, the Boilermakers have the sixth best conference rusher in sophomore Jerod Void, the third most prolific quarterback in junior Kyle Orton and the most productive receiver in senior John Standeford. As good as Purdue's offense is, its defense, which trails only Ohio State in total defense, may be better. In addition, Tiller is the best coach in the Big Ten at game-planning from week-to-week, as UW well knows.
Michigan
With its tune-up coming before the real game, Michigan is in the opposite situation of Purdue, not that it will matter. Do not think for a second that Northwestern, despite playing at home, will be able to surprise the Wolverines, a la Wisconsin, because it simply will not happen. Wildcats' Head Coach Randy Walker can run every trick play he has ever stolen from a MAC team, and his team will still get beaten. And badly. The Wolverines are hot, riding a four-game winning streak, including consecutive impressive victories over No. 10-ranked teams in Purdue and Michigan State. Counting their ""game"" against the Wildcats, the Wolverines will have had three weeks to prepare and rest for Ohio State (they are coming off a real bye this week) and should be in great shape playing in the Big House. Michigan also features an outstanding offense, with the conference's top rusher in senior running back Chris Perry, the second most prolific quarterback in senior John Navarre and the third most productive receiver in junior Braylon Edwards.
Outside chances
Both Minnesota and Michigan State are sitting on the bubble of the Big Ten, hoping for some help from the opponents of the top three teams so they may stand a chance to get to Pasadena, Calif., in January.
The Gophers only have one more game this season against the Iowa Hawkeyes in Iowa City this weekend. If Minnesota wins, they will be 6-2 in the Big Ten. Minnesota is looking for losses from Michigan, Ohio State and Purdue to at least have a tie for the top.
Minnesota has been living on their powerful running offense and senior quarterback Asad Abdul-Khaliq. Abdul-Khaliq has given the offense a lift when the running game has struggled.
A heartbreaker to Michigan earlier this season has put Minnesota in its current situation. Minnesota will probably find itself playing the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Texas instead of the Rose Bowl.
Michigan State has a bit more difficult schedule to try to get to the Rose Bowl. First, Michigan State travels to Madison to face the Badgers this weekend. Next weekend the Spartans have to face the Penn State Nittany Lions at Happy Valley. Led by senior quarterback Jeff Smoker, the Spartans have had a remarkable season under first year Head Coach John L. Smith. However, losses to Michigan and Ohio State in back-to-back weeks have thwarted the Spartans from their chances of winning the Big Ten title. To get them into the Rose Bowl, the Buckeyes, Wolverines and Boilermakers will have to lose out. Only then will Michigan State have a legitimate chance.
Prediction
Of the three teams, Ohio State, Purdue and Michigan, that still have their destiny in their own hands, they all are blessed with an outstanding defense, and with the exception of Ohio State, a productive offense. In the end, however, Michigan will triumph over the triumvirate thanks to its tiebreaker over Purdue and homefield advantage over the Buckeyes. Purdue will also win both of its games to share the conference crown with Michigan but will miss out on Pasadena.
