Northwestern to the B1G Championship game? Just 2% of Hawkeye Report voted N'w winning the West

[Franisdaman]

The current standings are at the end of this post; included are the results to date and the remaining schedule of the 4 teams still in it.

Northwestern's case for winning the West:
* currently in first place all by themselves
* have played one more conference game (5 games) than the other 3 contenders (4 games).
* have already beaten Purdue
* have Wisky at home and Iowa on the road
* control their destiny. Beat Wisky at home and Iowa on the road? Northwestern is playing in Indy on Dec 1.


Please reply with what you think the final standings will be.


Current Standings:


Northwestern (4-1)
W Pur
L Mich
W MSU
W Neb
W Rut
Remaining Schedule
Oct 27 Wisc
Nov 10 @ Iowa
Nov 17 @ MN
Nov 24 ILL


Wisc (3-1)
W Iowa
W Neb
L Mich
W IL
Remaining Schedule
Oct 27 @ N'w
Nov 3 Rut
Nov 10 @ PSU
Nov 17 @ Pur
Nov 24 MN


Iowa (3-1)
L Wisc
W MN
W IU
W MD
Remaining Schedule
Oct 27 @ PSU
Nov 3 @Pur
Nov 10 N'w
Nov 17 @ IL
Nov 23 Neb


Purdue (3-1)
L N'w
W Neb
W IL
W OSU
Remaining Schedule
Oct 27 @ MSU
Nov 3 Iowa
Nov 10 @ MN
Nov 17 Wisc
Nov 24 @ IU

 

[Franisdaman]

Per ESPN.

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A LARGER VIEW

 

[Franisdaman]

My final standings prediction:

8-1 Iowa
7-2 Wisconsin
6-3 Northwestern
5-4 Purdue


Northwestern (4-1)
W Pur
L Mich
W MSU
W Neb
W Rut
Remaining Schedule
L Wisc
L @ Iowa
W @ MN
W ILL


Wisc (3-1)
W Iowa
W Neb
L Mich
W IL
Remaining Schedule
W @ N'w
W Rut
L @ PSU
W @ Pur
W MN


Iowa (3-1)
L Wisc
W MN
W IU
W MD
Remaining Schedule
W @ PSU
W @Purd
W N'w
W @ IL
W Neb


Purdue (3-1)
L N'w
W Neb
W IL
W OSU
Remaining Schedule
L @ MSU
L Iowa
W @ MN
L Wisc
W @ IU

 

[GT Hawkaholic]

IMO Purdue by far has the most difficult remaining schedule. Followed by probably Wisconsin, Iowa and then NW. What that means, I don’t know, but I think Purdue drops 2 maybe 3 more despite what happened last Saturday. Unfortunately the highest probability that I see is Wisconsin and Iowa both losing one more game which obviously spells doom for us. Not sure what happens if NW beats Wisconsin and we beat NW and all end up 7-2?

 

[Franisdaman]

this is too funny (click on the play button, which is "kinda" hidden)

 

[Franisdaman]

IMO Purdue by far has the most difficult remaining schedule. Followed by probably Wisconsin, Iowa and then NW. What that means, I don’t know, but I think Purdue drops 2 maybe 3 more despite what happened last Saturday. Unfortunately the highest probability that I see is Wisconsin and Iowa both losing one more game which obviously spells doom for us. Not sure what happens if NW beats Wisconsin and we beat NW and all end up 7-2?

What's interesting is that Northwestern is in first place all by themselves and have played one more conference game than the other 3 contenders. They have already beaten Purdue. They have Wisky at home and Iowa on the road. Win those 2 games? Northwestern is playing in Indy on Dec 1.

 

[Franisdaman]

Interesting take.

 

[Franisdaman]

ESPN's Power Rankings:

1. Michigan Wolverines (7-1)
The Wolverines delivered an outstanding defensive effort in a big win against rival Michigan State, and seem to be getting better and better each week.

2. Ohio State Buckeyes (7-1)
The Buckeyes defense has had issues all season and it all came to a head against Purdue. Everything is still in front of Ohio State, but any more slip-ups could be devastating.

3. Iowa Hawkeyes (6-1)
The Hawkeyes shut out Maryland in a convincing victory, and quarterback Nate Stanley seems to have control of this offense right now.

4. Penn State Nittany Lions (5-2)
A back-and-forth game against Indiana looked very similar to the rest of the games this season for Penn State. A tough stretch is coming up with Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin on deck.

5. Wisconsin Badgers (5-2)
The Badgers bounced back after the loss to Michigan and handled Illinois easily. There are still some big games left, and it will be a challenge to stay at one conference loss to end the season.

6. Purdue Boilermakers (4-3)
The Boilermakers put together a near-perfect performance against the Buckeyes, turning out a huge victory for Purdue and potentially spoiling Ohio State's playoff hopes.

7. Michigan State Spartans (4-3)
The offense had a ton of struggles against Michigan and injuries continue to plague the Spartans.

8. Northwestern Wildcats (4-3)
The Wildcats were in a nail-biter against Rutgers, but despite having a lot of close games this season, they still have only one conference loss.

9. Indiana Hoosiers (4-4)
The Hoosiers' record doesn't really show how close some of their games have been this season, but they haven't had their signature victory just yet.

10. Maryland Terrapins (4-3)
The Terps ran into a buzz saw in Iowa and were held to 115 total yards. The schedule doesn't get any easier from here.

11. Nebraska Cornhuskers (1-6)
Scott Frost and the Huskers got their first win and seem to be gaining momentum each week. This team is on the way up.

12. Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-4)
They are struggling in the latter half of the season. A 53-28 loss to Nebraska is a tough pill to swallow.

13. Illinois Fighting Illini (3-4)
The struggles continue for Illinois after getting beaten handily by Wisconsin, which keeps the Illini at one conference win.

14. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (1-7)
They had the lead against Northwestern at halftime, but couldn't come away with the victory. Rutgers is still winless in Big Ten play.

 

[Franisdaman]

Another interesting discussion:

 

[Franisdaman]

One BTN guy says it will be Iowa vs Michigan in Indianapolis.

 

[Franisdaman]

Don't forget to vote before 2:30 pm Saturday!

 

[David1979]

What's interesting is that Northwestern is in first place all by themselves and have played one more conference game than the other 3 contenders. They have already beaten Purdue. They have Wisky at home and Iowa on the road. Win those 2 games? Northwestern is playing in Indy on Dec 1.

Northwestern isn't good enough to beat both Iowa and Wisconsin. I think they will lose to Nebraska as well.

 

[David1979]

I think Purdue has a great schedule to make it if they can win at MSU. They get both Wisconsin and Iowa at home.

You could have a scenario where 3 teams tie for the division.

 

[Franisdaman]

I think Purdue has a great schedule to make it if they can win at MSU. They get both Wisconsin and Iowa at home.

You could have a scenario where 3 teams tie for the division.

its gonna be crazy, isn't it? so many scenarios and so much can happen. Will Purdue have a let down this week at Michigan State? Can Iowa keep up its momentum?

 

[td77]

Northwestern isn't good enough to beat both Iowa and Wisconsin. I think they will lose to Nebraska as well.

Good call. They should have lost to Nebraska when they played 10 days ago.

 

[Kinnick.At.Night]

Iowa.

 

[The_Joker13]

I'm glad we are able to have this type of discussion at this point in the season, but the next two weeks will tell us pretty much where this season is headed. Win both and we are looking fantastic, drop one, season not over and still possibly something left to play for. Lose both, pretty much game over for winning the west. Hope this team can thrive under the pressure.

 

[Franisdaman]

I'm glad we are able to have this type of discussion at this point in the season, but the next two weeks will tell us pretty much where this season is headed. Win both and we are looking fantastic, drop one, season not over and still possibly something left to play for. Lose both, pretty much game over for winning the west. Hope this team can thrive under the pressure.

they kinda remind me of the 2002 team; they lose that early game and then are on a mission

 

[The_Joker13]

they kinda remind me of the 2002 team; they lose that early game and then are on a mission

Man I hope you're right. Can't wait for Saturday.

 

[Franisdaman]

Man I hope you're right. Can't wait for Saturday.

i think we will learn a lot; is the D as good as advertised? Will Stanley continue his great road play? What running game will we see? The one we saw at Minnesota or the one we saw vs Maryland?

 

[Zildjian6868]

Iowa is playing there best football of the year right now. I also do not believe Wisconsin is the same team it was last year. I honestly think Iowa controls there own destiny, because there is no way Wisconsin runs the table to end the year.

 

[Franisdaman]

Some more ESPN love:


16. Iowa (6-1, 3-1 Big Ten)

Week 8 result: Defeated Maryland 23-0
What's next: vs. Penn State (3:30 p.m. Saturday)

On a day when wind gusts topped 40 mph in Iowa City, the Hawkeyes took the air out of the game and stuck to bullying Maryland along both lines of scrimmage. Iowa held the ball for more than 40 minutes, holding the Terrapins to just 115 yards and seven first downs in its first shutout of a Big Ten opponent in nearly two years. Heading into next week's showdown in State College, few teams in the nation are playing better than the Hawkeyes, who've won their past three games by an average of 21 points. It's not hard to imagine Iowa continuing this impressive run against Penn State.

 

[Herkmeister]

BRING IT HOME BABY...……….. BRING IT HOME...…….

 

[scotthawk1964]

What's interesting is that Northwestern is in first place all by themselves and have played one more conference game than the other 3 contenders. They have already beaten Purdue. They have Wisky at home and Iowa on the road. Win those 2 games? Northwestern is playing in Indy on Dec 1.

Northwestern is not going to win the West. The lack of a running game will spell doom at some point. They damn near lost to the worst team in the BIG saturday. Thorsen has to be all world every week if they're going to win the west, and I don't see that happening. Wisconsin will pin there ears back every play, and Iowa will make Thorsen earn every yard.

 

[Franisdaman]

Northwestern is not going to win the West. The lack of a running game will spell doom at some point. They damn near lost to the worst team in the BIG saturday. Thorsen has to be all world every week if they're going to win the west, and I don't see that happening. Wisconsin will pin there ears back every play, and Iowa will make Thorsen earn every yard.

its crazy how fun watching the West has become

what do you think about Purdue at MSU this Saturday? I think MSU wins.

I also think Purdue limps to the finish line with losses also to Iowa and Wisky. Now watch; Purdue wins the West!

Purdue (3-1)
L N'w
W Neb
W IL
W OSU
Remaining Schedule
L @ MSU
L Iowa
W @ MN
L Wisc
W @ IU

 

[Franisdaman]

Who wants to break the tie?

 

[HawkIDrummer]

Per ESPN.

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A LARGER VIEW

The above is what's known as a "guess". Those %s are pulled out of...well...thin air.

 

[Franisdaman]

• IowaHawkeyeFBnBB4Life
• GT Hawkaholic
• cats234

What did you 3 know that everyone else didn't?

Northwestern (5-1) has now defeated Purdue and Wisconsin. Their only loss? They blew a 17-0 lead to #5 Michigan, losing 20-17

They have a bye week this week before the game on Nov 10 in Iowa City.

Northwestern's Remaining Schedule
Nov 10 @ Iowa
Nov 17 @ MN
Nov 24 ILL

Current standings
5-1 Northwestern
3-2 Wisconsin
3-2 Iowa
3-2 Purdue

 

[takai]

For Iowa to win the West, 2 things need to happen:

1. We win out. Winning out makes NW irrelevant. Because we win the tie-breaker.

2. Wisconsin loses one more time. Considering how they're playing, I can see Penn State winning easily.

I still think Purdue is a doable victory. Sure, they beat OSU. But it was at home and at night. Stanley has got to get his head on straight or we're done. Our defense is too stout to let Purdue run all over them.

As for NW, we have a big break getting it at Kinnick. The time is still TBD, so I'm hoping they make it a night game with special jerseys. The boys need some motivation, making it a night game with Championship implications could help a lot.

 

[Franisdaman]

For Iowa to win the West, 2 things need to happen:

1. We win out. Winning out makes NW irrelevant. Because we win the tie-breaker.

2. Wisconsin loses one more time. Considering how they're playing, I can see Penn State winning easily.

I still think Purdue is a doable victory. Sure, they beat OSU. But it was at home and at night. Stanley has got to get his head on straight or we're done. Our defense is too stout to let Purdue run all over them.

As for NW, we have a big break getting it at Kinnick. The time is still TBD, so I'm hoping they make it a night game with special jerseys. The boys need some motivation, making it a night game with Championship implications could help a lot.

Iowa just needs to focus on Iowa. One game at a time. Finish strong. A 4 game winning streak is the next goal. Finish at 10-2 and head to Indy.

 

[Franisdaman]

I see a dup thread where the OP suggests Northwestern is going to win the West, when just 2% thought that as of Saturday afternoon before the Iowa / Penn State kick off.

Well, at least its not another Nate Stanley thread I guess

 

[The_Joker13]

I see a dup thread where the OP suggests Northwestern is going to win the West, when just 2% thought that as of Saturday afternoon before the Iowa / Penn State kick off.

Well, at least its not another Nate Stanley thread I guess

At this point, the smart money is on NW. They control their own destiny and we’ve seen what our team does against the high caliber teams.

 

[Franisdaman]

At this point, the smart money is on NW. They control their own destiny and we’ve seen what our team does against the high caliber teams.

Boy, if N'w can pull off the win at Iowa, the West race is pretty much over. N'w would have beaten Purdue, Wisky and Iowa and would have all the head to head tie breakers. Imagine if N'w would not have blown that 17-0 lead at home to Michigan.

 

[SpartanJD]

At this point, the smart money is on NW. They control their own destiny and we’ve seen what our team does against the high caliber teams.

Really?

If you guys beat NW at home you are the clear favs to win the West. Wisky isn't winning in Happy Valley and they could still lose to Minn or Purdue.

 

[mrF6n6]

whats interesting is.... Northwestern plays Notre Dame this weekend...
if I'm Northwestern.... I take out all my starters for the 4th quarter...
that game don't mean nothing to them... you want your guys healthy for the Iowa game the following week.

one of the advantages of being Notre Dame is that you don't play meaningful games.

that Iowa game will be a season defining game...
perhaps for both teams.

the West Division Title might be riding on that game.

 

[Franisdaman]

whats interesting is.... Northwestern plays Notre Dame this weekend...
if I'm Northwestern.... I take out all my starters for the 4th quarter...
that game don't mean nothing to them... you want your guys healthy for the Iowa game the following week.

one of the advantages of being Notre Dame is that you don't play meaningful games.

that Iowa game will be a season defining game...
perhaps for both teams.

the West Division Title might be riding on that game.

i honestly think N'w is gonna give ND a game.

Fitz is a great coach. They were up 17-0 at home vs Michigan.