With just three weeks remaining in the Big Ten schedule, the race for the conference championship is heating up. Four teams go into the stretch run with just one loss, while three teams sit just a single game back with two losses. The possibility of multiple champions with two losses has certainly become very realistic — with the major contenders all facing off down the stretch.
“Realistically, I don’t know, but mathematically it certainly is a possibility,” said Glen Mason, whose Minnesota team sits with a 4-2 record in the conference. “You’d sure rather be sitting with one loss than two losses.”
Coaches like Michigan State’s John L. Smith weren’t quite as convinced that all four of the one-loss teams would lose, saying, “It’s a real dog fight at the top, but I really feel like the league champ is going to have just one loss.”
Ohio State has the most control over its destiny, as they will face Michigan State, Purdue and Michigan, the other three teams each with one loss, before the end of the season. Even if Ohio State fails to win out, everyone at the top faces a tough schedule as the season winds down.
Wisconsin head coach Barry Alvarez agrees with Smith, saying, “I have a sense that our champion will surface with one loss.” He conceded that while a team with one loss will likely win the Big Ten, a two-loss champion isn’t out of the picture. “There are a lot of tough games down the stretch, so it should be real interesting.”
Eight possible bowl contenders from Big Ten:
With seven teams wrestling at the top of the conference with just one or two losses, the other vital point to note is that all seven are already bowl eligible, with Northwestern needing two wins in their final three games to make eight Big Ten teams eligible for bowls this season.
Currently, the Big Ten is not affiliated with that many bowl games, but Ohio State coach Jim Tressel assumes that will not be a problem.
“(Bowl organizers) will make room for Big Ten teams because the Big Ten teams … well, no one will question the fan support they have and the kind of draw they are, no matter what city they are in.”
With a potential eight Big Ten contestants for this year’s bowl games, the conference has a chance for some bragging rights nationally. Lloyd Carr of Michigan said, “[Each conference] is always being compared on non-conference schedules and bowl games, so your conference is always being analyzed based on those two situations.” Carr went on to say, “Bowl games are a reward for those teams that have had a very good season. I think [bowl games] are a very positive experience.”
Perry, Roth, Phillips earn weekly honors
Michigan running back Chris Perry was the conference offensive player of the week for his efforts in a win against rival Michigan State. Perry set a school record for carries, attempting 51 rushes for 219 yards and a touchdown. The mark was also good for fifth-best in Big Ten history. It was Perry’s third offensive player of the week award.
On the defensive side of the ball, Iowa’s Matt Roth and Purdue’s Shaun Phillips shared defensive player of the week honors.
Roth recorded three sacks to go along with his six tackles in a victory over Illinois. He also forced a fumble that was returned for an Iowa touchdown.
Phillips helped Purdue defeat Northwestern by forcing two fumbles. He also found his way to the quarterback for 1.5 sacks to improve to 10.5 sacks on the season, tops in the Big Ten.
Five Big Ten teams in BCS rankings
The Big Ten has placed five teams in the Bowl Championship Series rankings, which are used to determine the national title contenders. Ohio State is the Big Ten team highest on the list at sixth, followed closely by Michigan at eighth. Iowa (11th), Purdue (14th) and Michigan State (20th) also appeared in the rankings.
