Big Ten Predictions (June)

It's really early, and summer is long and boring. SO why not go through the entire Big Ten schedule and come up with some early predictions? I did!

1. Ohio State 12-0 (8-0) BCS Bowl
2. Michigan 11-1 (10-1) BCS Bowl
3. Wisconsin 10-2 (6-2) Capitol One Bowl
4. Iowa 10-2 (6-2) Outback Bowl
5. Penn State 8-4 (5-3) Champs Sports Bowl
6. Illinois 6-6 (3-5) Alamo Bowl
7. Michigan State 5-7 (3-5)
8. Minnesota 6-6 (2-6) Motor City Bowl
9. Indiana 6-6 (2-6) Insight Bowl
10. Purdue 5-7 (2-6)
11. Northwestern 4-8 (0-8)

Some Way Too Early Player Rankings

As long as we're flooding the blog today, and I'm doing absolutely no work, I thought I'd give my position ranking coming out of spring practice. While I understand this will inevitably change as we head into fall, this is roughly how I valued these players for fantasy purposes about a month and a half ago.......discuss.....

QB
1. Kellen Lewis, Indiana, So - will pass for some scores to Hardy, but is a great runner and will pile up yards and rushing TDs like a RB.
2. Curtis Painter, Purdue, Sr - passing yards and TDs galore from an established veteran.
3. Juice Williams, Illinois, So - going to be a star, but still has some problems making decisions. If he grows up this year he could be the #1 QB
4. Brian Hoyer, Michigan St., So - will be a good QB if MSU can put a decent team together.
5. Anthony Morelli, Penn St., Sr - boring, this offense sucks, an ok #2 QB.
6. Jake Christensen, Iowa, So - he could be good, but again, needs the offense to be better around him.
7. Tyler Donovan, Wisconsin, Sr - solid QB, solid offense, too bad he'll be handing it off all the time. could be an OK #2 QB.

RB
1. Mike Hart, Michigan, Sr - solid, solid #1
2. Chris Wells, Ohio State, So - could be the MVP of the BTFFL this year.
3. Albert Young, Iowa, Sr - solid back, but playing time uncertain.
4. P. J. Hill, Wisconsin, Jr - great Wisconsin back, but freshmen John Clay could take away lots of carries.
5. Tyrell Sutton, Northwestern, Jr - he'll look better this year, but will never be the same as his freshman year.
6. Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois, Jr - its his backfield this year. If Illinois gets their offense going, hell succeed.
7. Austin Scott, Penn State, Sr - someone has to get the ball at Penn State.
8. Jay Thomas, Minnesota, Jr - great spread back, but will split carries.
9. Amir Pinnix, Minnesota, Sr - not a great spread back, but will get many carries & probably TDs.
10. Kory Sheets, Purdue, Jr - could be losing his job to Jaycen Taylor?

WR
1. Mario Manningham, Michigan, Jr
2. James Hardy, Indiana, Jr
3. Dorien Bryant, Purdue
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4. Deon Butler, Penn State - uff-da, too high, but I dont have time to change it now, I need to go home.
5. Derrick Williams, Penn State - uff-da, too high, but I dont have time to change it now, I need to go home.
6. Dominique Douglas, Iowa - which Iowa will show up?
7. Arrelious Benn, Illinois, Fr - watch out for this guy.
8. Eric Decker, Minnesota, So - Minnesota receivers get more valuable in the spread.
9. Ernie Wheelwright, Minnesota - he'll get his share of catches in the spread.
10. Nick Toon, Wisconsin, Fr - someone has to catch the ball.

Goblins Claim Conspiracy

In response to the growing controversy as to the whereabouts and condition of the Blue Ox, Goblins coach and AD Carhart issued this statement from his bunker:

the Goodgers and the commissioners office have conspired against the Goblins and prevented us from receiving the championship trophy and credit we so richly deserve. It is a well known fact inside the league and among the general public that the Goodgers have always thought and behaved as though they had some sort of divine right to the trophy and the league title. It is also a well known fact that the commissioners office is directly tied to the Spitfires, perhaps our most jealous rival. It does not require a great deal of imagination to conclude that the spoiled and bitter Goodgers conspired with the jealous and petty Spitfires to withhold the Blue Ox from us for this long and they continue to do so. And judging from the recent photos, it appears as if the Goodgers are even willing to stain and break the trophy in order to prevent us from having it. The commissioners feeble and half-hearted response to the Goodgers clear disrespect for the league's members and its blatant violation of league rules and protocol only serves to demonstrate the tacit approval the commissioners office has given to the embarrassing behavior of the Goodgers. If anyone doubts there concerted actions let them refer back to last year when the defeated Goodgers tried to claim victory in the Blue Ox bowl and the commissioner refused to certify and confirm our championship for weeks! Both parties 'failed' to congratulate us on our amazing season, and since then, neither the Goodgers nor the commissioner have lifted a finger to present us with the trophy. If this is not a deliberate act of collusion and sabotage against the Goblins then both the Goodgers and the commissioner should explain their hostile behavior toward the Goblins and submit their apologies. I expect neither is forthcoming, but rest assured the Goblins do not need hollow symbols to remind us of our greatness, we know we are the champions and the best!

Row over Ox Continues: Goodgers have own charges

Bucky's Goodgers Coach/AD Wendelberger responded to accusations from the commissioners office with a few of his own!

"If the Commissioner wants the Ox, he can come and get it any time," Wendelberger said. "It's right here."

Rather than defend his own actions, Wendelberger accused Commissioner Carhart of some negligence of his own. "You know, we won the Ox in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. But the Ox I have only says 2003 and 2004. The Commissioner has assured me that due to the condition of the Ox, a new trophy was in order. So our 2005 and 2006 championships have never been honored. I don't feel bad for me, but it's the kids that earned that Ox, who can't show it off now that they have moved on that concerns me. Think of the kids. And that Ox was damaged before we ever got it. Something about the Commissioner passing the trophy around to his friends."

Message from BTFFL Commissioner

BLUE OX TROPHY MISSING!!


The commissioners often has learned that the traveling trophy that goes to the yearly champion of the Blue Ox Bowl, The Blue Ox, has not been received by the 2006 Blue Ox Bowl Champions, the Golden Goblins. It is believed that the Blue Ox is still in storage with the 2003-2005 Champions, Bucky's Goodgers. It is also the understanding of the BTFFL office that the Blue Ox was damaged while in the possession of the Goodgers. The BTFFL laws state that "Any damage that the Blue Ox trophy incurs while in the possession of a team is the sole financial responsibility of that team."

If you have any information on the location or condition of the Blue Ox, please contact the BTFFL office immediately!

Big 10 Gang

Most of this was written a long time ago, waiting to be published after Matt finished his Big Ten neighborhood postings.

Okay, it’s a neighborhood alright but you’re a little off on the socio-economic status of the hood. The Big Ten and the rest of college football is a like being in your neighborhood gang. And yes, just like any other gang there is a hierarchy – the toughest, strongest, wealthiest, and smartest gang members are the ones that are the gang leaders. Those that are not so tough, strong, wealthy or smart are on the bottom. Gang relationships can be violent and bitter but in the end, these guys are all in it together.

Let’s look at the gang called the Big Ten. Michigan is without a doubt the biggest, baddest Motherfucker on the block. Michigan has seen it all and done it all. An old gang member who is still tough as nails, it seems that Michigan’s age has given it a fair amount of wisdom. Michigan is recognized not just on your block as one of the best institutions in gangland but is on every block recognized as an almost mythical gang figure. Michigan can compete with other gangs that have no interest in some of the things Michigan is interested in. Michigan isn’t just interested in being strong, having the better weapons, but Michigan is a gangster that reads philosophy and has posters of Che Guevara, Public Enemy, John Brown and WEB Du Bois on his wall. Other gangs, like the SEC, Big 12, PAC-10 and ACC have few members that can match Michigan’s physical strength and academic excellence and political commitments. They are mostly made up of brutes whose heroes remain segregationist, classist, elitist bastards. But when they come to your door, you better hope Michigan is around to go toe to toe with them. Michigan doesn’t always win but he wins his share against opponents that don’t live up to his lofty standards when it comes to politics and education. Oh yeah, there are other gang members that are as erudite as Michigan but most of them just get their asses kicked week in and week out. In fact Michigan may be unique in its combination of desirable attributes.

Ohio State thinks it’s tougher than Michigan and for that reason it seems like these two brutes don’t get along. Ohio State isn’t nearly as smart or politically committed as Michigan. In that respect, Ohio State resembles some of the other gangs in the College Football world. But every gang needs a tough. And for a tough, Ohio State is pretty smart. OSU is certainly smarter than Nebraska, Oklahoma, Alabama, FSU and Miami.

After these two unquestioned leaders come the rest. They all have their strengths and weaknesses but generally they maintain a degree of education and political commitment that binds them together in the Big Ten Gang. Purdue, Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois are probably the next toughest and smartest of the group. Most certainly, Wisconsin is as smart as Michigan and has, on occasion, risen to Michigan’s level of toughness. Wisconsin is even more politically committed to radical thought than Michigan. Iowa is pretty darn smart too. Purdue is like Ohio States little bother. Penn State, what can you say about Penn State. Penn State used to be on the same level as Ohio State and it still somehow maintains a rep on the street but everyone knows that PSU isn’t as bad as PSU used to be. Or maybe it is?

Minnesota is always talking about the “good ol’ days.” There was a time, a long a time ago, that Minnesota was the top dog in the gang. Those days are long gone and now Minnesota clings to that past and hopes for a return to glory.

Michigan State and Indiana are simply not as tough as the previous group.

And then there is Northwestern. Northwestern doesn’t belong in the gang at all. He’s a rich little snob that almost always brings nothing to the fight. He’s smart but he doesn’t belong in a gang like the Big Ten … send him off to the Ivy League or something. But he lives in the right neighborhood, no one in Chicago can be in the gang anymore, so Northwestern will have to do.

The fortunes of the eight other members rise and fall over the years. But they always measure themselves against the fortunes of the gang leaders, dreaming that they to could be as strong and powerful as Michigan and OSU. And they can occasionally challenge the supremacy of the two – these rivalries appear to be the most important. But the real enemy is always the other conferences. Winning a Big Ten championship means the greatest prize of all – playing in the Rose Bowl (or, nowadays, the Championship game)

Now this is a gang, does Michigan and OSU come over and kick your ass once a year just for the hell of it? Yes. Do they seem to take an inappropriate amount of pleasure in embarrassing you in front of all your friends, relatives and women? Yes. But that is, unfortunately, life in a gang. It’s extremely hierarchical, based on reputation and violence and sometimes terribly disruptive and unpredictable.

In the end, though, the most important thing to do is defend your turf, defend the Big Ten against the other College Football gangs that are out there. And that is the measure that matters in the hood. When Florida and its punk ass coach complain that they deserve the National Championship, it is the duty of the head of the gang to go and teach Florida a lesson. It is not go and get your ass handed to you and make the SEC the strongest, wealthiest gang in College Football.

Early Bird Preview

Oh, BTFFL competition is just around the corner. Spring has come and gone, summer will only be a blink of an eye. Let’s take a look at the way the keepers and draft are shaping up.

First, the likely keepers.

We’ll start with Blue Ox Bowl champion Golden Goblins.

Definite: Tyrell Sutton, James Hardy

Probable: MN RB Amir Pinnix or Jay Thomas

Unlikely: Kory Sheets, Damien Sims, Adrian Arrington, Deon Butler

Halifax Spitfires

Definite: PJ Hill, Kellen Lewis, Mario Manningham

Probable: Rashard Mendenhall

Unlikely: None

MN Fightin’ Farmers

Definite: Chris Wells

Probable: None

Unlikely: Javon Ringer, Derrick Williams, Todd Boeckmann

Bucky’s Goodgers

Definite: Mike Hart, Curtis Painter, Isiah Williams, Albert Young, Dorien Bryant

Probable: None

Unlikely: None

Why and what it means:

GG – Sutton and Hardy both had somewhat disappointing seasons in 2006 but they are undoubtedly keepers for 2007. Both could be the #1 fantasy scorer at their position and Sutton might challenge for the top overall scorer if all goes right for him and NW. Pinnix was one of the bargains of the BTFFL last season, scorned by the rest of the league, he was a reliable second Running Back. The only catch is will Pinnix be the starter or will the more talented late season star Jay Thomas take over? And if Matt knows who the week 1 starter is, will the coaching change make Gopher Running Backs less attractive to BTFFL Schools? Unless I’m mistaken, none of the remaining players will be strong enough to keep – Sheets maybe.

HS – This team is loaded and was robbed! PJ Hill returns from an overall #1 BTFFL season in 2006. Kellen Lewis has to be the surprise player of 2006. Indiana’s QB 4^th best BTFFL QB and a top 10 overall performer! Touchdown! will be the #1 WR in the BTFFL for the second year in a row. Rashard Mendenhall will likely be kept – after Juice took over, the Illinois Offense suddenly looked good and Mendenhall produced.

MNFF – “Beanie” should make the Farmers competitive this year. He looks like a monster in an offense that will be looking for an identity. If Antonio Pittman could look good behind that line, I suspect Wells will very quickly be a Heisman hopeful. The rest of the players are marginal and difficult to see as legitimate keepers but one could become sold on any one of them.

BG – Last year’s regular season champ (6 weekly high scores) brings back every major contributor but QB Drew Stanton. None of these guys are really questionable, although Albert Young did split time with Damien Sims last season and likely will again. This core means that the Goodgers will likely again emerge from the draft as the favorites to win the BTFFL.

Keeper breakdown by position:

3 QB
6 RB
3 WR

For the first time in several years, there is not a clear cut player to be taken with the number one pick. Last season it was Hill, the season before, an even better Badger back, Brian Calhoun. This season, unless something strange happens between now and the draft, there will not be that kind of BTFFL stud available.

But there will be other similarities to last years draft. Like last year, there will be a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the Quarterback position. There will be 5 brand new starters this season (OSU, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan State). Of that group, some are bound to be valuable BTFFL starters for years to come, others will certainly disappoint their owners. Don’t want to take a chance on a new starter? The returning unkept starters are not without serious warts: Michigan’s Henne, Northwestern’s Bacher, and Penn State’s Morelli.

At the same time, there will be even less talent at Running Back than last season. No PJ Hill, no “Beanie” Wells. There will likely be a group of suspect but potentially serviceable Running Backs – the Kory Sheets/Jaycen Taylors, Javon Ringers/Jehuu Caulcricks and Austin Scotts of the world.

That leaves the WR pool. Last season, the top 4 WR were not keepers – Manningham, Ginn, Gonzalez, Payne. It seems likely that something similar will happen again this season – this is where the value will be.