Who's going to win the Big Ten West?
After just TWO weeks of conference play (plus a smattering of games during the normal non-conference weeks), there are no undefeated-in-conference teams left in the Big Ten West.
The East is shaping up pretty normally, depending on how expected you think MSU's 0-2 start is. OSU, Michigan, PSU are all 2-0 and all looking somewhat unlikely to lose to anyone but each other.
The West, though... I don't even know. Minnesota got a lot of praise for dismantling Sparty but then stunk it up against Purdue. Traditional power Wisconsin looks like hot garbage. Iowa's got half a team. Nebraska cleverly avoided going 0-2 by scheduling a bye. I feel like whichever team heads to Indianapolis from the West is going to have a 5-4 conference record and a division title via 3rd level tiebreaker.
October 1st, 2022 at 11:16 PM ^
Ugh so a minor correction here. Nebraska is evidently playing football, at 11:00 at night, and furthermore, winning? Sorry, that can't be right.
October 1st, 2022 at 11:18 PM ^
The Frost is melting it seems.
October 2nd, 2022 at 12:44 AM ^
They finally de-frosted themselves.
October 2nd, 2022 at 5:54 AM ^
Hey, he now has all the time in the world to play videogames at the swim teams facility. At least he isn't showering with them...yet.
October 1st, 2022 at 11:53 PM ^
Sparty fans watch with envy as Nebraska and Georgia Tech start winning games after firing their head coaches.
October 2nd, 2022 at 1:28 AM ^
Even Arizona St is showing signs of life
October 2nd, 2022 at 6:52 PM ^
#tuck sweatin 🤣😥😢🤡
October 2nd, 2022 at 5:36 AM ^
Minor correction, Nebraska is evidently playing football...and...winning. If a cornstalk falls in a cornfield but no one is in the stands to watch them win, does it really count?
October 1st, 2022 at 11:17 PM ^
Depends on Mo Ibrahim's health. If he's able to go, Gophers are the favorite still because Purdue will blow three more games in inexplicable fashion. If he's not...I think it's Illinois?
October 1st, 2022 at 11:48 PM ^
This is the right answer. The Gophers played without Ibrahim today and probably had somewhat of an emotional letdown after their big win over Sparty.
October 2nd, 2022 at 8:56 AM ^
PJ Fleck doesn't do emotional letdowns. He only does emotional letups.
October 2nd, 2022 at 12:22 AM ^
Did they ever actually wear those?
I'd go in the transfer portal immediately before I'd take the field in that abomination.
October 2nd, 2022 at 1:10 PM ^
Lol! +1
October 2nd, 2022 at 12:52 AM ^
Is that a sports bra?
October 2nd, 2022 at 5:49 AM ^
These need flash dance leggings to complete the ensemble.
October 2nd, 2022 at 8:11 AM ^
Strangely erotic.
October 2nd, 2022 at 1:03 PM ^
username checks out
October 1st, 2022 at 11:20 PM ^
IU did go 0-9 last year, but not even Colin Cowherd would call them a ‘bye’
October 1st, 2022 at 11:22 PM ^
Illinois
Bort has them humming
October 1st, 2022 at 11:24 PM ^
I would guess Illinois, but your guess is as good as mine
October 1st, 2022 at 11:24 PM ^
I will win the big ten West
October 2nd, 2022 at 7:07 AM ^
how can you possibly say this? you've got great offense, but no D. your team speed is lowest in the league. sure, everyone loves you and you're a media darling, but without the horses you are not going to be able to row the boat or even beat ginormous bert b.
October 1st, 2022 at 11:32 PM ^
...uhhh....
October 2nd, 2022 at 8:02 AM ^
It’s uncanny.
October 1st, 2022 at 11:37 PM ^
…it might actually be Illinois?
October 1st, 2022 at 11:40 PM ^
If Ibrahim is out, I'm leaning to the Illini. Whoda think it?
October 1st, 2022 at 11:42 PM ^
Illinois wins actually look pretty decent on paper. And the loss not so bad. Go figure the year we finally play them they might be decent. But they have a tough slate ahead.
I'll go:
Minny
Illinois
Iowa
Wisc
Purdue
Nebrasker
NW
Minny goes 8-4 and wins the tie-break with Illinois.
October 2nd, 2022 at 12:02 AM ^
I believe Minnesota and Illinois play each other next week. That game could decide the West.
October 2nd, 2022 at 1:41 AM ^
Yes they do and agreed.
October 2nd, 2022 at 4:37 PM ^
Illini play Iowa this coming Saturday.
October 2nd, 2022 at 4:39 PM ^
Illini vs Iowa Saturday the 8 th.
October 1st, 2022 at 11:46 PM ^
Idk, but Ga just struggled with mizzou. Maybe we should feel pretty good with todays win.
October 2nd, 2022 at 12:25 AM ^
And Georgia looked real shaky last week
October 2nd, 2022 at 1:33 AM ^
Playing with expectations isn't always so easy.
October 2nd, 2022 at 11:51 AM ^
UGA was down 19-6 at halftime. Michigan has only briefly trailed this season, 13-10 before Corum fixed that last week.
October 1st, 2022 at 11:48 PM ^
Looked like Minnesota last week, looks like Illinois this week, maybe it will look like Nebraska or Purdue next week.
The real winner is all of us, the fans, who desire insanity and disaster and a jolly laugh at the misfortune of others. We all win.
And whomever wins the East and gets a bye to the playoff.
October 1st, 2022 at 11:49 PM ^
Is it a rule that someone HAS to win that side? Seems that there ought to be some minimum, and if Minny doesn't rebound from today's bad beat, I don't see who else it could be.
October 1st, 2022 at 11:49 PM ^
I'm not sure but my dream is for them all to finish 4-5 in conference
October 2nd, 2022 at 1:15 PM ^
I'm kind of curious why, I usually root for Big ten west teams when they play teams in the East outside of Michigan.
October 2nd, 2022 at 12:06 AM ^
Minnesota or Illinois
It will depend on who wins their game.
Also Illinois has to play Michigan and Minnesota doesnt play M or OSU.
October 2nd, 2022 at 12:18 AM ^
Whoever wins that game has a leg up, but if it's Minnesota they still have to play at Wisconsin the last week of the season.
October 2nd, 2022 at 12:34 AM ^
Wisconsin seems greatly diminished this year.
October 2nd, 2022 at 1:47 AM ^
They had 2 yards rushing today
October 2nd, 2022 at 12:19 AM ^
It's such a crap shoot that Nebraska could actually take it, which would be that much more delicious because of what it would say about the late Scott Frost.
October 2nd, 2022 at 12:38 AM ^
Minnesota, when healthy, has the most upside IMO. I'd rather see someone else win it. I can get on the Bielema train this year.
October 2nd, 2022 at 12:39 AM ^
I am sticking with my preseason prediction of Minnesota. They will row the boat over the finish line at about 2.8 mph.
October 2nd, 2022 at 12:54 AM ^
The University of Chicago Maroons.
Could this finally be their year after a 98-year (1924) Big Ten Championship drought?
October 2nd, 2022 at 12:58 AM ^
The correct answer is trick question. There is no winning the B1G West. There is only losing. And then more losing in the Championship game. Also shame.