Michigan at #10 is Laughable; Ohio State Has Yet to Prove Championship Worthy; Penn St., Rutgers, and Indiana Stay Undefeated; B1G Ten Top 5

 How is Michigan ranked Number 10 in the country?

A week ago Saturday, Michigan pounded its was to a win over previously unbeaten USC.  It was close, but they won.  This past Saturday, Michigan took a step backwards with their win over Minnesota, 27-24.  They blew a 24-3 lead, and looked uninspired, to say the least.  No second half adjustments, and again, no passing game.  Looking more and more one-dimensional, they were able to get by a Minnesota team that looked and played for three quarters like they didn't want to be there.  And with this lackluster win, they actually moved up to #10 in the country.  That is a sham ranking, but after looking at it, and who is behind them, I wonder aloud who should be ahead of them? USC, I don't think so. Ole' Miss?  Not after that loss.  I would put Clemson or LSU ahead of them.  Notre Dame?  No way, not with that loss to Northern Illinois.  Notre Dame is borderline playoff, even if they run the table.  Michigan heads to Washington this weekend.  To think some national pundits are putting Michigan in the playoff conversation is laughable.  If they are Top Ten, then that tells you the sad state of CFB in 2024.  Maybe in 1974 with this playbook.  Not today.   

Do you really think Ohio State can compete with the top SEC teams to win it all after this win over MSU?

Ohio State went on the road for the first time this year.  They played a young game Michigan State Spartan team in East Lansing this past weekend.  They won 38-7.  But to me, it wasn't that impressive of a win.  Michigan State handed them many opportunities in the first half with turnovers.  Combine that with dropping interceptions, the Spartans gave Ohio State more opportunities than they deserved.  Will Howard, to me, did not set the world on fire.  He was bailed out with a couple of acrobatic receptions in the first half.  Michigan State pressured him more than he cared for in the first half.  

Now I know it's a road win in the B1G Ten.  Those can be hard to come by.  You cannot take that away from them.. They can only win the games that are put in front of them.  But Michigan State, at times, gift wrapped that game.  The true measuring stick will come in two weeks when they travel to Oregon.  They do have a home game this Saturday against Iowa.  A game they should win, but if they get past Oregon, I will consider them a championship worthy team.  

Penn State wins a big home game;  USC comes back in a big way!  

Penn State hosted Illinois in a battle of two undefeated ranked teams.  Illinois represented themselves well.  But Penn State wore them down and proved they should belong amongst the country's best.  7 to 7 going into the third quarter, they got two touchdowns to give them the win.  USC, meanwhile, spotted Wisconsin a 21-10 lead in the first half, and looked destined to another loss to a midwest B1G Ten team.  Then they woke up in the third quarter and ended up crushing Wisconsin 38-21.  Still worry about that defense.  How is it going to hold up to Penn State and Ohio State.  Definitely not worrisome if you are a top team in the country.  

Rutgers and Indiana stay unbeaten.  

Ok, how many of you had Rutgers and Indiana unbeaten going into October?  How many of you think they will be a serious contender once November rolls around?  I am telling you, with the easy B1G Ten schedule Rutgers has, they could have one loss going into a Thanksgiving matchup at East Lansing.  They are not going to be an easy out.  Indiana stays unbeaten.  They have a legitimate shot at staying that way going into their second to last game of the year against Ohio State.  The tough games they have before that are at home.  I am just saying, don't laugh.  

B1G Ten Top 5

1.  Ohio State--- Impressive looking win over Michigan State on the scoreboard.  At times they looked vulnerable, but not enough to take them off the top spot this week.  Iowa awaits them this Saturday. 

2. Penn State-- A good win over the previously unbeaten Illinois team at Happy Valley.  Keeping pace with Ohio State.  Enough for them to take number 2 from Oregon.

3.  Oregon--  A good win over UCLA this past week on the road.  UCLA not the level of Illinois, thus Penn State gets the honor of nubmer 2.  This Friday night, Oregon hosts Michigan State.

4.  Indiana--  They may be behind Michigan in the polls, but the eye test just makes it look like they are better.  This week they take on Northwestern.  

5.  Michigan-- This is a tough one.  I almost had Rutgers over take them, and even Illinois.  But the win the previous week against USC is the deciding factor.  

HM--  Illinois, Rutgers, and Nebraska.  

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