Big 10 looking lost – what is going on

Big 10 is looking like it has lost its way. It was not that long ago that people were talking about how strong the Big 10 was looking.  They were going to be the strongest league in a long time and the Big Ten East was going to be a power house that beat each other up.

Three weeks into the season the Big 10 looks lost.  The Big 10 East looks like it has one great team and the rest are fighting for second.  The Big 10 West is just a complete mess.  Wisconsin was supposed to be in the picture for the playoff.

Ohio State had a difficult time with TCU.  Granted TCU looks like a pretty good team so that is a good win.  TCU was in this game except for about a 4 minute stretch in the second half.  The rest of the teams in the East have looked shaky.  Penn State surviving to be 3 – 0 but looking shaky at best.  UM Lost to what now looks like a not so good Notre Dame team.  MSU lost to an Arizona State team that they should have beaten quite handily.

At the beginning of the season the Big 10 East had 4 teams in the poll.   Ohio State 5th, Penn State 11th, Michigan State 12th and Michigan 14th.  Out of the Big 10 West Wisconsin was ranked 4th.  That is 5 teams out of the Big 10 in the top 14.  That is a pretty crazy stat and pretty high praise.   The hype train was rolling the the Big 10 was looking very high and mighty.   Then unexpectedly the season started.   Michigan lost to Notre Dame.   Michigan State and Penn State struggled in their first games.

After three weeks Ohio State has moved up to 4th.  Penn State has somehow managed to move up a spot to 10th.   Michigan has dropped to 19th.  MSU has somehow stayed in the polls at 24th and Wisconsin has dropped to 18th.   They probably should have dropped farther than that.  The polls at least at the beginning of the season are based on perception rather than performance.   That is why I am mostly opposed to pre season polls.  There is no way that you can tell how those teams are going to perform.

I get it though it is fun to do and gives us all something to talk about.  But really it does cause some problems down the road.  It is good that the The College Football Playoff poll does not come out till later.  That give some time and tape on those teams to make a better informed decision.

There is still time for the Big 10 to turn this season around.   Ohio State and Penn State are still undefeated.   Michigan, Michigan State and Wisconsin all only have one loss.   Things can change and these teams will get beter.  For now though it does not look very good for the Big 10