Big Ten Title: OSU vs MSU

One team everyone expected.  The other, only the diehard fans expected.

Michigan State and Ohio State square off tomorrow for the rights to a trip to Pasadena.
Same destination, but two different goals.

The undefeated and second ranked Buckeyes look to represent the Big Ten in the National Championship against (most likely Florida State.

Whilst Michigan State looks to earn its first trip back to the Rose Bowl since 1987.

Two teams enter!  Both will leave! But only one can win! (EPIC VOICE OVER)

WHO WILL IT BE?!?!

The opposite of whatever I pick...
So I should pick... Ohio State then right?

Okay for seriousness though, I'm taking the Buckeyes, but in a close one.

Braxton Miller and Carlos Hyde are a two man wrecking crew.  It's hard to keep them both in check, especially Miller who has become a legit passing threat under Urban Meyer.
The defense isn't spectacular, I mean Michigan put 41 points up on them, but it should be good enough to stop MSU's offense, which is ten times better than it was at the beginning of the season.

If any team (in the Big Ten) is gonna beat Ohio State, it's gonna be MSU.
Michigan State defends better than anyone in the conference and it's not even a debate.  MSU has the top ranked rush defense and are fully capable of neutralizing Ohio State's rushing attack.

A low-scoring affair favors the Spartans.
But if it turns into a shootout, the Buckeyes will take it.

I'm going 31-24, Ohio State wins and stays undefeated.

But I desperately hope I'm wrong.

Thoughts?  Comments, questions, concerns?

The Tale of Two Halves; Michigan Falls to Badgers

How to beat Michigan:  Step one: Foul them.  They can't make free throws, ask Indiana and Wisconsin.

Step Two:  Pound it inside.  You will be met with little resistance. (Again, ask Indiana and Wisconsin.)

Michigan had a chance to silence some doubters and get a revenge game against Wisconsin after the Badgers beat them in the only regular season matchup in dramatic fashion.  I am not recapping it because I don't like being sad and angry.

But today, Michigan proved once again, that they are not tough and can be bullied.  Wisconsin shot an incredible 17% in the first half, and miraculously only trailed by 3.  Michigan went 0-4 from the stripe in the first half, and also failed to make a three point basket.

Then in the second half, Wisconsin had their way with Michigan and then some, pounding the ball inside at will, which opened up the arch for it's three point shooters.  Wisconsin scored 51 second half points.  And anyone who's seen Wisconsin play a game knows that 51 points in a game for them is an accomplishments, let alone 20 minutes.

But Michigan's bigs got worked and offered no resistance.  Not even little resistance, no resistance.  But Michigan rallied from an 11 point deficit to get it to two late in the game.  But they're 7 (10-17) missed free throws loomed too large and Wisconsin got momentum back by, you guessed it, out working the Wolverines inside and getting free throws.  

In any tight game, free throws are a deciding factor.  Michigan lost to Indiana because they failed to make free throws down the stretch.  Had Michigan made free throws in this one, the half time lead would have been bigger, and those 7 points would have loomed large late in this one.

And on the other end, Wisconsin made they're free throws, going 16-21 from the line, a +6 point differential to Michigan's 10-17.

There isn't much else to add.  Michigan shot poor from three, poor from the field, poor from the line.  The defense got worked in the second half, and Michigan had no consistency on offense.  This is not a good way to go into the tournament.  

Unless Michigan dials up the defense and makes some free throws, this run won't go past the Sweet 16.  Coach Beilein has got his work cut out for him.

SIDEBAR:

I saw something on Twitter that really irked me.  I saw "fans" attempting to trend #FireBelein.  Really? Fire Beilein?  Why? Because we didn't win a share of the Big Ten? Because we didn't win the Big Ten Tournament?  It's not like we've been a top ten team all year in the best conference in college basketball.

Why don't you all who hopped on this bandwagon drink a nice glass of calm down juice, get back to me in a week and see if you feel the same way.  Guarantee you won't.

Welcome to the Big Fourteen?

Maryland and Rutgers are now officially members of the Big Ten... Errr Fourteen?  Well Rutgers will be officially official tomorrow, but for all intents and purposes, it's official.  And judging on the reactions I'm seeing, I'm not nearly as confused or surprised as most of you guys.

So let's break this down, beard style.  Does it make sense?  On the surface, no.  Rutgers and Maryland are east coast squads, they both aren't known for football prowess.  I mean Rutgers has had a good squad every three or four years lately, including this year's team.  Maryland... Well they have lots of flashy uniforms and that's about it.

But here's why it makes perfect sense, and trust me, you're not going to like the reasons.

Money.  Big Ten wants and now has that east coast TV market.  Maryland and Rutgers were considered when Nebraska was added too and they were on board.  Nebraska won the four team race between the aforementioned three and Missouri.  For those that don't remember, it literally became a race, Big Ten said GO! and Nebraska got it done first.

And reason number two why it makes sense?  You guessed it, Money.  This is where college football is going, like it or not.  Super Conferences that generate absurd amounts of money and dominate the sport.  They're coming.  Like it or not.  SEC started the super conference talk by bumping to 14 and Big Ten is moving that train right along the tracks.  Notre Dame's ACC deal just meant that the Big Ten would start looking elsewhere.

Over the next few years we will see more shifting and moving and super conferences will be made.  The Pac 12, SEC, Big Ten will stand alone, and the ACC and Big 12 will fight it out amongst themselves on who can survive.  Big East is done, it's over.  Goodbye.  Your conference stunk anyways.

Now how do I feel about these teams specifically?  Meh.  I don't hate them, I don't love them.  I'm not stupid though.  I know why they're here.  I just hope that they make sure to keep the divisions competitive   Maryland should join the Legends and Rutgers the Leaders.  That's not what early indications are but it makes the most competitive sense, and you can have Rutgers and Maryland be the protected crossover game.  I'ma genius.  Why don't I get paid for this kinda insight?

Maybe some good will come out of this guys... Maybe they'll finally change the division names!