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Brent Yarina's Bio: BigTenNetwork.com editor Brent Yarina takes you around Big Ten athletics, on and off the court. |
| Nov 4 2009, 2:02 PM | Topic: Talking Big Ten | ||
To that, I ask why? Penn State fans have no reason to boo Pryor. None at all. If it wasn't for Pryor "spurning" Penn State two years ago as the nation's top recruit, the Nittany Lions would have never fallen in love with star QB Daryll Clark. That considered, Penn State fans should feel fortunate the way things worked out and save the boos for another occasion. The only thing booing accomplishes is imply you're bitter or that you'd rather four years (maybe three?) of Pryor than two of Clark anyway. Everything worked out very well in the end, so the best tact would be to give Pryor the treatment he gave your beloved school and ignore him Saturday afternoon. Silence, as they say, is deafening. Now that I'm off my soap box, here's my weekly Big Ten preview: Game of the week: Ohio State vs. Penn State - As was the case last year, there will be a lot on the line when the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions face off Saturday. The winner establishes itself as a legit BCS contender and could even make the Rose Bowl, assuming Iowa makes the national title game, while the loser can almost all but forget about the BCS. Then, of course, there's element mentioned above, which is even juicier considering Daryll Clark, an Ohio native, will be just as determined to give it to his homestate team. Under-the-radar game of the week: Illinois vs. Minnesota - Both teams are coming off big-time wins, Illinois' the bigger of the two as its snapped a five-game skid and marked the Illini's first conference win. But what gives this game much of its appeal is the fact both teams have offenses that can hurt you and defenses that are pretty easy to score against. I'm not saying this game will be as entertaining as Minnesota's 42-34 win over Michigan State last week, but it will be worth watching. Matchup of the week: Terrelle Pryor vs. Penn State's defense - It's no secret good defenses can make Pryor look silly and, as we all know, there aren't many better units than Penn State's. The Nittany Lions haven't allowed more than 21 points in any game this year and have surrendered an average of nine points per in its last four. Even worse for Pryor, Penn State's 32 sacks not only lead the Big Ten, but they are good enough for second most in the nation. Player I'll be watching the closest: QB Mike Kafka, Northwestern - Any and every hope Northwestern has of sticking with perfect Iowa rests on the shoulders of Kafka, who injured his left hamstring last week and missed the final two-plus quarters against Penn State. It sounds like Kafka is going to play, and the Wildcats dearly need him. The senior leads the Big Ten in completions (213), completion percentage among starters (66.8%) and passing yards (2,195), but he's also Northwestern's leading rusher, in yards (248) and touchdowns (6). Team with the most to prove: Penn State - Look at the Nittany Lions' schedule and point out one good win. Seriously. I just did it and, I guess, the victory at Michigan would be the winner. The Wolverines are 5-4 but only 1-4 in the Big Ten, meaning that's hardly a win to hang your hat on. Point is, as impressive as Penn State's record and stats are, they don't mean much if the Nittany Lions struggle against Ohio State in the same manner as they did against Iowa. Fantasy star of the week: RB John Clay, Wisconsin - Indiana's run defense has improved from the past couple of seasons, although the unit still surrenders a meaty 145.6 yards on the ground per game. That stat figures to worsen after the Hoosiers get done facing Clay, the conference's leading rusher and the same guy who piled up 112 yards and a score on just 19 carries in last year's 55-20 victory at Memorial Stadium. Bold prediction of the week: Keshawn Martin has at least one play featured on our network's Top 10 Plays - I hesitate to include this section in my preview anymore in the wake of last week's prediction (Ray Fisher) suffering an injury. I don't believe in jinxes or curses, though, so I'm going with the scintillating Spartan to drop our jaws at least once, whether it's on a run, catch or return. Martin's something special, and if you haven't seen him with the ball in his hands, you're missing out. |
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