Thank you to my Northwestern Wildcats. The very first D-I game I ever attended was in 1995, when Northwestern beat Iowa 31-20 at Evans Field in Evanston, Illinois. It was fantastic.
This week, after another great win over Iowa, they saved us all from another week of discussion about whether an undefeated Iowa would deserve a chance at a National Championship, despite their well-cataloged struggles against some pretty poor opponents. Iowa was going to lose to Ohio State this weekend anyway, but at least it doesn't have to be the hyped game of the weekend. Who would have thought that the game that will likely decide the MWC champion would steal the headlines from the game that decides the Big Ten champion?
Ohio State will win for a few reasons: 1) They are a better team. 2) No Ricky Stanzi means Ohio State D can focus on Iowa's rushing attack, where the Buckeye D is phenomenal anyway. 3) They are a better team. 4) The game is in Columbus. 5) They are a better team.
Ohio State dominated Penn State last week. This week probably won't be quite as dominant (mostly because EVERYBODY expects Ohio State to blow them out), but I don't believe the game will be in doubt in the 4th quarter.
The loser of this game drifts into that 13-20 ranking oblivion. It's not good enough for a BCS bowl, not bad enough to call it a "rebuilding" year (especially for Iowa). And so, Iowa fans, much like their neighboring state's Cubs fans, will have to be content with another season of dashed expectations.
With the Big 10 bad every year, it is nice not to have them in the talk of the NC game. Ohio State should absolutely obliterate Iowa this week.
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