White Suburban Punk

The BCS standings came out Sunday and 6-0 Wisconsin is 6th, which really isn’t too much of a surprise, despite the fact that they’re 4th in both human polls. The computer polls have some completely screwy results, however:

#6 in the Sagarin

#10 in the Anderson and Hester (behind South Carolina)

#8 in the Billingsley Report (behind Oregon)

#14 in the Colley Matrix (behind South Carolina, Houston, Penn State, and Michigan)

#12 in the Wolfe (behind Arkansas, Virginia Tech, and 5-2 Auburn)

#17 in the Massey! (behind Arkansas, Virginia Tech, 4-2 Texas A&M, 4-2 Texas, South Carolina, Oregon, 5-2 Auburn, Penn State, and Nebraska) Yes, Wisconsin is ranked behind Nebraska in this system. Apparently beating them 48-17 was not convincing. It’s really comforting to know that there’s an objective system out there that doesn’t rely on data that is so obviously deceptive like a head to head meeting.

Although it will certainly be worthwhile to follow the BCS standings, there’s really nothing we can do about it. Wisconsin has to go undefeated and somehow hope that one of the winners of LSU/Alabama and Oklahoma/Oklahoma State lose a game. Otherwise, it ain’t gonna happen. Which is why Michigan State is now the biggest game of the year. Sparty is getting some national attention after beating up previously undefeated Michigan. They now at least have a reputation (deserved or not) for having a good defense, although Notre Dame beat them 31-13 earlier in the year. The game is on the road in East Lansing in prime time on ESPN and College Game Day will be there, so it’s vital to make a big impression. We’ve gotta go for 50.

Wisconsin’s offense so far has been as good or better than advertised. Russell Wilson is truly phenomenal with a good team around him. He’s got great touch, a strong arm, and is a much faster runner than I realized. The offense has also been very healthy so far. The O-line has been fabulous and Montee Ball has been great at running back. James White has been a bit up and down, but was solid last week against Indiana. Wide receiver Nick Toon sat out last week against Indiana with a sore foot, the same one that was surgically repaired in the off season, but all indications are that he will be back in East Lansing. The Badgers have beaten all six opponents by at least 31 points.

Defensively the Badgers are much more difficult to judge, just because they’re always so far ahead. The eyeball test says it’s been improving. There haven’t been many missed tackles, they’re pressuring the quarterback, and they’re creating turnovers. I like the unit’s aggressiveness. There have been more serious health issues on defense, too, both in the secondary and on the defensive line. DT Patrick Butrym injured his ankle against Indiana and his status is unclear. He would be a huge loss for the MSU game. Again, it’s been very difficult to judge, but they did allow just seven points to Northern Illinois, who has scored 40 or more in every other game.

Another factor defensively is Kirk Cousins, MSU’s quarterback. The Badgers have not yet faced a classic pocket passer like Cousins this year, and the personnel and injuries indicate the Badgers’ weak spot is in the secondary. MSU has actually been pretty balanced offensively, so this should be a good test all around. MSU is also a cheap and dirty team, with several ugly personal fouls in the Michigan game. They had 13 penalties for 124 yards vs. Michigan and 12 penalties against Notre Dame. And they started the smack talking very early this week.

The big problem Wisconsin has is that the B1G sucks. Horrible, awful, dreadful. Michigan State is ranked #16 in the BCS right now, but I worry that even if Wisconsin wins big, the talk will be less about how good Wisconsin is, but how bad the Big Ten is. Again, there’s nothing the Badgers can do about it. It just makes it even more imperative that they win in a rout. Badgers 52-17.