In the logjam that is the Big Ten, Ohio State can’t control its own destiny and Iowa is playing the disappointing role of spoiler, thanks to its come-from-ahead loss at Northwestern last week. However, no game in the country can shake up a conference race more than this one.
Here’s the situation: The conference has a three-way tie among Wisconsin, Ohio State and Michigan State, all 9-1 overall and 5-1 in league. Iowa is 7-3 and 4-2.
If the three remain tied at season’s end, the league title goes to the team highest in the BCS standings. Today that’s No. 7 Wisconsin, just ahead of No. 9 Ohio State and No. 11 Michigan State.
However, if Iowa beats the Buckeyes, and Wisconsin (at Michigan, Northwestern) and Michigan State (Purdue, at Penn State) win out, Wisconsin and Michigan State will end the season in a tie.
Michigan State would win the title because of its 34-24 win over the Badgers on Oct. 2.
If Ohio State can beat No. 21 Iowa and then Michigan, it’s possible the Buckeyes could leapfrog Wisconsin in the BCS and into the Rose Bowl for the second straight year. To some Buckeyes fans who saw the national title up for grabs this season, the Rose Bowl is a consolation prize.
“I think we live in a time of superlatives,” Ohio State coach Jim Tressel told the Columbus Dispatch this week. “I think when I was growing up, my dad’s (Baldwin-Wallace) teams were like 6-3 and you had a nice winning team, you know what I mean? But that’s not the way the world thinks. It’s kind of an all-or-none mentality we have.”
It will match two of the top-seven scoring defenses in the country in fifth-ranked Ohio State (13.6 points per game) and No. 7 Iowa (15.0).
John Henderson: 303-954-1299 or jhenderson@denverpost.com
Kansas State (6-4, 3-4 Big 12) at Colorado (4-6, 1-5)
Noon, Folsom Field
Hoping to go 2-0 as CU’s interim coach, Brian Cabral said he has visions of Kansas State senior tailback Daniel Thomas controlling the game as he did in last year’s meeting (145 yards on 20 carries in the 20-6 KSU victory). “I have visions of our defense not filling the gaps; this game will be won up front,” Cabral said. CU also must play mistake-free, he added, because Bill Snyder-coached teams rarely beat themselves. Sixteen CU seniors will play at Folsom Field for the last time in the school’s final Big 12 home game. Tom Kensler
Colorado State (3-8, 2-5 MWC) at Wyoming (2-9, 0-7)
Noon, War Memorial Stadium, The Mtn.
This is the rubber match with the schools tied 21-all since the Bronze Boot was introduced in 1968. CSU has won 12 of the past 17 meetings and the Rams’ last Mountain West road win was in Laramie in the 2008 finale. Rams RB Chris Nwoke (concussion) returned to practice. With CSU’s inconsistent running attack, Nwoke could help against a rushing defense ranked next-to-last in the MWC. CSU’s Pete Thomas is the only true freshman in the country to start every game at QB. Toys and donations will be accepted at the stadium for Wyoming’s annual Toys for Tots drive. Natalie Meisler
Colorado Mines (9-2) at Grand Valley St. (10-1)
10 a.m., Lubbers Stadium, Allendale, Mich.
Mines is back in the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time since 2004 and has a tall order in the first round against the sixth-ranked Lakers, winners of four D-II titles from 2002-06. In the past 10 years, GVSU is 122-13 with seven conference championships. This is the Lakers’ 10th consecutive trip to the playoffs. Mines QB Clay Garcia may be able to continue his big numbers, with the Lakers’ defense is 58th in D-II in total defense (allowing 346 yards per game), and 37th in pass defense. Garcia, who had 417 yards in last week’s big win against Nebraska-Kearney, has 3,813 yards this season (351.6 yards total offense per game). There will be a watch party on campus at Mines’ Lockridge Arena. Doors open at 10 a.m.
Players to watch
Taylor Martinez, QB, Nebraska
After missing time with a right ankle injury, the Cornhuskers limited what he did in the first half of last week’s win over Kansas but let him play more freely after halftime. Heading into today’s game against Texas A&M, he has 957 yards rushing, 1,328 passing and 21 TDs total. 6 p.m. today, KMGH-7
Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
Mississippi State didn’t have a very good game last week against Alabama, and the challenge is even tougher this week considering Mallett is one of the nation’s top quarterbacks. 5 p.m. today, ESPN
Jeremiah Masoli, QB, Mississippi
He’s equally dangerous throwing the ball and getting out of the pocket, and could give LSU trouble. 1:30 p.m. today, KCNC-4
J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
He is fourth in the nation with 18 tackles for losses and will try to slow down Michigan QB Denard Robinson. 10 a.m. today, ESPN
