Big 10 Bookends: The Forcier of Nature

September 16th, 2009 by Mike Ware

TateForcier2-1 The Big Ten has a new star QB. Sorry Buckeye fans, but that star is in Ann Arbor. Freshman Tate Forcier (pictured left, thanks Icon SMI) led Michigan to a 38-34 win over Notre Dame as he completed 23 of 33 passes for 240 yards and 2 TD’s and 1 interception, rushed for 70 yards and a TD. RB Brandon Minor also rushed for 106 yards and a TD. Where is all the adversity this Michigan team is supposed to be dealing with? They start 2-0, beat 18^th ranked Notre Dame and are now ranked 25^th in the AP Poll. Eastern Michigan is up next for Rich Rodriguez and the Wolverines.

Six RB’s posted 100 yard plus rushing games this week as the Big Ten went 8-3 overall. The biggest number of the week came from Northwestern RB Stephen Simmons, who had a combined 196 offensive yards including 73 rushing, 15 receiving and 108 yards in kickoff returns. Northwestern won the game by the way 27-24 thanks to a 49 yard field goal by Stefan Demos and QB Mike Kafka completed 14 of 24 passes for 148 yards.

Purdue lost a close one to Oregon this week, 36-38. This game came down to the wire also. The Boilermakers made it interesting. Keith Smith connected with Aaron Valentin with a 15 yard TD pass. Purdue then went for 2 to tie the game but Kyle Adams was ruled out of bounds on the reception. RB Ralph Bolden posted solid numbers with 123 rushing and 52 receiving yards and 2 TD’s.

In yet another close game, RB John Clay ran for 143 yards including a 72 yard TD run. It the second overtime the Badgers defense came up huge when safety Chris Maragos intercepted a Fresno State pass. QB Scott Tolzien went 17 of 28 for 225 yards and 1 TD. Isaac Anderson led the Badger receivers with 70 yards. The Badgers pulled out the victory with a 34-31 victory.

Other players with big games in week 2 were Illinois RB Jason Ford (137 yards, 1 TD), Indiana RB Demetrius McCray (134 yards, 1 TD), Iowa RB Brandon Wegher (101 yards, 1 TD) and Minnesota WR Eric Decker (10 catches for 113 yards).

Week 3 Preview

Can you believe it? Another trophy game week in the Big Ten! This week we all get to watch the drama unfold as Michigan State travels to Notre Dame for the Megaphone Trophy game. Ok, all kidding aside, Michigan State has won 9 of the last 12 and will go for their 7^th straight victory in South Bend.

Other big games to watch this week include Arizona and Iowa. The Hawkeyes are 2-0 and will host the Wildcats. The Hawkeyes will have a battle this week as the Wildcat defense has only given up an average of 206 yards this year. Iowa offense averages 377 total yards so this match up should be a fun game to watch, QB Ricky Stanzi should post respectable numbers this week.

Minnesota will host 8^th ranked California. Expect another good week for WR Eric Decker and QB Adam Weber. I am afraid the Gophers will be outmatched this week but will post solid numbers in the passing game.

Michigan will play Eastern Michigan in what looks like a game that should go in the Wolverines favor. Of course, Oklahoma State looked good against Houston before that game last week too. Michigan needs to be ready for this one and not fall into a trap. Look for Freshman Forcier to lead the maize and blue to a victory and post solid numbers.

Ohio State will look to bounce back when they play Toledo Saturday. Expect Terrelle Pryor to have a good game against the Rockets. Keep an eye on WR Dane Sanzenbacher too. The big question is will Jim Tressel actually use Terrelle Pryor as an offensive weapon this week?

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