Like a splash in the face, we’re getting a feel for the impact of four new West Coast universities in the stodgy old Big Ten … bringing with them far more excitement than when Rutgers and Maryland joined the gang 10 years ago.
Two field-rushing football thrillers were part of the weekend’s round of incredible upsets — poll-ranked Nos. 1, 4, 9, 10, 11, 22 and 25 (remember two teams were tied at 25 with UNLV losing and Texas A&M routing Missouri) lost — as Minnesota stunned Southern California, 24-17, on the wings of a TD plunge OKed on second thought, while Washington capitalized on two late turnovers by Michigan’s sub quarterback to down the Wolverines, 27-17.
Never mind, Michigan (4-2) still holds a 24-game win streak against the “old” Big Ten as the Wolverines take a weekend off before the 100-year celebration at Illinois on Oct. 19.
Taking stock
It would seem, in our Midwestern thinking, that UCLA, USC, Oregon and Washington would be exceptional in all outdoor sports. You know, the weather. Who knows if they even have an indoor tennis facility. Why would they?
But autumn sports offer a mix. In football, only Oregon is unscathed, and will be hosting Ohio State on Saturday.
Men’s tennis, with the Buckeyes ranked No. 1, finds only one of the four Westerners, UCLA, ranked and barely in at No. 25. Women’s tennis shows UCLA at No. 9 and USC at No. 13.
The soccer list offers only USC at No. 21 and behind four other Big Ten members. In cross-country last year, Oregon was No. 4 among men and No. 11 among women.
The newcomers are national standouts in women’s golf with No. 3 USC, No. 4 UCLA and No. 8 Oregon. But not so much in men’s golf where UCLA comes in at No. 19 (Illinois ranks No. 9).
The 18-team Big Ten is a power in volleyball — not the beach kind — with Nebraska, Penn State, Wisconsin and Purdue in the Top 10. Close behind are Oregon at No. 11, USC at No. 21 and Washington at No. 25.
Let’s talk hoops
Basketball? For the women, USC and UCLA appear to be solid favorites in the conference as Iowa takes a step back (notice how many strong women’s programs among the four).
But men’s basketball? Don’t ask. UCLA may be the best of the four newcomers but, to be honest, nobody knows.
Media members rate Purdue No. 1 among the 18 but that’s based on the successes of recent years. Coach Matt Painter, like Michigan State’s Tom Izzo and Wisconsin’s Greg Gard, has essentially disdained the transfer route and is proceeding without three of last year’s top-six scorers. It’s a reworked lineup minus Zach Edey (25.2), Lance Jones (11.7) and Mason Gillis (6.5).
So Purdue may be No. 1. But there are probably a half-dozen Big Ten teams with superior personnel … but new to each other, and only successful if the coaches can get them to play defense and perform as a unit.
Eric Musselman has 11 transfers and an all-new USC squad. UCLA has 60.8 returning minutes and eight new guys. Oregon brings back three starters plus three four-star transfers. Washington, by all reports, has a $2 million name, image and likeness forward, 6-foot-8 Great Osobor, who previously starred at Montana State and Utah State.
But Osobor isn’t listed in the too-early mock NBA draft while Illini newcomers Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley are first-rounders. And some overseas evaluators believe Jakucionis “is the future” of Lithuanian basketball and will be a sought-after pro following this season. Still, that’s dependent on him keeping turnovers down and excelling at the “other end.”
Other tidbits
- Do you agree with Tennessee coach Josh Heupel’s daring decision on Saturday night? The Vols, leading 14-13 late, let Arkansas score a touchdown rather than run the clock to set up a winning field goal. Behind 19-14 with one minute, 17 seconds to go, the Vols rocketed downfield and reached the Arkansas 20, but couldn’t connect on passes from there.
- Let’s hear it for baseball’s wild card. Kansas City had 106 losses last year but advanced and bumped the Orioles. In August, the Detroit Tigers had a 0.2 percent chance to make the playoffs, but did so and prevailed over Houston. The Mets hadn’t scored for 15 innings when, trailing 2-0 in the ninth, Pete Alonso bombed a three-run homer to eliminate the Central Division champion Brewers. What’s not to like?
- Connor Stalions was charged with illegal off-campus signal stealing for Michigan. Here’s the irony. You don’t have to cheat to project the Wolverine play book when they play here in two weeks. They’re going to run, run and run. In six games, the Wolverines have pounded out 1,148 yards on the ground while completing just 81 passes for 690 yards (115 yards per game) with eight interceptions by three quarterbacks. Yep, we know what they’re going to do.
