Wisconsin and the rest of the West (2024)

FirstDownB said:

One thing that is fairly obvious after just two weeks is that Wisconsin is the class of the West. Even without Mertz they are probably a cut above the rest.
Let's assume this Saturday's game is cancelled (will know tomorrow for sure).. That would leave the Badgers no room for missing any additional games and playing the minimum 6 to be eligible for the BTCG. That means if ANY of their remaining opponents catch an outbreak within a week or two of playing Wisconsin, they are screwed. But what will actually happen if at the end of the season the Badgers are sitting at 5-0 and the next closest team in the West is 5-3 or even 4-3? Will the Big Ten stick to its guns or will they cave to pressure from Papa Alvarez? I'm not sure how I would feel if Purdue or Northwestern got to Indy that way. I guess I'd take it however we can get it, but I know how I would feel if I were in their shoes.

Click to expand...

Would it be an "inequitable" (and I use that term loosely) result...perhaps, and certainly a tough break for Bucky. However, you can't retroactively change the rules - that dog won't hunt, and Alvarez above just about anyone else knows that....for the good of the conference. JMHO

Got to have some law and order.....

You follow one of the two public Indiana P5 football teams. If history has shown us anything, never, ever, ever feel remotely bad that the football gods may be in your favor. Ever.

The "funny" result would be if Wisconsin would be 5-0 and not qualify for the BTCG, still play their 6th game that week, and make it to a better bowl than the official West Champion coming out of championship week with 1 to 3 losses.

TMFT said:

You follow one of the two public Indiana P5 football teams. If history has shown us anything, never, ever, ever feel remotely bad that the football gods may be in your favor. Ever.

The "funny" result would be if Wisconsin would be 5-0 and not qualify for the BTCG, still play their 6th game that week, and make it to a better bowl than the official West Champion coming out of championship week with 1 to 3 losses.

Click to expand...

What would be wild is if they finished 6-0, creamed Michigan and the 2nd place team in the East in their +1 game, could they miss the BTCG but sneak into the CFP? They wouldn't have the quality wins to beat out an undefeated P5 team like Clemson, Bama, or OSU, but it would be a heated argument between them and a 1-loss Notre Dame or 1-loss 2nd place SEC team.

Hey, just checking in this week. I hope we play, but not holding my breath.

I'd be fine with another team going to the B1GCG if UW doesn't play enough games. It does make the BCS discussion interesting, but the truth is that UW doesn't really belong in that conversation, particularly if they don't get to play OSU. It'd be like UCF. The B12 or PAC12 would have a legitimate beef, too.

Plus, we're getting waaaaay ahead of ourselves

BadgerInSpartyland said:

Hey, just checking in this week. I hope we play, but not holding my breath.

I'd be fine with another team going to the B1GCG if UW doesn't play enough games. It does make the BCS discussion interesting, but the truth is that UW doesn't really belong in that conversation, particularly if they don't get to play OSU. It'd be like UCF. The B12 or PAC12 would have a legitimate beef, too.

Plus, we're getting waaaaay ahead of ourselves

Click to expand...

Thanks for checking in. Just to be clear, you would honestly be ok with it if Wisconsin went 5-0, beat Northwestern by 20, and Northwestern went to the championship game with a 5-3 record?

FirstDownB said:

Thanks for checking in. Just to be clear, you would honestly be ok with it if Wisconsin went 5-0, beat Northwestern by 20, and Northwestern went to the championship game with a 5-3 record?

Click to expand...

I might be alone, but yeah. And, if I'm being honest, part of that could be the prospect of avoiding the PTSD of probably facing the Buckeyes again. But, most of it is because the rules are known, and that's that. I hope this doesn't sound like a humble brag, but this year, the CG is not really as big a deal. Every one gets that week 9 game (hopefully). And there is little difference in the bowl game opportunities of a 5-1 record with a loss to OSU and 6-0 without playing them. I guess the lack of an opportunity to try to beat OSU does suck, but with only 5 games, it's hard to complain that loudly.

BadgerInSpartyland said:

I might be alone, but yeah. And, if I'm being honest, part of that could be the prospect of avoiding the PTSD of probably facing the Buckeyes again. But, most of it is because the rules are known, and that's that. I hope this doesn't sound like a humble brag, but this year, the CG is not really as big a deal. Every one gets that week 9 game (hopefully). And there is little difference in the bowl game opportunities of a 5-1 record with a loss to OSU and 6-0 without playing them. I guess the lack of an opportunity to try to beat OSU does suck, but with only 5 games, it's hard to complain that loudly.

Click to expand...

Yeah, its a different perspective on the importance of a BTCG appearance that comes from two VERY different fan experiences the past decade-and-a-half. A lot of Purdue fans would walk over hot coals for a chance to play in Indy on 12/19. A win would just be gravy.

FirstDownB said:

One thing that is fairly obvious after just two weeks is that Wisconsin is the class of the West. Even without Mertz they are probably a cut above the rest.
Let's assume this Saturday's game is cancelled (will know tomorrow for sure).. That would leave the Badgers no room for missing any additional games and playing the minimum 6 to be eligible for the BTCG. That means if ANY of their remaining opponents catch an outbreak within a week or two of playing Wisconsin, they are screwed. But what will actually happen if at the end of the season the Badgers are sitting at 5-0 and the next closest team in the West is 5-3 or even 4-3? Will the Big Ten stick to its guns or will they cave to pressure from Papa Alvarez? I'm not sure how I would feel if Purdue or Northwestern got to Indy that way. I guess I'd take it however we can get it, but I know how I would feel if I were in their shoes.

Click to expand...

You sure about that? What’s 9 minus 2? Lol

BCfanatic2020 said:

You sure about that? What’s 9 minus 2? Lol

Click to expand...

The Big Ten plays 8 regular season games. The 9th week would be the B1G championship game. 8-2 is 6.

PUQBMan. said:

The Big Ten plays 8 regular season games. The 9th week would be the B1G championship game. 8-2 is 6.

Click to expand...

I thought I heard these guys from boiled sports talking about 9 games on Purdue’s actual schedule

BCfanatic2020 said:

I thought I heard these guys from boiled sports talking about 9 games on Purdue’s actual schedule

Click to expand...

Everyone has a 9th game scheduled with opponent TBD based on where you finish in your division. If you don't complete 6 of the first 8 games, you can't compete in the #1 vs #1 matchup. Which weirdly makes a "no contest" worse than a loss in certain situations.

FirstDownB said:

Everyone has a 9th game scheduled with opponent TBD based on where you finish in your division. If you don't complete 6 of the first 8 games, you can't compete in the #1 vs #1 matchup. Which weirdly makes a "no contest" worse than a loss in certain situations.

Click to expand...

Sorry dog.. I need to listen more carefully

BadgerInSpartyland said:

Hey, just checking in this week. I hope we play, but not holding my breath.

I'd be fine with another team going to the B1GCG if UW doesn't play enough games. It does make the BCS discussion interesting, but the truth is that UW doesn't really belong in that conversation, particularly if they don't get to play OSU. It'd be like UCF. The B12 or PAC12 would have a legitimate beef, too.

Plus, we're getting waaaaay ahead of ourselves

Click to expand...

I personally believe WI will want to make a go of it if at all possible even if moving the venue to a location to make it safer for all players and be down 22 plus players. Bucky and Barry know that Purdue’s weakness is the run game and can win it till proven otherwise.
If WI can get ~ 60 players and their coaches together, they will game on. There will be several options on the table to find their way to an answer.