Revisiting Micah's expectations for Big Ten New Year's bowl week

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It was a mixed week for the Big Ten, as the USC Trojans, Michigan Wolverines, and Ohio State Buckeyes each suffered devastating losses. Indiana and Oregon both did their part, however, in asserting the Big Ten’s dominance in bowl season and guaranteeing that the conference will be in the national championship game for the third straight season.

Here is how my expectations played out for Big Ten teams in the New Year’s week bowl slate:

Tennessee blows out Illinois

“Illinois heads into this matchup without its two best defensive players, and their defense already is one that hangs by a thread against an explosive offense. Tennessee has exactly that and Joey Aguilar, and the Volunteers could get going early and never look back on the fighting Illini. Illinois is giving up 124 yards on the ground per game, and they are very getable through the air as well. Tennessee is a nightmare offense to face in that regard. They have a trio of backs that each dominate in their own way, with DeSean Bishop, Peyton Lewis, and Daune Morris. While Illinois is well coached, I do not believe they have enough firepower to hang with the Volunteers. I like Tennessee to win by multiple possessions.”

Tennessee’s offense did not have the big day I thought they would; instead, it was Luke Altmyer and the Fighting Illini that were the more explosive offense in this game. Bret Bielema and his experience in games such as this were a big difference in this match, as was the experience on this Illinois roster. An up-and-down season for Illinois ends with a big win over a solid SEC team in the Volunteers.

Iowa humbles Diego Pavia

“Iowa pushed the best teams in the Big Ten to the brink in each of their losses this season. The Hawkeyes’ defense is as good as it gets, and the two best quarterbacks in the country had modest performances against them. Diego Pavia has yet to beat a team of the Hawkeyes caliber. Iowa is better than both Missouri and LSU. Pavia was a Heisman runner-up this season, but he will look far from that against the Hawkeyes’ suffocating defense. I think the Hawkeyes will get after Pavia and sack him up to 5 times and force him to have multiple turnovers.”

Vanderbilt proved itself to not be a team worthy of being in the college football playoff as it let Iowa put up 34 points. Diego Pavia was still able to put up his usual numbers as the game got away from Vandy. When things mattered in this football game, Iowa’s defense was all over Pavia, totaling 5 sacks on the game and getting up on Vandy 21-3 in the 4th quarter. Mark Gronowski was the better quarterback in this match-up. This is a game that goes to show that the Big Ten is a better conference than the SEC.

Arch Manning lights up Michigan

“Arch Manning really turned the corner towards the end of the season, and he looked exactly like the quarterback many expected him to be to start this season. Manning led Texas to wins over Oklahoma, dominating a really good defense, getting the best of Vandy in a shootout, and pulling off an upset to end the season versus Texas A&M. Michigan has been one of the biggest talking points in college football, all for the wrong reasons. They got the right coach for next season, but in terms of their upcoming bowl game, nothing will save them from a dominant Arch Manning performance. Manning and the Longhorns will look to send a message for exactly why they should have been named to the College Football Playoff. I expect Manning to throw for 300 yards and at least two passing touchdowns, leading the Longhorns to a lopsided victory over Michigan.”

Arch Manning did, in fact, light up Michigan, but he did it not only with his arm but also with his legs. Manning had 4 total touchdowns, 221 yards passing, and an impressive 155 yards on the ground. Manning really found his rhythm late in the season, and now he seems to be living up to the expectations heading into next season.

Dante Moore raises his draft stock with elite CFP performance

“Dante Moore this season has been very consistent and has done exactly what this Oregon team has needed him to do for them to go on a National Championship run. Texas Tech has gotten its money’s worth with one of the best defenses in the country and talent all over the field. Oregon is a beast that Texas Tech has yet to see across the line of scrimmage. The Ducks’ run game and defensive strengths cover up how good Dante Moore has been this season, but in this upcoming game, Dante Moore will be the headline. Moore is getting more weapons back, and I believe he will deliver an elite performance. Behren Morton has been a solid quarterback this season for Texas Tech, but I think Moore will severely outplay him and show why he should be the number 1 quarterback taken in this upcoming draft class. I expect Moore to be responsible for most of the Ducks’ points and have at least 3 passing touchdowns with over 250 yards through the air.”

Dante Moore did not necessarily have the game I anticipated him to have. He was efficient as he was 26-33 and threw for 234 yards. Instead of a touchdown, he managed to just finish with one interception. He did not have to do much, though, with how good the Ducks’ defense was as they stole the show. Against Indiana next week will be when Dante Moore needs to lead his team to victory.

Hoosiers defense makes Ty Simpson see ghosts

“Ty Simpson has had his fair share of games where nothing is going right for him, and it completely limits the success of Bama’s offense. The Hoosiers in the Big Ten championship game were able to do that to Julian Sayin and a more dominant Buckeyes offense. Oklahoma has a good defense, but it also has an offense that does not complement its defense very well. The Hoosiers are the opposite; they have both a championship-level defense and an offense that can score. I think the Hoosiers’ defense steals the show in this game, and they force Simpson to have one of his worst performances this season. The Hoosiers sacked Sayin 5 teams and forced an interception. I think it will be a similar game for Simpson, resulting in Indiana moving on to the final 4.”

Ty Simpson went down with an injury in the 3rd quarter, but up to that point, Indiana was up 24. The Crimson Tide could not afford a slow start against a dominant Indiana team, and that was exactly what finally came back to bite them. Indiana proved just how good they were in every facet of this game, and Ty Simpson and Alabama’s offense getting shut out is a direct correlation of that. I expected Ty Simpson to struggle even more, but the lack of production he and Alabama’s offense posted was right in the ballpark of what I expected.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Revisiting Micah’s Big Ten football predictions for major bowls

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