Blog Ten Gameday: Wisconsin Controlling Iowa

We’ve got four games going on this morning, and for the most part, things aren’t really going as I thought they would.  In Madison the Badgers have a halftime lead over Wisconsin, which isn’t surprising but elsewhere strange happenings are taking place.

Ohio State is letting Purdue hang around, we have a defensive struggle in East Lansing, and you know that opening scene from American History X?  The one where Ed Norton makes the burglar put his teeth on the curb before stomping his head?

Yeah, that’s what Michigan is doing to Delaware State.

Wisconsin 10  Iowa 3 Halftime

I knew this game was going to be somewhat of a defensive battle, and it has been so far.  What I did not expect was to see Wisconsin’s offensive line dominate the Hawkeye defensive line so thoroughly at times.  John Clay is having himself a day as he has 70 yards at halftime, though he missed most of the 2nd quarter after hurting his ankle.  The injury looked terrible at first, but he returned to action.  The Wisconsin defensive line is having a nice time with Iowa’s offensive line as well as O’Brien Schofield seems pretty ticked off he didn’t make the semi-finalists for the Lombardi Trophy.  He’s making his living in the Iowa backfield today, and Brandon Wegher and Adam Robinson just can’t get any room to run.

Northwestern 7  Michigan State 0 Halftime

This game is a big surprise.  The last two seasons both of these programs have put up about 80 points when playing against each other, but this afternoon has been a defensive battle.  Northwestern has been able to gain 206 yards of offense in the first half but a lot of those came on an 80-yard drive for their lone touchdown, a Mike Kafka pass to Andrew Brewer.  Michigan State seems to miss Glenn Winston as well, as they’ve only managed 29 yards rushing in the first half, with an average of 1.9 yards per carry.

Purdue 9  Ohio State 7  Halftime

No, you’re not reading that score wrong.  It seems that Purdue’s fumblitis is more contagious and dangerous than swine flu because Terrelle Pryor’s fumbled twice for the Buckeyes, and Ray Small fumbled a punt return in the second quarter as well.  Of course, Purdue being Purdue, they have two turnovers of their own as well — and it should be 3 but they got a mercy call from refs on an Aaron Valentin fumble in the 1st quarter.   Also, Purdue has dominated the time of possession in this game, holding onto the ball for over 20 minutes in the first half and outgaining Ohio State 179-107.  I don’t think there’s any way this score holds, but hey, good for you, Purdue.  Good for you.

Michigan 49  Delaware State 3  Halftime

Delaware State was able to squeeze in a field goal just before the end of the first half, but I’m pretty sure it’s only because Rich Rodriguez has started recruiting kids out of the student section to finish the game for his team.  I feel like I’m watching a snuff film whenever I turn this game on.  Seriously, check out these numbers.  Michigan has 442 yards of offense — a school record — in the first half.  Delaware State has 57.  I hope they got a big check for this.