2009 Week 13

Penn State Wins Big Ten Title

November 28, 2009

Weekly Report Posted: September 10, 2009 15:40  

It just stands to reason that the team with both the number one offense and the number one defense in the conference would end up as the conference champ. Penn State managed just such a feat, and after a win against rival Michigan State on Saturday, they have captured their second Big Ten title in a row, nudging aside the Ohio State Buckeyes by beating them in week ten in Happy Valley.

The Lions were led all season by quarterback Daryl Clark, who finished number one in the Big Ten in passing yards and touchdowns, and also by running back and Heisman favorite Evan Royster, who rushed for over 1400 yards (top in the conference) and 14 touchdowns (also the top mark in the conference). The combo turned out to be too much for the rest of the Big Ten to handle, and the Lions will be the Big Ten's top representative in the upcoming BCS bowl games.

On the strength of a big win at Michigan in the final week of the season, the Buckeyes managed to place second in the Big Ten, successfully ending any hope of a BCS bid for the Wolverines. The Buckeyes were Spartan fans in the final week, as a Michigan State win over Penn State in the final week would have made Ohio State the Big Ten champs, but it was not to be, and the Buckeyes' only loss of the season was enough to cost them the Big Ten for the second year in a row. It's safe to say that when Penn State comes to Columbus next season, the Buckeyes, and especially Terrelle Pryor, who has never beaten the Nitttany Lions, will be ready.

The Buckeyes believe their season still warrants BCS consideration, and expect to receive an at-large bid, perhaps against the Pac-10 champ, or maybe Notre Dame. There is still much to be decided, but the Buckeyes are officially ine "wait and see" mode for the next couple of weeks.