After spending the opening weekend of the season on the road in Happy Valley for the Penn State-Ohio game, this past week was a chance to spend the afternoon (and evening) on the couch, in front of several TVs, and immerse myself in college football.  Here are my five observations from the weekend that was.

Update: It WILL Be A Long Year For the Big 10

Last week I speculated that the Big 10 was in for another tough season.  This weekend confirmed it.  Besides Penn State’s hearbreaking loss to Virginia, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Purdue, Illinois, and Iowa also put up losses.  The league’s only victories this weekend came over the likes of Central Florida, New Hampshire, UMass, Air Force, Central Michigan and Vanderbilt.  In fact, the only two wins the Big 10 can claim against other “BCS” leagues are courtesy of Northwestern (Syracuse and Vanderbilt).

Michigan State and Ohio State are the only 2 teams that seem to be meeting early season expectations, and due to NCAA sanctions, only the Spartans are eligible for the post season.  That September 29^th match up in East Lansing between MSU and the Buckeyes might as well be for the conference title*.