Week 4 rewind: Big Ten finishes nonconference play strong

Despite their success, the Wolverines weren’t able to crack the top five in the NJ.com power rankings this week because the top Big Ten teams continue to roll. Michigan returns unanimous Preseason Players to Watch list members J.T. Compher and Columbus Blue Jackets first round pick Zach Werenski.

A win over a BYU squad, who had recently given playoff contender UCLA all it could handle, as well as a seven-point loss in the opener against Utah, which recently pummeled Oregon on the road by 42 points, means that Michigan could be the spoiler the Big Ten needs. All three of these aspects were on display for Michigan on Saturday, as well as during the team’s three-game winning streak.

Ignore any idea that Michigan will simply be a steady work in progress this season.

Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer shouts to his team during the…

“The way that we’re playing right now, I don’t know if we can (win the Big Ten)”. Schilkey was also an Academic All-Big Ten honoree last season.

The official start to the 2015-16 season is less than a week away, and the Big Ten Conference has released its preseason coaches’ poll, as well as the league’s Players to Watch list.

Perry agreed that the team is fortunate to still be in its No. 1 position – perhaps aided by not having a nonconference opponent like Oregon on its schedule – and will have to be better if it wants to avoid being passed by the Spartans. The senior goaltender from Butler, Penn. had a tremendous season, earning First Team All-America honors to go along with being named the Big Ten Player of the Year and Big Ten Goaltender of the Year. The Buckeyes have certainly shown flashes in the season’s first four games, though their recent performance against Northern Illinois represents a blueprint on how to best neutralize their scoring ability.

The upcoming OSU vs. MSU game has drawn comparisons to the 2006 “Game of the Century”, in which No. 1 OSU topped No. 2 Michigan 42-39 to secure a spot in the championship game. Both games begin at 7 p.m.

“Absolutely I’m excited”, Powell said.

Ohio State is good.