Someone on the UConn board actually listed the B1G Massey rankings, which provides some context. Like RPI, Massey measures strength of schedule and also point differential, so it is much used to predict winners and losers. Conversely, I'm a simple person. I look at who has played and beaten arguably better teams, or lost to arguably worse teams.
Maryland is the best ranked team in the B1G at Massey #8. Largely, while undefeated, that low because they played a rather unimpressive schedule. Best victories against an inconsistent Georgia and South Carolina. Still, they played to win the games . . .
The other undefeated team is Minnesota, down at #24. Best victory - Syracuse. Again, they are not bad - unlike teams in some other conferences that go undefeated through their OOC and then get smashed up in-conference. I don't think that will happen, but I don't think they have shown that they are likely to go undefeated in conference, either.
Iowa and Michigan State (#15 and #20) are 2 teams that are surely good. Michigan State's only loss to a good NC State team, and a solid win by beating Oregon. Iowa has at least 3 good wins (West Virginia, Iowa State and Drake) and 2 perfectly OK losses, to Notre Dame and Florida State.
The other 2 "top 50's" Indiana and Michigan look pretty good, as well. Indiana actually is ranked slightly higher, but on the eye-test is shaky. Only loss was awful - Grambling. But their best wins were against some P5 teams that don't look strong - Wake Forest, UCLA and Florida, which is awful this year. Michigan OTH has 3 losses, but none would be considered "bad". Ranked Marquette, Texas and NC State. But their best victory is against a mildly inconsistent Missouri team.
Before I wrap these up, I need to mention Rutgers. We are Massey #52, with 7 other B1G teams listed below us. I think all of us can agree that it is hard to get a read. No really bad losses - although with the exception possibly of Gonzaga, they sould have been winnable. But no really good victories, either.
With Rutgers kind of indeterminate - and some of the other teams supposedly ahead of them likewise not "well tested" - Rutgers "should" be able to get some wins in this group. Maybe not Maryland, Iowa or MIchigan State, but, then again, there's a reason they play the games.
I'll make some comments about the teams below Rutgers later.
Maryland is the best ranked team in the B1G at Massey #8. Largely, while undefeated, that low because they played a rather unimpressive schedule. Best victories against an inconsistent Georgia and South Carolina. Still, they played to win the games . . .
The other undefeated team is Minnesota, down at #24. Best victory - Syracuse. Again, they are not bad - unlike teams in some other conferences that go undefeated through their OOC and then get smashed up in-conference. I don't think that will happen, but I don't think they have shown that they are likely to go undefeated in conference, either.
Iowa and Michigan State (#15 and #20) are 2 teams that are surely good. Michigan State's only loss to a good NC State team, and a solid win by beating Oregon. Iowa has at least 3 good wins (West Virginia, Iowa State and Drake) and 2 perfectly OK losses, to Notre Dame and Florida State.
The other 2 "top 50's" Indiana and Michigan look pretty good, as well. Indiana actually is ranked slightly higher, but on the eye-test is shaky. Only loss was awful - Grambling. But their best wins were against some P5 teams that don't look strong - Wake Forest, UCLA and Florida, which is awful this year. Michigan OTH has 3 losses, but none would be considered "bad". Ranked Marquette, Texas and NC State. But their best victory is against a mildly inconsistent Missouri team.
Before I wrap these up, I need to mention Rutgers. We are Massey #52, with 7 other B1G teams listed below us. I think all of us can agree that it is hard to get a read. No really bad losses - although with the exception possibly of Gonzaga, they sould have been winnable. But no really good victories, either.
With Rutgers kind of indeterminate - and some of the other teams supposedly ahead of them likewise not "well tested" - Rutgers "should" be able to get some wins in this group. Maybe not Maryland, Iowa or MIchigan State, but, then again, there's a reason they play the games.
I'll make some comments about the teams below Rutgers later.
