Big Ten mental health check
It happened almost overnight -- autumn finally wriggled free of summer's grasp and football weather blitzed the area.
Several Big Ten teams are also cooling off, which comes as no surprise. September is characterized by fast starts, scorching stats and style points, but October is all about substance.
Mental toughness is the key to surviving this month. So which teams are best prepared?
Mensa members
• Ohio State looks unshakable, as Jim Tressel once again has a team that reflects his core values. The Buckeyes play suffocating defense and control field position. Road wins at Washington and Purdue are signs of a focused squad.
• Michigan has yet to play well, but it hasn't let two nonconference disasters spill into the Big Ten season, either. The Wolverines don't make major mistakes (plus-1.17 turnover margin) and show grit in the fourth quarter.
• Indiana has more than kept it together following the tragic loss of coach Terry Hoeppner in June. The Hoosiers are 5-1, and Bill Lynch would be a lock for Big Ten Coach of the Year if not for Ron Zook's sudden success at Illinois.
• It's easy to cite Illinois' top-of-the-line talent as the difference this season, but the Illini displayed late-game composure to hold off Penn State and Wisconsin.
Poise still pending
• Wisconsin knows how to win under Bret Bielema and has not dropped back-to-back games in 23 months. But the loss of wide receiver Luke Swan is an emotional blow, and a setback at Penn State would suggest the Badgers are underdogs for a reason.
• Penn State's inability to score touchdowns in the red zone (only 16 in 30 chances) raises flags about its mental fortitude. The Lions also can't seem to avoid trouble, as allegations of another fight involving players surfaced this week.
• Northwestern has been the league's most confounding team, showing great resolve to beat Michigan State in overtime but lacking focus and motivation in an unforgivable loss to Duke.
Brain cramps
• Coach Mark Dantonio spends a lot of time discussing mental toughness because, well, Michigan State has showed none in recent years. Back-to-back losses suggest another Spartans' brain freeze is upon us, and the coaches didn't help by ditching the run in overtime against Northwestern.
• Losing to Ohio State is justifiable, but Purdue has a history of letting one loss initiate a death spiral. Beating a Michigan team that can't defend the spread offense is crucial for the Boilermakers, who are 3-11 in October games the last three seasons.
• Iowa's psyche has taken a beating following injuries and off-field indiscretions, and Minnesota's dearth of discipline is reflected in the nation's second worst turnover margin (minus-2.33).
Perfect picking
After going 4-0 last week, here's another attempt at perfection:
• Purdue at Michigan, noon, Big Ten Network
The skinny: Purdue faces its first real road test - and fails.
The pick: UM 27, Purdue 21
• LSU at Kentucky, 2:30 p.m., Channel 2
The skinny: A post-Florida letdown is possible, but Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson will get the Tigers' attention.
The pick: LSU 31, Kentucky 24
• Wisconsin at Penn State, 2:30 p.m., Channel 7
The skinny: Penn State's run defense will do enough to slow P.J. Hill.
The pick: PSU 20, Wisconsin 16
• Missouri at Oklahoma, 5:30 p.m., no TV
The skinny: Two of the nation's best quarterbacks (Sam Bradford and Chase Daniel) quick draw in Norman.
The pick: Sooners 38, Tigers 35
Rittenberg on the season: 16-8
arittenberg@dailyherald.com