Coaches preach to the high heavens that a team never, ever looks ahead to a big game, but instead focuses on the current opponent.

Right, and Brutus the Buckeye has a tiny head.

For every hyped up “game of the year” such as Trojans vs. Buckeyes or Ohio State and Penn State, there’s a trap game lying in the weeds, ready to up and pounce on the college football world, sending shockwaves far and wide.  Take the following six-pack of examples, which could serve as trap games in the Big Ten for 2009…

Michigan Wolverines
Trap Game: Western Michigan (September 5th)

Stop eyeing the Irish the following week, Michigan – the Broncos (9-4 in 2008) are no slouch.  Western Michigan returns seven starters on offense in 2009, including QB Tim Hiller, who threw for 36

Each season, a team earns a clean slate, and 2009 will be no different.  Whether a program likes it or not, everyone earns a reputation and a theme even before the season begins.

Call it a Big Ten preview set to music – featuring all eleven schools – and the theme song each should have blasting over the loudspeakers in the locker room this week. 

BIG TEN PREVIEW

Penn State Nittany Lions
“Secondary” – Brand New

“Secondary… And it comes down to you.”
The Nittany Lions have an extremely talented team in place for 2009, yet suffered major losses from last season on the o-line, at the wide receiver position, and in the secondary.  The offensive line has two anchors in place to help the others grow (Landolt and Wisniewski), while experienced

John Hughes was a genius, a one of a kind talent who blessed the world with comedic gems such as Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, National Lampoon’s Vacation, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Mr. Mom, Planes, Trains & Automobiles, Home Alone, Uncle Buck and more.

Sadly, Hughes left the world prematurely after dying of a heart attack at age 59 just a few short days ago.  The writer/producer/director had ties with the city of Chicago, and the people who lived there loved him like they love deep dish pizza, the Wrigley Field ivy, Ozzie Guillen’s potty mouth and Big Ten football.

That’s where this piece comes in – to provide a Big Ten football tribute to the passing of John Hughes, by providing a list of famous quotes