[Oskee] HUGE win!

[Robert Mingee]

> If Mendenhall stays for next year, this team will be a true
> contender for a Big Ten title and BCS game.

That's exactly what I'm hanging my hope on for him staying another year -- the lure of a potentially huge year.  He's clearly ready to play at the next level, but his stock could go up even farther with a year in the spotlight.  I don't know if we've seen enough of Dufrene to know if he's ready to carry the full-time load, but with Juice obviously being a run threat as well, I don't think things will drop off too badly even if Mendenhall does decide to go early.  We're losing some talent on defense, but I have confidence in Zook to keep the defense playing at a high level.

The Iowa loss really looms large now -- we'd have had a shot at the Rose Bowl *this year* had we not lost that game.  Oh well, coulda, shoulda, woulda...

-- robert