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DES MOINES, Iowa -- Somewhat unexpected championship runs by Michigan State and Iowa last season fueled expectations of potential repeats in 2016.It doesnt look like either team will make it back to Indianapolis this December.The Spartans (2-5, 0-4 Big Ten) are a staggering four games behind No. 2 Michigan (7-0, 4-0) heading into their annual showdown game this Saturday.The Hawkeyes (5-3, 3-2), who are off this week, still has something of a plausible path to the West title. But it involves winning their final four games, which would include home victories over the Wolverines and unbeaten and seventh-ranked Nebraska (7-0, 4-0), and one more loss for Wisconsin (5-2, 2-2) and two for surging Northwestern (4-3, 3-1).So how did two teams that just 10 months ago played a title game end up here?Michigan States young defense, which held the Hawkeyes to just 13 points in that slugfest of a championship game in 2015, is letting up nearly 30 points a game. The Spartans had as many as six freshmen playing defense at times in last weeks last weeks 28-17 loss to Maryland (5-2, 2-2).Iowas defense ranks 20th nationally at 18.9 points allowed per game. But its offense has been a mess since mid-September, failing to score more than 21 points in four of its last six games.It certainly gives you time to look deeper at what youre doing and re-assess where your team is at, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said of the bye week. Right now, weve come short three times. Wed certainly like to close that gap.Michigan State hosts rival Michigan knowing that a loss would eliminate the Spartans from the East race.The (Michigan) game is played on the field. Youve got to be able to block, tackle and catch the football, Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. This is a very fundamental game played at a very high level, and weve got to be able to win our fair share of battles.BAD BREAK FOR THE BADGERSWisconsin kept its slim West hopes alive with a 17-9 win at Iowa last week. But the Badgers suffered a major blow when it was announced that linebacker Jack Cichy, its leading tackler, is out for the season with a torn pectoral. Cichy had 60 tackles, including 37 in his last three games. The Badgers host the Huskers in a critical West showdown, and sophomore Ryan Connelly is expected to take Cichys place.THORSONS GROWTHA big reason why Northwestern has turned into a 1/3 start into a winning record has been the progress of sophomore quarterback Clayton Thorson. He has nine touchdown passes against just one pick in his last three games, all victories, and is third in the Big Ten with 240 yards passing per game. The only league player with more touchdowns than Thorson (14) is J.T. Barrett of No. 6 Ohio State (6-1, 3-1), who host the Wildcats on Saturday.Hes really gaining confidence through his experience. Its gaining knowledge of our offense, trusting in his abilities and just playing at a faster tempo, said Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald, an Illinois native who yelled Go Cubs! at the end of his time on the weekly coaches teleconference.GEORGE LEGACY AT ILLINOISIllinois found itself down to its third quarterback in last weeks 41-8 loss to Michigan, and the game went about as expected. Jeff George Jr., the son of former Illini star and top NFL draft pick Jeff George, was 4 of 15 passing for 95 yards with a TD, an interception and a fumble in his first start. Coach Lovie Smith wouldnt commit to George as the starter for this weeks home game with Minnesota (2-5, 1-3).We saw improvement on until the end of the game. What Jeff brings to the table is a strong arm. Hes confident in his arm, making all of the throws, Smith said.HE SAID ITWere in this together, as a staff and as players. Tough coaches and tough players fight through things, said Ohio State coach Urban Meyer about last weeks loss. All three of Meyers national title teams bounced back from a regular-season loss.---Online: www.collegefootball.ap.orgFake Hockey Jerseys . It says Pocklingtons lawyer filed the appeal Friday in a California court. CTV Edmonton also says Pocklington gave a $100,000 cash deposit as part of the conditions of his bail, and that he will be out on bail until his appeal is heard. Cyber Monday Hockey Jerseys . The 29-year-old Baines has established himself as one of the top attacking full backs in the country and was the subject of two bids from United during the last off-season. 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Hockey Jerseys China .com) - Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Roger Federer were easy first-round winners Tuesday at the Australian Open.NEW YORK -- With Pele looking on, the revived New York Cosmos signed a shirt sponsorship contract with Emirates Airline as the team prepares to play in the second-tier North American Soccer League this summer. The 72-year-old Brazilian great, the teams honorary president, attended a news conference in Manhattan. Featuring stars such as Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and Giorgio Chinaglia, the Cosmos played in the old NASL froom 1971-84 and folded in 1985.dddddddddddd The relaunched team is run by CEO Seamus OBrien. It starts play at Shuart Stadium in Hempstead on Long Island on Aug. 3 against Fort Lauderdale. The Cosmos hope to build a $400 million, 25,000-seat stadium at Belmont Park racetrack. Emirates Air also is the shirt sponsor of Arsenal, AC Milan, Hamburg, Paris Saint-Germain and, starting next season, Real Madrid. ' ' '