will keep you in a lot of games you should get walloped in, but it will also make you susceptible to getting beat ugly by programs like Iowa, Wisconsin and Northwestern.

Offensive linemen are becoming very hard to find as participation rates plummet across the Upper Midwest and the region depopulates. A lot of high school players are now shutting it down after a second concussion and it is gutting the bodies available to play line. It's very pronounced across the former Big Ten West teams. Iowa has a very good line this year, but it has taken 3 maddening years to develop and we start de novo next year.

A guy like Bert gives you the best chance for a steady state 6 to 9 win program that may be able to make a borderline playoff run every fourth or fifth year when you avoid injuries, get some bounces and the schedule falls your way.