East
1. Ohio State
Ohio
State was probably the most disappointed team in all of college football last
year. Going into the Big 10 title game, Ohio State had their eye on the
national title game before falling to Sparty of Michigan State. Then came the
bowl loss to Clemson in which the Buckeyes did not resemble anything near a
national title team. But this year Ohio State looks to redeem their late season
losses and make a bid for the playoff. The schedule is a little tougher by Ohio
State standards, but the Buckeyes avoid playing the Big 10 West contenders
Wisconsin, Iowa and Northwestern.
2. Michigan State
Most
College Football Preview magazines say that they want to place Michigan State
above Ohio State in the East division but for whatever the reason they, and as
in they I mean the experts, cannot do so. Michigan State has one of the best
defenses in the country, an experienced quarterback and one of the most
underrated coaches in the country in Mike Dantonio. But I think the “it” factor
that Ohio State has and Michigan State does not is the pedigree. If Michigan
State can beat Ohio State again this year, and win another Big 10 title,
perhaps next year people will take them a little more serious.
3. Michigan
Remember
the days when Michigan, just based on pedigree was projected to be 1 or 2 atop
the Big 10? You know what is sad? Not so much that Michigan is not projected to
finish near the top of the Big 10, but that their pedigree is all but vanished.
The defense should be better, but the offensive line will be much worse due to
the additions and subtractions. Once you do the math, you realize that Michigan
will be left out of the Big 10 title picture once again.
4. Penn State
James
Franklin takes over a Nittney Lion program that has was resurrected by Bill
O’Brien after the Paterno scandal, but now Penn State fans are reverting back
to their old ways under Paterno…expecting Big 10 titles. Penn State most likely
will not get back to that status this year but fans in Happy Valley have
something to truly be happy about…a very promising future.
5. Maryland
Despite
their first year entry into the Big 10, many experts have Maryland being a
‘darkhorse’ in this division. Randy Edsal has an extremely talented team moving
in the right direction but unfortunately draw a rough Big 10 schedule. Maryland
travels to Indiana before playing back to back home games against Ohio State
and Iowa then goes back on the road to play Wisconsin and Penn State. After the
November 8th bye week, Maryland plays Michigan State then travels to
Ann Arbor to play Michigan before ending their season against Rutgers. Maryland
could have enough talent to upset one of the better Big 10 teams, but winning 2
games in the conference is a more realistic schedule.
6. Indiana
Indiana
has a lot of fire-power on offense with Telvin Coleman running behind one of
the better offensive lines in the conference. But Indiana plays a fast pace
tempo which scores quick but unfortunately that means their defense is on the
field a lot and the Hoosier defense is not good. This past season Indiana has
recruited very good defensive players however not enough to help this season.
7. Rutgers
Much
like Maryland, Rutgers has a few bright spots on both sides of the ball which
will not make the Scarlet Knights an easy out in any game but unfortunately not
enough to win many games.
West
1. Iowa
This
will be my surprise team of the Big 10, which in the past has been a death
sentence but this year I feel fairly good about it. There is no clear-cut
favorite in the West this year as every team has a plethora of issues to deal
with. Iowa I feel has the least issues out of all the teams in the West. While
they are not explosive on offense as say Nebraska or Illinois can be on
offense, and their defense is not as dominate as Wisconsin could be, Iowa is
good enough on both sides of the ball to win 10 games. They avoid Ohio State,
Michigan State and Michigan and they get Northwestern, Wisconsin, and Nebraska
at home. The schedule is favorable enough for Iowa to play their mistake-free
football, and manage their way to the West title.
2. Wisconsin
You
can be assured of a few things in life; death, taxes, and Wisconsin having a
great running game. This year is no different as Melvin Ingram looks to fall in
line of a staple of great running backs in Badger history. The real questions
that remain is whichever quarterback Wisconsin settles on Joel Stave or Tanner
McEvoy and will the re-built defense no operating in a 3-4 format be able to
hold the more potent offenses.
3. Minnesota
Minnesota
gets better and better every year. Just three seasons ago Minnesota was the
doormat of the conference and just last year Minnesota won 8 games, 4 in the
Big 10 against the likes of Northwestern, Nebraska, Indiana and Penn State
(didn’t exactly play Purdue 4 times). Now Minnesota looks to take another step
forward and they do so with a un-appreciated offense and an even
under-appreciated defense (despite the loss of Rashede Hageman). Look for the
Golden Gophers to win another four games in the conference. It hasn’t been this
exciting in Minnesota since the departure of Hayden Fox (Coach was a great
show!).
4. Nebraska
Last
year Northwestern was my surprise pick in the Big 10. And last year it was
surprising just how awful they were. But while I thought Northwestern was going
to do big things on the field, Northwestern ended up doing big things off the
field. The Union Vote took the headlines a year ago will go down as historic
moment in sports history but the Wildcats look to make an impact on the field
this season. Pat Fitzgerald is still one of the underrated coaches in the country
and he has weapons on the offense to make noise again in the Big 10. The Wildcats will upset a team or two
on their way back to a bowl game.
5. Nebraska
Every
year it appears that Nebraska is primed to become a major power in the Big 10
and year after year, they do not. Gone is Taylor Martinez, but Ameer Abdullah
and Kenny Bell return to what should be an above average offense. But
defensively Nebraska ranks in the middle of the pack (average 24.5 ppg
allowed). It also seems every year Nebraska loses 3 or more games in the Big 10
(its because they do) and this year they have to travel to Michigan State,
Northwestern, Wisconsin and Iowa. Bo Pellini better re-format his resume.
6. Illinois
Everyone
wants to try to find something positive in this Illinois program. But they are
still terrible.
7. Purdue
Purdue
is a lot like Illinois, except there is nothing positive about this program,
and nobody attempts to say that there is.
Games To Watch
1 Michigan State vs. Ohio State
This game will decide the winner
of the Big 10 East and possibly who will win a playoff berth in January. This
should be one of the more highly entertaining games to watch this year, as
Spartan Stadium is one of the most underrated venues in all of college
football. East Lansing will be rocking for this one as Michigan State and Ohio
State try to recreate the magic from last year’s title game. While many assume Ohio
State will enact revenge on Sparty, has anyone truly considered how the
landscape of the conference could shift if Michigan State wins again?
2Iowa vs. Wisconsin
While the MSU/Ohio State game will
decide the East, the Iowa/Wisconsin game should decide the West. While this
matchup will not provide the same national title implications, it should prove
to be a classic Big 10 affair where both teams play rough, hard-noised brand of
football that our elders still get excited about.
3Michigan State vs. Michigan
Michigan State’s tune up game for
Ohio State will be trying to defeat the Wolverines 5th time in the
last 6 years. It has not been much of a rivalry during that time, but the
battle for the Paul Bunyan trophy will be on the line and with that illustrious
hardware on the line expect a good game between the in-state foes. But if
Michigan State looks past Michigan to the bye week and Ohio State the week
after, Michigan could sneak up and instantly be in play of the East crown.
Big Ten Championship: Ohio State vs. Iowa
If
Ohio State returns to the Big 10 title game expect them to finish the job this
time around. While Iowa will play the “it’s just great to be nominated” card,
Ohio State should have little problem dispatching their West opponent. This
would most likely be the least entertaining conference title game that will be
offered. But Ohio State could do without the drama.
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