Big 10 Preview
1. Michigan – The Wolverines came within 3 points of getting a chance to get creamed by Florida last year in the BCS championship game. They have the lowest amount of returning starters in the Big 10, but they had a great defense last year and return 7 starters on that side of the ball. Still, they are the best in the league in terms of talent and the Big 10 scheduling gods must be Michigan fans as they have 8 home games and only 4 road games. Their only tough road game will be Wisconsin, but all of them are certainly winnable. However, this team is a Chad Henne or Mike Hart injury away from being 8-4 or 9-3. Please though, don’t label me a Michigan lover as I will be rooting against them every weeknd. Regardless, with that schedule, they could go undefeated and get demonished by a quality opponent in a BCS bowl. If they can break their 3 game losing streak against OSU, they have a good shot at the National Championship game. Prediction: 11-1 (7-1)
2. Ohio State – With only 11 returning starters and ample talent lost to the NFL. They also have to play Michigan and Penn State on the road. The defense will be solid as usual so they will be competitive in every ballgame, but it will be tough to match last years season with so many unknowns on offense. Prediction: 10-2 (6-2)
3. Penn State – The Big 10 schedule is tough enough but doable with Wisconsin and Ohio State at home and non-conference foe Notre Dame at home as well, but they have to travel to Michigan. Anthony Morelli is an improved QB and will continue to improve this season and should put up even better numbers as he has his top 3 receivers back this year, as well as a couple solid recruits coming in. Look for Chris Bell (6’2″,210, 4.4 speed) to be the end zone threat they lacked last year. The defense will be one of the best in the country, particularly the secondary. The DL has some questions as its less experienced than last year, and the LB core loses Paul Posluszny, but the LBs that are still there are solid and the secondary was #16 last year and they return everyone there. If the cards fall right and they can beat Michigan on the road, this team could be undefeated. Prediction: 10-2 (6-2).
4. Wisconsin – It’s a log jam again this year at the top of the Big 10. They get Michigan at home, but travel to PSU, OSU. But the non conference schedule is light and they are 18-1 in home stadium Camp Randall since 2004. Last year, they average 29.2 points per game, which was this best since 2000 and they return 9 starters on offense, only losing QB and LT. I think it’ll be tough to match the 12 wins of last year, but anything less than a New Years day bowl is a disappointment with this much talent. Prediction: 10-2 (6-2).
5. Iowa – Ohio State and Michigan drop off the schedule this year, so they should improve upon their 6-7 record last year. However, this is a team that hasn’t reached its potential the last several years under Ferentz so we have no reason to believe they will this year either. Tate is gone at QB and he has been the one who carried the team the last couple years and will be difficult to replace. But they do have 8 back on defense, and defense is very important to winning in the Big 10. Prediction: 8-4 (4-4).
6. Purdue – This has been a team predicted to be at the top of the Big 10 the last 2 years since they didn’t have to play Michigan or Ohio State and were loaded with talent, but they’ve been unable to turn the corner and join the Big 10 elite. They return all their key skill positions on offense and are capable of putting up some big numbers on any given week. Also, they should at least start 4-0 and possibly 5-0. With 18 returning starters, this is a very experienced team. They do have to play Ohio State and Michigan this year though. Predition: 7-5 (4-4).
7. Illinois – My surprise team in the Big 10. I just hope Illini fans remember how to get to a bowl game because after several disappointing seasons, they could find themselves in their first bowl game since 2001. Despite going 2-10 last year, Illinois actually outgained opponents on offense, and they return their QB, Juice Williams, and their core WRs. Juice is a threat to run on any play as well and will help the running game develop as all their running backs are highly touted recruits, but unproven. Zook in his 3rd season has a lot more of his recruits in and those that return are familiar with his systems. Prediction: 7-5 (4-4)
8. Northwestern – I look for Northwestern to improve upon last years record of 4-8 as they return 16 of their top 19 tacklers and the QB situation should be much more stable this year. CJ Bacher improved as the season wore on and will be more improved this season as he gets comfortable in the offense. As the passing game improves, Tyrell Sutton (2005 Big 10 freshman of the year) should be able to find some running room again as defenses won’t be able to stack up against him. Prediction: 7-5 (4-4).
9. Michigan State – Coaching changes are tough on everyone. And Mark Dantonio (formerly of Cincinnati) has an uphill battle with only 12 returning starters this year. Coach Dantonio is discipline oriented and if the players buy into his system, they should at least be competitive in all their ballgames but have a tough schedule (@Notre Dame, @OSU,PSU,Michigan,@Wisconsin). They had 4 close losses last year (normally a sign for an improved record) and lost 24 starts due to injury. Still, bowl eligibility will be an accomplishment. Prediction: 5-7 (3-5)
10. Indiana – Terry Hoeppner missed all of spring practice and then passed away over the summer. All of their home games this year will be a memorial to him. They do return 16 starters, including 9 on offense and 7 on defense. 3-5 in the Big10 last year will be tough to match though but with Ohio State and Michigan off the schedule, they could get to 5 or 6 wins if a few things go their way. It’s difficult to predict how the team will react to the loss of their coach. Prediction: 4-8 (1-7).
11. Minnesota – 1st year coach Tim Brewster steps into a team with a couple holes on offense, including QB and WR. They do have 9 back on defense though, and the defense will be ready way before the offense as they switch from their power running game to the spread offense under new offensive coordinator Dunbar. The new coordinators have plenty of proven coaching experience and Brewster made a name for himself as a top recruiter while working for Mack Brown. He’ll have a new $289 million stadium to lure recruits to next season, but he’ll need a couple years to build a solid team. I just hope the Golden Gopher faithful give him the time he needs. Prediction: 3-9 (0-8).