Let’s get right to the preview for the Big 10 which now has 2 divisions.
LEADERS
1. WISCONSIN BADGERS – Can’t really trust Ohio State to the top spot with their off-season troubles. So we will head to Madison. These guys get 12 starters back and HC Bielema always gets the best out of his troops. Badgers have b2b roadies vs a tough Michigan State and Ohio State. The later should determine who wins the Leaders.
2. OHIO STATE – Buckeyes are talented. This team is always in the BCS talk. This season, they might take a step back from that goal with thier off-season intrigue. That being said, this is still Columbus. They don’t rebuild, they just reload. It remains to be how the players respond, but my gut tells me getting on the field will be the best remedy to putting the off-season mess behind them, But with a new HC and QB, a slight step backwards is most likely in the works.
3. PENN STATE – The ageless Jo Pa is back and this year has a bit more of a veteran squad under him. They have 14 returning starters, but QB play will be the big question. They have Alabama coming to town next Saturday. We will know where the Nittany Lions stand after that. Ending the year going to Ohio State and Wisconsin is not really going to back that Thanksgiving meal go down any tastier.
4. ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI – I have always like HC Ron Zook. This is his 7th year here. The guy replaced Spurrier in Florida. He stayed 3 year. The guys he recruited basically won National Championship in 2006 for the Gators. So the question is, where are those caliber players here. Illini haven’t had b2b winning years since ’90! Sophomore QB Nate Scheelhaase will look to grow off a solid freshman campaign.
5. PURDUE BOILERMAKERS – HC Danny Hope is entering his 3rd year, it should be about time to take that next step. Coming off a 4-8 season, Purdue should improve with 16 starters back, 9 on defense. They do have a tough schedule facing, ND and Ohio State at home, while traveling to Penn State and Wiscy. Next weekend at Rice is a pivotal game. They already lost at home (we had MidTennState) and have SE Mizz State after that. 2-1 facing ND is a lot better than 1-2 or even tragically, 0-3. Hot seat anyone?
6. INDIANA HOOSIERS – First year HC Kevin Wilson is in for a painfull season. He lost his QB and best tackler. He returns just 12 starters. They have 4 tough road games at Wiscy, Iowa, Ohio State and Michigan State. They can conceivably be a 1 or 2 win team this year.
LEGENDS
1. MICHIGAN STATE – It would be easy to put Nebraska here. I am taking HC mark Dantonio’s bunch. QB Kirk Cousins is right there with Dan Persa as best in the conference. They have great RB talent and depth. They do have to hit the road vs 5 bowl teams, but I think they are up to the challenge.
1a, NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS – HC Bo Pelini enters year 4 with 12 starters back and in a new conference. They get Wiscy on the road and Ohio State at home b2b, before Michigan State at home. Those game could decide who is going to the win the Big 10 this year. QB Taylor Martinez needs to be on the same page as his coaches.
3. NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS – If QB Dan Persa is healthy, this team could suprise some people. They have their top 2 rushers back plus their top WR, 9 starters total back on offense and 7 on defense. HC Pat Fitzgerald gets the most out of what he has to work with.
4. MICHIGAN WOLVERINES – HC Brady Hoke takes over after the doomed RichRod experiment. Plenty of talent as is always the case here at Michigan. The spread is out, and pro-style is in. But there are 9 starters back on offense. Defense should improve.
5. IOWA HAWKEYES – I was high on this team last year, but this team just could not finish games. I don’t expect them to be better this year without QB Ricky Stanzi and their leading rusher Adam Robinson. Just 9 starters return for HC Kirk Ferentz. Who knows, with the pressure off, they might win 10 games.
6. MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS – Man this team on paper looks horrible, Watching them play yesterday vs USC (loser on USC) the offense is terrible, but the defense made key stops (8 returning starters on D). This is still HC Jerry Kill’s first year. He will find out the Big 10 isn’t the MAC
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