With less than a week to go now before the college football season kicks off, it’s time for The Dirt to make some predictions. Beginning with conference standings and conference winners, I’ll take a look at all six BCS conferences (ACC, Big East, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 12 and SEC). Next up, the Big 10:
Big 10
· Preseason Top 25 Teams
AP Poll Dirt Poll
10. Nebraska 6. Wisconsin
11. Wisconsin 11. Nebraska
17. Michigan State 21. Michigan State
18. Ohio State
· Predicted Finish
Legends Division Leaders Division
1. Nebraska 10-2 (6-2) 1. Wisconsin 11-1 (7-1)
2. Michigan 9-3 (5-3) 2. Penn State 8-4 (5-3)
3. Northwestern 8-4 (4-4) 3. Illinois 7-5 (4-4)
4. Iowa 8-4 (4-4) 4. Ohio State 7-5 (3-5)
5. Michigan State 7-5 (4-4) 5. Purdue 5-7 (2-6)
6. Minnesota 4-8 (1-7) 6. Indiana 5-7 (1-7)
· Bowl Teams: (9)
o Wisconsin
o Nebraska
o Michigan
o Penn State
o Northwestern
o Illinois
o Iowa
o Ohio State
o Michigan State
· Big 10 Championship Game:
§ Wisconsin over Nebraska
· Big 10 Champion: Wisconsin Badgers
· Key Games:
o 11/12: #17 Michigan State Vs Iowa
o 9/10: Michigan Vs #16 Notre Dame
o 11/19: #10 Nebraska Vs Michigan
o 11/26: Michigan Vs #18 Ohio State
o 10/22: #11 Wisconsin Vs #17 Michigan State
o 10/8: #18 Ohio State Vs #10 Nebraska
o 9/10: Penn State Vs #2 Alabama
o 10/29: #18 Ohio State Vs #11 Wisconsin
o 10/1: #11 Wisconsin Vs #10 Nebraska
· Big 10 Summary:
It appears this season is stacking up to be a good one for the Big 10. The addition of Nebraska, who comes into the season ranked #10, will help to replace the hole at the top left by Ohio State. No more Terrelle Pryor, no more Jim Tressel; looks like the hierarchal structure in the conference has shifted. Russell Wilson, an amazing athlete, transferred from North Carolina State to Wisconsin; and we all got a glimpse of what he is capable of doing last night in the Badgers romp of UNLV.
Wisconsin and Nebraska are the clear cut favorites in their respective divisions coming into the season; and an October showdown in Madison could be a preview of the conferences first title game. Michigan has a new head coach, and do everything quarterback Denard Robinson back to run Brady Hoakes offense. Joe ‘Pa’ is back for his 150th season as head coach for Penn State, and they should have another strong season.
The conference could contend to have the most teams of any with bowl games; only Minnesota, Purdue and Indiana seem to be at odds with making post season play. Northwestern, Iowa, Michigan State, Illinois will all contend for 8 or so wins; and they are all very strong teams.
Then there’s Ohio State. They’ve had their run of conference dominance for around a decade; and does anyone else think they’ll have a bull’s eye on their back? They lost their swagger, and I think week in week out every conference team will bring their ‘A’ game to try and pay back the Buckeyes.
There aren’t very many big non conference games for the Big 10; Michigan will play their first ever night game against Notre Dame, which should be a good one. Other than that, most teams should cruise until their conference slate begins.
Wisconsin and Nebraska are my picks to make the first conference title game, and if both manage to lose only one regular season game; the winner could have a shot at a national title. I think Russell Wilson will make the difference, and Wisconsin will win the first 12 team Big 10 title.
With nine possible bowl teams, two teams with top 10 potential and Michigan out of the Rich Rod cloud; this is going to be one exciting conference to watch this season.
No comments:
Post a Comment