Big Ten Early Outlook
Nelly's Sportsline
College Football will be back in action sooner than you think. Here is a quick glance at the Big Ten conference as we head towards the 2010 season. Another title game shot could come from this league after being considered somewhat down the last two years.
After an 11-2 season that culminated in a Rose Bowl victory Ohio State will return as an elite national contender in 2010. The Buckeyes return nearly the entire offense from last season led by talented QB Terrelle Pryor who could be poised for a huge season. Ohio State allowed just over twelve points per game last season and while there are a few spots to fill, the Buckeyes should still have a top tier defense. The schedule also sets up well for Ohio State, missing two of the better teams in the conference schedule and catching Penn State and Michigan at home. 7-1 has been good enough to win the Big Ten the past three years so this team could still survive an upset and be BCS bowl bound while a perfect season would almost ensure a title game slot. The stars nearly aligned for Iowa last season, starting off 9-0 with several narrow escapes. Iowa lost two close conference games down the stretch but recovered with a great bowl win over ACC champion Georgia Tech. The toughest games for Iowa in conference play will be at home and the Hawkeyes will likely be favored in almost every game. Ricky Stanzi was very effective last year at QB and he missed time due to injury in both losses. Defensively Iowa should be excellent but this team did catch some breaks last year and also was prone to poor starts in several games.
There is significant player turnover at Penn State this season but the Nittany Lions should not be kept out of the Big Ten discussion. Even after an 11-2 season that included a bowl win over LSU the Lions are not likely to open the season with a high ranking. That could all change with an upset of Alabama in the second game of the season however. Penn State does draw one of the tougher conference schedules but if the new QB can provide a smooth transition there are still enough pieces in place for another double-digit win season. Missing Ohio State on the schedule can instantly provide a boost in the Big Ten and Michigan State can take advantage this season. The Spartans were a disappointment last season, barely finding a bowl bid and struggling on defense late in the year. MSU grabs a favorable home schedule in the Big Ten and while the road games will be tough, this looks like a team that can make a move up in the standings and put together a winning season as key players on both sides of the ball are back.
Expectations will be high for Wisconsin this season but the Badgers have not done better than 5-3 in the Big Ten since 2004. A weak non-conference schedule coupled with a favorable conference slate will provide Wisconsin with a great chance for a big season. The Badgers have nearly the entire offense from 2009 back in action and the running game should again be reliable however the defense that was often exposed last year could be even weaker this season. Having to play Ohio State and Iowa in back-to-back weeks will be a challenge and while the Badgers miss Penn State completely, none of the conference road games will be easy. This could be a make or break year for Michigan after back-to-back disappointing seasons. The program has undergone major changes but now finally has an experienced team that is right for the system. The schedule is far from easy this season as they play all the top contenders in the conference but a bowl bid should be in the works if the Wolverines can have success in a somewhat challenging non-conference slate with two quality opponents right off the bat.
After back-to-back losing seasons Purdue may be ready for a big breakthrough. The Boilers beat Ohio State last year and played many competitive games despite falling short of a bowl spot. This season the schedule will provide great opportunities for wins as Iowa and Penn State are missing and they have a favorable home schedule. Former Miami QB Robert Marve likely takes over at QB but the running game does have question marks. This should be an improved defensive team and a team with a great shot at a winning record. Many expected Illinois to be a quality bowl team last season but it was a disastrous year, finishing just 3-9. Ron Zook has been given another opportunity but he must make do with a lot of new pieces on offense. Despite the poor record Illinois was barely out-gained for the season and the team could find no momentum with a very tough early season schedule. This year the Illini should be able to get a few early wins while avoiding two of the top teams in the conference schedule.
A third straight bowl trip could be in the works for Northwestern but it likely will not mean a strong conference record. The Wildcats face a very weak non-conference schedule and open with a favorable start to the conference season. Don ' t be surprised if Northwestern has a great mid-season record but this team could fade down the stretch. Indiana has won just once in the Big Ten each of the last two years and it is tough to find a good spot for the Hoosiers to get that win this season. Indiana should go 4-0 in the non-conference schedule and if they can find an upset or two in conference play it can be a successful season. Indiana should have its best offensive team since 2007 and while the defense will struggle at times the Hoosiers were quite competitive in several games last season even against some of the better teams in the conference. The Tim Brewster era at Minnesota could come to a halt even though the Gophers have made bowl trips the last two years. The veteran offense was incredibly disappointing last season and this year the defense returns just two starters. Minnesota also draws one of the toughest schedules in the nation which will likely lead to a very tough season.