Big Ten Football Preview

With college football quickly approaching, I want to make my preseason picks for the Big Ten.  Here they are, with standings and records:

1. Ohio State (11-1)

2. Penn State (11-1)

3. Wisconsin (10-2)

4. Purdue (8-4)

5. Michigan (8-4)

6. Illinois (7-5)

7. Michigan State (7-5)

8. Indiana (7-5)

9. Iowa (5-7)

10. Northwestern (5-7)

11. Minnesota (2-10)

 

Ohio State

Ohio State is definately the favorite to win the Big Ten this year.  With last year’s core starters coming back for the 2008 campaign, there is little doubt that Ohio State will repeat.  OSU’s loss will come on September 13th, when they travel to Pac-10 power Southern Cal.  This lone loss will prevent OSU from competing in a third consecutive National Championship.

Penn State

Yes, there may be some bias here in my pick.  Penn State has an exciting offense.  Stephon Green and Evan Royster will hold down fort in the backfield in what is sure to be explosive.  Add Daryll Clark to the mix and there’s a winning formula.  Penn State will lose to Ohio State away, but will come home happy from Wisconsin.  This is also the year Penn State snaps its losing streak to Michigan.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin will finish third in the Big Ten this year with two home losses, againts Ohio State and Penn State.  Coming off a stellar effort againts OSU, the Badgers will be bumped and bruised going into the Penn State game.  Wisconsin is a tough team this year and could  just as easily end up 12-0. 

Purdue

Purdue is the sleeper in the conference in 2008.  The Boilermakers will face off againts Notre Dame looking for their second straight win againts the Irish.  Purdue will have their hands full against Oregon in the second week – look for a loss there. 

Michigan

It will be a tough year for the Wolverine faithful.  Transitioning with Rich Rodriguez will take time.  Losing Chad Henne, Mike Hart, and star lineman Jake Long will not help matters.  Michigan will win a close opener with Utah in Rich-Rod’s debut.  However, they will lose to Wisconsin, Penn State, Purdue and yes, once again, Ohio State.  Some may be wondering “What’s Lloyd Carr doing these days?”

Illinois

The fairy tale is over.  Illinois will lose week one to Missouri to get off on the wrong foot.  Other losses will come at the hands of Penn State, Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio State.  With the exception of Ohio State, those games are on the road away from Champaign.  The Illini have shown they can win big games on the road (Ohio State last year), but will fall short.

Michigan State

The other team in the Auto state will finish 7th, with possibly all five losses coming in a row at the end of the season.  Opening week for the Spartans will be a test againts Cal, but Sparty will prevail.  Losses to the powers of the Big Ten will come from the hands of an unfavorable schedule.

Indiana

Indiana will finish the season with three straight losses to finish 7-5.  Central Michigan could sneak up on the Hoosiers as well, if not careful. 

Iowa

The Hawkeyes will start the season 3-0.  It’s all downhill from there.  With a win at Minnesota in the final week, the Big Ten games in between do not look good for the gold and black. 

Northwestern

Northwestern will start out 4-0 with a cupcake non-conference schedule.  Syracuse, Duke, Southern Illinois and Ohio are all wins.  The Wildcats will be lucky to win another game other than Minnesota the rest of the season.

Minnesota

Better to list the games they win than the games they will lose.  Northern Illinois and Montana State will be W’s for the Gophers but that’s it.  0-8 in the Big Ten and finishing last in the conference.

 

So there you have it.  My picks for the 2008 Big Ten football season.  Who knows, maybe Penn State will play the role of Illinois and upset the Buckeyes at OSU.  But, then again, maybe Michigan will push its streak yet another year longer.