I've been spending a lot of time lately on the NFL, but with College Football starting soon I'll be taking a look at how I believe each of the conferences will play out.
Today I'm looking into the Big 10 and how it will go with new member Nebraska joining the mix.
1. Nebraska Cornhuskers, 10-2 (6-2)
Nebraska has the best defense in the conference, but question marks about the offense and mainly their quarterback (Taylor Martinez) could see them struggle in their first year in conference.
2. Michigan State Spartans, 9-3 (5-3)
They return a lot of talent, especially on offense with Kirk Cousins and Edwin Baker who are both big time players. However the ball bounced their way a couple of times in close games and they could not get that same luck this season.
3. Iowa Hawkeyes, 9-3 (5-3)
Iowa lucks out that they don't have to play either Wisconsin or Ohio State this season, but they have to travel to Nebraska and always have trouble playing against Northwestern. Add in that they will be replacing 3 year starter in Ricky Stanzi and are very thin at running back.
4. Northwestern Wildcats, 8-4 (4-4)
Here is my sleeper. Pat Fitzgerrald is one heck of a coach and has the Wildcats on the move up. Look for them to catch a team or two looking past them. Add in that Dan Persa if healthy is one of the best quarterbacks in the conference.
5. Michigan Wolverines, 7-5 (4-4)
A lot of Michigan fans weren't too excited about Brady Hoke being named the head coach, but I feel they got the best person for the job. Harbaugh would have always have an eye towards the NFL while Hoke is there to stay. He has had success at Ball State and San Diego State where others have struggled. It may take a year but Michigan will be back.
6. Minnesota Golden Gophers, 4-8 (1-7)
Jerry Kill wasn't a sexy hire but he is a very good coach. However the Golden Gophers are no where near competitive this season and will struggle in the improved Big 10.
Leaders
1. Wisconsin Badgers, 12-1 (7-1)
The Badgers were one of the favorites going into this season, but then they added Russell Wilson from NC State and Ohio State lost Terrelle Pryor and four more key players. I look for Wisconsin to roll through the Big 10 and either go undefeated or have a slip up. Wilson will give them a playmaker at QB that they haven't had in a long time.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes, 9-3 (6-2)
Even though Terrelle Pryor and Jim Tressell are gone and they don't have four other key players for the first five games of the year, they still have a ton of talent and are going to win a lot of games. The key is the quarterback play. If Bauserman or Braxton Miller don't lose games the Buckeyes can rely on their defense and running game which is still very good.
3. Penn State Nittany Lions, 8-4 (5-3)
Quarterback play is really going to tell a lot about how he Nittany Lions do this season. Robert Bolden was thought to be the man, but he struggled and butted heads with the coaching staff. In their bowl game Matt McGloin played pretty well. If McGloin can build off of that game they could have a good season. But its like they could repeat last year.
4. Illinois Fighting Illini, 7-5 (4-4)
Nobody really expected much from Illinois last year but they got to a bowl game and routed a Baylor team that many thought would roll Illinois. Nate Scheelhaase has turned out to be a great quarterback and will give the Illini a fighting chance in every game.
5. Indiana Hoosiers, 4-8 (1-7)
I really like the hire of Kevin Wilson to Indiana. Wilson's offenses at Oklahoma were always at the top of the NCAA rankings. However its almost impossible to get talent into Indiana for football and Wilson might find it harder to run his uptempo attack.
6. Purdue Boilermakers, 4-8 (1-7)
Purdue is just a mess. They don't have any real talent or difference makers. This is sad because under Joe Tiller they were always a competitive team that produced a ton of NFL talent. Look for a coaching change at the end of this season.
Offensive Player of the Year: Russell Wilson QB Wisconsin
Defensive Player of the Year: Lavonte David LB Nebraska
Freshman of the Year: Jamal Turner WR Nebraka
Coach of the Year: Brent Bielema, Wisconsin
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