NCAA Football Conference Previews Part 7

-Big Ten Conference-

Predicted Finish

1.Ohio State

 Ranked #2 in the country, theBuckeyes are the favorite to win the Big Ten because of 16 returning starters, 10 on offense,including QB Terrell Pryor coming off a great Rose Bowl last season. We will see how good this team is early as Miami comes to Columbus the second week of the season.

2.Wisconsin

 Also returning 16 starters, 10 on offense, are the Wisconsin Badgers. Returning the entire offensive line and running back John Clay, this team should be ready to make a run in the conference. The only hurdles surrrounding the Badgers are replacing spots on the defensive line and the play of the Quarterback. If those hurdles are cleared, watch out.

3.Iowa

 Iowa should have another strong year behind great defensive play and solid contributions from the running back and quarterback positions. The only reason i have them here in 3rd place is because of concern on the offensive line which has to break in a center and two guards.

4.Penn State

 Penn State will not compete for the conference title this year but should have a decent season because of 15 returning starters including RB Evan Royster. Question is, who will play quarterback for the Nittany Lions?

5.Northwestern

 QB Mike Kafka is gone but replacing him is Dan Persa behind an experienced offensive line. The Wildcats should expect to be a middle of the pack team and make it to a bowl game behind a good passing game and decent defense.

6.Michigan State

 QB Kirk Cousins, an athletic secondary, decent d-line and all american LB Greg Jones will have this team looking acceptable.

7.Illinois

 Coming off a very (very!!) disappointing year, coach Ron Zook better have this team looking improved. An experience defense will have to be the key. Avoiding Iowa and Wisconsin should help.

8.Purdue

 I was excited to see this Purdue team on the field this year as it continues to improve but an ACL tear for RB Ralph Bolden will certainly slow that improvement. QB and Miami transer Robert Marve should be solid this year working receiver Keith Smith but the defense and finding a running game will take some time.

9.Michigan

 The conference is better when Michigan is a contender but it won't happen this year. Improving into a decent middle of the conference team is possible but for now i have them sitting at the bottom. Hard seeing them win more than 3 or 4 conference games.

10.Indiana

 This team may have the talent to surprise a few teams every once in awhile but not on a consistent basis.

11.Minnesota

 The lone bright spot will be QB Adam Weber. Other than that, the defense wont be very good and neither will this team.

-Player of the Year-

Jon Clay, RB, Wisconsin

Because i just cant believe the hype with Terrel Pryor yet. This guy will have a solid year for a contending team.

-Must See Games-

Ohio St @ Wisconsin, Oct 16th

Wisconsin @ Iowa, Oct 23rd

Ohio St @ Iowa, Nov 20th