Big Ten Preview

Predicted Order of Finish

Wisconsin | 7-1 | 11-1

Michigan | 7-1 | 11-1

Penn St | 6-2 | 10-2

Purdue | 6-2 | 10-2

Ohio St | 5-3 | 9-3

Iowa | 4-4 | 8-4

Michigan St | 3-5 | 6-6

Illinois | 2-6 | 5-7

Indiana | 2-6 | 4-8

Northwestern | 1-7 | 5-7

Minnesota | 1-7 | 5-7



Wisconsin had an amazing season under first year coach Bret Bielema, finishing with a Capital One Bowl win over Arkansas. The losses on offense are minimal, with just the starting QB and LT gone. RB P.J. Hill had an amazing freshman season with 1500+ yards and 15 TDs. He won Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors and was named a Freshman All-American. New starting QB Tyler Donovan was effective in his limited experience last year, and he gets his top two receivers and top two tight ends back. The defense was phenomenal last season, ranking second in the country in points allowed and passing yards allowed. The defense returns seven starters and should again be one of the best in the conference and the nation. Wisconsin is one of the top teams this year, but must play Ohio St and Michigan on the road. I predict they split those games, falling just short of an undefeated season. The Badgers will still win the Big Ten and make their first trip to the Rose Bowl since the 1999 season.


Michigan was a three point loss to Ohio St away from playing in the National Championship game last year. This year they will make another run at the title. The offense is balanced, experienced and full of future NFL Draft choices. QB Chad Henne and RB Michael Hart are both legitimate Heisman contenders, although playing in the same backfield will hurt their chances. The defense was also amazing last year, especially against the run. Opponents were held to 43.4 yards per game, lowest in the nation by more than 17 yards per game. The defense does take a hit with seven starters gone, five of whom were drafted. The schedule has a tough home slate of Oregon, Notre Dame, Penn St, Purdue, and Ohio St, but it will be the road game to Wisconsin in November that will kill their National Championship dreams. The Wolverines will still have a tremendous season and will have a great shot a getting an at-large BCS Bowl bid.


Penn St is another great team at the crowded top of the conference. The offense should be better than last year with a senior QB and most of the offensive weapons. RB Tony Hunt put up big numbers last season and is off to play on Sundays, but RB Austin Scott should be fill in nicely after using his medical redshirt last season. The defense was seventh in the country in rushing yards allowed and ninth in points allowed last season. It should continue to be strong, although it is younger and less experienced. The defensive line is the biggest question, where three sophomores are projected to start. If it comes together quickly, look for another big year like 2005. Most of the tough games are at home, but they do have to travel to play Michigan. The Nittany Lions should have double-digit wins this season.


Purdue is the surprise team in the Big Ten this year. The offense should be the best in the conference, with the ability to put up a lot of points. Last year the offense gained a lot of yardage, but didn't score a lot of points. Expect that to change this season with returning starters at all of the skill positions and a strong offensive line. The defense gave a ton of yardage and points last season, but it does return nine starters. The schedule isn't easy, but I'm still going to predict the Boilermakers to have a 10-win season.


Ohio St was one of only two teams to finish the regular season unbeaten last year. They did get blown out in the National Championship game, but this is still an elite team. The offense had five starters drafted (including the Heisman winner) and another graduated. The talent is there as always, but the experience is lacking. The defense also takes a hit, as the defensive line needs to be rebuilt. The schedule is difficult, with road games at Purdue, Penn St, and Michigan. The Buckeyes will have another great year, but a dropoff from last year seems inevitable.


Iowa was one of the most disappointing teams in the country last year, but should rebound this year. The offense lacks experience at QB and on the line, but the running backs and receivers should be fine. The offense gained a lot of yardage last year, but killed themselves with a lot of turnovers. The defense should be great, with eight starters returning including the entire line. Another thing in Iowa's favor is that Michigan and Ohio St fall off the schedule this year. All of the home games are winnable, but they do have to go on the road to play Wisconsin, Penn St and Purdue. The Hawkeyes should be back to Big Ten contenders after last year's rare losing season.


Michigan St was a much better team than their record last year, but they just fell apart after a late collapse to Notre Dame. They only added one more win after that game, and they needed 38 unanswered points to get that win. Last year's collapse cost head coach John L. Smith his job. They hired former Cincinnati head coach Mark Dantonio to replace Smith. Dantonio is a good hire, and I think he can lead this team to a bowl this year. The offense will be run-first with the loss of QB Drew Stanton and the top three receivers. The running backs and offensive line are deep and experienced, so they should be able to carry the offense. The schedule does them no favors, as they miss Illinois and Minnesota. The Spartans will win just enough to make it to the postseason.


Illinois won just two games last year, but played almost everybody close. Head coach Ron Zook has recruited like mad and has a team that could surprise. The offense has a veteran line, and solid rushers and receivers. The big question mark is the play of QB Juice Williams. As a true freshman last year, he started in nine games. He completed fewer the 40% of his passes, but did run for 576 yards. If he can become a dual threat QB, look for the offense to score a lot more points. Turnovers were a big problem last season, as Illinois averaged almost three per game. The defense didn't give up much yardage, but opponents still put up a lot of points. If everything comes together, the Illini could have a breakout year.


Indiana almost made it to the postseason last year, as they were 5-4 at one point before losing their last three games. The program suffered the tragic death of their head coach Terry Hoeppner during the offseason. OC Bill Lynch will take over the head coaching duties. The offense returns most of its starters, but it still needs to develop a running game after ranking last in the conference in rushing yards. This team overachieved a little last year, winning three games by a combined six points. Even though the team is improved all around, the record might actually go down. Michigan and Ohio St fall off the schedule, but it won't be enough. The Hoosiers aren't going to break their 14-year bowl drought this season.


Northwestern was out in a difficult position last year with the tragic death of their head coach just before the season began. The offense had a difficult time getting in a groove as the top two QBs went down with injury. The third-stringer started three games before the starter C.J. Bacher was healthy again. The offense was ranked last in the conference in points scored and total yards. Consistent QB play this year should help to improve those numbers. The defense should improve too, as the entire line and four in the back seven return. A weak out-of-conference schedule gives them a great shot at getting back to a bowl game, but I think the Wildcats are still a year away.


Minnesota appears to be in a transition year, and the final record should reflect that. They fired their head coach after a late collapse in the Insight Bowl to Texas Tech. The new head coach is Tim Brewster, the former TE coach for the Denver Broncos. The offense loses its three year starting QB Bryan Cupito, the school's all-time leading passer. Expect a heavy dose of RB Amir Pinnix, as the passing game needs time to reload. Offensive production should be way down compared to last season. The defense was bad last year, but did force a lot of turnovers. All four non-conference games should be wins, so that will keep this year from being a disaster. Just don't expect too much out of the Golden Gophers in conference play.