A look at the 11 Big 10 teams to see where they may be going this season.
Illinois: DOWN. This team really disappointed last season, and the news does not get better. Only 5 starters return on offense, which loses most of it's skilled position players. The defense returns 7 starters, but takesw a big hit on the line. A new OC and DC try to turn this program around, but will be hard pressed to win more than 4 games this season.
Indiana: DOWN. The good news is that Indiana returns most of their skill position players on offense. The bad news is that the lost 7 starters on a defense that was not very good last season. Indiana actually may win more games than last season because they add a 4th non-con patsie onto the schedule, but winning two Big 10 Games is doubful.
Iowa: UP. This team returns 6 starters on offense and 8 on defense. The spring came and went without problems. The schedule is very kind to them. They get Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Penn State at home. This team has a real shot at winning the Big 10. If they fail this year, Ferentz may not get another chance. This is as easy as it gets for Iowa.
Michigan: UP. It is pretty much do or die for Rich Rod this season. 7 starters return on an offense that needs to find consistancy. They also must avoid a QB controversy. The defense returns 8 starters, and DC Robinson tries a 3-3-5 scheme to try and shore up a defense that gives up way too many points. The schedule is not too terrible. Anything less than 7 wins for Michigan and Rich Rod may be gone.
Michigan State. DOWN: This team was scheduled to return seven starters on eachside of the ball, but that is not certain now due to an incident which saw 8 players kicked off the team. That really hurt a team that was a disappointment last season. The good news is that both QB's return to lead the offense, and the air game should be improved. The RB's are thin now, and the O-line will need work. The Defense will be thin on the line and in the secondary. A soft non-con schedule will help, but it is hard seeing this team winning more than 6 games this season.
Minnesota: DOWN. This team gets hit hard by graduation. 9 starters return to the team, but every position is very thin. Consistancy will be the key for this unit. They scored over 30 points 4 times last season, but were shut out twice. The defense takes a huge hit, losing 9 out of 11 starters. This unit basically has to start all over again. The schedule is tough, with USC, Penn State, Ohio State and Iowa visiting Minnesota this year. A repeat of last year's record would be an accomplishment.
Northwestern: UP. You have to love this team. The Rodney Dangerfields of the Big 10, all this team does is win. THe offense loses QB Kafka, but returns 8 starters. The Defense returns 6 starters, but gets hit hard on the secondary. The schedule is doable, with Michigan and Ohio State absent. This team certainly has the capability of winning 8 games this season.
Ohio State: UP. But less than people think. With 9 starters returning on offense, Ohio State should have no problem scoring, that is, on weaker teams. They problem is scoring on stronger teams, as USC proved last season. The defense returns 6 starters, but gets hit in the backfield, and also loses a lot of depth. The schedule is easier. Miami replaces USC. Away games at Wisconsin early, and at Iowa, sandwiched in between two home games against Penn State and Michigan will tell the tale for Ohio State this season.
Penn State: DOWN. JoePa returns 7 starters on offense, but loses his QB. RB Royster is going to have to carry the load until a new QB can be developed. The defense returns only 5 starters, and gets hit hard at LB and in the secondary. The D-line will really have to step up. The schedule is not as easy as it usually is. Games at Alabama, at Iowa, and at Ohio State loom large. It will take a miracle for JoePa to pull off another 10 win regular season this year, but next year, look out.
Purdue: UP. But again, only slightly. Purdue returns 6 starters on offense, and QB Marve, who was ineligable last season, takes over that position. The must find replacements for the center of the line. The defense returns 5 starters, and loses the entire secondary. This unit is very questionable. Ball State replaces Oregon on the schedule, and that might be just enough to get Purdue that 6th win, and a minor bowl award.
Wisconsin: UP: 10 starters return on offense. This unit should be loaded and could be one of the best in the Big 10. The defense returns 6 starters, but loses depth in the line and the secondary. This unit will be HC's Bielema's major concern going into the season. The defense gave up 28 or more points 6 times last season, and that must improve. Their schedule boils down to two weeks in October. The 16th, at home against Ohio State, and the following week (23rd) at Iowa. Win those two games and go to the head of the class, and possibly to the NC game. No Penn State helps.
Overall: The Big 10 showed some solid improvment last year. Look for more of the same at the top this season, with Iowa, Ohio State, and Wisconsin all capable of running the table. Michigan should be improved. Unfortunately, the bottom of the Big 10 will just get worse. That means more separation in the conference this season.
Illinois: DOWN. This team really disappointed last season, and the news does not get better. Only 5 starters return on offense, which loses most of it's skilled position players. The defense returns 7 starters, but takesw a big hit on the line. A new OC and DC try to turn this program around, but will be hard pressed to win more than 4 games this season.
Indiana: DOWN. The good news is that Indiana returns most of their skill position players on offense. The bad news is that the lost 7 starters on a defense that was not very good last season. Indiana actually may win more games than last season because they add a 4th non-con patsie onto the schedule, but winning two Big 10 Games is doubful.
Iowa: UP. This team returns 6 starters on offense and 8 on defense. The spring came and went without problems. The schedule is very kind to them. They get Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Penn State at home. This team has a real shot at winning the Big 10. If they fail this year, Ferentz may not get another chance. This is as easy as it gets for Iowa.
Michigan: UP. It is pretty much do or die for Rich Rod this season. 7 starters return on an offense that needs to find consistancy. They also must avoid a QB controversy. The defense returns 8 starters, and DC Robinson tries a 3-3-5 scheme to try and shore up a defense that gives up way too many points. The schedule is not too terrible. Anything less than 7 wins for Michigan and Rich Rod may be gone.
Michigan State. DOWN: This team was scheduled to return seven starters on eachside of the ball, but that is not certain now due to an incident which saw 8 players kicked off the team. That really hurt a team that was a disappointment last season. The good news is that both QB's return to lead the offense, and the air game should be improved. The RB's are thin now, and the O-line will need work. The Defense will be thin on the line and in the secondary. A soft non-con schedule will help, but it is hard seeing this team winning more than 6 games this season.
Minnesota: DOWN. This team gets hit hard by graduation. 9 starters return to the team, but every position is very thin. Consistancy will be the key for this unit. They scored over 30 points 4 times last season, but were shut out twice. The defense takes a huge hit, losing 9 out of 11 starters. This unit basically has to start all over again. The schedule is tough, with USC, Penn State, Ohio State and Iowa visiting Minnesota this year. A repeat of last year's record would be an accomplishment.
Northwestern: UP. You have to love this team. The Rodney Dangerfields of the Big 10, all this team does is win. THe offense loses QB Kafka, but returns 8 starters. The Defense returns 6 starters, but gets hit hard on the secondary. The schedule is doable, with Michigan and Ohio State absent. This team certainly has the capability of winning 8 games this season.
Ohio State: UP. But less than people think. With 9 starters returning on offense, Ohio State should have no problem scoring, that is, on weaker teams. They problem is scoring on stronger teams, as USC proved last season. The defense returns 6 starters, but gets hit in the backfield, and also loses a lot of depth. The schedule is easier. Miami replaces USC. Away games at Wisconsin early, and at Iowa, sandwiched in between two home games against Penn State and Michigan will tell the tale for Ohio State this season.
Penn State: DOWN. JoePa returns 7 starters on offense, but loses his QB. RB Royster is going to have to carry the load until a new QB can be developed. The defense returns only 5 starters, and gets hit hard at LB and in the secondary. The D-line will really have to step up. The schedule is not as easy as it usually is. Games at Alabama, at Iowa, and at Ohio State loom large. It will take a miracle for JoePa to pull off another 10 win regular season this year, but next year, look out.
Purdue: UP. But again, only slightly. Purdue returns 6 starters on offense, and QB Marve, who was ineligable last season, takes over that position. The must find replacements for the center of the line. The defense returns 5 starters, and loses the entire secondary. This unit is very questionable. Ball State replaces Oregon on the schedule, and that might be just enough to get Purdue that 6th win, and a minor bowl award.
Wisconsin: UP: 10 starters return on offense. This unit should be loaded and could be one of the best in the Big 10. The defense returns 6 starters, but loses depth in the line and the secondary. This unit will be HC's Bielema's major concern going into the season. The defense gave up 28 or more points 6 times last season, and that must improve. Their schedule boils down to two weeks in October. The 16th, at home against Ohio State, and the following week (23rd) at Iowa. Win those two games and go to the head of the class, and possibly to the NC game. No Penn State helps.
Overall: The Big 10 showed some solid improvment last year. Look for more of the same at the top this season, with Iowa, Ohio State, and Wisconsin all capable of running the table. Michigan should be improved. Unfortunately, the bottom of the Big 10 will just get worse. That means more separation in the conference this season.
