I really shoud get about 1000 SBR points just for keeping a straight face when I refer to the Big 10 Conference's divisions as "Leaders" and "Legends". They should be named "Laggers" and "Losers". We will move on with the Leaders Division.
1. Ohio State. The Buckeyes should have enough to prevail in this division, even with the suspension of the "Tattoo 5" for the first 5 games of the season. Ohio State's bigger concern should be losing 6 out of 7 starters at LB and in the defensive secondary. Another concern is that when the 5 players return, their first game will be at Nebraska. Still, with the talent that other teams in the division lose, Ohio State should prevail.
2. Wisconsin. This team will be a ghost of last years team. They get hammered by graduation and NFL defections, losing 7 starters on offense. Their defense must lead the team while the offense is rebuilt, and while they only lose three starters, the defection of DE Watt to the NFL is huge. A realtively soft schedule keeps Wisconsin in 2nd place in this conference.
3. Penn State. Much like Wisconsin, the Lions get hit hard offensively by graduation, losing 6 starters including RB Royster. Joe Pa will have to depend on his defense to keep him in games early on. The difference between Penn State and Wisconsin is the schedule. Penn State's is brutal, with home games against Alabama, Iowa, and Nebraska, and finishing on the road against Ohio State and Wisconsin.
4. Illinois. This team surprised a lot of people last season, going 7-6, including a bowl win. The defenctions of RB LeShoure, DT Liuget, and LB Wilson hurt this team, and keep Illinois from competing with the top 3, but the Illini still have 7 starters returning on offense and 6 on defense. Their schedule features 8 home games including Ohio State and Wisconsin, and away games against Indiana, Purdue, and Minnesota, as well as a rather soft non-con schedule. Keep your eyes on the Illini this season.
5. Purdue. QB Mauve returns with 6 other starters on offense, but the loss of two WR's does not help. The defense returns 9, but played very poorly in the last half of last season. After a win against Minnesota, Purdue was 4-2,and then lost every game for the rest of the season last year. This team must find some type of consistancy. Starting off the year at Rice, sandwiched in between home games against Middle Tennessee and Southeast Missouri State is a good way to develop that consistancy.
6. Indiana. It's the same old story every year for Indiana. They beat up on cream puff non-con teams, only to get crushed by their Big 10 opponents. Indiana has won 3 Big 10 games in 3 years. This season, they lose their QB, and two WR, plus the right side of the offensive line. They do get 9 back on defense, but that was the defense that gave up 83 to Wisconsin. This season they do host Virginia, and that game will tell us a lot about both of those teams. Indiana lacks talent. It is that simple.
Next Up. Big 10+2 "Legends"
1. Ohio State. The Buckeyes should have enough to prevail in this division, even with the suspension of the "Tattoo 5" for the first 5 games of the season. Ohio State's bigger concern should be losing 6 out of 7 starters at LB and in the defensive secondary. Another concern is that when the 5 players return, their first game will be at Nebraska. Still, with the talent that other teams in the division lose, Ohio State should prevail.
2. Wisconsin. This team will be a ghost of last years team. They get hammered by graduation and NFL defections, losing 7 starters on offense. Their defense must lead the team while the offense is rebuilt, and while they only lose three starters, the defection of DE Watt to the NFL is huge. A realtively soft schedule keeps Wisconsin in 2nd place in this conference.
3. Penn State. Much like Wisconsin, the Lions get hit hard offensively by graduation, losing 6 starters including RB Royster. Joe Pa will have to depend on his defense to keep him in games early on. The difference between Penn State and Wisconsin is the schedule. Penn State's is brutal, with home games against Alabama, Iowa, and Nebraska, and finishing on the road against Ohio State and Wisconsin.
4. Illinois. This team surprised a lot of people last season, going 7-6, including a bowl win. The defenctions of RB LeShoure, DT Liuget, and LB Wilson hurt this team, and keep Illinois from competing with the top 3, but the Illini still have 7 starters returning on offense and 6 on defense. Their schedule features 8 home games including Ohio State and Wisconsin, and away games against Indiana, Purdue, and Minnesota, as well as a rather soft non-con schedule. Keep your eyes on the Illini this season.
5. Purdue. QB Mauve returns with 6 other starters on offense, but the loss of two WR's does not help. The defense returns 9, but played very poorly in the last half of last season. After a win against Minnesota, Purdue was 4-2,and then lost every game for the rest of the season last year. This team must find some type of consistancy. Starting off the year at Rice, sandwiched in between home games against Middle Tennessee and Southeast Missouri State is a good way to develop that consistancy.
6. Indiana. It's the same old story every year for Indiana. They beat up on cream puff non-con teams, only to get crushed by their Big 10 opponents. Indiana has won 3 Big 10 games in 3 years. This season, they lose their QB, and two WR, plus the right side of the offensive line. They do get 9 back on defense, but that was the defense that gave up 83 to Wisconsin. This season they do host Virginia, and that game will tell us a lot about both of those teams. Indiana lacks talent. It is that simple.
Next Up. Big 10+2 "Legends"
