Legends. How about losers, as four of these teams lost their bowl games last season. Moving on, we take a look at this division.
1. Nebraska. This team certainly has potential, but lacks consistancy. The Huskers return 6 starters on an offense that ran hot and cold last season. The defense did it's job, holding all but two opponents to 23 or less points. This unit returns 8 starters. Pelini is going to have to find some consistancy from his offense and QB Martinez. If he does, Nebraska is good enough to win this division.
2. Michigan State. There is no polite way to say it. MSU got their asses handed to them by Alabama in the Capitol One Bowl. Memories linger on. Michigan State only loses 3 starters from their offense, but loses 2 LB's and 2 from the defensive secondary. MSU lived a charmed life last season, winning three games by 6 points or less. With away games at Notre Dame, Nebraska, Ohio State, Iowa, and Northwestern, that will not happen again.
3. Northwestern. The team that everyone overlooks, but who has the best coach (IMO) in the Big 10. Coach Fitzgerald welcomes back QB Persa and 9 other starters on offense, and 7 on defense. Their schedule is not the hardest in the Big 10, as they duck Ohio State and Wisconsin. The Wildcat defense fell apart in their last 3 games of the season last year. If they can improve, Northwestern is a player in the Legends this season.
4. Iowa. This team was a huge disappointment last season, with 5 losses, including three in a row to end the regular season. This season, Iowa must replace QB Stanzi and 4 others on offense, and seven players on defense, plus find a new punter and PK. As usual, Iowa will be mentioned in the mix, and as usual, Ferentz will underproduce. On the plus side, a very soft schedule will help Iowa.
5. Michigan. The Rich Rod era at Michigan is over, and new HC Hoke inherits a team with a ton of petential, but not much defense. The offense returns every starter but one. The defense loses two LB's and a corner. This should be great news, but Michigan must find players. The kicking game was a joke last season, and the defense was worse. The schedule features only 4 away games (Northwestern, Iowa, Michigan State, and Illinois), but home games include Notre Dame, Nebraska and Ohio State (back to back). This team can actually improve, but have a losing record again.
6. Minnesota. You have to love the way that this team finished the season, but will any of that momentum carry over? With the loss of QB Weber and 5 other starters( including 4 on the line), and the defnesive secondary, probably not. Minnesota has a new stadium. Now they must start to rebuild their program, and that takes athletes, something they do not have. They do have three soft non-con opponents at home, but that is after they open up at USC.
Next up. Big 12 (-2).
1. Nebraska. This team certainly has potential, but lacks consistancy. The Huskers return 6 starters on an offense that ran hot and cold last season. The defense did it's job, holding all but two opponents to 23 or less points. This unit returns 8 starters. Pelini is going to have to find some consistancy from his offense and QB Martinez. If he does, Nebraska is good enough to win this division.
2. Michigan State. There is no polite way to say it. MSU got their asses handed to them by Alabama in the Capitol One Bowl. Memories linger on. Michigan State only loses 3 starters from their offense, but loses 2 LB's and 2 from the defensive secondary. MSU lived a charmed life last season, winning three games by 6 points or less. With away games at Notre Dame, Nebraska, Ohio State, Iowa, and Northwestern, that will not happen again.
3. Northwestern. The team that everyone overlooks, but who has the best coach (IMO) in the Big 10. Coach Fitzgerald welcomes back QB Persa and 9 other starters on offense, and 7 on defense. Their schedule is not the hardest in the Big 10, as they duck Ohio State and Wisconsin. The Wildcat defense fell apart in their last 3 games of the season last year. If they can improve, Northwestern is a player in the Legends this season.
4. Iowa. This team was a huge disappointment last season, with 5 losses, including three in a row to end the regular season. This season, Iowa must replace QB Stanzi and 4 others on offense, and seven players on defense, plus find a new punter and PK. As usual, Iowa will be mentioned in the mix, and as usual, Ferentz will underproduce. On the plus side, a very soft schedule will help Iowa.
5. Michigan. The Rich Rod era at Michigan is over, and new HC Hoke inherits a team with a ton of petential, but not much defense. The offense returns every starter but one. The defense loses two LB's and a corner. This should be great news, but Michigan must find players. The kicking game was a joke last season, and the defense was worse. The schedule features only 4 away games (Northwestern, Iowa, Michigan State, and Illinois), but home games include Notre Dame, Nebraska and Ohio State (back to back). This team can actually improve, but have a losing record again.
6. Minnesota. You have to love the way that this team finished the season, but will any of that momentum carry over? With the loss of QB Weber and 5 other starters( including 4 on the line), and the defnesive secondary, probably not. Minnesota has a new stadium. Now they must start to rebuild their program, and that takes athletes, something they do not have. They do have three soft non-con opponents at home, but that is after they open up at USC.
Next up. Big 12 (-2).
I guess the silly guy in the sweater vest needs a couple more championships to sway you?