Big Ten football in the eyes of many outside the conference isn’t very popular if you frequent many forums. Yes the conference is rich in tradition but let’s face it, it’s been kind of boring not to mention kind of a disappointment. Ohio State has won 3 outright and split 2 other Conference Titles in the past 5 seasons. To some this says Ohio State is a dynasty and to others it just says there’s very little competition in the conference. Ohio State did play for the National Title in 2006 and 2007 but lost both to Florida and LSU respectively.
Last season though the conference was given a spark. Northwestern had some impressive offensive performances and Iowa showed that they might be ready to start being a force within the conference. Many think that Wisconsin too is ready to be a major factor in this and from what I have researched may in fact be true.
This is the last season the Big Ten will be an 11 team conference. Next year they add Nebraska to the fold and for the first time will join the other major conferences in having a Conference Title game. I won’t get into what Nebraska will do in this conference because that’s a year away but I will say that I am looking forward to seeing how all that plays out.
I haven’t poled the masses but I doubt the majority of college football fans outside the Big Ten would think anyone but Ohio State will yet again be the Conference Champion. They return potentially the leading Heisman candidate in quarterback Terrelle Pryor. While Pryor is still not a traditional quarterback he has definitely improved his throwing abilities the past two seasons. When he is given time to drop back in the pocket the guy can do some serious damage. If this progression continues this season then Ohio State will definitely be in serious contention not only in the Big Ten but on a National level as well.
The Buckeyes even with Pryor will not have an easy pass though. The Iowa Hawkeyes were no fluke in 2009. They are for real and in all likelihood will continue to be a force in years to come. When you don’t have a Conference Title game scheduling is everything, let me emphasize this, it’s EVERYTHING! Iowa get Penn State, Wisconsin and Ohio State all at home. Without a crystal ball telling us of key injuries to key players these 3 home games in all likelihood will determine Iowa’s first outright Conference Title since 1985. I said outright, they split in 2004, 2002 and 1990.
Sentimental favorites to win the conference is probably still Penn State. This isn’t so much an endorsement of the Lions as it is we want to see Joe Pa get an outright title and gracefully call it a career. It would be a really nice piece of programming for ESPN or CBS to do at the end of the season but don’t look for it to happen. Not only would Joe Pa continue to coach the Lions have no shot at winning the conference this season. Ok maybe a shot but it’s a long distance shot in gale force winds and zero visibility.
New contender to the title this year is Wisconsin. The Badgers support one of the best offensive lines not just in the conference but in college football. Steady ground and pound ball control offense will be essential for the Badgers though because the defense while experienced have had a knack for giving up substantial points for their opponents. If and like before let me emphasize IF, the Badgers defense makes some adjustments and are able to equal the intensity of the offense Wisconsin could very well not merely be a new contender but the real deal in the conference this year.
Other things to look for in the Big Ten this 2010 season is the emergence of Michigan State. They won’t be contenders but much improved and still better than Richy Boy’s Wolverines. Indiana will light up the scoreboards and sometimes it will even be with some of their own scores. Scoreboard fuses will be blown with Purdue as well. The Boilermakers will put up plenty of points but rarely will they put up more than they allow. Illinois will play tough, Illinois will put up a fight but Illinois will finish middle ahead of Michigan, Minnesota, Indiana and Purdue but behind everyone else. Look for Northwestern to be much improved this year as well and provide us with a nice upset along the way.
So who wins the conference this year? Like I really know. If I had a gun to my head I still think Ohio State with a healthy Pryor is the team to beat. Not much of a stretch there I know but would you do any different if you had a gun to your head? Now if I was allowed to freely pick any team I wanted without potential brain trauma this is what I would look for this season in the Big Ten.
Champions:
Ohio State
Gun to my head or not Ohio State is tested and proven and Pryor is an amazing talent, the best talent the Buckeyes have had. I would love to see Wisconsin or even Iowa win the title but Tressel with Pryor get the job done.
Odds of winning the conference: (furnished by Dr. Jack at Cappersmall)
Ohio State +150
Iowa +300
Wisconsin +300
Penn State +650
Michigan State +1000
Michigan +1000
Illinois +1500
Purdue +1500
Indiana +2000
Minnesota +2000
Northwestern +2000
Last season though the conference was given a spark. Northwestern had some impressive offensive performances and Iowa showed that they might be ready to start being a force within the conference. Many think that Wisconsin too is ready to be a major factor in this and from what I have researched may in fact be true.
This is the last season the Big Ten will be an 11 team conference. Next year they add Nebraska to the fold and for the first time will join the other major conferences in having a Conference Title game. I won’t get into what Nebraska will do in this conference because that’s a year away but I will say that I am looking forward to seeing how all that plays out.
I haven’t poled the masses but I doubt the majority of college football fans outside the Big Ten would think anyone but Ohio State will yet again be the Conference Champion. They return potentially the leading Heisman candidate in quarterback Terrelle Pryor. While Pryor is still not a traditional quarterback he has definitely improved his throwing abilities the past two seasons. When he is given time to drop back in the pocket the guy can do some serious damage. If this progression continues this season then Ohio State will definitely be in serious contention not only in the Big Ten but on a National level as well.
The Buckeyes even with Pryor will not have an easy pass though. The Iowa Hawkeyes were no fluke in 2009. They are for real and in all likelihood will continue to be a force in years to come. When you don’t have a Conference Title game scheduling is everything, let me emphasize this, it’s EVERYTHING! Iowa get Penn State, Wisconsin and Ohio State all at home. Without a crystal ball telling us of key injuries to key players these 3 home games in all likelihood will determine Iowa’s first outright Conference Title since 1985. I said outright, they split in 2004, 2002 and 1990.
Sentimental favorites to win the conference is probably still Penn State. This isn’t so much an endorsement of the Lions as it is we want to see Joe Pa get an outright title and gracefully call it a career. It would be a really nice piece of programming for ESPN or CBS to do at the end of the season but don’t look for it to happen. Not only would Joe Pa continue to coach the Lions have no shot at winning the conference this season. Ok maybe a shot but it’s a long distance shot in gale force winds and zero visibility.
New contender to the title this year is Wisconsin. The Badgers support one of the best offensive lines not just in the conference but in college football. Steady ground and pound ball control offense will be essential for the Badgers though because the defense while experienced have had a knack for giving up substantial points for their opponents. If and like before let me emphasize IF, the Badgers defense makes some adjustments and are able to equal the intensity of the offense Wisconsin could very well not merely be a new contender but the real deal in the conference this year.
Other things to look for in the Big Ten this 2010 season is the emergence of Michigan State. They won’t be contenders but much improved and still better than Richy Boy’s Wolverines. Indiana will light up the scoreboards and sometimes it will even be with some of their own scores. Scoreboard fuses will be blown with Purdue as well. The Boilermakers will put up plenty of points but rarely will they put up more than they allow. Illinois will play tough, Illinois will put up a fight but Illinois will finish middle ahead of Michigan, Minnesota, Indiana and Purdue but behind everyone else. Look for Northwestern to be much improved this year as well and provide us with a nice upset along the way.
So who wins the conference this year? Like I really know. If I had a gun to my head I still think Ohio State with a healthy Pryor is the team to beat. Not much of a stretch there I know but would you do any different if you had a gun to your head? Now if I was allowed to freely pick any team I wanted without potential brain trauma this is what I would look for this season in the Big Ten.
Champions:
Ohio State
Gun to my head or not Ohio State is tested and proven and Pryor is an amazing talent, the best talent the Buckeyes have had. I would love to see Wisconsin or even Iowa win the title but Tressel with Pryor get the job done.
Odds of winning the conference: (furnished by Dr. Jack at Cappersmall)
Ohio State +150
Iowa +300
Wisconsin +300
Penn State +650
Michigan State +1000
Michigan +1000
Illinois +1500
Purdue +1500
Indiana +2000
Minnesota +2000
Northwestern +2000