Its time to talk about the oldest conference in college football:The Big Ten. When those three words use to be mentioned teams would shake in their cleats. Head coaches called their coordinators at 3 am cause they couldn't sleep. But the past few years the Big Ten has become pun. Losses in BCS games have embarrassed this very prestigious conference. Well let me tell you why the Big Ten wont be your punchline this year. Lets start with a little history, the conference is the oldest in college football founded in 1896, it has the most national championships by members (28), and now a little present news, the conference ha 10 returning head coaches, the most of any conference. Now for my favorite team, The Ohio State Buckeyes. The Bucks return our X factor.... Terrelle Pryor. The now sophomore 6'6" 235lb. QB is a force to be reconed with. His speed athleticism and sheer arm strength make him almost impossible to stop.... almost. Pryor has yet to show the true maturity that will allow him to be an every down starter and big game threat. But a year can do alot for a quarter back, he has a strong returning class of skill players, ex. Brandon Saine and Daniel Herron (RB) and Dane Sanzenbacher (WR) plus a Top Ten recruiting class including top prospects; Jaamal Berry (#3 RB), Dorian Bell (#4 OLB) and Duron Carter (#18 WR) Plus Tressel finds a way to get these Buckeyes 10 wins so look for them to do the same this year. Now I figured I would try my own luck at making grades so here goes nothing.
Purdue C-: Marve may have tranfered here, but with a first year coach and a still developing dont look for purdue to even become bowl eligible this year. The high grade is based simply on the young talent they have put on their roster.
Michigan State C+: Sparty wont have to much to cheer about. 6-6 or 5-7 is to be expected. Though Dantonio can usually muster the most out of players he lost alot of talent. Javon Ringer the biggest hit of all, but also it never helps to have a poor recruiting class or try pulling instate prospects away from Michigan or the Bucks.
Michigan B-:Rich Rodriguez and the Wolverines have something to look forward to, Expect them to reall bite the chomp this year and finish strong. Plus the bitter taste of last year should even have the fans lining up and cheering harder than ever. Look for that spread system to really take effect, and after all, it is Michigan. My prediction: 8-4 and prob. 9-4 with a nice bowl win.
Northwestern C: Their head coach has really got his players buying into that tough mind set. And the smell of $30,000 a year should help remind these kids to play harder. A mid level recruiting class and good upperclassmen group should rally these boys to bowl eligibility. Prediction: 7-5
Minnesota C+: Two years ago, when a new head coach came to town, and alot of good seniors left Golden Gopher fans started burrying their season tickets. The a dismal 1-11 year didnt help, but after a small resurgence last year and a very good young team in the making the Gophers could make some noise this year in the Big Ten.(Plus a weaker schedule always helps) Look for them to start off the year strong with wins over 'Cuse and Air Force and break in that brand new stadium on Campus. Prediction: 7-5 and possibly a bowl win.
Penn State B+: Darryle Clark and Joe Pa. It sells itself. Spread HD and revamped defense combined with one of the fastest offenses in the NCAA. It should be a heck of a year for the Nittany Lions.Prediction: 10-2
Wisconsin B-: Wisconsin will be giving teams the big, stinky, lamburger this year. A stout, extremly stong defensively talented and minded team can really knock teams in the mouth. Problem, they cant score. I mean its just a dismal offense. Prediction: 6-6.
Illinois B-: The boys in Champaigne should be very entertained by their offense. "Juice" Williams, Arrelious Benn and Daniel Dufrene should put on a great show. But what was wrong with Wisconsin is just the opposite fo the Illini. They can scor 21 to 30 points in a good game, problem is they give up that same amount on defense consistently. Prediction: 6-6
Indiana D: Its just a bad, bad time to be a sports fan in Bloomington, Indiana. The cheerleading squad could probably win more games than the Hoosiers did last year and it wont be much different this year. Prediction: 1-11
Ohio State A: The formentioned Buckeyes are dangerous on both sides of the ball. Pryor should find Duron Carter as his favorite target this year and Jim Tressel will muster everything out of the defense this year. It should be a very good season for the boys in Columbus. Prediction:11-1
Iowa C+: The Hawkeyes can look forward to a good defensive year. But being honest the biggest interest in Iowa will be the teams they are playing. They are getting older and recruiting doesnt seem to be getting better. They could still surprise some teams and will most likely find themselves in a bowl game. But after loosing Shonne they arent very fun to watch.Prediction:7-5
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