(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

2009-10 Big Ten Conference Preview

1. Michigan State 10-2 (6-2)
2. Penn St 10-2 (6-2)
3. Iowa 9-3 (5-3)
4. Ohio St 9-3 (5-3)
5. Illinois 8-4 (4-4)
6. Minnesota 7-5 (4-4)
7. Wisconsin 7-5 (3-5)
8. Northwestern 7-5 (3-5)
9. Michigan 6-6 (3-5)
10. Indiana 5-7 (3-5)
11. Purdue 4-8 (2-6)

Conference Overview
With Ohio St (12 returning starters) and Penn St. (9 returning starters) losing plenty, look for Michigan State to benefit from a weak schedule that excludes Ohio State.

On their schedule, are home games against Penn St., Iowa and Michigan. With these three home games, the Spartans can easily sneak in and win the Big Ten.

On the other end of Michigan, the Wolverines should improve, but with a true freshmen at the helm, its highly unlikely. 

The Hoosiers might not be as bad as their record shows, while Wisconsin might not be as good as their record shows.

When all is said and done, the Big Ten might have nine bowl-eligible teams.

Bowl Ties
BCS Bowl- Michigan State
BCS Bowl- Penn St
Capital One Bowl- Ohio St
Outback Bowl- Iowa
Champs Sports Bowl- Illinois
Alamo Bowl- Wisconsin
Insight Bowl- Northwestern
Motor City Bowl- Michigan

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