Big Ten Football: Beat the Bozo—Predict the Wins of Teams in 2010

In many of the previous seasons, the Big Ten took a lot of grief for falling behind other elite conferences. The performance of the Big Ten in bowls last season changed that perception. 2010 promises to be an extremely competitive year for the Big Ten. I will attempt to predict the minimum number of wins for each team for next year.

Iowa: Returns all the essential parts for another substantial national run in 2010. They are well-coached and defensively oriented. Look for 2010 to resemble 2009 unless it is better. I predict this team to win at least 10 games.

Ohio State: This team reloads every year. In 2010, little reloading will be necessary. Ohio State was a defensive oriented team in 2009, look for a much better offense in 2010. I predict this team will win at least 10 games in 2010.

Wisconsin: This team is well-coached and run-oriented. They will see little change in their strategy for 2010. This team will always be good as long as the coaching staff is intact. I predict nine or more wins for 2010.

Northwestern: Small University, big heart. The effort put out in the 2010 Outback Bowl was epic. No team ever showed more heart. They lose many key players and will be rebuilding in 2010. I predict them to win at least six games in 2010 and return to a bowl.

Penn State: 2010 is a rebuilding/reloading year for this team. They must rebuild many aspects of their team. Recruiting is going well and I expect this team to win at least seven games in 2010.

Minnesota: From the battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe to the bowls Minnesota had a good season in 2009. Expect a similar result for 2010. This team should win at least six games in 2010.

Michigan: It was an embarrassing and disappointing year for proud Michigan in 2009. The Big 10 is not getting any easier. I think the Michigan football team is getting better. I expect the Wolverines to win at least seven games in 2010. 

Michigan State: This team has had some problems and turmoil. They will recover and put in a good effort for 2010. I expect this team to win at least six games in 2010.

Illinois: 2009 was a bad year for this Big Ten team. Don't expect any big turn around for 2010. I expect this team to win at least four games in 2010.

Purdue: It was a normal year for Purdue in 2009. That is the problem. Expect a push for bowl eligibility for 2010. This team will win at least five games in 2010.

Indiana: Indiana will improve in 2010. They have a long way to go. I expect them to win at least four games in 2010. 

Please post your predictions for any or all of the Big Ten teams in the comment section for written posterity. We can then look back on our predictions after the 2010 football season and see how we did. Make a Bozo out of this Bozo! Good Luck!