Big Ten Football: Previewing and Predicting the Top 10 Games of 2010

The 2010 Big Ten promises to be filled with unexpected twists and turns.

A handful of teams heavy on talent and experience could challenge for conference supremacy, while several others appear poised to pull an upset or two along the way to postseason appearances.

The non-conference schedule contains the usual assortment of cupcakes, but a handful of games against other BCS institutions presents the possibility for Big Ten powerhouses to catapult up the polls early in the season.

The conference schedule features plenty of pivotal contests, including a Week 12 meeting between Ohio State and Iowa that could serve as a de facto conference championship game.

Here's a look at ten of the most important and intriguing games of the upcoming season, complete with highly premature predictions on the winners:

No. 10: Michigan vs. Indiana, Week Five

Why in the world is this game included, you ask?

The October 2 matchup in Bloomington could be pivotal in determining the outcome of the Big Ten standings.

More importantly, it could have big ramifications on two programs striving for success and eager to avoid failure.

The pressure is on Rich Rodriguez to win and win now. A difficult home schedule places a premium on pulling off a couple of victories on the road.

Indiana and Purdue appear to be the two most winnable road game on the schedule.

Meanwhile, Indiana has one of the weakest schedules among all BCS schools and is likely to be 3-0 when the Wolverines ride into Bloomington.

A win over Michigan would put the Hoosiers on the cusp of securing a bowl appearance in early October, which would be a huge step in the right direction for Bill Lynch.

If Indiana prevails over Michigan, Lynch’s Hoosiers would have a great chance to carry a 6-1 record into a winnable October 30 meeting with Northwestern in Bloomington.

As crazy as it may sound, it’s not unrealistic to expect Indiana to be in the Big Ten race in late October.

Prediction: Two teams working on rebuilding the defensive side of the ball should produce a shootout. Michigan wins in a thriller.

No. 9: Penn State vs. Alabama, Week Two

This game might not play a huge role in the BCS race when it’s all said and done, but it will certainly be a spectacle.

Alabama is absolutely loaded and figures to be a clear favorite, but don’t rule out Joe Paterno’s team.

The pressure is on the Crimson Tide to avoid being ambushed by Penn State, which could make things interesting at Bryant-Denny.

Alabama has experience and depth on offense and a ton of speed on defense.

If Penn State can keep it close early by pounding it with Evan Royster and Stephfon Green, anything can happen.

Alabama could be vulnerable on the ground in 2010.

Prediction: In the end, Penn State isn’t likely to have enough. Alabama wins in a close contest.

No. 8: Wisconsin vs. Purdue, Week 10

The Badgers are likely to be at the top or near the front of the Big Ten standings in early November when they make the trip to West Lafayette.

Coming off a bye week, Wisconsin will face a Purdue team that should be much improved in 2010.

The possibility that the Boilermakers might be playing for a postseason berth presents a challenge for Wisconsin.

The Badgers will be eager to play a lesser opponent after hosting Wisconsin then journeying to Iowa.

Prediction: Purdue in an upset. The Boilermakers are a difficult opponent for any Big Ten team and have made a habit out of pulling off upsets against conference powers, most recently by knocking-off Ohio State in West Lafayette last October.

No. 7 Miami vs. Ohio State, Week Two

Miami boasts arguably the nation’s most difficult schedule in 2010, and a trip to Columbus is a big reason why.

Jacory Harris is capable of making plenty of big plays—for both teams. He struggled with interceptions last season and needs to find consistency for the ‘Canes to survive a brutal slate of games.

As usual, Ohio State will likely try to blast Miami on the ground and play keep-away from Harris and company.

Prediction: Randy Shannon’s team has enough talent to walk out of Columbus with a huge win, but Miami is still developing. Ohio State is likely to hold down the fort with a convincing victory.

No. 6: Penn State vs. Ohio State, Week 11

Depending on what happens in the Big Ten’s divisional alignment, this game could mark the end of the annual clash of college football titans.

Penn State’s forecast for the upcoming season is somewhat cloudy. The Nittany Lions have plenty of talent, but lack experience at quarterback.

The situation should be much clearer by this point in the season, and with Ohio State a near lock to be in the Big Ten race, Joe Paterno’s team would love to pull an upset in Columbus.

Penn State represents the front end of a daunting back-to-back stretch for the Buckeyes, who travel to Iowa City in Week 13.

Prediction: It’s difficult to say where Penn State will be in the standings, but there is no question that the Nittany Lions will challenge the Bucks. Ohio State wins in a close, low-scoring game.

No. 5: Penn State vs. Iowa, Week Five

In terms of significance in the Big Ten conference race, there are likely several games that will likely be more pivotal throughout the conference season.

But as fans of both Penn State and Iowa know, strange things happen when these two schools tangle on the gridiron.

Iowa has had the upper hand on Penn State in recent years, winning seven of nine meetings under the direction of head coach Kirk Ferentz.

There is little to suggest that Penn State could pull an upset, but until Ricky Stanzi proves he can be consistent, Hawkeye fans will likely have to sweat out victories in agonizing fashion.

From games decided by a safety to blocked punt returns, this budding rivalry has featured plenty of strange events.

Can things get even weirder with a Penn State upset of Iowa early in the Big Ten season?

Prediction: Iowa has the edge in experience, but the overall talent level and depth is too close to call. The outcome is difficult to predict, but Iowa appears to have the edge.

No. 4: Michigan vs. Ohio State, Week 13

The next edition of one the best rivalries in all of sports figures to be a mismatch. But upon further review, the game could hold plenty of significance.

Fresh off a trip to Iowa City, Ohio State could find itself in the thick of the BCS Championship race.

Meanwhile, Rich Rodriguez could be facing the prospect of coaching the final game in his inglorious career at Michigan.

Although it’s difficult to know exactly what to expect from the Wolverines in 2010, a challenging schedule makes more than seven wins unlikely.

There is a strong possibility that Michigan will enter the final game of the season with a 6-5 record.

Will that be good enough to appease athletic director David Brandon?

Probably not, but a win over rival Ohio State, which could conceivably spoil the Buckeyes’ national title hopes, might be enough to give Rich Rod another year.

Prediction: It’s fun to create scenarios. It’s also easy to get carried away. On paper, there is little to suggest that Michigan can win in Columbus this year.

Ohio State wins, but that doesn’t necessarily mean Rodriguez’s run is over.

No. 3: Wisconsin vs. Iowa, Week Eight

A game that is likely to fly under the radar could be critical in sorting out the Big Ten and BCS picture.

It could also be an epic game.

There is experience on both sides of the ball and standouts at key positions.

Wisconsin’s offensive line and running game featuring John Clay against Iowa’s defensive line featuring Adrian Clayborn will certainly be fun for fans to watch.

The October 23 matchup in Iowa City comes a week after Wisconsin hosts Ohio State.

If the Badgers win that game, a win over Iowa would be a colossal step in the pursuit of a Big Ten crown and a possible spot in the National Championship game.

It could happen.

Prediction: Beating Ohio State and Iowa in back-to-back weeks would be a monumental accomplishment. Iowa’s passing game has a slight edge on Wisconsin’s, enabling Ricky Stanzi to pull out a win late.

No. 2: Ohio State vs. Wisconsin, Week Five

Wisconsin is an intriguing BCS contender in 2010. An experienced offense with an abundance of talent and experience at the skill positions will have the Badgers squarely embedded in the Big Ten race.

The road schedule isn’t easy for Brett Bielema’s boys, which places a premium on beating Ohio State at Camp Randall.

Ohio State could be No. 2 in the polls when it heads to Madison, barring an early season blemish to Miami.

Needless to say, this should be a fantastic game early in the conference season.

Prediction: Terrelle Pryor might need to win the game with his legs. Wisconsin figures to bombard the Bucks’ with John Clay and feature a conservative game plan.

The Badgers win and shake things up a bit in the polls.

No. 1: Ohio State vs. Iowa, Week 12

Most preseason predictions and prognostications have Ohio State and Iowa finish 1-2 in the Big Ten.

That means that the November 20 meeting between the two teams could be the signature game of the 2010 season.

Ohio State’s dominance over Iowa is nothing short of amazing.

The Buckeyes hold a 45-14-3 record against the Hawkeyes and have won five of six meetings under head coach Jim Tressel.

All history aside, these teams appear to be fairly close on paper.

The only glaring difference between the two teams is Terrelle Pryor’s ability to use his legs in the spread offense, something that occasionally causes problems for Iowa’s traditional 4-3 defensive alignment.

Prediction: As if predicting the outcome of this game wasn’t hard enough already, the prognosticator’s close personal ties to one of these glorious institutions makes things even more difficult.

Ohio State’s offensive scheme isn’t an ideal matchup for Iowa’s defensive scheme. Iowa should be able to move the ball against the Buckeye defense, which could mean that the game is won in the turnover battle.

Advantage: Ohio State.