2010 College Football Predictions: Big Ten Teams Over/Under Win Totals

The college football season is rapidly approaching, with only 35 more days until kickoff. This week also signaled the beginning of conference media days and the unofficial start of the season.

Through seven months there have been plenty of "way too early" predictions, but with football a month away, preseason predictions are right on time for fans who need an early taste of football.

Here goes my over/under for each Big Ten team and my prediction for how those teams will fare during the upcoming season.

Illinois Fighting Illini

Over/Under: 3

After another disappointing season in Champaign, Ron Zook is on the hot seat entering 2010. The defense was horrible in 2009 and the offense was equally as bad, as quarterback Juice Williams struggled to find his 2007 form for the second consecutive year.

Don't expect 2010 to be much better for the Illini, especially on offense, as wide receiver Arrelious Been made the jump to the NFL. The lone offensive bright spot will be junior running back Mikel LeShoure, but without a good supporting cast, he won't be able to live up to his potential.

Prediction: 2-10
at Missouri L
vs. Southern Illinois W
vs. Northern Illinois W
vs. Ohio State L
at Penn State L
at Michigan State L
vs. Indiana L
vs. Purdue L
at Michigan L
vs. Minnesota L
at Northwestern L
at Fresno State L

Indiana Hoosiers

Over/Under: 5

After a disappointing 4-8 season in 2009, Bill Lynch has been placed on the hotseat. But there is reason to be optimistic in Bloomington, as quarterback Ben Chappell returns for his senior year. The Hoosiers also return one of the Big Ten's best wide receiver tandems in Tandon Doss and Damarlo Belcher.

The schedule could be the key to the season, though. Indiana's non-conference schedule is a joke. If Bill Lynch can't go 4-0 against Towson, Western Kentucky, Akron, and Arkansas State, he doesn't deserve his job.

But the conference slate is much more difficult, as the Hoosiers draw the league's top four teams--Iowa, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Penn State. the most important game of the year looks to be the last one--a rivalry game against Purdue--that could determine bowl eligibility.

Prediction: 5-7

vs. Towson W
at Western Kentucky W
vs. Akron W
vs. Michigan L
at Ohio State L
vs. Arkansas State W
at Illinois W
vs. Northwestern L
vs. Iowa L
at Wisconsin L
vs. Penn State L
at Purdue L

Iowa Hawkeyes

Over/Under: 10

Following an 11-2 season that ended with an Orange Bowl win, Iowa has high expectations for 2010. Quarterback Ricky Stanzi returns for his senior season along with a set of offensive skill players that could be the Hawkeyes' best since 2002.

The defense will be outstanding once again, as Adrian Clayborn leads probably the best defensive line in the country. The secondary should continue to be lights-out as well, as both safeties--Tyler Sash and Brett Greenwood--return, along with cornerback Micah Hyde.

The schedule sets up nicely for Iowa, too, as Penn State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Ohio State must all visit Iowa City. And if the Hawkeyes are as good as advertised, the game against the Buckeyes at Kinnick in late November could decide who goes to Glendale for the national championship.

Prediction: 11-1
vs. Eastern Illinois W
vs. Iowa State W
at Arizona W
vs. Ball State W
vs. Penn State W
at Michigan W
vs. Wisconsin W
vs. Michigan State W
at Indiana W
at Northwestern W
vs. Ohio State L
at Minnesota W

Michigan Wolverines

Over/Under: 6

After consecutive losing seasons, coach Rich Rodriguez must win big and win now if he wants to stay in Ann Arbor after this season. Last year started off promising, but freshman quarterback Tate Forcier failed under the spotlight, sending the Wolverines to another bowl-less offseason.

Unlike the majority of sportswriters, who seem cautiously optimistic about Michigan's hopes this season, I don't expect much improvement. Tate Forcier showed over the latter half of last season that he wasn't the quarterback we (or he) thought he was, and the offense also loses star running back Brandon Minor.

The defense is the main concern, though. Michigan lost its only good defensive players last year in Brandon Graham and Donovan Warren, and it must improve in all areas before the Wolverines are relevant again.

Prediction: 6-6
vs. Connecticut L
at Notre Dame W
vs. Massachusetts W
vs. Bowling Green W
at Indiana W
vs. Michigan State W
vs. Iowa L
at Penn State L
vs. Illinois W
at Purdue L
vs. Wisconsin L
at Ohio State L

Michigan State Spartans

Over/Under: 7

After a solid season in 2008 that ended with a Capital One Bowl berth, Michigan State failed to live up to expectations in 2009, ending a measly 6-7, including an Alamo Bowl loss.

This year, it's pretty much the same story as it was heading into 2009. Kirk Cousins is a solid quarterback, but failed to deliver in big games last season. The defense is pretty much the same story. Linebacker Greg Jones is one of the best players in the country, but has just an average supporting cast around him.

The schedule sets up okay for the Spartans, who miss Ohio State, but must travel to Iowa City and State College. So, in other words, look for another mediocre season from Michigan State, which has become the norm in East Lansing.

Prediction: 7-5
vs. Western Michigan W
vs. Florida Atlantic W
vs. Notre Dame L
vs. Northern Colorado W
vs. Wisconsin L
at Michigan L
vs. Illinois W
at Northwestern W
at Iowa L
vs. Minnesota W
vs. Purdue W
at Penn State L

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Over/Under: 4

After another disappointing season, coach Tim Brewster is on the hot seat. Minnesota started the season strong, as it looked good even in a loss to Cal. But following the loss of star wide receiver Erik Decker, the Gophers looked lost.

Quarterback Adam Weber hasn't shown a trace of the promise he showed in 2008 and the wildcat attempts with MarQueis Gray have been an utter failure.

The defense should be okay, but with a tough schedule, don't expect the Gophers to be bowling this season.

Prediction: 4-8
at Middle Tennessee State W
vs. South Dakota W
vs. Southern California L
vs. Northern Illinois W
vs. Northwestern L
at Wisconsin L
at Purdue L
vs. Penn State L
vs. Ohio State L
at Michigan State L
at Illinois W
vs. Iowa L

Northwestern Wildcats

Over/Under: 6

After a successful 2009 campaign that concluded with the program's first January bowl game since 1995, Northwestern football is back in bowl contention in 2010.

Coach Pat Fitzgerald has built a respectable program at his alma mater and has turned the Wildcats into annual bowl contenders. His team should be solid once again, but must replace star quarterback Mike Kafka. Kafka's backup, Dan Persa, was solid in limited action last season and was a good option when running the wildcat offense.

The defense loses a lot, and with the overall strength of the league higher than recent history, another January bowl probably isn't realistic. But the Wildcats have a good chance at another winning season and a third consecutive bowl appearance.

Prediction: 8-4
at Vanderbilt W
vs. Illinois State W
at Rice W
vs. Central Michigan W
at Minnesota W
vs. Purdue W
vs. Michigan State L
at Indiana W
at Penn State L
vs. Iowa L
vs. Illinois W
at Wisconsin L

Ohio State Buckeyes

Over/Under: 11

Following a fifth straight Big Ten Championship and a Rose Bowl win, Ohio State is one of the top contenders for a national championship in 2010.

Quarterback Terrelle Pryor improved steadily last year and will lead a strong, dynamic offense along with wide receiver DeVier Posey.

The defense, led by star defensive end Cameron Heyward, will be one of the best in the Big Ten as well.

Perhaps Ohio State's biggest obstacle is the schedule, as the Buckeyes have to go to Madison and Iowa City and host Miami and Penn State. The game against Iowa could decide who goes to the national championship, and given the Buckeyes' recent success against the Hawkeyes, expect Ohio State to be heading to Glendale.

Prediction: 12-0
vs. Marshall W
vs. Miami (FL) W
vs. Ohio W
vs. Eastern Michigan W
at Illinois W
vs. Indiana W
at Wisconsin W
vs. Purdue W
at Minnesota W
vs. Penn State W
at Iowa W
vs. Michigan W

Penn State Nittany Lions

Over/Under: 8.5

After a Rose Bowl berth and near national championship invite in 2008, Penn State was a favorite to win the Big Ten and perhaps reach the national title in 2009. But an early season loss to Iowa doomed the Nittany Lions, who ended up with a "disappointing" Capital One Bowl berth.

This year, Penn State is headed into a rebuilding year after losing quarterback Darryl Clark. Kevin Newsome is the most likely candidate to replace Clark right now, and while he has great potential, he isn't ready to lead this team back to the BCS.

The defense should be better up front and in the backfield after a mediocre season in 2009, but must find a way to replace all three of its starting linebackers, who made up one of the best linebacker corps in the Big Ten.

Simply put, this isn't the year that Penn State will take down Alabama and it isn't the year for JoePa to win another national championship. Expect another non-BCS January bowl and a rebuilding season for a team that could be very good in a couple years.

Prediction: 9-3
vs. Youngstown State W
at Alabama L
vs. Kent State W
vs. Temple W
at Iowa L
vs. Illinois W
at Minnesota W
vs. Michigan W
vs. Northwestern W
at Ohio State L
vs. Indiana W
vs. Michigan State W

Purdue Boilermakers

Over/Under: 6

Last year was a rebuilding season for the Boilermakers, as coach Danny Hope led his team to 5-7 record. While that isn't in any way a success, Purdue showed that it has promise for the future and was the only Big Ten team to beat Ohio State.

But Purdue is the least predictable team in the Big Ten. Former Miami quarterback Robert Marve will take over a solid offense and will try to finally prove why he was such a highly touted recruit coming out of high school. He has a lot of work to do as the defense is suspect and unproven.

As I said, Purdue is a mystery. It could end up anywhere between 4-8 and 8-4, depending on the progression of Robert Marve and the defense. But there is a decent chance that this once proud program could be bowling for the holidays.

Prediction: 7-5
at Notre Dame L
vs. Western Illinois W
vs. Ball State W
vs. Toledo W
at Northwestern L
vs. Minnesota W
at Ohio State L
at Illinois W
vs. Wisconsin L
vs. Michigan W
at Michigan State L
vs. Indiana W

Wisconsin Badgers

Over/Under: 10

After a couple seasons of mediocrity, Wisconsin finished fourth in the Big Ten last year, concluding a solid season with a win over Miami in the Champs Sports Bowl.

The Badger offense should be outstanding next year, as it returns quarterback Scott Tolzien, one of the best offensive lines in the country, and a Heisman candidate in running back John Clay.

The defense will be solid, but not great, as a strong linebacker corps tries to make up for the loss of defensive end O'Brien Schofield.

The real achilles heel for Wisconsin will likely be the schedule, as the Badgers host Ohio State and visit Iowa City in back-to-back weeks. Historically, Wisconsin plays well against Ohio State, but will have its hands full with this year's squad. Playing Iowa on the road doesn't help the Badgers, who normally don't play well at Kinnick.

Wisconsin is considered a preseason contender for the Big Ten title, and while it should head to a good January bowl in the offseason, two losses in that tough two-game stretch might be enough to knock the Badgers out of Big Ten title and BCS contention.

Prediction: 10-2
at UNLV W
vs. San Jose State W
vs. Arizona State W
vs. Austin Peay W
at Michigan State W
vs. Minnesota W
vs. Ohio State L
at Iowa L
at Purdue W
vs. Indiana W
at Michigan W
vs. Northwestern W