1. Ohio State
It’s good to be the kings, and ever since the guy with the sweater vest arrived, that’s what the Buckeyes have been.
Now, with just about all their weapons returning—including quarterback Todd Boeckman, running back Chris “Beanie” Wells (easily the Big Ten’s strongest Heisman candidate), and linebacker James Laurinaitis—it’s difficult to see the Buckeyes as anything but the Big Ten champions for 2008.
The Buffalo Bucks have a lot of doubters (not the least of which reside below the Mason-Dixon Line), and they can go a long way toward proving them wrong (for a little while) when they visit the USC Trojans at the Coliseum.
On the other hand, just remember what happened the last time the overwhelming favorite to win the Big Ten opened up against a team from Division I-AA.
2. Wisconsin
One of the more consistent teams in recent years has been the Wisconsin Badgers. When Bret Bielema took over for living legend Barry Alvarez, the Badgers didn’t miss a beat.
With PJ Hill—the Wisconsin Winnebago—returning, along with talented tight end Travis Beckum and quarterback Allan Evridge, 10 wins and a return to Florida on New Year’s Day look like a cinch.
The offense looks as powerful as ever, but the defense—a traditional Badger staple—needs improvement, particularly a secondary that yielded 222 passing yards per game.
The schedule gets tough late in September, but softens up again once November hits. After a trip to Ann Arbor and an evening visit from the Buckeyes, the rest doesn’t look so bad. Don’t expect a title, however, unless something dreadful happens at the top.
3. Illinois
Betcha can’t do that again! Ron Zook’s third year in Champaign proved to be a breakthrough few could have foreseen. The Illini won nine games, and by virtue of beating Ohio State, made their first Rose Bowl since the 1983 season.
So what can you do for an encore? Running back Rashard Mendenhall left a year early to the NFL, and the defense’s emotional leader J Leman graduated.
The good news, however, is that Isaiah “Juice” Williams is only a junior, and receiver Arrelious Benn returns after winning the Big Ten’s Freshman of the Year award. Inexperience looms at linebacker, while the safeties also look suspect.
The schedule—complete with several daunting streaks—is rather ominous. For starters, the Illini haven’t beaten Ohio State in Champaign since 1991. Instead of a return trip to Pasadena, a New Year’s date in Florida seems more likely.
4. Michigan
10 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
BabyTate 11 months ago
Nice article. Good information.
Michigan State #6, that's surprising. Some of the writers in B/R believe they will win 10 games. I suppose that will happen only if they win some of those close games they lost last you as you pointed out in your article.
Keep up the good work.
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Joseph Paterno 11 months ago
Please tell me that you don't get paid to write this stuff. Stop listening to the talking heads at ESPN and use your eyes (actually watch a game or two). Illinois will finish the season with at least 4 losses, as will Michigan. Purdue will be in 7th or 8th as they are every year. PSU will not finish the season with more than 2 losses (regular season).
Get a clue.
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David Houser 11 months ago
i agree with you
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Brendan Monaghan 11 months ago
"Illinois will finish the season with at least 4 losses," That's why I have them in third instead of second.
"as will Michigan." I did say it would be a down year.
"Purdue will be in 7th or 8th as they are every year." The offense looks too talented for them to lose that many games.
"PSU will not finish the season with more than 2 losses (regular season)." Penn State fan much?
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Adam Moyer 11 months ago
Did you do any research at all on Penn State....Just Wow....Not because you have us at 7th thats fine you are able to have your opinion...But really did you even look at the depth chart....
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Edward Butka 11 months ago
Wow, this is the most shoddy piece of work I have seen thus far this year in the area of predictions.
Michigan will be "lucky" to have a winning season . If you understood how deep PSU was on defense you would never have placed them at 7th! Etc., etc....:O(
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Ryan Staab 11 months ago
I don't know if I'd consider Todd Boeckman an "offensive weapon"
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Paul Salman 11 months ago
This was awful based on the PSU info. PSU returns like 8 starters on defense and has one of th deepest Dlines in the nation, not to mention one of, if not the best d.end in Maurice Evans. I will read the rest now to see how you analyzed everyother team but just based on PSU this is very poor.
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Paul Salman 11 months ago
Now read someone who obviously knows about PSU and the amount of talent returning:
http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/8401672/Lions-have-chance-to-be-Big-Ten-upsetter
AGain not saying we will be top 2 or 3 but at least get the INFO correct about the depth chart and returning players
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Rob Wunsch 11 months ago
I have to agree with a lot of the PSU fans on here. Penn State may seem to be falling apart at the seams with the "Outside the Lines" witch hunt; however, they have a really good team coming back this year and will be in the top third of the Big Ten competing for the title. They play Michigan at home this year and if you just eye ball their schedule you can see 9 or 10 wins without any problems.
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