Life on the Big Stage: 10 Predictions For the Big Ten Next Year, And a Few More

Big Life, Big State, Big Ten.

We have all seen the commercials. We have seen the glory days of the Big Ten, and the not so glorious days.

Right now the state of the economy, and the state of the Big Ten, are not panning out the way most would want them to. If the Big Ten were a stock, Mad Money would tell you, "SELL, SELL, SELL".

The Big Ten had a 1-6 bowl record this season, losses in the past two National Championships, and lacked the lighting and excitement coming from such conferences as the SEC and Big 12.

Despite bad luck and bad outcomes, football fans, for the most part, are glass-half full. We look on the bright side, chins up—all that jazz your parents say when you lose something.

I, for one am optimistic about the Big Ten's future, especially this season. Teams like Ohio State, Penn State, Iowa, and Michigan State are losing key players that heavily contributed to their respective successes. 

Teams like Michigan and Wisconsin, who disappointed this year, should climb back up the ladder and bring more to the table.

What is in store for the 2009-2010 season? We have a while to find that out, but it is always fun to dream and guess.

Here are ten of my own predictions for a conference in need of rejuvenation:

1. Iowa fans will replace their Shonn Greene fetishes with "Jewels"

Doak Walker recipient Shonn Greene is off to the races in the NFL draft now, but no need to worry Hawkeye faithful. Jewel Hampton, Greene's freshman backup, rushed for 463 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Promise and burst are two words that can clearly define Hampton's game. With Ricky Stanzi at the helm, he and Hampton could provide a great one-two punch for Kirk Ferentz's squad.

2. Daryl Clark will be the next Todd Boeckman, criticism-wise

It may be a stretch, but in my opinion, Daryl Clark could get some of the same feedback Todd Boeckman did in his Senior year.

Boeckman was hyped for being one of the top passers last year, and this year was bombarded with insults and was replaced at quarterback. Many believe it might be because of the offensive line losing some players, not producing as much as expected, or Terrelle Pryor's emergence.

The same could be said for Clark. The Nittany Lions' offensive line loses players, and Clark has already been somewhat criticized this year for his so-called "lack of toughness" that was on display in the Ohio State game.

Penn State also has a talented quarterback recruit in Kevin Newsome, who could pose a threat for Clark if Joe Paterno does not like what he sees (if he still can see).

3. Michigan will make the Motor City Bowl, and lose

What a turn around it would be for Rich Rodriguez and his Wolverines, from an abysmal 3-9 to a bowl game. But at the same time, the Michigan tradition is bulging with prestige and honors, so the transformation back to the days of Bo could be a few more years.

Lead by running back Brandon Minor and linebacker Obi Ezeh, the Wolverines will step up their level of competition and enter the Motor City Bowl against the top MAC team, whom I see to be the Central Michigan Chippewas.

The Chippewas' quarterback, Dan LeFevour, has been considered a poor man's Tim Tebow, and I see him having a Tim Tebow-like performance against Michigan.

4. The Buckeyes will be a BCS-Bowl team full of surprises

I promise, no bias went into this. It is my guy feeling and there are many who feel the Buckeyes will be the top team. 

Sophomore-to-be quarterback Terrelle Pryor will have to improve an unimpressive passing game, but he will still have support from the running game. Daniel "Boom" Herron, Brandon "Zoom" Saine, Jaamal Berry, and Carlos Hyde will lead the strong point of the Buckeyes' offensive attack.

The receiving corps is defined as fast and tough, and in more of a spread system, they should flourish.

The defense is set at defensive line, and the linebacker corps have too much potential to not be figured out by the Spring game. The one question will be filling the spots of defensive backs Malcolm Jenkins and Donald Washington.

Nonetheless, I see the Buckeye beating a USC team that loses a starting quarterback and most of its defense, and going to Pasadena to play either USC, Oregon, Oregon State, or California.

5. "Juice" will end a bittersweet career at the Punch Bowl

From Rose Bowl, to no bowl, Isaac "Juice" Williams has had a topsy-turvy road down Illini Avenue. From beating Ohio State in the Horseshoe, to ending this season on a losing streak, Williams will look to find his way up the mountain again.

He is a dynamic player, as he set the record for most all-purpose yards in the Big House this year against Michigan. With top receiver Arrelious Benn still at school, Williams will look for one last hoo-rah on his swan song season.

6. Minnesota will have the best QB-WR connection in the conference

Adam Weber and Eric Decker already have a strong connection and could have been this season's top duo. In my opinion, I give that credit to Penn State's Daryl Clark and Derrick Williams.

Weber and Decker have been very underrated at their respective positions, and stepped on the scene this year by leading the Golden Gophers to a bowl game.

Defenses will be aware of this two-headed monster, but they will need a whole lot more than film to stop this Minnesota attack.

7. Wisconsin's John Clay will be continue a great tradition of Badger backs

Alan Ameche, Ron Dayne, P.J. Hill, and now John Clay. The legacy of Badger running backs is in good shape with the big, powerful John Clay in line to take the handoffs. Rushing for over 800 yards this year, Clay provided a great spell for starter P.J. Hill.

With the passing game no where near sound, Clay will shoulder most of the responsibility, and will hope to lead a Badger team to a non-disappointing year.

8. Michigan State will have no problem replacing Brent Hoyer and Javon Ringer

The Spartans lost firepower with Brent Hoyer and Javon Ringer leaving Michigan State.

The future of the offense should not be part of any Spartan fans' pessimism. Quarterback Kirk Cousins will lead a bunch looking to fill Hoyer's shoes. I see Cousins as the starter, as he is tall, has good poise, and good arm strength.

Ringer's spot will also be determined by competition, and two top recruits, Edwin Baker and Larry Caper will lead a cast of backs looking to take over for Ringer.

9. Northwestern, Indiana, and Purdue will be in the Toilet Bowl wiping up the rear

Pun intended. I feel Northwestern loses a lot on offense. Quarterback C.J. Bacher, running back Tyrell Sutton, and their top three receivers are leaving.

Indiana does have quarterback Kellen Lewis coming back, who just two years ago, led the Hoosiers to a bowl team. They do lose running back Marcus Thigpen though.

Purdue has a new coach Danny Hope replacing Joe Tiller, and their offense also loses players Kory Sheets, Greg Orton, Desmond Tardy, and Curtis Painter.

I expect all these teams to be the latter three of the conference and to be cellar dwellers. None will make a real bowl, but as my headline stated the Toilet Bowl is open for entry and these three are wiping up the rear.

10. Top recruits will bring immediate impacts

Despite a reputation of lacking top recruits, the 2009 freshman class should be more than an extra body on the teams. From Ohio State's Duron Carter to Michigan's Tate Forcier, and Iowa's Keenan Davis, many players from the '09 class could find themselves as Big Men on Campus someday.

Good players to watch on each team will be:

Illinois- Isaac "Juice" Williams/ Martez Wilson, LB

Indiana- Kellen Lewis/ Greg Middleton, DE

Iowa- Ricky Stanzi, QB/ Pat Angerer, LB

Michigan- Brandon Minor, RB/ Obi Ezeh, LB

Michigan State- Mark Dell/ Chris L. Rucker, CB

Minnesota- Adam Weber, QB/ Traye Simmons, CB

Northwestern- Mike Kafka, QB/Corey Wootton, DE

Ohio State- Terrelle Pryor, QB/ Kurt Coleman, S

Penn State- Evan Royster, RB/Sean Lee, LB

Purdue- Justin Siller, QB&RB/ Ryan Kerrigan, DL

Wisconsin- John Clay, RB/ Jay Valai, DB

The final rankings of the conference will be as listed:

1. Ohio State (Rose Bowl)

2. Penn State (Capital One Bowl)

3. Iowa (Outback Bowl)

4. Minnesota (Alamo Bowl)

5. Michigan State (Champs Sports Bowl)

6. Wisconsin (Insight Bowl)

7. Michigan (Motor City Bowl)

8. Illinois

9. Northwestern

10. Indiana

11. Purdue