Big Ten Football: Biggest Potential Trap Games in Leaders Division

College football is nothing if not fraught with upsets, letdowns, surprises and heartbreak. Nowhere is that more evident than the staple of every team's schedule: the trap game.

Here's a look at the Leaders division and each team's potential pratfall heading into 2012.

Illinois: vs. Louisiana Tech: It's easy to see a team from a conference that's rapidly dissolving and think "easy win." Tech is coming off an 8-5 season, though, and returns underrated QB Colby Cameron, who came on midseason and threw 13 touchdowns with only three picks. The game's in Champaign, but this should be a battle if Illinois isn't careful.

Indiana: BYE: I fully expect Indiana to somehow come out of its open date in Week 3 with another loss. 

Ohio State: vs. Illinois: Ohio State's going to be coming off a night game at Penn State, one that should be a hard-fought win for the Buckeyes. Two weeks after that is a much-needed bye week, and only a home tilt with Illinois remains. In short, it's the perfect recipe for a letdown. Expect Illinois to be in this game much longer than Ohio State or its fans would like.

Penn State: vs. Navy: In terms of sheer talent and recruiting, Penn State and Navy don't belong in the same division of football. In terms of what actually happens on the field, Navy can be a tough win for just about anybody—up to and including a Big Ten team that just went through a near-total staff overhaul. Unless Bill O'Brien spends a significant amount of time in the preseason teaching his players how to defend the option, this Week 3 matchup is going to be very difficult for the Nittany Lions. 

Purdue: at Minnesota: Purdue has a brutal stretch of the Big Ten slate that includes games against Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Penn State and Iowa in a six-week span. Nestled in there is a trip to comparative lightweight Minnesota. The Gophers won't have a sexy record at that point, but they'll be ready for Purdue.

Wisconsin: vs. Ohio State: As long as Wisconsin can just run the ball 50 times a day and expect to come home with a win, the letdowns will be few and far between. To that end, it's going to take a particularly stout defensive front to stop Wisconsin, and that's what Ohio State brings to the table. Wisconsin won't overlook this game, not after last year's matchup, but putting the game in Camp Randall won't guarantee a Badger victory this time around.