3 Dark Horse Candidates to Win the Big Ten Football Title in 2012

Predicting the eventual champions of college football's major conferences always provides for some much-needed entertainment, but choosing the dark-horse candidates is even better.

The Big Ten Conference has three dark-horse championship candidates this season, a year after Wisconsin defeated Michigan State 42-39 in the first annual Big Ten Championship game.

For a peek at these dark-horse candidates, take a look at the following slides.

Enjoy.

Nebraska

After having been accustomed to being one of the big dogs in the Big 12 Conference, Nebraska's first season in the Big Ten was a wake-up call to Husker Nation.

Bo Pelini's squad finished third in the Legends Division, behind Michigan and Michigan State. The Huskers' 5-3 mark in conference play will not be tolerated on an annual basis by the rabid fan base.

However, Nebraska's second season in the Big Ten could prove to be a surprising one.

Pelini's squad doesn't have an easy road to a conference championship, but it isn't particularly difficult, either.

Nebraska must navigate through treacherous waters at Ohio State on Oct. 6, as well as at Michigan State on Nov. 3. A showdown against Michigan in Lincoln on Oct. 27 also looms large.

Should Nebraska win two of those three games, its quest for the school's first Big Ten Conference Championship would become a realistic possibility.

The keys for the Huskers to make a run at the Big Ten title game will be the play of quarterback Taylor Martinez and the play of the defensive line.

Martinez regressed as a passer in 2011 and must cut down on his mistakes in order for the offense to take the next step.

As for the defense, the transition from defending spread offenses in the Big 12 to power attacks in the Big Ten was not an easy one for the Huskers. Having a year of experience under their belt should prove enough for the defense to make some noise in the conference in 2012.

Wisconsin

Under Bret Bielema's command, Wisconsin has become the cream of the crop in the Big Ten Conference.

The Badgers have gone to the Rose Bowl the last two seasons, but 2012 will be a change of scenery for Bielema and Co.

Russell Wilson is no longer leading the offense at quarterback, and offensive coordinator Paul Chryst has moved on to take the head coaching gig at Pittsburgh.

The good news for the Badgers is that running back and Heisman Trophy candidate Montee Ball will be back for his senior season, along with former Maryland quarterback Danny O'Brien.

If O'Brien can come in and develop the type of command of the offense that Wilson did a year ago, the Badger offense will be hanging large numbers on the scoreboard yet again.

If not, the offense will likely take a step back from the wildly successful offenses of the past two seasons. 

What's working in Wisconsin's favor for a return trip to the Big Ten title game is its conference schedule.

The Badgers will play both Michigan State and Ohio State at Camp Randall Stadium, with the only questionable conference road game.

Watch out for a regular season-ending game at Penn State, though. That may be a trap game for the Badgers, especially at Happy Valley.

Penn State

With the arrival of summer conditioning comes a sense of normalcy for the Penn State Nittany Lions and first-year head coach Bill O'Brien.

O'Brien has done a fabulous job of leaving the distractions stemming from the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal in the past and having his players focused on the task at hand, which is competing for a Big Ten title.

O'Brien brings with him a single back, three-wide offense, which will be led by quarterback Matt McGloin and running back Silas Redd. A veteran offensive line will be the anchor of O'Brien's new pro-style scheme.

And like Wisconsin, the Nittany Lions were handed a favorable conference slate. O'Brien's squad will take on Ohio State and Wisconsin at Happy Valley, the two marquee matchups for Penn State this season. The lone road test in conference play will come at Nebraska on Nov. 10.

Should Penn State navigate those three contests unscathed, the Nittany Lions will likely receive an invitation to the second annual Big Ten title game.